Prologue
The tree on the cover of this book, shown in three stages
of growth, is an apt metaphor for the American Glaucoma Society (AGS). It
was planted in recognition of the integrity within our profession, and its
growth, which spans nearly the full lifetime of the Society, has been steady
and strong.
It is a Washington Hawthorne and was planted on the campus
of Iowa University, June 12, 1987, during the first scientific meeting of
the AGS, in memory of Dr. Charles D. (Chuck) Phelps. Chuck was a founding
member of the Society and attended the first planning meeting on November
11, 1984. Tragically, he died of cancer less than one month before the next
meeting on September 29, 1985, at which time the AGS was voted into existence.
Chuck represented the finest qualities of our profession and embodied all
the principles of integrity and devotion to scientific excellence and quality
patient care on which our Society was founded. In his memory and in recognition
of our commitment to perpetuate the values for which he stood, our first
scientific meeting was held on the campus where Chuck had served as Chairman
of the Department of Ophthalmology.
The tree was planted in a special ceremony during the meeting
along the path that Chuck took each day from his home to his office on the
Iowa University campus. Later, Lee Alward commissioned a poster to commemorate
the special occasion and the special person. The tree was barely three feet
tall on the day of its planting in 1987, but has grown steadily in beauty
and strength ever since. I had the privilege of returning to the campus
in 1995, at which time the tree was approximately 15 feet in height, and
again in 2007, by which time it had become a full-fledged tree. In the fall
of 1998, the tree was transplanted and now stands beside the new departmental
facilities along with a commemorative bronze plaque.
So, the Phelps
tree and the AGS have similar origins; one dedicated to the life of a colleague
who embodied the best that our profession has to offer and the other to
a commitment to carry on those values in generations to come. And, like
the Phelps tree, our Society has enjoyed steady growth in both size and
stature. To commemorate our heritage, the Executive Committee of the AGS
voted to commission this book, which tells the story of our founding and
our first 25 years. Since it is a book to be shared among friends, recounting
memories of our times together, the format is intentionally casual and hopefully
fun to read. In that spirit, we have dispensed with “Dr” and “MD,” etc.
for most of our names. But this relaxed format should not detract from the
remarkable accomplishments of our Society in its first quarter century.
The soil on which our nascent Society was planted included
a series of scientific meetings called ANGLE, and it is appropriate that
Doug Anderson, a founder and organizer of those meetings, opens this book
with a brief account of that part of our history. It is equally appropriate
that Max Forbes, whose concept it was that led to the creation of the AGS,
share with us in the next chapter the sequence of events that led to our
founding. During our first 25 years, eleven presidents have completed their
tenure and each has provided a chapter that relates the principal accomplishments
of the Society during their time in office, as well as their personal recollections
of the AGS at that time, what aspirations they had for our organization,
where they feel we have succeeded and what future generations might consider
as they strive to continually improve the Society.
The AGS was founded with the primary mission of disseminating
knowledge regarding glaucoma for the betterment of our patients, and a chapter
by Greg Skuta on the evolution of our scientific meetings follows the president’s
chapters. As time passed, however, it became apparent that our Society needed
to expand in scope, especially in the areas of promoting research and patient
care and to serve as an advocate for our profession and our patients. Accordingly,
the next three chapters focus on research and fellowships by Ted Krupin,
Harry Quigley, Lee Alward and Bob Ritch, health care policy and advocacy
by Ron Fellman, Lou Cantor, Chris Girkin and Paul Lee, and our affiliation
with the American Academy of Ophthalmology by Martin Wand and Rick Lewis.
The authors of these chapters, along with many of their colleagues who are
acknowledged in the chapters, have made major contributions to one or more
of these key areas in the life of our Society.
