Songs for Sight Weekend Family Retreat - April 13-15, 2012
On April 13th-15th, 2012, the Songs for Sight Youth Low Vision Support Group in conjunction with the Alabama Association for Parents of Children with Vision Impairment participated in a weekend family retreat at the Children’s Harbor Lake Martin Facility in Alexander City, Alabama. We had 143 attendees from 33 families for this very special event. Our activities at the retreat included a special hands-on activity with Apple iPads that was led by one of our featured speakers, Shane Jackson. Also on the agenda was a wonderful presentation from Dana Manasco. Dana was born with vision impairment but lost more vision as an adult. She is a woman of optimism and determination, who didn’t let blindness hold her back. She is married with 2 children and is currently a student in UAB’s program to become a certified Orientation and Mobility instructor.
On Saturday, in addition to our educational sessions, we took amazing boat rides along Lake Martin and that night we had a Wacky Tacky Party. Sunday activities included a Chapel
service as well as more break out session. Participants and volunteers alike had a wonderful time and left with new knowledge and friendships.
This amazing weekend was sponsored through Songs for Sight.
Owsley Featured in PBA News, elected to board
Cynthia Owsley, PhD., Nathan E. Miles Chair of Ophthalmology, Professor, and Vice Chair for Clinical Research has been elected to the Prevent Blindness America Board of Directors
See the full story on pages 15 and 17 of PBA News HERE
Annual eye screening for kids can make lifelong difference in vision - January 12, 2012
Girkin to serve as Interim Chair of Department of Ophthalmology - Oct. 5, 2011
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Christopher Girkin has agreed to serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology effective October 1, 2011. As a valued senior faculty member, Dr. Girkin is very familiar with the workings of the Department. He is ready to work with the faculty and staff in the department to ensure a smooth transition and will keep the department moving forward while a national search for an outstanding new chair is being conducted. This is a top priority for the School of Medicine, UAB Health System and University, and we will be successful. Dr. Girkin is a graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and currently is a Professor in the Department.
Thank you for all that you do to support our mission, UAB and our community. Please join me in expressing our appreciation and best wishes to Dr. Kline as he transitions from his role as chair to faculty and welcome Dr. Girkin in his new role.
Sincerely,
Ray L. Watts, MD
Sr. Vice President for Medicine
Dean, School of Medicine
James C. Lee Endowed Chair
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute director to speak at UAB - Sept. 23
Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., will deliver the 2011 Alabama Eye Bank Distinguished Lectureship in Cornea and External Disease on Sept. 23 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Callahan Eye Hospital. Alfonso is chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and director of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. The lecture will be at 7 a.m. at the Smith Education Center, on the 3rd floor of the Callahan Eye Hospital, 1720 University Blvd.
Alfonso is an internationally known expert on ocular infectious diseases. With a University of Miami team, he is spearheading ways to make rapid identification of sight-threatening eye infections.
The lectureship, now in its 6th year, is sponsored by the Alabama Eye Bank and the Global Sight Network and hosted by the Department of Ophthalmology at UAB.
Media contact: Bob Shepard, 205-934-8934, bshep@uab.edu
See the Brochure for the 2011 Alabama Eye Bank Lecture
Kline Delivers Samuel B. Johnson Lecture -- June 2011
In June 2011, UAB Department of Ophthalmology Chairman Lanning B. Kline, MD delivered the Professor Samuel B Johnson Memorial Lecture at the University of Mississippi, Department of Ophthalmology.
Owsley appointed to PBA Board -- June 2011
Dr. Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D, the Nathan E. Miles Chair of Ophthalmology at UAB was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Prevent Blindness America. A full list of PBA Board Members is listed HERE.
Dept. sponsors table at WEAVR luncheon, Owsley chairs event -- 5/3/2011
The UAB Department of Ophthalmology sponsored a table at the recent Women in Eye and Vision Research (WEAVR) luncheon on May 3 at the annual meeting of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Dr. Cynthia Owsley, the Nathan E. Miles Chair of Ophthalmology at UAB, chaired the WEAVR Luncheon Committee. WEAVR is dedicated to developing and strengthening the career path of women in eye and vision research.
WEAVR supports networking opportunities, research and travel grants to support new women vision scientists worldwide, and provides empowerment to ARVO women scientists worldwide to take active roles in the workplace and professional and community organizations dedicated to enhance vision and eye research and the promotion of eye health.