RESEARCH MATTERS
2025 ANNUAL REPORT 1
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Dear Friends and Supporters,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025
As we close Fiscal Year 2025, I am proud to reflect on a year marked by resilience, innovation, and a deepened commitment to equity in care. Despite the challenges that have impacted the broader research and healthcare landscape, the Eye & Ear Foundation has continued to move forward— thanks to your steadfast support.
Neal S. Beckford, MD
Jonas T. Johnson, MD, FACS
José-Alain Sahel, MD
Henry S. Beukema
Carole L. Kamin
E. Ronald Salvitti, MD
Gail Bleach, PhD
Michael Kamin
Anantha Shekhar, MD, PhD
Glenn E. Bost, II
Matthias Kleinz
James L. Soffer
Charles R. Brodbeck Board Chair
Christina Rath Lamport
Kenneth Spruill
Elena LaQuatra
Cynthia Sunseri Board Secretary
Margaretha L. Casselbrant, MD, PhD Mary Crawford
Anne Lewis
Jennifer Salvitti Davis, MD
Jeffrey B. Markel
Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD, LAc
Diana L. Mrvos, MD Board Treasurer
Douglas P. Dick
Eugene N. Myers, MD, FACS, FRCS Edin (Hon)
George A. Fechter B. Gordon Nelson, III
Paul R. Vittone
This year, we’ve seen remarkable progress across our mission areas. At the Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, our researchers advanced a promising new therapy that combines membranebound vesicles with statins to protect and regenerate the optic nerve—offering new hope for patients facing irreversible vision loss. In Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, our head and neck cancer team expanded access to cuttingedge treatments, including immunotherapy and precision-guided surgery. These innovations are improving survival and quality of life for patients with some of the most complex conditions we treat. Equally important, we’ve strengthened our efforts to reach underserved communities—ensuring that access to world-class care and research is not limited by geography, income, or background. Through community partnerships, mobile outreach, and expanded telemedicine services, we are bringing sight and sound to those who need it most. Throughout the year, we’ve shared these stories in Sight + Sound and The Scoop, celebrating the people and progress that make our mission possible. Whether restoring vision, preserving hearing, or treating life-threatening conditions, we remain committed to improving lives through science, compassion, and access.
Nancy D. Washington, PhD Bruce Wiegand José P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS Aldo Zini Board Vice Chair
As we look to the future, we do so with gratitude—for your belief in our work and your role in helping us meet this moment. Together, we are building a future where no one is left behind. With heartfelt thanks, Lawton Snyder Chief Executive Officer, The Eye & Ear Foundation
Louis J. Fox Peter Rackoff Lawrence N. Gumberg
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When it comes to education, our residency program is among the most attractive in the nation. We offer advanced postresidency fellowships in all ophthalmic subspecialties, host an optometry residency program, offer an ophthalmic technician training program, and were the first in the nation to establish a large-scale Advanced Practice Provider training program in ophthalmology. We just obtained accreditation for the opening of a new fellowship program in ocular inflammation and several promising candidates from top institutions have reached out to apply. José-Alain Sahel, MD Distinguished Professor and Chairman Department of Ophthalmology The Eye & Ear Foundation Endowed Chair University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Director, UPMC Vision Institute Emeritus Exceptional Class Professor, Sorbonne University, Paris
THE DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY While 2024 was a landmark year, 2025 has the potential to surpass it. We made strides in all areas, with our research success reflected in a NIH ranking of fifth compared to eighth last year, and 25th a few years ago. One of our many clinical accomplishments was to collaborate with the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) to establish an international vision institute. This joint lab will be one of INSERM’s first partnerships outside Europe. We also continued to develop a digital twin model, which is helping with individualized treatment and safety monitoring.
