Return to Main Menu

Eye institute hosts annual NEI meeting by Heather Woolwine Public Relations With great honor and enthusiasm, the Storm Eye Institute (SEI) continued to celebrate its 30th anniversary by hosting The National Eye Institute (NEI)’s annual meeting of the VISION Public Information Network.   Meeting attendees from throughout the country spent March 6-8 discussing best practices for marketing techniques related to eye health care and the benefits of vision research, as well as touring the world-renowned SEI and hearing from some of its prestigious scientists and clinicians.    “It is a privilege to have a national meeting of ophthalmologists in Charleston, with an opportunity to showcase the excellence of the Storm Eye Institute,” said MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. “We are excited about the visibility that this meeting will bring to our clinical and research programs.”   From left are NEI's Judy Stein and Jean Horrigan with Dr. Ed Wilson and Charleston Mayor Joe Riley.  In addition to detailed information concerning marketing and branding, attendees also received an NEI update; a legislative update for the 109th Congress/Second Session from James Jorkasky, National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research’s executive director;  numerous roundtable and networking opportunities; information designed to make the best of new computer and online technologies; information concerning the effect of recent hurricanes on vision research and patient care; and detailed scientific sessions held at the SEI.   Rosalie Crouch, Ph.D., SEI professor of ophthalmology and biochemistry, delivered current research strategies aimed at understanding the mechanisms causing blinding disorders due to retinal degenerations. She also discussed the development of new approaches for prevention and treatment of these disorders.   David T. Vroman, M.D., Ophthalmology associate professor and cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon, discussed advances in corneal transplantation. He presented new techniques and technology that will improve patient outcomes.   M. Edward Wilson, M.D., Ophthalmology chairman and SEI director, told attendees why low vision rehabilitation facilities are important to the health of eye care in the community. He explained how to set up a low vision rehabilitation center to ensure that it not only provides a service to the community, but also is financially healthy. Attendees took a tour of the SEI and its research facilities. James Jorkasky, National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research’s executive director, provides a legislative update for the 109th Congress/Second Session at the Francis Marion Hotel March 7.    NEI created the VISION Public Information Network 11 years ago in order to communicate vision research results to the public through its grantee institutions. Representing more than 117 institutions and 209 individual members, meeting attendees sought more and better defined ways to educate the public about the benefits of vision research through national and local media. The network also strives to inform the public on the mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve the health of America through medical research. NEI is part of the NIH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).   Each year, the meeting hopes to enable members to develop strategies to maximize media coverage of vision research achievements, develop strategies to highlight the role of grantee institutions in conducting federally funded research, update Network members on the activities of NEI, NIH, and DHHS, provide networking opportunities for public information officers, and develop projects to inform the public about advances in vision research.     Friday, March 10, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.