Douglas D. Koch, M.D., Will Receive the Internationally Distinguished Leslie Dana Award from St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired

ST. LOUIS, MO, March 04, 2013 (Press-News.org) Douglas D. Koch, M.D., a foremost scholar, clinician, surgeon and Professor of Ophthalmology who is The Allen, Mosbacher, and Law Chair of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, will be the 63rd recipient of the internationally distinguished Leslie Dana Gold Medal.

Dr. Koch will be presented with the Leslie Dana Gold Medal by the St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired in ceremonies on April 13, 2013. The Leslie Dana Gold Medal, a renowned honor esteemed worldwide, has been awarded by the Society since 1925 to many of the world's most highly respected scholars and clinicians for commendable service in eyesight research, ophthalmology, vision sciences and social services.

Society President David Ekin, ACSW, LCSW, said, "Presentation of the Leslie Dana Gold Medal to Dr. Douglas Koch will be a great highlight that honors his career as a renowned scholar, teacher and surgeon."

In a survey conducted by Ophthalmology Times, Dr. Koch was named one of the top 10 refractive surgeons in the United States. His clinical and research interests include astigmatism analysis and management; corneal topography; wavefront technology; surgical techniques and prevention of complications; intraocular lens calculations; and surgical instrument design.

Dr. Koch graduated from Amherst College summa cum laude in 1973 (Phi Beta Kappa) and from Harvard Medical School in 1977. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, in 1981. He then completed fellowship training in refractive and cataract surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital in the United Kingdom and the U.S. Dr. Koch joined the Department of Ophthalmology at The Cullen Eye Institute in 1982, becoming Associate Professor in 1991 and Professor in 1998. He served as Director of Residency Training from 1992 to 1996. In 1999, he received The Allen, Mosbacher, and Law Chair in Ophthalmology.

He is Past President of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the International Intraocular Implant Club. He is a member of the Council of the American Ophthalmological Society and the Executive Committee of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He has given many named lectures around the world.

Dr. Koch is married to Marcia Donlea Murphey. He is President of the Bach Society of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston, and he enthusiastically plays trumpet in the Houston Brass Band.

The late Mr. Leslie Dana was particularly interested in efforts to prevent blindness and assist people who are blind. To broaden interest in blindness research and social work, he established a gold medal fund in 1925, naming the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired as trustee with requirements that the gold medal be awarded in St. Louis. The medal is given based on "Long, meritorious service for the conservation of eyesight research and instruction in ophthalmology, social service for control of eye diseases, or special discoveries in the domain of general science or medicine of exceptional importance in conservation of vision."

Chris Pickel, Chair of the Society Board of Directors, said "The Society is proud to honor Dr. Koch with the esteemed Leslie Dana Gold Medal. He embodies the virtues of renowned scholars, teachers and surgeons who have committed their lives to advancing progress for people who are visually impaired or blind."

Founded in 1911, the not-for-profit St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired enhances independence, empowers individuals and enriches the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired and their families. Its caring, committed staff provides specialized Vision Rehabilitation, Orientation & Mobility, Adaptive Education, Assistive Technology, Children's Services and Support Services. It provides older adults who are newly visually impaired or blind due to age-related eye conditions with home-based services, specialized agency services and community activities. It also renders services to school-age students in Illinois and Missouri. It is the only agency of its kind serving greater St. Louis, and the second oldest of its kind west of the Mississippi River.

For more information about Society programs and activities, please visit the Society website at http://SLSBVI.org/ or call David Ekin at 314.968.9000. Media relations contact: Jeff Dunlap at 314.993.6925.