The Mansour F. Armaly Lectureship was established in 2004 by a generous gift from Dr. Armaly’s wife Aida, son Fareed, and daughter Raya, a glaucoma specialist to honor an extraordinary clinician-scientist who devoted his career to the study and care of patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Dr. Armaly was instrumental in defining the natural history of glaucoma, in developing techniques of early detection and monitoring function loss in the eye, and in demonstrating the genetic character of glaucoma.

Armaly was recruited by Dr. Braley in 1958 from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon. As director of the glaucoma service he became internationally known. Dr. Armaly was a distinguished member of the the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology faculty from 1958-1970.

He served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. from 1970 to 1996. He left the University of Iowa to become Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at George Washington University in 1970.

Read more about Dr. Armaly.

Armaly Lecturers

• 2004 - Robert N. Weinreb, MD
• 2005 - David L. Epstein, MD
• 2006 - Richard L. Abbott, MD
• 2007 - M. Bruce Shields, MD
• 2008 - Michael A. Kass, MD
• 2009 - Paul Lichter, MD
• 2010 - George L. Spaeth, MD
• 2011 - Joseph Caprioli, MD
• 2013 - David Greenfield, MD 
• 2014 - Harry A. Quigley, MD
• 2015 - Jost Jonas, MD, PhD
• 2016 - Alan S. Crandall, MD
• 2017 - Robert Ritch, MD
• 2018 - Claude Burgoyne, MD
• 2019 - Richard K. Parrish, II, MD
• 2021 - Louis R. Pasquale, MD, FARVO
• 2022 - Pradeep Ramulu, MD, PhD
• 2023 - Mae Gordon, PhD
• 2024 - David S. Friedman, MD, PhD, MPH

The Drs. Lisa and Amir Arbisser "Top Gun" award was inaugurated in 2019 by Drs. Lisa and Amir Arbisser. The award recognizes an individual who demonstrates the most innovative idea or solution to an issue facing the department of specialty of ophthalmology.

• 2024 - Mahsaw Mansoor, MD
• 2023 - Zachary Mortensen, MD and Sean Rodriguez, MD
• 2022 - David A. Ramirez, MD
• 2021 - Lauren E. Hock, MD
• 2019 - Daniel C. Terveen, MD

The Braley Lecture was started in 1981 with a generous gift from Dr. Clifford Hendricks, a former resident under Dr. Braley, and a grateful and loyal supporter of the Department who practiced ophthalmology throughout his career in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Braley Lecture has been given yearly since 1981 as a tribute to Dr. Braley who during his tenure as professor and head of the Department of Ophthalmology played a pivotal role in the education and training of many young physicians.

Dr. Braley was professor and head of the Department of Ophthalmology from 1950 to 1966.

The Braley Lecturers

• 1981 - Frederick A. Jakobiec, MD
• ​1982 - Gunter K. von Noorden, MD
• 1983 - Richard O. Schultz, MD
• 1984 - Donald J. Doughman, MD
• 1985 - Thomas C. Burton, MD
• 1986 - Bruce E. Spivey, MD
• 1987 - Robert C. Watzke, MD
• 1988 - Frederick C. Blodi, MD
• 1989 - Melvin L. Rubin, M.D
• 1990 - Marshall M. Parks, MD
• 1991 - Ronald E. Smith, MD
• 1993 - Morton E. Smith, MD
• 1994 - Michael A. Kass, MD
• 1995 - Alan S. Crandall, MD
• 1996 - Dan B. Jones, MD
• 1997 - Peter J. McDonnell, MD
• 1998 - Monte A. Del Monte, MD
• 1999 - John L. Wobig, MD
• 2000 - Richard K. Parrish, MD
• 2001 - Kirk Packo, MD
• 2002 - William E. Scott, MD
• 2003 - Sohan Singh Hayreh, MD, PhD, FRCS, DSc, FRC Ophth​
• 2004 - James G. Diamond, MD
• 2005 - Jay H. Krachmer, MD
• 2006 - Henry J. Kaplan, MD
• 2007 - Maarten P. Mourits, MD, PhD ​and Gerrit R. J. Melles, MD, PhD 
• 2009 - Valerie A. Purvin, M.D.
• 2010 - Albert M. Maguire, M.D.
• 2011 - Paul P. Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
• 2012 - William F. Mieler, M.D.
• 2013 - Lawrence J. Singerman, MD, FACS, FICS​
• 2014 - Norman A. Zabriskie, MD
• 2015 - Kathleen Digre, MD
• 2016 - Bruce E. Spivey, MD, MS, MEd​
• 2017 - Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD
• 2018 - David T. Tse, MD, FACS
• 2019 - Richard L. Anderson, MD, FACS
• 2022 - Robert A. Honkanen, MD
• 2023 - Richard C. Allen, MD, PhD

