Foundation Awards Research and Leadership Excellence at National Conference

July 10, 2012 - In addition to bringing people together for the latest sight-saving research updates and coping guidance, the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ national VISIONS conference creates an excellent opportunity to recognize the organization’s most committed and passionate supporters. During VISIONS 2012, from June 28 to July 1, deserving individuals, chapters and VisionWalks were honored with several awards, acknowledging excellence in research and leadership in the fight against blindness.

“Without these dedicated people who work so hard to advance our mission toward preventions, treatments and cures, the Foundation would not be in the position we are today – actually restoring sight in clinical trials with many more promising human studies underway and on the horizon,” says Foundation CEO Bill Schmidt. “Congratulations to all of the award recipients, and a sincere ‘thank you’ on behalf of the millions affected with retinal degenerative diseases.”

Llura Liggett Gund Award, the Foundation’s highest research honor recognizing retinal researchers who, throughout their careers, have consistently made the greatest contributions to retinal degenerative disease research

Dr. Ed Stone, Gordon Gund, Ed Gollob and Dr. Steve Rose at the VISIONS 2012 Welcome Lunch

Edwin Stone, M.D., Ph.D., the Seamans-Hauser Chair of Molecular Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa, is only the seventh person in the Foundation’s 41-year history to receive the Llura Liggett Gund Award. He is one of the world’s top genetic researchers, and his lab has played a leadership role in discovering and characterizing genes that cause many retinal degenerations, as well as making genetic testing affordable for people.

Board of Directors Award, recognizing an investigator or group of investigators’ outstanding progress in research that’s advancing sight-saving treatments and cures

Dr. Rose presents Dr. Flannery with the Board of Directors Award at the Welcome Lunch.

John Flannery, Ph.D., of the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, has helped demonstrate that gene therapy is a viable and effective approach to treating blindness, and is advancing a promising new field of research called optogenetics, which has the potential to help people with advanced vision loss.

Builders of Sight Clinical Research Award, recognizing extraordinary efforts of dynamic leaders who are making strides to the clinic possible

Dr. Goldberg addresses the crowd at the VISIONS Awards Dinner.

Morton F. Goldberg, M.D., the Joseph E. Green Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and chairman of the board of Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical Research Institute, is the first person to receive this award. The recipient of several distinguished honors, Dr. Goldberg has done an incredible job growing the Wilmer Eye Institute’s clinical research program.  

Builders of Sight Award, recognizing extraordinary commitment and dedication to accelerating the advancement of sight-saving treatments into clinical trials and out to the millions of people around the world affected by retinal degenerative diseases

Greg Austin (center) accepts with Jerry Shaw, April Lufriu, Bill Schmidt and Gordon Gund.

Gregory A. Austin, a leader with the Foundation for 14 years and a member of the board of directors since 1995.

Theodore M. Welp, a member of the board of directors who has been involved with the Foundation for more than 20 years, and been part of its leadership for 17 years.

Member Excellence Awards

VisionWalk Strides Award, recognizing significant improvement of a VisionWalk

Philadelphia (large market)

Eastern Michigan (small market)

Outstanding VisionWalk Award, recognizing sustained high achievement of a VisionWalk

Twin Cities (large market)

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (small market)

Chapter Momentum Award, recognizing significant improvement of a chapter

Denver

Outstanding Chapter Award, recognizing sustained high achievement of a chapter

St. Louis

Volunteers of the Year, recognizing seven regional leaders’ excellent service in support of the Foundation’s mission in 2011

Western Region – Jill Stone

April Lufriu with Jill Stone

Midwest Region – Terry Super

Southern Region – Jim Vacheenas

Florida Region – Suzi Ford

April Lufriu with Suzi Ford

Southwest Region – Steve Browne

Northeast Region – Sherry Rogers

Maria Costa, April Lufriu, Sherry Rogers and Mel Moskowitz

Mid-Atlantic Region – Stephen and Dorothy Dutterer

Outstanding New Trustees, recognizing notable contributions and sustained commitment to the Foundation’s mission during the first three years of trusteeship

Jody Kelly

Donna Burke Tehaan

Jody Kelly (left) and Donna Burke Tehaan (right) with April Lufriu

Outstanding Veteran Trustee, recognizing a trustee who has held the position for five or more years, and has made notable contributions in the areas of philanthropy, volunteerism and networking, and has maintained a sustained commitment to the Foundation’s mission during his/her tenure

Daniel Bergstein

To see more highlights from VISIONS 2012, click here.