Three of the largest and most respected ophthalmology organizations in the world have named members of Mount Sinai Health System's Department of Ophthalmology as recipients of some of their most prestigious awards of 2020. These honors recognize the researchers' outstanding leadership and advancements in ophthalmic research and education.
Richard Rosen, MD, Vice Chair and Director of Ophthalmology Research at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE), earned the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) "Life Achievement Honor Award." This acknowledges his dedication to AAO, including his research contributions to its annual meeting, his support of its educational programs and products as well as its advocacy efforts, and his dedication to advancing the science and medicine of ophthalmology.
The Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO) presented Dr. Rosen and Mark Kupersmith, MD, Vice Chair of Translational Ophthalmology Research for the Mount Sinai Health System, with its 2020 ARVO Silver Fellows Award for their extensive contributions to the association. ARVO Fellows serve as role models and mentors for those pursuing careers in vision and ophthalmology research. They also help further ARVO's advancement of ophthalmology research worldwide.
"The AAO and ARVO are two of the most important pillars of leadership for ophthalmology worldwide. They have been major sources of support and guidance throughout my career and their recognition is both gratifying and humbling. My involvement was largely inspired by the encouragement of our former New York Eye and Ear Infirmary chair, Joseph Walsh, MD, who was an active force in both organizations and got me involved during my residency. His commitment to education and research in the service of patient care has been the blueprint I've attempted to emulate," says Dr. Rosen, who is also Deputy Chair for Clinical Affairs of the Department of Ophthalmology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
"I am very fortunate to be recognized by colleagues through the most prestigious organization that drives vision science evolution. This has only been possible because New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai provides the support to foster the mission to improve vision health care. The heart of this effort is innovation and application of new approaches with sound scientific and data-driven advancements," adds Dr. Kupersmith, who is also Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmology for the Mount Sinai Health System.
Alon Harris, PhD, MS, FARVO, Director of the Ophthalmic Vascular Diagnostic Research Program at The Mount Sinai Hospital accepted the "Silver Plaque Award" from the 4th International Congress of the Italian Association for the Study of Glaucoma for presenting the "2020 Bruno Boles Carenini Lecture," during September's international conference. This recognizes his longstanding clinical research programs investigating ocular blood flow and metabolism in glaucoma.
"I am humbled and honored to receive this award and appreciate the incredible collaborative spirit established at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Together, our faculty demonstrates a true passion for preventing vision loss, and it is my privilege to contribute to the longstanding legacy of our outstanding Department of Ophthalmology," explains Dr. Harris, who is Vice Chair for International Research and Academic Affairs of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