Randall S. Brenton, M.D. (83MD, 83F, 88R) and Cheryl J. Brenton established the Brenton Research Award through a generous gift provided in 2023. This award acknowledges outstanding research endeavors by residents and fellows dedicated to furthering the field of ophthalmology.

Brenton Research Award Winners

2024 - Mahsaw Mansoor, MD (resident recipient) and Giulia Steuernagel Del Valle, MD (fellow recipient)

2023 - Margaret Strampe, MD (resident recipient) and Jamie Keen, MD (fellow recipient)

The Trish Duffel Award was established in 2018 in honor of Trish Duffel, RPh, MA, the department's medical librarian from 1991-2018. This award is given to a member of the ophthalmology team, including faculty, fellows, VA, or support staff, that is a cornerstone to resident education, success, and morale.

Recipients

• 2024 - Nick Scanlon
• 2023 - Matthew Donohue
• 2022 - Chris Rath
• 2021 - Kelsey Hunold
• 2020 - Justine Wagaman, RN
• 2019 - Rita Gallo
• 2018 - Trish Duffel, RPh, MA

The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series was initiated in 2007 by Department Chair, Keith Carter, MD, to honor Alumni of the University of Iowa's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences who have made significant contributions to the practice of Ophthalmology.

The award was created to honor those before us willing to share their life experiences with the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology Faculty and trainees. The initial two lectures were funded by the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Subsequent lectures will be funded by the generous support of the Fuerste Family Fund.

Lecturers

• Bruce E. Spivey, MD, FACS , October 5, 2007
• Malcolm L. Mazow, MD, September 19, 2008
• William J. (BJ) Dupps, Jr., June 18, 2009

The Hansjoerg E. Kolder Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology is presented to a graduating medical student from the Carver College of Medicine who demonstrates excellence in ophthalmology. A Hansjoerg E. Kolder Award for Ophthalmology Research is presented during the annual Carver College of Medicine Medical Student Research Conference to a deserving medical student.  And, in limited instances, a Kolder Memorial Humanitarian Award is granted to a student, resident, fellow or alumnus who demonstrates exceptional community service.

These awards are named in honor of Professor Hansjoerg E.J.W. Kolder, beloved teacher, role model, and outstanding clinician and surgeon in the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Dr. Kolder was born on November 29, 1926, in Vienna, Austria and received a doctorate in medicine and philosophy from the University of Vienna. In February of 1959, Dr. Kolder joined Emory University as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology. He served as Associate Professor between 1963 and 1968. He was recruited to the University of Iowa by Dr. Frederick C. Blodi in 1968 where he simultaneously held a position as Associate Professor and completed a residency in clinical ophthalmology. In 1973, he was appointed Professor. Dr. Kolder retired from clinical practice in 1995 and was appointed Emeritus Professor.

Although a "generalist" Dr. Kolder excelled in all areas of ophthalmology and was comfortable performing many types of ophthalmic surgery. For more than 20 years, he was responsible for teaching residents the fundamentals of cataract surgery.

