“Art and the Eye”

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute celebrated its 42nd annual Evening of Vision gala in March at The Breakers in Palm Beach. This highly anticipated black-tie event brought together elegance, excitement, and the support of the generous Palm Beach community in celebration of the sight-saving mission of Bascom Palmer. With the enthusiasm and leadership generated by the gala chair and grand chair sponsor, Ari Rifkin, the evening celebrated “Art and the Eye.” Following dinner, Dr. Eduardo Alfonso introduced Bascom Palmer’s moon shot project, its new, lofty project of transplanting the human eye. Involving some of the most revolutionary technology, the Institute is looking to make an eye transplant a reality. Grand gala patrons included Tova Leidesdorf, the McNulty Charitable Foundation, and Christy and Earl Powell. Gala Patrons included the Maskin Family Foundation, Lois Pope, and the Irvin Saltzman Family Foundation.

“For Your Eyes Only”

Bascom Palmer celebrated its 6th annual “For Your Eyes Only” Ladies Luncheon at Club Colette. Chaired and generously underwritten by Lois Pope, the diamond sponsors of the event were Dr. Carol Bastek, Ari Rifkin, Tova Leidesdorf, and Lesly Smith. Virginia Gildea was the platinum sponsor, and Penelope Antonini, Sandra Berman, Jenny Cyker, Monnie Donnelley, Arlette Gordon, Christine Lynn, Marietta Muina McNulty, Etsuko O. Morris, Sunny Sessa, Sally Tagialatella, and Susan K. Wright served as gold sponsors.

The featured speaker was Terrence O’Brien, M.D., professor of ophthalmology and holder of the Charlotte Breyer Rodgers Chair in Ophthalmology. He shared an “eye-opening” presentation focusing on the seven A’s for the super ager to achieve good health well into their 90s and 100s: attitude, awareness, activity, accomplishment, autonomy, attachment, and avoidance.