Dr. Blodi was born and educated in Vienna, Austria. After being brought to the U.S. through the “War Bride’s Act” by his school-girl friend from kindergarten and wife Ottilie (Otty) he settled in New York City. Ironically, it was at the Harkness Eye Institute in NYC that Dr. Blodi met Dr. Braley who recruited him to Iowa in 1952.

Dr. Blodi became one of the most famous ophthalmologists in the world. He was highly educated, quick-witted, and translated many ophthalmic books from German and other languages into English such as the 12 volume “History of Ophthalmology” by Hirschberg. Nearly every honor in ophthalmology was bestowed upon him as a leader, educator and ophthalmic pathologist. He was a wonderful mentor who recruited very talented faculty and residents, promoted and enjoyed their individual successes. His two children, Christopher F. Blodi, MD and Barbara Blodi, MD, are very successful ophthalmologists specializing in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery. Dr. Blodi stepped down as Head in 1984.

Frederick Christopher Blodi, MD, (January 11, 1917 – October 30, 1996)

Professor and Head, 1967 – 1983

READ MORE ABOUT DR. BLODI

Current and Former Frederick C. Blodi Chairs in Ophthalmology

• The first appointee to the Chair was Robert Folberg, MD, PhD. (June 1991 - January 2000)
• The Chair is currently held by Wallace L.M. Alward, MD (Sept 2006)

The Beulah and Florence Usher endowment established in 2005 was made possible by an estate gift that will be used to provide support, and promote research and education in the area of Cornea / External Disease and Refractive Surgery. The Usher sisters are also honored by a chair to enhance research and education dealing with cornea and external disease.

UI Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences recognizes the extraordinary contribution provided by Miss Beulah Usher and Miss Florence Usher of Cedar Rapids. Sisters and lifelong partners, Beulah and Florence were two of the department’s most generous benefactors. The gift from their estate will be used to provide support and promote research in the area of cornea and external disease.

Beulah and Florence Usher were born after the turn of the 20th century in their family home. They grew up in rural Cedar Rapids and traveled on horseback to and from their Stony Point one-room schoolhouse that is still located on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids.

Although the sisters were rarely apart, they pursued different careers. Beulah graduated in 1925 from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids and spent 36 years in health care at St. Luke’s Hospital. Florence pursued a successful career in millinery, marketing, and sales for Killian’s Department Store of Cedar Rapids.

The Usher sisters never married and lived together until Beulah’s death in 1994 at the age of 91. Florence passed away in 2003 at the age of 98. They lived modestly and were very grateful for the care they received from the faculty and staff in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. It is with deep and heartfelt appreciation that the Department of Ophthalmology recognizes the profound impact that this generosity will provide. Beulah and Florence Usher will long be remembered for their hard work, good humor, love of family and passionate desire to serve others.

Current Beulah and Florence Usher Chair in Cornea/External Disease and Refractive Surgery 

The first recipient of is Michael D. Wagoner, MD, PhD.

The Hadley-Carver Chair in Glaucoma was established in 2017 to support the Director of the Glaucoma Research Center at the University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research.

The Chair was made possible by an endowment provided by Len and Marlene Hadley of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Marty Carver of Las Vegas, NV. The Hadley’s and Mr. Carver have generously contributed to several areas across campus, including vision research. They specifically share a passion for advancing glaucoma research.

Current Hadley-Carver Chair in Glaucoma

This chair has been awarded to Dr. John Fingert, MD, PhD., Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Director of the Glaucoma Research Center at the Institute for Vision Research.

The Carver Chair in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology was established in 2006 with a $2.5 million endowment from the Carver family: Lucille A. Carver of Muscatine, Iowa, who is the widow of Roy J. Carver Sr., who died in 1981; John and Marcia Carver of Rapids City, Ill.; Martin G. and Ruth A. Carver of Muscatine, Iowa; and Roy J. Carver Jr. of Bettendorf, Iowa. The Carver family is a long-time and very generous supporter of The University of Iowa, especially in the health sciences.

This chair is a joint appointment in the UI Carver College of Medicine and the UI College of Engineering, the first time a UI-named, endowed chair has been shared by two colleges.

Current and Former Roy J. Carver, Jr. Chair in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

The current recipient is Todd E. Scheetz, MS, PhD, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and professor of biomedical engineering (BME). (October 2017-Present)

Previous recipients:

• Thomas Casavant, PhD

The Carver Chair in Ocular Cell Biology was established in 2014.

