Dear Friends and Colleagues:

It is my pleasure to share with you the accomplishments of the Department of Ophthalmology. During this time the Department of Ophthalmology has embarked on a new course of increased collaboration in the four core missions of academic medicine: patient care, education, research and service.  My vision for our department places emphasis on a new course of enhanced visibility in the local, regional and national ophthalmic community in each of the traditional areas of patient care, education, service and research.

Regarding patient care, the Department of Ophthalmology is rapidly moving towards the implementation of an electronic medical record, EPIC.  Diagnostic imaging and patient records will soon be available electronically throughout the Loyola Outpatient Centerand satellite offices in Loyola Primary Care Center at Oakbrook Terrace and Loyola Center for Health at Hickory Hills. This challenging transition will facilitate patient care well into the next decade.  The department continues to provide comprehensive services in all subspecialities in ophthalmology including laser vision correction surgery.

Our educational missions remain strong and in alignment with the University's mission.  The Department of Ophthalmology continues to offer outstanding resident training as one of the best clinical programs in Chicago and the Midwest.  We continue to host a variety of continuing medical education programs including three named speakerships, the James E. McDonald Lecture during our Resident-Alumni Day, the Arthur Light, MD, Memorial Lectureship in Ophthalmology and the John J. Skowron Distinguished Professorships, as well as the Chicago Subspecialty Guest Lecture Series and the Living Our Mission: Eye Care Around the World conference are events which emphasize collaboration with other teaching programs in Chicago.  Our weekly grand rounds format has been expanded to include more interdepartmental collaboration, introducing a more clinically oriented program of higher quality with a broader exchange of ideas.

I have focused on two important initiatives to develop a more robust research enterprise.  The first was to create a more structured program, which involves three research meetings each year with all full-time faculty and residents.  The second was to develop the department’s specific basic science and translational, and clinical research programs through a collaborative approach.  The newest and most ambitious program I have initiated is the Chicago Research Consortium (CRC), which will be an organization within Loyola that will focus on retrospective collaborative research with members of other  ophthalmology departments in Chicago.  

In keeping with our long-standing tradition of local and international service, we have developed a more structured foreign mission program in collaboration with Rotary International.  Beginning in January 2006, third-year residents are able to select a two-week elective rotation in Guatemala under the supervision of Linda Novak, MD (Class of 1984).  Future trips will involve residents, faculty members, medical students and hopefully alumni. 

Finally, the department's research and scholarly activity has been wide ranging and includes ischemic retinal disease, corneal and stem cell biology, oculoplastic reconstruction following trauma, management of microbial keratitis, post-LASIK glare disability, and management of failed filtering blebs.  This work is made possible through gifts from the Richard A. Perritt Charitable Foundation and grants from the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness.

I am excited about our recent accomplishments and look forward to future progress and achievement of the department’s vision as an academic leader in the Midwest.  I welcome your feedback and appreciate your continued support.

Warmly,

Charles S. Bouchard, MD
The John P. Mulcahy Professor

and Chairman of Ophthalmology

Curriculum Vitae [open Word File (191Kb)]
(March 12, 2007)