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Message from the PAOF Chair

Oct 30, 2019eVision, From the PAOF Chair, PAOF

Dear Colleagues:

The Pan-American has participated in another Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that recently took place in San Francisco. One of the highlights of my stay was the Circle of Vision Luncheon.

The Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation (PAOF) offers a program for those who donate USD $1,000 per year to belong to the PAOF’s Circle of Vision. This is a very important program which helps support the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology’s educational programs.

At the Circle of Vision Luncheon we met with our friends and colleagues from all over the world: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Singapore and the United States. The COV members who came farthest was Dr. Jerry Tan and his wife from Singapore.

This year at the Circle of Vision Luncheon, we recognized three new Life & Legacy programs that were launched this year:

  • Richard & Chita Abbott Award for the Best PAAO LDP “Curso” Project – Awards a prize to the best Curso Project. One of the requirements of the PAAO’s LDP program is that the participant must create and implement a project that will benefit their nominating society or their home community. The goal is to help inspire our younger colleagues in the Americas to create new and innovative ways to achieve improved patient care outcomes.
  • Michael W. Brennan International Leadership Scholarship – Provides financial aid to young leaders to participate in the PAAO’s LDP Course “Curso de Liderazgo.” This program will strive to break financial barriers so that more can participate in the program.
  • The Enrique Graue Wiechers Award for Transformational Leadership – Recognizes ophthalmologists who have, through a trajectory of many years of leadership, have been key in the creation or transformation of ophthalmologist institutions, hospitals and associations.

As Helen Keller so eloquently said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” These three awards are the result of generosity from dozens of donors who have come together to make this happen.

Please contact me if you are interested in creating a new Life & Legacy Program!

Sincerely,

Jorge E. Valdez MD PhD

PAOF Chairman of the Board