In 1998, the electrodiagnostic laboratory at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences was named in his honor. He is known for his extensive study of the electro-oculogram (EOG) and other electrodiagnostic phenomena used in evaluating patients with abnormalities of the visual system.

Dr. Kolder represents the best in academic medicine and for this, his patients, students and colleagues will always be thankful.

 
Recipients

• 1994 - Christopher Haupert
• 1995 - Brian Nichols
• 1996 - Stacy L. Thompson
• 1997 - Mark S. Wolken
• 1998 - John Fingert
• 2001 - Jeffrey M. Taylor
• 2002 - Jeff Maassen
• 2003 - Sonal Dave
• 2004 - Kyle John Alliman
• 2005 - Geeta Belsare
• 2006 - Lucas Wendel
• 2007 - Morgan Pansegrau Gaunt
• 2008 - Sarita Dave
• 2012 - Jeffrey T. Lynch, MPH, MD, (presented to the graduating Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellow as the first Kolder Memorial Humanitarian Award)
• 2016 - Ashwin Subramaniallie (presented to Medical Student Research Day Award winner for Ophthalmology Research)
• 2017 - Joseph Vecchi (presented to Medical Student Research Day Award winner for Ophthalmology Research)
• 2018 - Pavane Gorrepati (presented to Medical Student Research Day Award winner for Ophthalmology Research) and Resident Class of 2020 (Matthew Benage, MD; Anthony Chung, MD; Austin Fox, MD; Benjamin Janson, MD; Heather Stiff, MD) (presented as Kolder Memorial Humanitarian Award)
• 2019 - Josh Hagedorn (presented to Medical Student Research Day Award winner for Ophthalmology Research)
• 2020 - Lauren Hock, MD (presented as Hansjoerg E. Kolder Memorial Humanitarian Award  for Ophthalmology Research)

The P. J. Leinfelder award was inaugurated in 1982 by alumni who wished to pay tribute to Dr. Leinfelder -- scholar, teacher, and physician. Dr. Leinfelder served on the staff of the Department of Ophthalmology from 1936 to 1978. A faculty committee presents awards each year to the resident and fellow physicians who have made significant contributions in preparing and delivering seminars.

