Leader in Treatment of Diabetes-Related Eye Disease
NEW YORK (March 12, 2007) — An internationally recognized leader in the treatment of macular degeneration, disorders of the retina and diabetes-related eye disease, Dr. Donald J. D'Amico has been appointed chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College and ophthalmologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Most recently, he was professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and associate chief of ophthalmology and director of the Diabetic Unit at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary — institutions he was affiliated with for nearly 30 years.
"Dr. D'Amico is an award-winning teacher and outstanding researcher, and we are delighted that he will be bringing his formidable skills to the Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College," says Dr. Antonio M. Gotto Jr, dean of Weill Cornell Medical College.
"Severe eye disease can be one of the most devastating and feared complications of diabetes. I am particularly pleased to welcome Dr. D'Amico, who has devoted so much of his career to helping patients and their families who are affected by diabetes," says Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. D'Amico has published more than 175 articles on vitreoretinal diseases and has co-edited two books covering comprehensive retinal themes. He has participated as a principal investigator or co-investigator in many clinical trials and laboratory investigations.
A distinguished national and international lecturer, Dr. D'Amico is the recipient of many honors, including the Honor Award and the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has twice received the Teacher of the Year Award given by the residents of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
He serves on the board of four major journals, and is highly active in professional societies. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the prestigious Club Jules Gonin, and is the president-elect of the Retina Society.
A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Dr. D'Amico completed his residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He completed his fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases at the University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, followed by selection as chief resident in ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary prior to joining the Harvard faculty.
"I look forward to working with my colleagues at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medical College as we seek to advance the research and treatment of diseases of the eye as well as educate future generations of ophthalmologists," says Dr. D'Amico.
For more information, patients may call (866) 697-6397.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, located in New York City, is one of the leading academic medical centers in the world, comprising the teaching hospital NewYork-Presbyterian and its academic partner, Weill Cornell Medical College. NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine, and is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork-Presbyterian, which is ranked sixth on the U.S.News & World Report's list of top hospitals, also comprises NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.
Weill Cornell Medical College
Weill Cornell Medical College — located in New York City — is committed to excellence in research, teaching, patient care and the advancement of the art and science of medicine. Weill Cornell, which is a principal academic affiliate of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, offers an innovative curriculum that integrates the teaching of basic and clinical sciences, problem-based learning, office-based preceptorships, and primary care and doctoring courses. Physicians and scientists of Weill Cornell Medical College are engaged in cutting-edge research in such areas as stem cells, genetics and gene therapy, geriatrics, neuroscience, structural biology, cardiovascular medicine, ophthalmology, AIDS, obesity, cancer and psychiatry — and continue to delve ever deeper into the molecular basis of disease in an effort to unlock the mysteries behind the human body and the malfunctions that result in serious medical disorders. Weill Cornell Medical College is the birthplace of many medical advances — from the development of the Pap test for cervical cancer to the synthesis of penicillin, the first successful embryo-biopsy pregnancy and birth in the U.S., and most recently, the world's first clinical trial for gene therapy for Parkinson's disease. Weill Cornell's Physician Organization includes 650 clinical faculty, who provide the highest quality of care to their patients.
Lezlie Greenberg
leg2003@med.cornell.edu