Research Funds

• John and Annie Glenn Research Fund in Ophthalmology Supports advancements in research for innovative cures for blindness and eye disease, including but not limited to, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

  Created in honor of the late John Glenn and his wife Annie, the fund will support research efforts focused toward a cure for blindness and treating diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), conditions on the forefront of ophthalmic research efforts.
  
  As a former senator, pilot, and astronaut, the late John Glenn was no stranger to daunting challenges. The struggle to combat blinding eye diseases is such a challenge. One million people in the United States are irreversibly blind (a number expected to double by 2030 and quadruple by 2050) and glaucoma, AMD, and diabetic eye disease are among the most devastating causes of blindness.
  
  The Glenn Research Fund will enhance research efforts to go beyond controlling these diseases. By providing resources for advanced technology and ground breaking research, it will create collaboration between talented scientists and physicians to foster unprecedented treatments and advancements.
  
  Together with the generous support of the Glenn Fund and the determined research by scientists and clinicians, the challenge to end blindness is being accepted and a new frontier in sight restoration is being forged in ophthalmology.
  
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• Ann W. La Fontaine Ophthalmology Research Fund Supports education and research programs in the field of ophthalmology.

  Lifelong Buckeye Leaves OSU $1.6 Million for Eye Research
  
  Ann LaFontaine was a buckeye, through and through having been born in Clintonville on Brevoort Road within walking distance of The Ohio State University. She was always proud of her big buckeye family. Her only brother John attended Ohio State, along with several of her cousins, including Lillie (Carr) Grossman. Ann admired Lillie who served as a volunteer nurses’ aid for the American Red Cross during WW I and WW II, and married the renowned OSU veterinary professor, Dr. James Grossman. Ann was tall, striking, and independent.
  
  Growing up during the “Roaring Twenties,” she embodied the spirit of her generation. Ann was very involved in student life at Ohio State and wrote the “Gadabout” articles for The Lantern, OSU’s student paper. It was an exciting time to be a buckeye. Women in universities were on the rise and represented nearly a third of the student body, OSU track star Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Olympics in Berlin, and the first “Script Ohio” was performed by the Ohio State Band. Perhaps it was these and other events that instilled her lifelong love for Ohio State. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1937, she landed a job at the Columbus Dispatch. She later moved to Toledo and worked for The Blade.
  
  With such a deep devotion for OSU, it is not surprising that she included her alma mater in her will. In a large bequest to Ohio State, she selected the James Cancer Hospital, the University Libraries, and the Havener Eye Institute to benefit from her generosity. Her gift to ophthalmology was inspired by her admiration for her cousin Lillie, who was widowed young and who had developed age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a potentially blinding eye condition. Ann’s gift will be used to further vision research and will not only help patients with AMD, but many ocular conditions. We are very grateful for Ann’s legacy to the future of eye care.
  
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• Retinal Surgical Innovation and Imaging Fund This fund is dedicated to research and related activities in Ophthalmology that explore innovations to advance diagnostic imaging technology, medical treatment, and surgical procedures to provide the prevention, treatment, and cure for eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinal disease, and other blinding eye conditions as undertaken by Dr. Matthew Ohr (or successor) and approved by the department chairman.
• Eye Research Genetics Fund Supports molecular genetics or retina research in ophthalmology, or other initiatives for work of Drs. F. Davidorf and M. Abdel-Rahman (or their successors).
• Retina Research Fund in Ophthalmology Supporting retinal research in ophthalmology, including but not limited to, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, ocular melanoma, uveitis, research supplies, equipment and personnel.
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• Clabaugh Glaucoma Research Fund Supports research for the cure and treatment of glaucoma in the Department of Ophthalmology.

• Patti Blow Research Fund in Ophthalmology Supports, but not limited to, research in angiogenesis, scientific supplies, equipment, salaries for research personnel and activities required for quality medical research.

  

  The goal of giving is to support a worthwhile cause to make a difference in people’s lives. Through the philanthropy of Warner and Patti Blow the Department, under the guidance of Dr. Frederick Davidorf, has established the Patti Blow Research Team to make a difference in patients with eye cancer.
  
  Patients seen on the Ocular Oncology Unit by Dr. Davidorf and Colleen Cebulla, MD, PhD are asked to enroll in the “Melanoma Study.” The Ocular Melanoma Team studies the molecular genetics of ocular tumors looking for tumor markers that can be used to find and treat early metastatic diseases via target therapy. This type of therapy is directed toward blocking the rapid growth and spread of circulating melanoma cells.
  
  Warner acknowledged their many accomplishments and thanked all of the dedicated researchers and staff that have worked so hard over the years and achieve so much. The goal of their contributions has always been to support basic research with an emphasis on diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and melanoma of the eye. Now, a decade of results have led us to a more promising future for patients with ocular cancer. The Blows have made a difference. We thank them.
  
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• Retina Research and Program Fund in Ophthalmology Supporting research and programs for retinal diseases (including retinal detachment, ocular melanoma and improving treatments) for work of Dr. C. Cebulla (or successor) as approved by chairman.

• Elson Craig, MD and Torrence Makley, MD Research Fund Advances medical knowledge in ophthalmology towards costs of medical research to include (but not limited to) supplies, equipment, personnel and technology.