Some of our faculty have created startup companies, with the most recent being NetraMind Innovations, dedicated to advancing ophthalmic care through the development of AI and machine learning technologies, building predictive models of disease. Ensuring that all patients have access to care is one of our key priorities. Our Healthy Vision Lab, eyeVan, and free vision clinic at Mission of Mercy are just a few of the many ways in which we try to meet underserved patients where they are. We are currently designing with UPMC leadership an ambitious strategy to provide care to as many as possible in a sustainable model. However, we are also confronted with major uncertainties. Healthcare models are changing and NIH funding is at risk at the national level. Given our successes in obtaining such federal funding, from NIH, NSF, and DOD, we are at risk of seeing some major, cutting-edge programs suspended. Until now, support from the EEF and our donors, individuals, and philanthropies helped us in building our teams and generating the data that made our programs competitive versus the rest of the country. The challenge will now be to continue that growth as our Department is becoming a magnet for outstanding clinicians, scientists and trainees, but also to protect the present and future of what we have built. We could come out stronger from these challenging times, but the situation and risks are keeping us up at night. We are committed to extending our efforts and launching new initiatives, as growth and renewal are essential to our mission and survival. The Eye & Ear Foundation is a critical, integral partner, and we need your ongoing support as we work together to advance eye care for all. As we reflect on our progress and the collaborative spirit that fuels these initiatives, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supports our mission. The dedication and innovation of our faculty and the engagement of our contributors continue to shape the future of ophthalmic care and education, making a lasting difference in the lives of our patients and the broader community. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for inspiring excellence every day.
In a short time, the first artificial iris procedure will be done in Pittsburgh; there are only three places that offer this option. Several patients are waiting for this much-needed reconstructive procedure. We have now recruited excellent experts in eye tumors and these clinics are very busy. Research advancements include new gene therapy approaches using novel vectors, a new retinal adhesive thermoresponsive gel, and making progress in developing human corneal stromal stem cells for treating blinding corneal opacities. We expanded the use of novel methods using virtual reality to assess the impact of vision impairment in daily life, in a tight partnership with Paris, Portland, OR and Dallas. We are co-leading with Stanford the ARPA-H project on Whole Eye Transplantation, receiving millions in funding to work toward optic nerve regeneration and eye preservation prior to transplantation. Breakthrough projects in cortical vision, next generation optogenetics, novel methodologies for data science and clinical trials, patient-centric care, and a universal platform for rare diseases, are all at the core of our mission to improve the quality of life through preserving and restoring vision. Several leaders are joining us, bringing expertise in gene editing, connectomics, retinal development, artificial intelligence, biostatistics, clinical trials innovative methods, and multiomics. 2
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support from the Eye & Ear Foundation, we are embarking on a new program to measure and manage functional outcomes in patients undergoing complex head and neck surgery and reconstruction. Matthew Spector, MD, FACS, Shaum Sridharan, MD, and Kevin Contrera, MD, MPH, conduct the research in the functional outcomes program, such as determining the right flap for the right patient and ensuring that what is done during reconstruction is translatable for the future. Their goals are to maximize the functional outcome of surgery and afterwards, so patients can speak, swallow, and participate in society the way they want. They have received a national grant to fund a research fellow over the next year to help build the program. Dr. Spector is the principal investigator of a clinical trial to minimize wound complications in patients undergoing reconstruction.
Clinical Excellence
Facial Reconstructive Surgery/Facial Nerve Centers With the retirement of Grant Gillman, MD, in July, Christine Yver, MD, MBA, our Director of the Facial Nerve Center will bring these two centers together to offer comprehensive services. We are proud to expand our program to ensure our patients benefit from the latest advances in care for both flaccid paralysis and facial synkinesis. Our facial paralysis patients benefit from the expertise of our facial nerve-dedicated physical therapy group under the leadership of Amy Cassidy, PT, and Darcy Bonaventura, PT, as well as the entire spectrum of surgical interventions, including selective myectomy, selective neurectomy, nerve transfers, nerve grafting, and gracilis free muscle transfer.
José P. Zevallos, MD, MPH, FACS The Eugene N. Myers, MD Professor and Chair Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Deputy Director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
The Voice, Airway & Swallow Center Helmed by Libby Smith, DO, the Center is proving itself as the go-to for local singing communities, making sure they are available for help as needed. Chloe Santa Maria, MD, MPH, joined the Department having just completed a highly competitive laryngology fellowship in Los Angeles; she brings innovative new techniques to our laryngology division. As an expert in the management of the professional voice, she has been the lead on collaborating with resident artists in the Pittsburgh Opera in the Vocal Injury Prevention (VIP) Program. Many people find dysphagia difficult to treat, but Sandra Stinnett, MD, laryngologist and Director of the UPMC Swallowing Disorders Center, is trying to change that.
