Wyatt Smith, MD
Weill Cornell, New York, NY
Dr. Carol Shields and Dr. Lawrence Yannuzzi presented the honorary Founders Award to three distinguished guests: Dr. Susan Bressler (Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute), Dr. Alexander Brucker (Penn Medicine Scheie Eye Institute), and Dr. Richard Rosen (New York Eye and Ear Infirmary).
Dr. Susan Bressler received the Founders Award for her exceptional career dedicated to combating diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration through her involvement in several prospective trials, specifically in the areas of anti-VEGF therapy and biosimilars. Dr. Bressler also serves on the editorial board of many esteemed journals and has directly contributed to advancing the science of retina practices across the country. Dr. Bressler highlighted her profound gratitude for the ACRC and its legacy of networking, distribution of knowledge, and collegiality.
Dr. Alexander Brucker was awarded for his enormous impact as a retina specialist through his expertise in all areas of retina and retinal pathology. His position as the Editor of RETINA Journal for over 40 years, a consistently top-ranked journal in the United States, has helped advance the practice of retina through the distribution and promotion of knowledge in scientific publications. Dr. Shields spoke about Dr. Brucker’s excellence in patient care and his consistently exceptional ratings and comments from his patients. Dr. Brucker highlighted how his continued attendance at the ACRC has allowed him to prioritize providing the best care for his patients through communication, the exchange of ideas, and learning from his esteemed colleagues.
Last, but not least, Dr. Richard Rosen was awarded for his advancements in retinal imaging and his multifaceted role as an educator, innovator, and entrepreneur at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary. Dr. Shields spoke of the depth of knowledge many have obtained from the persistent creativity and ingenuity of Dr. Rosen’s expertise as a retinal imaging mogul. Dr. Rosen spoke about the growth of knowledge he has enjoyed through many years of discussion, debate, and scientific discovery encountered through his attendance at the ACRC for the past 30 years.
Overall, the three Founders Award recipients expressed tremendous gratitude for the legacy the ACRC has left behind, not only in its history, but also in the future legacy it will continue to promote throughout subsequent generations.