From the outset, it was intended that the AGS should be
open and diverse, welcoming all persons in North America who demonstrated
a commitment to caring for patients with glaucoma and expanding our understanding
of this discipline. Hence, an especially important chapter, celebrating
women and diversity in the AGS, has been written by Eve Higginbotham and
Ann Coleman, with contributions by Deepak Edward, Kevin Greenidge, Elizabeth
Hodapp, Paul Lee and Roy Wilson. The significant contributions of our Canadian
colleagues in the AGS are acknowledged in a chapter by Gordon Douglas, Stephen
Drance and Ray LeBlanc. We have also enjoyed rewarding relationships with
our sister glaucoma institutions around the world, especially in Europe
and Japan, which are highlighted in a final chapter on the AGS and international
societies by Erik Greve, Yoshi Kitazawa and Roger Hitchings.
It is quite
appropriate that the final word in this book be provided by the person who
rightfully deserves to be known as the “Father of the American Glaucoma
Society,” George Spaeth. In his Epilogue, George eloquently reflects on
the values that framed our Society and offers sage advice to those future
leaders who will bear the responsibility of perpetuating those values.
I know that I speak for all of us who were present during
this time in history, in saying how fortunate we feel to have had the opportunity
to participate in the founding of the AGS and to have watched it grow these
past 25 years. We hope this book will provide pleasant memories and a sense
of pride for those who experienced this time in history, as well as a record
for future generations, so that they will know of their proud heritage and
be reminded of the principles on which our profession is grounded.
Like
the discipline of glaucoma, advances in our Society have been astounding,
and there is little resemblance today to where we were two and a half decades
ago. But, also like our profession, certain important things never change.
The principles of integrity and of always putting our patients first will
forever be the soil in which the American Glaucoma Society will continue
to grow and flourish.
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Table of Contents
Before The American Glaucoma Society, Douglas R. Anderson
The Glaucoma Landscape and the Origins of The American Glaucoma Society,
Max Forbes
The Beginning of the Beginning (1985-1987), George L. Spaeth
Growth with a Firm Ethical Foundation (1988-1990), Richard J. Simmons
An Emphasis on Scientific Excellence (1991-1992), Douglas R. Anderson
Supporting Young Scientists (1993-1994), Allan E. Kolker
Expanding Our Scope and Support (1995-1996), M. Bruce Shields
A New Era in a Time of Turmoil (1997-1998), E. Michael Van Buskirk
Strategic Planning for a New Millennium (1999-2000), Robert L. Stamper
Strengthening Our Ethical Relations with Industry and Advancing Research
(2001-2002), Richard A. Lewis
A Congenial and Inclusive AGS Plans for the Future (2003-2004), Richard
P. Wilson
Honoring a Rich Heritage and Advancing an Agenda of Promise (2005-2006),
Gregory L. Skuta
A Foundation for the Future (2007-2008), Robert N. Weinreb
A Chronicle of the American Glaucoma Society’s Scientific Meetings (1987-2010),
Gregory L. Skuta
Research and Fellowships, Theodore Krupin, Harry A. Quigley, Wallace
L.M. Alward, Robert Ritch
Health Care Policy and Advocacy: Educate, Legislate and Communicate,
Ronald L. Fellman, Louis B. Cantor, Christopher A. Girkin, Paul P. Lee
The American Glaucoma Society and Its Relationship with the American
Academy of Ophthalmology, Martin Wand, Richard A. Lewis 1
Diversity in the American Glaucoma Society: How Well Has the Society
Embraced Its Membership and Mirrored the Changing Demographics in
American
Society?, Eve J Higginbotham, Ann L. Coleman, Deepak P. Edward, Kevin
C. Greenidge, Elizabeth A. Hodapp, Paul P. Lee,
M. Roy Wilson
A Canadian Presence in the American Glaucoma Society, Gordon R. Douglas,
Stephen, M. Drance, Raymond P. LeBlanc
The American Glaucoma Society and International Glaucoma, Erik L.
Greve, Roger A. Hitchings, Yoshiaki Kitazawa
Epilogue, George L. Spaeth
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