Technical Innovation
THE DEPARTMENT OF OTOLARYNGOLOGYHEAD & NECK SURGERY It is a tremendous privilege to share the work of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and to highlight the remarkable advances that we have made in our fight against head and neck cancer, hearing loss, and other related otolaryngologic conditions. This has been a year of continued clinical and research growth for the Department. With the support of the Eye & Ear Foundation, we have successfully recruited some of the best surgeons and scientists from across the United States to Pittsburgh. Our recruitment reflects key priorities for the Department, including providing world-class clinical care and conducting groundbreaking translational research. The success of the Department is being recognized. This year, we had a significant improvement in our U.S. News & World Report rankings, from #44 to #19 in the nation. Some highlights from the past year include:
Research Expansion
Hearing Services Several new faculty have helped us to further establish the University of Pittsburgh as an international leader in the treatment and research of hearing loss. Peter Santa Maria, MD, PhD, our new Chief of Otology/Neurotology and Vice Chair for Clinical and Translational Research, has already been busy in the operating room and the clinic. His laboratory, focused on understanding hearing loss in otitis media, has successfully transitioned from Stanford to Pittsburgh. We look forward to many new discoveries. We also welcomed Gregory Basura, MD, PhD, and Adele Moatti, PhD, to the team. Dr. Basura is an experienced neurotologist and scientist who runs a research program focused on cognitive pathways in hearing loss and tinnitus and is leading our Global Otolaryngology efforts. Dr. Moatti joins us from UNC and North Carolina State. Her laboratory explores drug delivery methods for the inner ear using nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles.
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Head and Neck Surgery Under the leadership of Matthew Spector, MD, FACS, our head and neck surgical oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery program has ascended to one of the busiest and best in the United States. Along with Marci Nilsen, PhD, RN, and with
We have revitalized the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Pittsburgh CREATES program. With support from the Eye & Ear Foundation and the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute, we hired Mohit Singhala, PhD, as Executive Director of CREATES. Dr. Singhala is a robotics engineer from Johns Hopkins and a former Stanford Biodesign Fellow who will help establish CREATES as a center for surgical innovation and entrepreneurship. The Department has kickstarted a surgeoninnovator fellowship with a cohort of four faculty members and surgical trainees.
Education
Residency We seek to provide an inclusive learning environment with an unparalleled depth and breadth of exposure to all aspects of otolaryngology. The fundamental principle of the program is that resident responsibility is allocated gradually throughout the five-year program, commensurate with the resident’s abilities and maturity. Our program continues to thrive; we welcomed an exceptional class of interns from the University of Pittsburgh (x2), the University of Pennsylvania, Washington University School of Medicine, and UT Southwestern. This year, the residency program was ranked #13 in the United States by Doximity.
Global Outreach
The Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery has expanded its global outreach, thanks to the addition of Gregory J. Basura, MD, PhD. His leadership in this area -- in which he has worked to develop sustainable educational and clinical initiatives in underserved nations -- continues with his Departmental position as Director of Global Outreach. Dr. Basura helped launch the first otology fellowship established in Africa in 2022. He is continuing his involvement in the program, which is about to graduate its third fellow. He is also overseeing the International Visiting Scholars Program, started by Eugene Myers, MD, FACS, FRCS, Emeritus Distinguished Professor and Chairman. Other current global efforts include building long-term medical educational partnerships with Mozambique and Peru.
Philanthropy
The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh is the engine that drives our clinical and research success in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The work of the Department is far from over as we take on even bigger challenges to improve the lives of patients facing head and neck cancer, hearing loss, tinnitus, any many other conditions that severely impact quality of life. We are very grateful to our friends and donors in Pittsburgh and across the United States for their continued support and look forward to another exciting year of discovery ahead.
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EYE & EAR SUPPORTERS FISCAL YEAR 2025 JULY 2024 THROUGH JUNE 2025
The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh gratefully recognizes the individuals, organizations, trusts, and foundations whose generosity allows us to bring new science for new solutions to people with diseases and disorders of the eye, ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. While we are very appreciative of all the gifts, the Annual Report lists donations of $100 and above. In the Fiscal Year 2025, our philanthropic support reached $14,849,473.92 dollars raised, with 725 total gifts to fund the research and academic efforts of the Departments of Ophthalmology and OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. This support forges exciting new collaborations among scientists, researchers, and physicians, helping to build an innovative model of medicine. Thank you for your generosity!
