The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System is a comprehensive and integrated health care delivery system that provides quality clinical programs and services to Veterans. The System includes two hospitals, two large satellite outpatient clinics, and several small community-based outpatient clinics. Primary health care services, as well as highly specialized, technologically advanced surgical services are provided. Ophthalmology, a section within the Surgical Services is one of the most active in the VA system, and is well supported with state-of-the art technology and dedicated personnel. The affiliation with the University of Florida Health Science Center is mutually beneficial and exposes trainees to a model system, and participation in large volumes of surgical experience and patient encounters. The resident rotations occur during every year of training and provide graduated levels of participation and responsibility.The Veterans Administration Chief of Ophthalmology is Michael Wiggins, M.D.

Vision research at the University of Florida crosses the boundaries of nine departments in the College of Medicine and six colleges at the University of Florida. Because of this diversity, the Center for Vision Research was established in 1996 to help build a cohesive core of vision researchers. Specifically, the Mission of the Center for Vision Research is to:Integrate a campus-wide, multi-college group of faculty interested in different aspects of vision research; Promote communication, academic courses and other educational activity that will enhance vision-oriented research at the University of Florida; Develop and coordinate multidisciplinary collaborative approaches to solve vision-related research problems; Provide a focused unit to enhance collaborative research with external research labs, industry and other centers

When the College of Medicine at the University of Florida was established in 1956, a Division of Ophthalmology was created. This Division was headed by Dr. Ernest Casey, a well-regarded Gainesville ophthalmologist. By 1962, the Eye Clinic had grown to 5 rooms and there were already 3 residents, one at each level. Dr. Herbert Kaufman, from the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, was appointed Associate Professor and Director of the Division. Over the next several years, under Dr. Kaufman’s able stewardship, the Division expanded, particularly after the Veterans Administration Hospital was built across the road and its service of Ophthalmology was integrated with that of the College of Medicine. Ophthalmology became a separate department in 1965, when it became the first surgical division to gain its independence from the Department of Surgery. After a nationwide search, Dr. Kaufman was appointed the first Chairman of the Department. Two years later, in 1967, major expansions of the clinical facilities were begun.

Use the link below to see a listing of our current basic science speakers.

Use the link below to see a listing clinical speakers available by topic.

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