Current Martin Carver Chair in Ocular Cell Biology

This chair was awarded in September of 2014 to Robert F. Mullins, Ph.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. Mullins directs the Chorioretinal Degenerations Laboratory. Its goal is to understand the cellular and molecular basis of human retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), central serous retinopathy, and Best vitelliform macular degeneration. Dr. Mullins and colleagues expect that these studies into the molecular and cellular basis of choroidal and retinal degenerations will lead to improved treatments for the millions of individuals whose sight is threatened by retinal diseases.

Cecil S. O’Brien was born in Manhattan, Indiana. He was recruited from private practice in 1925 as one of the first chairs of a department of ophthalmology that was independent of the Department of Surgery or Ear Nose and Throat. Following his appointment, he trained in Vienna Austria and Prague funded by a Rockefeller Foundation grant for two years. In 1927 he returned to lead a three-man department of ophthalmology. During his tenure, he gained international prominence as a clinician and educator. Dr. O’Brien, “Obie” as he was affectionately called, was a strict disciplinarian. He was revered by his “boys,” the residents of those days, but as was customary for residents studying under giants, he was also feared. Many of his residents became prominent in their own right. He resigned from the University in 1948.

Dr. O'Brien married Lillian C. O'Brien in 1947, they were married until his death in 1977. Mrs. O'Brien never remarried; she died on May 17, 2006, in Tucson, Arizona; she was 102 years old.

The Lillian C. O’Brien and Dr. C. S. O’Brien Chair in Ophthalmology was established in 2007 through gifts to the UI Foundation totaling more than $2 million. The majority of the gift resources were bequeathed by the estate of Lillian C. O'Brien of Tucson, Arizona; additional major support was provided through an estate gift from the late Martin P. Koke, M.D., of San Diego, California, who trained as a resident under Dr. O'Brien. The chair is intended to be used to honor and support the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Dr. C.S. O'Brien (Sept 27, 1889-Dec 11, 1977), Professor and Head, 1927 - 1947

Current Lillian C. O'Brien and Dr. C.S. O'Brien Chair

The first recipient was Dr. Keith D. Carter, Professor and Head of Ophthalmology, who was honored during an investiture ceremony on May 17, 2007

Philanthropist, businessman and civic leader, Marvin A. Pomerantz of Des Moines, has made a $2 million gift commitment to the UI Center for Advancement to permanently endow the Pomerantz Family Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa.

The Pomerantz Family Chair will provide support in perpetuity to a distinguished senior faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, a unit of the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. Pomerantz said the gift grows out of his family’s desire to advance UI ophthalmological research, noting that the department is recognized internationally as a leader in eye-related research and treatment.

"My wife, Rose Lee, and our family are deeply committed to supporting the outstanding work conducted at the University of Iowa,” Pomerantz said. “UI ophthalmology faculty already are making major breakthroughs in neuro-ophthalmology and other visual sciences fields, leading to better lives for generations of people around the world. With significant financial support, UI physicians’ scientific and clinical contributions will advance to an unparalleled level, and we are delighted to be of assistance in their efforts.”

UI Vice President for Medical Affairs and UI Carver College of Medicine Dean Jean E. Robillard said, "Marvin and Rose Lee Pomerantz have demonstrated extraordinarily visionary leadership to the UI’s academic medical center, and indeed to the entire University, for many years. We are humbled by their generosity, and extend our sincere thanks.”

Marvin Pomerantz earned a UI business degree in 1952, and in 1961 established the Des Moines-based Mid-America Group, a regional real estate, investment and development firm. He is a lifetime honorary director of the UI Foundation Board of Directors and serves on the UI’s Henry B. Tippie College of Business Board of Visitors. He was co-chair of the National Campaign Steering Committee for the UI's successful $1 billion "Good. Better. Best. Iowa" campaign, and he is a past president of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

In their long-time support of the University of Iowa, the Pomerantz family have also established the John W. Colloton Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine in the UI Carver College of Medicine; the Marvin A. and Rose Lee Pomerantz Chair in the UI College of Public Health; and two endowed faculty chairs in the UI Tippie College of Business. They also provided major gift support for the Pomerantz Family Pavilion at UI Hospitals & Clinics, and for the upcoming construction of a new facility to house the College of Public Health. In 2001, they made a $10 million naming gift for the Pomerantz Center, which houses the UI's Admission Visitors Center, the Academic Advising Center, MBA Career Services, the Executive MBA Program, the UI Alumni Association's Career Information Network, and the Marvin A. and Rose Lee Pomerantz Career Services Program. Pomerantz also has made significant contributions to other UI areas, including the Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library, Hancher Auditorium, athletics and the UI Museum of Art.

