Dr. Demorest, Sacramento, Calif., is being honored for his dedication to patient care, public education, teaching, administration and the study and treatment of lacrimal diseases. He practiced general ophthalmology for 20 years before limiting his practice to pediatric ophthalmology, which he practiced for another 28 years. He retired from active practice in 2002. During his many years as a member of the Academy, Dr. Demorest has served in a number of leadership positions, including president of the Academy.
Dr. Scott, Iowa City, Iowa, is being recognized for his significant clinical, educational and research contributions to ophthalmology. He has been a prolific writer in the fields of strabismus, neuromuscular physiology and acquired and congenital abnormalities of eye movements. He has been 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. In addition, Dr. Scott has held several leadership positions in ophthalmic organizations and has received many awards, including the Academy's Distinguished Service Award and its Senior Honor Award.
Dr. Stambaugh, Palm Beach, Fla., is being honored for his years of dedication and leadership in the field of ophthalmology and for his contributions in the areas of teaching, patient care and clinical research. He has held many leadership positions, including chairman of the Academy's board of councilors and founding president and chairman of the board of directors of the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company. He also has received numerous awards, including the Academy's Honor Award, the American Medical Association's Physician Speaker Television Award, the Emory University Eye Center Distinguished Alumni Award, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology's Outstanding Service to Ophthalmology and the Shaler Richardson, M.D. Service to Medicine awards for contributions to quality patient care.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons – Eye M.D.s – with more than 27,000 members worldwide. For more information about the Annual Meeting, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org/annual_meeting/.
Contact: For more information or for photos of the award recipients, contact the Academy's media unit at 415-561-8534 or by e-mail at media@aao.org. To register for media credentials to attend the Academy's Annual Meeting, visit www.aao.org/aao/newsroom/mediainfo.cfm.