CHAIRMEN CIRCLE DONORS The Chairmen Circle recognizes and celebrates our especially generous donors who have contributed $1,000 and over during our Fiscal Year 2025.
$1,000,000+ Anonymous Giver Louis & Dorothy Fox Hillman Family Foundations Carole & Daniel Kamin E. Ronald & Diann Salvitti $500,000 - $999,999 Nancy McDonald+ Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust Bruce & Barbara Wiegand $250,000 - $499,999 Greg Carr Foundation, Inc. Richard King Mellon Foundation $100,000 - $249,999 Al-Qasimi Family, Sharjah, UAE Anonymous Giver Jack Buncher Foundation Addison Gibson Foundation Eden Hall Foundation Horne Trust Joseph Maroon Sheldon Marstine Barbara & Herbert Shear $50,000 - $99,999 Glenn Bost & Susan DeRiggi BrightFocus Foundation Charles and Estelle Campbell Foundation Andrew Eller & Andrea Solomon-Eller Isabel & Lee Foster Martin & Susan McGuinn National Science Foundation Pennsylvania Medical Society Dale H. and Jeane V. Smart Foundation $25,000 - $49,999 Boston Pediatric Neurosurgical Foundation Charles & Jill Brodbeck Charles Cohen+ & Michele McKenney The Bill and Marian Cook Foundation Earl W. Datt, Jr. and Lorraine G. Datt FOI Fund Jennifer & W. Ryan Davis Gilbert Family Foundation Glaucoma Research Foundation Jaeb Center for Health Research Foundation Diana Mrvos & Frank Rath Mary Nice Richard G. and Barbara A. Snyder General Charity Fund Nancy Washington
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$10,000 - $24,999 Anonymous Giver Larry Benowitz Albert & Barbara Biglan James & Sarah+ Bregenser Brother’s Brother Foundation Margaretha Casselbrant Barbara Chait Harold & Laura Colker Mary Crawford Thomas & Mary Donahoe David & Carol Eibling Sim Einstein Research Foundation Inc. Eye & Ear Hospital Medical Staff Education Fund George Fechter & Christine Fulton John & Diane Fisher Melinda Fogel Foundation Fighting Blindness Lawrence & Ina Gumberg Jonas & Janis Johnson Catherine Loevner Love Family Foundation Jane Love Jeffrey Markel & Carol Robinson Martha Lockhart Mason Trust Jane & Jerry Masters Blanche McManus Eileen & Albert+ Muse Eugene Myers Esam Nooruddin Lewis & Donna Patterson John & Cathy Pelusi Vesna Rapic-Otrin Reaves Asset Management Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation José-Alain & Annie Sahel Diana Shoemaker James Soffer William & Sandra Stout Elizabeth & Douglas+ Truter Sam & Anne Zacharias $5,000 - $9,999 Vitasta Bazaz Henry & Charlotte Beukema David Burstin Carl & Beth Campbell Eversight Vision Leslie Hoffman Sue & Chris Martin Edward Morascyzk Carl Marshall Reeves and Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation Marilyn Rush Anantha Shekhar & Gina Laite Stephen & Margaret Snavely Cynthia & David Sunseri
$1,000 - $4,999 Rosemary Abeles Neal & Rosetta Beckford Richard Bowers & Miriam Rader Michele & Daniel Bursick Robert & Louise Byer Carol & Joe Cambridge Thomas Carmen Kathryn Deane Deepinder Dhaliwal & Sanjiv Singh Douglas & Laura Dick The J. Christopher Donahue & Ann C. Donahue Charitable Fund Roy & Susan Dorrance Mark & Elaine Ehalt Karen Feinstein Rohan & Mary Ganguli Ruth & Alan Garfinkel John Patrick, Mildred K. and Kathleen J. Gilmartin Memorial The Glaucoma Foundation Richard Green Donald & Carolyn Hardman Joyce & Neil Hay-Roe Patrick Heffernan Sara Horsman Matthias Kleinz & Laura Wiegand Candice Komar Lois Kreitzer Christina Lamport Elena LaQuatra & Jordan Bukowski Richard Lepidi Terry Lerman Anne Lewis Lockhart Trust Richard & Martha