Current Pomerantz Family Chair in Ophthalmology

The first recipient of the Pomerantz Family Chair in Ophthalmology is Neuro-ophthalmology Professor Randy H. Kardon, M.D., Ph.D.

Current Howard Ruby Chair for Regenerative Ophthalmology

The Seamans-Hauser Chair in Molecular Ophthalmology was established in 2006 to support the directorship of the Carver Family Center for Macular Degeneration.

The Chair was made possible by a $2.5 million endowment from Gary and Camille Seamans of Galena, Ill., and Tucson, Ariz., and Leo Hauser of Incline Village, Nevada. The Seamans and Mr. Hauser have been extremely generous to the The Carver Family Center for Macular Degeneration at the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine with their time, wisdom, and energy as well as monitarily.

Current Seamans-Hauser Chair in Molecular Ophthalmology

This chair has been awarded to Edwin M. Stone, M.D., Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences in the UI Carver College of Medicine, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, and director of the Center for Macular Degeneration.

Dr. William Scott was born and raised in Iowa City. He was responsible for training many residents and fellows throughout his illustrious career. He was instrumental in organizing national randomized clinical trials dealing with the treatment of strabismus and was a vigorous and outspoken advocate of full-time occlusion therapy in the management of amblyopia. He was an invited lecturer throughout the world and an ardent supporter of education of clinical and surgical care in pediatric ophthalmology.

The William E. Scott Endowment for Education in Pediatric Ophthalmology was established through an anonymous gift in 2001 to honor Dr. Scott for his many accomplishments in teaching, clinical research, and patient care.

Dr. Scott is a graduate of the University of Iowa with an M.S. in Physiology (1962) and an MD from the College of Medicine (1964). He completed an Ophthalmology Residency at The University of Iowa followed by Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowships at Smith Kettlewell Institute for the Visual Sciences in San Francisco, and at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, DC.

He returned to the University of Iowa in 1971 to join the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology and as Adult Strabismus Service Director. He served as Vice-Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences from 1995-2001. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the College of Medicine, the University of Iowa Faculty Senate, and the UI Board in Control of Athletics. He retired in 2002 as an Emeritus professor of Ophthalmology, but has returned to work in the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Service three times since that time.

Dr. Scott has been a member of numerous state, national and international associations including The American Academy of Ophthalmology, The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), The Association for Research in Strabismus, the Costenbader Alumni Society, and the International Strabismological Association. Notably, he was a founder of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. He has held office in a number of professional organizations including president of the American Orthoptic Council and president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

Membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society was the first in a long string of honors, awards and recognitions that Dr. Scott has accumulated. The Iowa Medical Society recognized him in 2015 with the Physician Community Service Award for his work with Iowa KidSight, a vision screening program for pre-school children, which he founded in 2000. Other honors include the JCAHPO Faculty Award for Distinguished Service, American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Distinguished Service Award, and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Senior Honor Award.

Teaching has been an important role in Dr. Scott’s career. He has trained 55 fellows and countless ophthalmology residents. For many years he taught in the Basic Science Courses for residents in training at Stanford University and in Houston. As a result of attending these courses, many trainees have chosen The University of Iowa as a place to continue their ophthalmology training.

Both nationally and internationally, Dr. Scott is known for his contributions to research and clinical practice in ophthalmology. He has published more than 250 articles, chapters, or books on amblyopia, surgical techniques, vision screening and other topics in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus.

Dr. Scott has delivered over 325 invited lectures and presentations. Named lectures he has delivered include the Frank D. Costenbader Lecture, the 24th Annual Richard G. Scobee Memorial Lecture, The A.J. Jampolsky Lecture, The Alson E. Braley Lecture, the Marshall M. Parks Lecture, The Gunter K. Von Noorden visiting professorship lecture, and the Louis A. Young-Thomas Memorial Lecture.

Current and Former William E. Scott Educational Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology

• Ronald V. Keech. MD (Held this position as the William Edwin Scott Education Chair from 2002-2007)
• Scott A. Larson, MD was named the William E. Scott Educational Professor in Pediatric Ophthalmology on September 22, 2016 and re-appointed the William E. Scott Educational Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology on March 1, 2019.