News Release

Wills Eye Hospital hosts presentation of inaugural Brady Shields Chair

Inaugural recipient Dr. Jerry A. Shields honored in special ceremony at Wills Eye Hospital

Grant and Award Announcement

Wills Eye Hospital

Philadelphia– Wills Eye Hospital is pleased to announce that renowned Ocular Oncology physician-leader, Dr. Jerry A. Shields is the inaugural recipient of the distinguished Brady-Shields Endowed Chair in Ocular Oncology. The special ceremony took place at Wills Eye hospital on Friday, January 12, 2018.

The Chair is named for the three pioneering physicians in ophthalmology and oncology: Dr. Luther W. Brady Jr., Distinguished Professor at Drexel University and Hylda Cohn/American Cancer Society Professor of Clinical Oncology; Dr. Jerry A. Shields, Co-Founder and Director Emeritus of The Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University; and Dr. Carol L. Shields, Director of the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University.

The Chair honors the Brady Shields names and contributions in perpetuity, and provides the critical research funds necessary to develop new advances and techniques in the treatment and cure of ocular oncology diseases.

“With my gift, I’d like to stimulate research in genetic markers for primary malignant tumors of the eye,” noted Dr. Brady. “With its broad clinical experience, Wills Eye Hospital is particularly well suited to carry out this research.”

Carol and Jerry Shields both agree that their gift was motivated by successful careers at Wills Eye Hospital. “We’ve had 40 wonderful years at Wills and we have been able to pursue research and patient care that has always centered on what’s best for the patient,” said Jerry Shields. “We’d not only like to ‘give back’, but encourage those closest to Wills Eye – and friends of Wills Eye – to do so as well. Personally, it’s been quite rewarding.”

The special Brady-Shields Endowed Chair presentation took place during the Atlantic Coast Retina Club and Macula Meeting January 11-13th at Wills Eye Hospital. Jerry Shields co-founded the annual signature meeting.

Brief bios:

Dr. Jerry A. Shields is Co-Founder and Director Emeritus of the Wills Eye Hospital Ocular Oncology Service and Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Dr. Shields has been active in the care and management of patients with ocular tumors for over 50 years. He has authored or co-authored over 1700 scientific publications, close to 20 major textbooks, and has received numerous professional awards including The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s highest honor, The Laureate Award, The National Physician of the Year Award for Clinical Excellence from Castle Connelly Medical Ltd and a consistently named Top Doctor from Philadelphia Magazine.

Dr. Carol Shields is Director of the Wills Eye Hospital Ocular Oncology Service and Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Shields has authored or co-authored more than 10 textbooks, over 1300 articles in major peer reviewed journals, presented nearly 700 lectures, and has received numerous professional awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Luther W. Brady Jr. is a venerable Philadelphia physician, who is recognized as one of the world’s foremost experts on radiation oncology. Dr. Brady has served as chairman of the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Medicine at Hahnemann University, Medical College of Pennsylvania and Graduate Hospitals. Brady began his 52nd year on the staff of Hahnemann University Hospital in 2015.

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About Wills Eye Hospital: Wills Eye Hospital is a global leader in ophthalmology, established in 1832 as the nation’s first hospital specializing in eye care. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Wills Eye as one of America’s top ophthalmology centers since the survey began and has the most nationally ranked ophthalmologists in the country. Wills Eye is a premier training site for all levels of medical education. Its resident and post-graduate training programs are among the most competitive in the country. One of the core strengths of Wills is the close connection between innovative research and advanced patient care. Wills provides the full range of primary and subspecialty eye care for improving and preserving sight, including cataract, cornea, retina, emergency care, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology, oculoplastics, pathology, pediatric ophthalmology and ocular genetics, and refractive surgery. Ocular Services include the Wills Laser Correction Center, Low Vision Service, and Diagnostic Center. Its 24/7 Emergency Service is the only one of its kind in the region. Wills Eye also has a network of nine multi-specialty, ambulatory surgery centers throughout the tri-state area. To learn more, please visit www.willseye.org

Media Contact:

Cathy Moss
917-301-6773
cmoss@willseye.org


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