Masson James McGraw & Jane Love McGraw Pamela Meadowcroft Holland Lois & Milton Michaels Donald & Janet Moritz Gordon & Kennedy Nelson Edward Oles Rosemarie & John Parse Stanley Picheny Peter Post The Peter and Melissa Rackoff Family Foundation Carol & Patrick Riley Bette Rom Sandra & Lawrence Rosen John Sartorio Francis and Madeline Shane Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Huberta Siciliano Lawton & Susan Snyder John & Patricia Staley Garrett & Ruth Stauffer Charles & Jacqueline Territo Steven & Judith Thomas UPMC Enterprises Edythe Van Dyke
Eric Wang Deborah & Michael Wasilchak H. Knox Watson Edmond & Comly Watters Evan & Laura Waxman Yuling Wei Western Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Foundation Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Aldo & Kathryn Zini Thomas Zuck $500 - $999 Anonymous Giver Anonymous Giver David Bush & Timothy McVay David & Lynne Edmonds Clement & Caroline Erbmann Carol Feola & Chris Alberts Frederick Fesenmyer Richard Halpern Dean Hu Matthew Kaufman Hong Kim Andrew Leger Robert Lehnert Michael & Linda Magidson Daniel McLain Walter Moorhead Mt. Lebanon Lions Club Theresa Nimick-Whiteside Eileen Paul Andrew & Kathleen Petcash Scott & Susan Portnoy PPG Foundation Stephen Sakumoto Lester Shapiro Lisanne Smith Barry & Arlene Sokolow Richard & Thea Stover Sharon Taylor & Philip Rabinowitz Ronald Thompson Paul & Tara Vittone Susan Wehar Marcia Weiss $100 - $499 Nanetta Abruzzi Sreekar Achanta Paul Adams Michael Alexander Cuneyt Alper Anonymous Giver John Ash George & Suzanne Ashman Linda Austin Elizabeth Austin Howard Austin Michael & Carol Azar Alice Backer Lawrence Bagley
+ Deceased
Gloria Barnett Gregory Basura John & Paula Bell Zachary Bennett Thomas Bennett Constance & Craig Bentzen Alice Berkey Robin Bernstein John Boggess Pamela Bolkovac Louise Boutwell Sandra & Thomas Bradigan Kathleen Brennan Leonard Brezarich Beverly Brinn James Buchin Ann Catlett Robert Caughey Jay Chhablani & Preeti Patil Garret & Kristen Choby James Christy, Jr. Warren & Dana Cohn Ian & Toni Conner Kevin & Kathleen Contrera Richard Cooper Timothy Cotten David & Tracy Crawford Barry D’Andrea Kelly Daniels Romeo DeMarco William Dempsey Dental Society of Western PA Douglas Donawitz Edward Douthett Marjorie & Ronald Drake Linda Emert Lindsay Esposito Jane Falkowski Thomas & Carol Fallon Edwin Friend Nicholas Fung Denise Gallagher & Forest Royse Robert Gallagher James & Joy Galvanek
Lauren Gardiner Josie Gibson Grant Gillman Terry Gilmore James Glascock Marian Golob Jerold Gordon Carole & Marcus Gottlieb D. Tyler Gourley Ralph Grabowsky Eli-Sar Graf Foundation John & Kathleen Green Cynthia & Thomas Gregg Marjorie Gross Julianna & Douglas Haag Janice Harrison Henrietta Hays Nancy Heastings William & Beverly Heimberger Roger Heins Barry Hirsch & Jean Harwick Neal & Paula Holmes Jean Hoover Gary & Beth Hopen George Ingram Noel & Amanda Jabbour Jewish Healthcare Foundation Thomas Kaffenberger Linda Kaib James & Janet Kelly Thomas Kirsch Renee Klueber Susan Koehler Heinz Kunz Roy Landau Alan & Vivian Lawsky Jo Ann Lokey Ruth & Frank Lowe Luchini & Company, P.C. James Magnussen Ronald Marko Joseph & Ester Martel Lynn Mason Jessica Maxwell