  Elson Craig, MD had plans to make a difference with his life. It wasn’t easy growing up on the East side of Columbus, but he was hardworking and determined. He was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his high school graduating class and they were right.
  
  He received his undergraduate, graduate, and medical degrees at OSU where he also completed his residency. He was named chief resident and asked to remain on faculty. Over the next 40 years, he cared for countless patients, educated residents and medical students, and conducted eye disease research that continues to change the way we care for patients.
  
  He wanted to make sure that his work would go on long after he was gone, so he made a planned gift to the Havener Eye Institute to further pathology research. His plan was to make a difference, and with his planned gift he continues to make a difference.
  
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• Sarah Slack Retina Fund Supports Retina Research

  Sarah (Sally) Slack was born in 1917 in Zanesville, Ohio. She attended Lash High School and Muskingum College. When she graduated in 1939, she took a few extra classes at The Ohio State University, so she could become a teacher.
  
  Sally taught at McKinley, McIntire, and Lincoln Elementary Schools in the Zanesville City School system. She also taught special reading education for students in the Zanesville City Schools and St. Thomas Elementary. Many teachers decorate their classrooms to help engage their students, but Sally was like a walking classroom. Her colorful sweaters were a sight to be seen; matched only by her vibrant personality and generosity of spirit.
  
  Sally was always giving, even if it was just a piece of fruit or candy that she happened to have on her at the time. Giving was a way of life for her. When she started having trouble with her vision, she went to see Alan Letson, MD, a Zanesville native who practiced ophthalmology in Columbus.
  
  “When I met Sally,” said Dr. Letson, “she was upset about the vision she was losing from AMD. We used to have long talks about the lack of treatment available for dry AMD. She was determined to change all of that.”
  
  When Sally passed away at the age of 87, the majority of her estate was left to the direction of the Muskingum County Community Foundation to help fund research in macular degeneration.
  Located in the Putnam Historic District of Zanesville, the Muskingum County Community Foundation is in its 27th year of operation with millions of dollars of assets to manage for the benefit of Muskingum County and the greater central Ohio area. David Mitzel, Executive Director at the Muskingum County Community Foundation, met Sally when he was visiting his aunt in an assisted care facility.
  
  “Sally was a character and a good character. She was a school teacher. She was used to dealing with young children. She was young at heart,” said Mitzel. Sally loved animals, so David would bring his dog into the dining room for her. David was glad to bring a smile to her face because Sally had spent her life bringing happiness to everyone else. It seems that Sally wasn’t finished. The gift Muskingum County Community Foundation received to establish the Sarah E. Slack Prevention of Blindness Fund was about $900,000. This fund will support research to find a cure for the leading causes of blindness, especially macular degeneration.
  
  
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• Mary Jo and A. Robert Kent Ophthalmology Research Fund Supports medical research on diseases of the eye with emphasis on macular degeneration.
• Martha G. and Milton Staub Chair for Research Supports a distinguished researcher in ophthalmology.

• Alan and Susan Letson Retina and Ophthalmology Fund Established December 6, 2007 with gifts from Dr. Holton C. Letson of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Supporting the education of ophthalmology residents, acquisition of equipment for research, clinical and patient care, projects in retina disease and emerging priorities or initiatives related to retina disease in the Department of Ophthalmology.

  

  The Alan and Susan Letson Retina and Ophthalmology fund was established in 2007 by an endowment gift from Dr. Holton Charles Letson of Hilton Head South Carolina. Dr. Letson created the fund to recognize the professional contributions of  his son Dr. Alan, and daughter-in-law Susan Letson. 
  
  “I staffed the OSU Ophthalmology resident clinic for many years.” said Dr. Letson. “Even when no longer staffing a clinic I maintained a close relationship with the department and staff, particularly Dr. William Havener. It was a pleasure and a privilege to provide in a positive manor to the field of Ophthalmology. Now that I can no longer physically take part, I can take pleasure through the establishment of this fund which I hope will continue my efforts, and also the efforts of others.”
  
  The annual distribution from this fund will be use to support the education of ophthalmology residents, acquisition of equipment for research, clinical and patient care, projects in retina disease and emerging priorities or initiatives related to retina disease in the Department of Ophthalmology. 
  
  According to Dr. Tom Mauger, Department Chairman, “Private support for our department and programs are critical to our continued growth and expansion. The generosity of Dr. Letson and all our donors is greatly appreciated and truly makes a difference in what we do.” After completing his residency in Ophthalmology in Detroit Dr. Letson moved his family to Zanesville, Ohio where he practiced Ophthalmology from 1954 until his retirement in 1986. He spent more than 15 years staffing the OSU Resident Clinic and made many valuable contributions to the profession, the department and many grateful resident trainees.
  
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• Elmer and Ruth Tankersley Eye Research Fund Established October 7, 1983 from Elmer E. Tankersley's estate in honor of the Lions Club of Ohio. Funds eye research in the Department of Ophthalmology.
• Irene D. Hirsch Chair in Ophthalmology Supports a chair for research in diseases and treatment of the eyes.
• Dorothy Bittner Louks Endowment Fund for Research Supports basic and clinical research in ophthalmology to eradicate diseases of the retina with an emphasis on macular degeneration.