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Los Angeles Activities Showcase New "Visionary" Award
Visionary Award Presented to Robert J. Drabkin;
Catalyst Update Hosted by Pat and Michael Peyser
“Throughout Glaucoma Research Foundation’s growth,” says GRF President and CEO Thomas Brunner, “there have been those occasional few special individuals who brought just the right vision and focus at a key moment that made us stronger and that much more valuable to the constituents we serve.”
To celebrate those individuals, GRF recently created its Glaucoma Research Foundation Visionary award, for those “with the vision to see a future free of glaucoma and the commitment to make that vision a personal priority.” The award, Brunner said, will only be presented periodically.
Honoring a GRF Visionary
The inaugural presentation of the award was made Tuesday, May 16 by Brunner to Robert J. Drabkin at a special dinner in Los Angeles, hosted by GRF board member J. Bronwyn Bateman MD and which showcased several activities in which Drabkin has played a catalytic role, including GRF and The Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA.
Additionally, Drabkin has been the founder of a series of symposia on eye disease in conjunction with The Washington Advisory Group. The most recent symposia report, Eye Disease in Diverse Populations, has recently been published and disseminated to leaders in vision treatment and research internationally. That report, as well as symposia reports including Vision for the Future: Moving Glaucoma Research into Clinical Practice, are available at www.theadvisorygroup.com/publications.htm.
In his comments, Brunner emphasized Drabkin’s commitment to first-rate research and science, as well as to sound business practices that ensure the majority of contributions go directly to programs. “Today, 80% of our income goes to research and education, and Bob’s influence is a large part of the reason why,” said Brunner. A centerpiece of the evening was an update on research progress from GRF’s Catalyst For a Cure consortium by one of its four principal investigators, David Calkins PhD. GRF co-founder John Hetherington MD introduced Calkins’ presentation.
Catalyst Update Inspires at the Museum of Television and Radio
Earlier, that same day, GRF Catalyst Circle members Pat and Michael Peyser hosted our first Catalyst Update luncheon in Los Angeles at the Museum of Television and Radio. The program included presentations by Brunner on new challenges facing GRF, and an update on Catalyst For a Cure research by Dr Calkins.
A full complement of guests included new Catalyst Circle member Ruth Romoff, and leadership from the Los Angeles chapter of 100 Black Men, including chapter President Dr. Louis Murdock, and Dr. James Black, chair of the Health and Wellness Committee of 100 Black Men of America. GRF board members Hetherington, Michael L. Penn Sr. and Bill Stewart traveled from San Francisco to participate.