Dorothy McClure Anne & William McConnel William & Sibby McCrady Robert & Barbara McFetridge John McGoogan Thelma Meacci H. Fred Mercer Joanne Merryman Marian Morrison Robert & Nancy Murphy Donna Nativio Charles & Edith Nevins Phil & Patricia Newcamp Marci Nilsen Fred Okie Kerri Osinski Stephen & Kristen Pakela Steven Parnes Joseph Pastor Philip Perez Kathleen Perod Michael & Carol Perry Heberto Poveda Irmina Ramsey Maryanne Reed H. Mason & Marguerite Reed Frederick Retsch The Ricketson Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Andrew Roman Janice Rosenberg Thomas Rosinski Ellen & Loren Roth Clifford Rowe Peter Rubinsky Deborah & David Rusnak Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish Marie Salgado Chloe & Peter Santa Maria Barry Schaitkin & Sally Carty Linda Schumacher-Feero Joshua Sckolnick Roxanne Sewell Kathryn Sheldon
John Skowvron Charles Slider Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Michael Slomkowski Libby Smith James Snyder Carl Snyderman & Michelina Fato Laurie Sokolsky Matt Sommers Ada Davis & Joseph Spirer Kenneth Spruill Amanda Stapleton Craig Stauffer Steel Town Corvette Club Charles & Rhoda Steiner Peter Stephans Isabel Stewart William & Rose Strickland John Sullivan Philip & Paula Sutton James & Marjorie Swartz Daniel Talbot Ralph & Sharon Tarter Monica Tener Gayle Tissue & Yiannis Kaloyeropoulos David Treworgy Victor Vandewater Stephen Vargo James Waldron Christine Walter R. John Wean Joyce Werner Rachel & Sean Whelan Martin & Eileen Winkler Robert & Nancy Worstell Richard Wray Christina & Hugues Yver Gary Zalac Audrey Zelkovic Roger Zelt José & Juliette Zevallos John Zimmerman Leroy Zimmerman
THE SCIENCE & SOLUTIONS SOCIETY
MEMORIAL DONATIONS
In 2010, the Eye & Ear Foundation established the Science & Solutions Society to honor individuals who have made a commitment to the Foundation through a planned estate gift.
The Eye & Ear Foundation received donations in Fiscal Year 2025 to honor the memory of the following:
At this time, we would like to recognize the following members of our Science and Solutions Society. Their generosity ensures that the Eye & Ear Foundation continues to provide the support needed to advance the research and academic efforts of the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Anonymous Giver Albert & Barbara Biglan Gail Bleach Victor & Jody Burdell Martin & Nanette Farkas Sheila & Milton+ Fine Sylvia Fischer Louis & Dorothy Fox Barbara Giaquinto Loretta & Thomas Hanwell
Carole & Daniel Kamin Jane & Jerry Masters Howard Perlow & Nyoka White Paul Rafail & Gregory Roth Ralph & Sharon Tarter Gayle Tissue & Yiannis Kaloyeropoulos David Wagner
Earl Faust Berrylin Ferguson Harold Forman Rebeca Frankel Jenifer Fruit George Gerneth Susanne Gollin Sandra Goodman Elvira Green Irving Halpern David Hiles Jack Hoggett Vicente Jocson Venkatarama Krishnaswami Myron Letwin Charilee Levy
Jay Linn Mark Loevner Nancy McDonald Florian Mercea Gwen Miller Albert Muse Philomena Palmieri Cheryl Pastor Jeffrey Paul Hans Reppermund Kenneth Richardson Janice Rosenberg Rita Sartorio Genevieve Scopa Jean Slomkowski Charles Snyder Louella Snyder
Michael Spiegelman John Srsic George Stark Mavra Stark Carson Stauffer James Stewart James Swartz Gary Tener Donna Viehman Samuel Walters Peggy Williams Mary Zuck
Should you wish to add the Eye & Ear Foundation to your estate plans, please contact us at 412.864.1300.
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LIFETIME GIVING SOCIETY
The Lifetime Giving Society represents the highest level of giving to the Eye & Ear Foundation and the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. We sincerely appreciate those who have remained dedicated to the Foundation’s mission.