Recipients 

• 1982 - P. David Reese, MD and R. Kent Stiverson, MD
• 1983 - Robert C. Kersten, MD and R. Lawrence Tychsen, MD
• 1984 - Dennis P. Han, MD
• 1985 - Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD
• 1986 - Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD
• 1987 - Randall S. Brenton, MD and Mark I. Freedman, MD
• 1988 - Byron L. Lam, MD
• 1989 - Marian S. Macsai, MD and Edwin M. Stone, MD, PhD
• 1990 - Robert J. Morris, MD and Paul M. Munden, MD and Edwin M. Stone, MD, PhD
• 1991 - William L. Haynes, MD and Karen M. Joos, MD, PhD and Timothy J. Martin, MD
• 1992 - David M. Brown, MD and Christina P. Johnson, MD and Rita Parys-van Ginderdeuren, MD
• 1993 - Volker Rummelt, MD and Norman A. Zabriskie, MD
• 1994 - Jeremiah Brown, Jr., MD and William N. White, II, MD
• 1995 - Sean P. Donahue, MD, PhD and Elise Héon, MD and Jane B. Mizener, MD
• 1996 - Richard J. Olson, MD and C. Tobin Taylor, MD
• 1997 - Jeremiah Brown, Jr, MD and Kean T. Oh, MD
• 1998 - Mark A. Alford, MD and Jeffrey J. Jordan, MD
• 1999 - Sung-Pyo Hong, MD and Andrew J. Lotery, MB, BCh, MD and Kristie K. Shappell, MD, DVM
• 2000 - Chang-Sik Kim, MD and Brian E. Nichols, MD, PhD
• 2001 - Scott A. Larson, MD and Sharam Danesh, MD and Kean T. Oh, MD
• 2002 - Fiona E. Costello, MD and Julie Falardeau, MD and David B. Petersen, MD
• 2003 - Scott A. Larson, MD and Russell B. Warner, MD
• 2004 - Michael D. Abràmoff, MD, PhD and Esther M. Bowie, MD and Sudeep Pramanik, MD
• 2005 - Stacy A. Sjoberg, MD, PhD and Chan Kim, PhD and Andrew Doan, MD, PhD amd Susannah Quisling, MD
• 2006 - John H. Fingert, MD, PhD and Judy Liu, MD and Christopher C. Robinson, MD and Robert B. Dinn, MD
• 2007 - Shalini Johnson, MD and Shaival Shah, Research Fellow and Edward H. Hu, MD
• 2008 - Paula Wynn, MD and Vinit Mahajan, MD, PhD
• 2009 - Brock Roller, MD, PhD and Kori A. Elkins, MD and Alina Dumitrescu, MD, PhD and Juan Fernandez de Castro, MD
• 2010 - Emily Birkholz, MD (resident paper) and Juan Fernandez de Castro, MD (fellow paper) and Gina Rogers, MD (poster)
• 2011 - Shaival Shah, MD (resident paper) and Ryan Tarantola, MD (fellow paper) and Alina Dumitrescu, MD (basic science poster) and Gina Rogers, MD (clinical science poster)
• 2012 - John J. Chen, MD, PhD (best resident performance) and Gina M. Rogers, MD (best fellow performance) amd Erin Burnight, PhD (best basic scientist performance) and Jeffrey T. Lynch, MPH, MD (Kolder Humanitarian Memorial Award)
• 2013 - Justin Risma, MD (resident paper) and Matthew Cunningham, MD (fellow paper)
• 2014 - Jeffrey Welder, MD (resident paper) and Jordan Rixen, MD (fellow paper) and Ralph Hazelwood (graduate student paper)
• 2015 - Philip I. Niles, MD, MBA (resident paper) and Matthew C. Weed, MD (fellow paper)
• 2016 - Christopher A. Kirkpatrick, MD (resident paper) and Lindsay K. McConnell, MD (resident paper) and Andrew R. Cary, MD (fellow paper) and Jesse M. Vislisel, MD (fellow paper)
• 2017 - Brittni A. Scruggs, MD, PhD (resident paper) and Johanna D. Beebe, MD (resident paper)
• 2018 - Brittni A. Scruggs, MD, PhD (resident paper) and Elaine M. Binkley, MD (fellow paper)
• 2019 - Brittni A. Scruggs, MD, PhD (resident paper) and Daniel C. Terveen, MD (resident paper) and Bryce R. Radmall, MD (fellow paper)
• 2020 - Christopher R. Fortenbach, MD, PhD (resident paper) and Nitsan Duvdevan-Strier, MD (fellow paper) and Aaron M. Ricca, MD (fellow paper)
• 2021 - Christopher R. Fortenbach, MD, PhD (resident paper) and Yong Kam, MD (fellow paper) and Brittany Simmons, MD (fellow paper)
• 2022 - Aaron D. Dotson, MD (resident paper) and Edward F. Linton, MD (fellow paper)
• 2023 - Tina Hendricks, MD, MSC (resident paper) and Salma Dawoud, MD (fellow paper)
• 2024 - Joanna Silverman, MD (resident paper) and Margaret Strampe, MD (fellow paper)

The Charles D. Phelps Memorial Award was established in 1989 in honor of Dr. Phelps (1937-85), who was on the faculty of the department from 1971 to 1985 and served as head of the department during the last year of his life. The award was created through the generosity of many friends, colleagues, and patients. It supports outreach to areas in the world that are underserved.

Dr. Phelps was raised in Iowa. He studied under Dr. Armaly prior to his ophthalmology residency and after residency with Dr. Bernard Becker at Washington University in St. Louis. He succeeded Dr. Armaly as Director of the Glaucoma Service.

