Posted July 9, 2001

IOWA CITY--William E. Scott, MD, vice-chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences for University of Iowa Health Care was honored June 22, 2001, with the announcement of the creation of an endowed chair that bears his name. The chair is being made possible by an anonymous gift of $1.6 million.

The annual Iowa Eye Association meeting convened on Friday, June 22, 2001, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The meeting, attended by ophthalmologists from throughout the country, was intended to advance eye care by bringing together a diverse group of clinicians and researchers to discuss the latest discoveries and treatments in the field.

A significant feature of this year's meeting was the announcement of the William E. Scott Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology.

"This generous gift will make it possible for the department to expand its already renowned program in education and research for preventing blindness in children," said Thomas Weingeist, PhD, MD, professor and head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Scott was born and raised in Iowa City. As an undergraduate at The University of Iowa, he was a member of the Hawkeye football team, representing the University in the Rose Bowl. After receiving his baccalaureate degree in 1959, and a master's in physiology in 1962, Scott graduated from the UI College of Medicine in 1964.

As a member of the faculty of the UI College of Medicine, Scott has made significant clinical, educational and research contributions. He is a prolific writer in the fields of strabismus, neuro-muscular physiology, and acquired and congenital abnormalities of eye movements. He is a founding member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus. Scott has emphasized the importance of combining clinical care and education with his research, treating many children while simultaneously training the pediatric ophthalmologists of tomorrow.

Scott is particularly instrumental in the Coming to Your Senses project, an effort to screen children for hearing and vision loss, serving as its medical director and a vocal proponent of its mission.

For his efforts, Scott has received many awards, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Distinguished Service Award and its Honor Award; the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology's Senior Honor Award; and delivered the American Orthoptic Council's Richard G. Scobee Memorial Lecture.

This lifelong Iowa resident will be honored for his dedication to protecting the vision of children with the creation of the endowed chair that will bear his name.

Contact Information

Carl Bendorf
Interim Assistant Vice President, Health Sciences Center Development
The University of Iowa Foundation
(319) 335-3305 or (800) 648-6973

Tom Moore
Joint Office for Planning, Marketing and Communications
University of Iowa Health Care
(319) 356-3945

Additional information about supporting the UI College of Medicine also is available on this site.