FINDING A CURE LEVEL $1,000,000+ Anonymous Giver Anonymous Giver Anonymous Giver William & Margaret Barati+ James & Alice Beckwith+ Jack Buncher Foundation Sheila & Milton+ Fine Louis & Dorothy Fox Hillman Family Foundations Horne Trust Estate of Virginia Huban Carole & Daniel Kamin Nancy McDonald+ Richard King Mellon Foundation Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. E. Ronald & Diann Salvitti Barbara & Herbert Shear John & Clelia Sheppard Charles and Louella Snyder+ Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust UPMC Enterprises Bruce & Barbara Wiegand
Eugene & Barbara+ Myers Douglas & Julie Newton The Pittsburgh Foundation PNC Foundation & Charitable Trusts Betty Lou Yount Trust
DISCOVERY LEVEL $500,000 - $999,999 BrightFocus Foundation Campbell Foundation J. Samuel & Rose Y. Cox Foundation English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation Foundation Fighting Blindness Estate of Anne M. Guenther Eden Hall Foundation Kenes International Sheldon Marstine Martin & Susan McGuinn Steven & Marian+ Mosites Western Pennsylvania Medical Eye Bank Foundation INNOVATION LEVEL $250,000 - $499,999 Margaret Ritchie Battle Charles & Jill Brodbeck Greg Carr Foundation, Inc. Addison Gibson Foundation Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation Jewish Healthcare Foundation Jonas & Janis Johnson Clarence Klaus, Jr.+ Joseph Maroon Diana Mrvos & Frank Rath Eileen & Albert+ Muse
COLLABORATION LEVEL $100,000 - $249,999 Abgenix Al-Qasimi Family, Sharjah, UAE Anonymous Giver Anonymous Giver Anonymous Giver Anonymous Giver Dick & Rhodora Barton Youssef Berrada Glenn Bost & Susan DeRiggi L. Spencer & William+ Boyd James & Sarah+ Bregenser Brother’s Brother Foundation The Anne L. and George H. Clapp Charitable & Educational Tru Charles Cohen+ & Michele McKenney Jeff & Christine Coury Family Foundation Mark Cuban Thomas & Mary Donahoe Andrew Eller & Andrea Solomon-Eller George Fechter & Christine Fulton John & Diane Fisher Gary & Victoria Frenette Mary Louise & Marvin Gantz+ Glaucoma Research Association of Boston Lawrence & Ina Gumberg Hearst Foundation Drue and H.J. Heinz II Charitable Lead Trust Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. Ladies Hospital Aid Society of Western PA Martha Lockhart Mason Trust Mary & John+ Nice Joseph & Eve Novak+ Michael Novogradac PA Lions Sight Conservation and Eye Research Foundation John & Cathy Pelusi Pennsylvania Medical Society PNC Charitable Trust Committee Tom & Mary Beth Richards Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation José-Alain & Annie Sahel Joel & Carole Schuman Barbara & Herbert Shear Diana Shoemaker
Huberta Siciliano Richard G. and Barbara A. Snyder General Charity Fund Nancy Snyderman Violet Soffer+ John & Patricia Staley Jeremy Stoppelman J. Barry & Lenore Stout+ Usher 1F Collaborative Nancy Washington RESEARCH LEVEL $50,000 - $99,999 Allergan, Inc. American Cancer Society Anonymous Giver Anonymous Giver Neal & Rosetta Beckford Henry & Charlotte Beukema Albert & Barbara Biglan Boston Pediatric Neurosurgical Foundation David & Katherine Bradley Carl & Beth Campbell Charles and Estelle Campbell Foundation CMR Surgical Earl W. Datt, Jr. and Lorraine G. Datt FOI Fund Jennifer & W. Ryan Davis Davis Estate DePuy Synthes Power Tools David & Carol Eibling Michael & Kim Evans Melinda Fogel Isabel & Lee Foster Judith Friedel+ Elizabeth & Timothy+ Katen Ruth Kuschmierz Owen Locke Memorial Foundation Lockhart Trust Love Family Foundation Jeffrey Markel & Carol Robinson Jane & Jerry Masters Blanche McManus Mary Mitskavich Gerard Moufflet National Science Foundation Gordon & Kennedy Nelson Susan Oberg Lane Lewis & Donna Patterson Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation Charles & Jo Ann Queenan V.K. & Rani Raju Sumner M. Redstone Charitable Foundation Dorothy Sarni+ Barry Schaitkin & Sally Carty