Dr. Phelps was a highly recognized authority in glaucoma when he became Department Head. Unfortunately, within 18-months of his appointment, he died of cancer leaving behind his wife Dorsey and four children.

The first American Glaucoma Society meeting was held to honor the memory of Dr. Phelps in Iowa City, in June of 1986.

On the final day of the conference, a Washington Hawthorne tree was planted in his memory near the University of Iowa's Westlawn Building. Due to the remodeling of the Westlawn Building, the tree was transplanted in the fall of 1998 to the East side of the Pomerantz Family Pavilion which now houses the University of Iowa's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. On Septemeber 18th, 1998, during a Clinical Conference, a commemorative bronze plaque was unveiled on the wall of the walkway near the site.

Recipients

• 1989 - W.L.M. Alward, MD
• 1990 - José S. Pulido, MD
• 1991 - Alan E. Kimura, MD
• 1992 - Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD
• 1993 - Robin D. Ross, MD
• 1994 - Paul M. Munden, MD
• 1995 - Mariannette J. Miller-Meeks, MD
• 1996 - John E. Sutphin, MD
• 1998 - Kentrell Liddell
• 2000 - Tom Oetting, MD
• 2001 - Andrew G. Lee, MD
• 2005 - Young H. Kwon, MD, PhD
• 2011 - Richard A. Lewis, MD
• 2012 - John H. Fingert, MD, PhD
• 2013 - Michael G. Anderson, PhD
• 2014 - Stefania Marsili, DVM, PhD
• 2015 - Chris A. Johnson, MSc, PhD, DSc
• 2016 - Michael D. Abramoff, MD, PhD
• 2017 - Sohan S. Hayreh, MD, MS, PhD, DSc, FRCS, FRCOphth

Stacy L. Thompson, MD, was a talented and compassionate caregiver who inspired both patients and colleagues alike—and approached every situation with humor, kindness, and grace. The Stacy L. Thompson Resident Leadership Award pays tribute to this exceptional legacy by recognizing physicians in the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences who exemplify Dr. Thompson's diligence, selflessness, and humanity.

It was Dr. Thompson's own experience with vision problems that motivated her to pursue a career in ophthalmology; she wanted to help others see the beauty of the world. After receiving her B.S. degree from the University of Iowa in 1992, the Exira, Iowa, native went on to complete her medical degree in 1996—graduating with high honors—and her ophthalmology residency in 2000. She spent the next 14 years working at Eye Physicians and Surgeons, of Iowa City, and during that time, Dr. Thompson distinguished herself as a caring physician who truly connected with patients.

This award commemorates Dr. Thompson's commitment to medicine and passion for life—and the many gifts she shared with those around her. She would be proud to know that her award will help future generations of UI residents follow in her footsteps.

Stacy L. Thompson, MD, 1969-2014

Recipients 

2024 - Aaron Dotson, MD

2023 - Margaret Strampe, MD

2022 - Salma Dawoud, MD

2021 - Christopher Fortenbach, MD, PhD

2020 - Austin Fox, MD

2019 - Aaron Ricca, MD

2018 - Lindsay De Andrade, MD

2017 - Jaclyn Haugsdal, MD

2016 - Pamela C. Carter, MD

2015 - C. Blake Perry, MD

The Wolfe Foundation Lecture was begun in 1969 and has been delivered nearly annually by some of the most distinguished ophthalmologists in the world. As such it has become one of the most prestigious ophthalmic lectureships and a cornerstone of the education program of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

The Wolfe Foundation created this endowment to honor Dr. Otis D. Wolfe, the son of Dr. Otis R. Wolfe, the founder of the Wolfe Clinic in Marshalltown, Iowa. In addition the Wolfe Foundation provides charitable eye care to the needy and supports ophthalmic research and education.

The Wolfe Clinic is a private association of ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists founded by Dr. Otis R. Wolfe in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1919. Dr. Wolfe established the Wolfe Foundation in 1938 for two purposes:

1. to provide charitable eye care to the needy, and
2. to support ophthalmic research and education.