Dale H. and Jeane V. Smart Foundation Charles & Rhoda Steiner William & Sandra Stout Thomas Stout+ Thomas Wandrisco EDUCATION LEVEL $25,000 - $49,999 Anonymous Giver Yanna Avramidis Larry Benowitz Margaretha Casselbrant Patricia & James+ Cayne Barbara & Gerald+ Chait C. Y. Chang The Bill and Marian Cook Foundation R. Joel & Lynda Coslov ENT & Allergy Specialists of WPA, P.C. Eye & Ear Hospital Medical Staff Education Fund Berrylin Ferguson+ FISA Foundation Myrtle Forsha Memorial Trust Gilbert Family Foundation Glaucoma Research Foundation Barry Hirsch & Jean Harwick Richard Hood+ Howard Hughes Medical Institute Roy A. Hunt Foundation Torrence Hunt+ Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. Jaeb Center for Health Research Foundation James & Pamela Keen Anne Lewis Catherine & Mark+ Loevner Spyros Macris Mark Mandell Brown McAuley Ministries Medrobotics Corporation Edward Morascyzk Donald & Janet Moritz James & Marlee Myers Helen O’Masta+ Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Research Foundation, Inc. William Rea+ James Reilly & Barbara Kip Francis and Madeline Shane Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation Richard Snyder Cynthia & David Sunseri United States Steel Foundation Inc. Western Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Foundation Aldo & Kathryn Zini John Zitelli + Deceased
EVERY CONTRIBUTION, NO MATTER THE SIZE, HELPS TO ADVANCE RESEARCH.
THE AL MUSE RECOVERY FUND The Eye & Ear Foundation Board has taken action to support funding cuts by creating the Al Muse Recovery Fund. At the meeting, the Board paused to remember Al Muse, a founding member of the Eye & Ear Foundation, who passed away in May. Larry Gumberg recalled Muse’s philanthropy and great interest in medical advancements. “Al’s dedication and passion for the Eye & Ear Foundation will always be remembered,” said Lawton Snyder, Eye & Ear Foundation CEO. “His legacy will continue to inspire us all.” Following a Board meeting discussion regarding “significant reports of Federal indirect cost cuts and grant cancellations,” Board member George Fechter spoke with fellow Board member Larry Gumberg and promptly decided they wanted to make a statement to faculty and staff “that we are and always have been full partners with the Departments,” and while we wouldn’t be able to make up for the enormity of loss, we could do something and show solidarity,” Fechter said.
“His legacy will continue to inspire us all.”
Gumberg agreed, and Board members E. Ron Salvitti, MD, Chuck Brodbeck, and Jeff Markel soon joined. In short order, a commitment was made for over $200K. “This will be part of a larger initiative which is ongoing to make a difference,” Fechter said. It was decided that the fund would have special meaning by bearing Al Muse’s name. The self-appointed committee vote was unanimous, and his family has agreed to the naming. “Al would have embraced our action, and, I am sure, have been modest about his name being on the fund,” Fechter said. “Our Board involves long service and deep friendships,” Fechter continued. “We are unwavering in our dedication to providing resources to advance science to address the human condition. We look forward to a day of restored funding and uninterrupted science. In the meantime, we are doing all we can to minimize the impact. That’s who we are.”
The Eye & Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh is a non-profit 501 (C)(3) organization. The Foundation solely supports the educational and research efforts of the Departments of Ophthalmology and OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. To learn more about the Foundation’s mission or current research advances, please call the Eye & Ear Foundation at 412-864-1300 or visit eyeandear.org. Your gift makes a difference! The Faculty in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and the Foundation staff are incredibly grateful for your support. 8
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RESEARCH MATTERS Without a doubt, research improves patient care. Here are two examples from our Departments: Charleen participated in a clinical trial for wet aged macular degeneration. The experience was nothing but positive, with a successful result: she no longer has wet AMD in that eye. When Deborah saw white patches on her upper gum, little did she know that the eventual diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxilla would result in her being the first person in Pittsburgh to have a preprosthetic procedure to replace her teeth. She is now enjoying eating in restaurants and being social again for the first time in a long time. Please consider donating to the Eye & Ear Foundation, where your support has a real-life impact.
Scan the QR code to learn more about the research and ways to donate or visit eyeandear.org.
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The Eye & Ear Foundation, a nonprofit 501(C)(3), is the sole support organization for the education and research efforts of Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
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