To help fulfil the second purpose, Otis D. Wolfe (the son of Otis R. Wolfe) instituted the Wolfe Lectures in 1969. Funds provided by the Wolfe Foundation are used to invite distinguished ophthalmologists and scientists throughout the country to participate in the teaching program of the Department of Ophthalmology.

Wolfe Foundation Lectures

To fulfill the vision established by Otis R. Wolfe, the Foundation continues to support programs including:

• Donating physician surgical time and paying medical expenses for several Iowans in need each year.
• Purchasing and donating surgical equipment to hospitals throughout Iowa.
• Supporting medical mission trips to under-developed regions of the world.
• Sponsoring public education programs to increase awareness of sight threatening diseases.

Wolfe Foundation Lecturers

1969, Leonard Christensen, MD

1970, Irving H. Leopold, MD

1971, Lorenz E. Zimmerman, MD

1972, Morton F. Goldberg, MD

1973, Francis A. L'Esperance, MD

1974, Nicholas G. Douvas, MD

1975 , William S. Tasman, MD

1976, H. MacKenzie Freeman, MD

1977, Morton E. Smith, MD

1978, Dan B. Jones, MD

1979, David Paton, MD

1980, Stuart I. Brown, MD

1981, David L. Guyton, MD

1982, William S. Tasman, MD

1983, Peter R. Laibson, MD

1984, H. Dunbar Hoskins, MD

1987, Paul F. Palmberg, MD, PhD

1989, Arthur J. Jampolsky, MD

1990, George O. Waring, III, MD

1991, J. Donald M. Gass, MD

1992, Gerald A. Fishman, MD

1993, M. Bruce Shields, MD

1994, Thomas M. Aaberg, MD

1995, Lars Frisen, MD

1996, Carl A. Kupfer, MD

1997, Neil R. Miller, MD

1998, Albert W. Biglan, MD

1999, I. Howard Fine, MD

2000, Howard V. Gimbel, MD

2001, Steve A. Arshinoff, MD

2002, David F. Chang, M.D.

2003, Samuel Masket, MD

2004, John M. Graether, MD

2004, Gunter K. von Noorden, MD

2005, Terrence P. O'Brien, MD

2006, David Parke II, MD

2007, David M. Brown, MD

2008, Hans E. Grossniklaus, MD, MBA

2009, James A. Davison, MD

2010, Joel S. Schuman, MD

2011, Brian Little, BSc, MA, DO, FHEA, FRCS, FRCOphth

2012, Amar Agarwal, MS, FRCS, FRCOphth

2013, Bonnie An Henderson, MD

2014, Carla J. Siegfried, MD

2016, Lisa B. Arbisser, MD

2017, John C. Hart Jr., MD, FACS

2018, Susan MacDonald, MD

2019, Steven G. Safran, MD, PA

2021, Vance M. Thompson, MD

The Wolken Ethics Lecture Series was initiated in 2014 with a generous gift from Stephen and Sue Wolken and their son and daughter-in-law, Mark Wolken and Jennifer Huber. Steve and Mark both completed their residencies in Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa. The Wolkens have been generous contributors to the UI over many years, including the Dr. Stephen H. and Sue Montgomery Wolken Medical Scholarship.

The Wolken Ethics Lecture Series provides a forum to share and discuss topics related to medical ethics and their application to the profession of medicine in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. The series will be a part of the department’s major meetings or clinic conferences. This fund may also provide support to enhance educational programs and training.

The Wolken Ethics Lecturers

• 2024 - Susan H. Day, MD
• 2023 - Ruth D. Williams, MD
• 2022 - Michael V. Boland, MD, PhD (‘05R)
• 2019 - Robert Wiggins, Jr., MD, MHA
• 2018 - Tamara Fountain, MD
• 2017 - Ronald W. Pelton, MD, PhD, FACS​​

Dr. Stephen and Sue Wolken
 

Dr. Mark Wolken and Jennifer Huber