ASCRS Foundation Dedicates Robert M. Sinskey Clinic in Ethiopia

The ASCRS Foundation officially dedicated the Robert M. Sinskey Pediatric Eyecare Clinic on November 18, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The permanent facility, which represents the foundation’s first overseas humanitarian effort, has treated more than 1,400 patients since opening earlier this year.
Robert Sinskey, M.D., The Sinskey Eye Institute, Santa Monica, Calif., along with his wife Lorraine Sinskey and City Health Minister Kebede Birru cut the ribbon following a dedication ceremony attended by about 150 physicians, Ethiopian health officials, aid organization representatives, and community leaders.
Mulu Lisanework Hailu, M.D., who recently completed fellowship training at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, has been hired as the clinic’s resident ophthalmologist. Dr. Mulu, as she is known to staff and patients, thanked ASCRS and the foundation’s many individual and corporate contributors whose donations allowed for the construction of the facility and its outfitting with the surgical equipment needed to offer full-service care to patients.
The Sinskey clinic, which stands adjacent to the established Free Methodist Health Center, receives a steady stream of patients seeking treatment for eye-related problems at the well-known hospital.
“Ethiopia is a country of over 70 million people, half of whom are under age 15. Extreme poverty and malnutrition have created an enormous need for quality pediatric eye care,” said ASCRS Foundation Chairman, I. Howard Fine, M.D., Fine, Hoffman, & Packer, Eugene, Ore. “The Sinskey clinic is a welcome addition to the Ethiopian medical community and has provided tremendous benefit since opening its doors. Dr. Mulu is a skilled ophthalmologist providing valuable care to a vastly underserved population. By constructing a permanent facility, the ASCRS Foundation has made a long-term commitment to the people of Ethiopia.”
The ASCRS Foundation was established in 2001. In addition to its humanitarian agenda, the foundation also funds a significant public education program through the Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC) that works to ensure fair and balanced reporting of ophthalmic issues in the popular press. Since the council’s inception, the ESEC has placed stories in hundreds of newspapers and magazines along with national and local television and radio, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, CBS, and CNN.
“We have reached the point where we are now seen as a leading voice for ophthalmology and rather than addressing stories after they have been written, we are finding reporters now turn to us first when gathering information,” said ESEC Chairman, Richard Lindstrom, M.D., clinical professor of ophthalmology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. “The end result is better, more accurate reporting that tends to focus on the remarkable technology available to ophthalmologists and the positive contributions they make to their patients’ lives everyday.”
In addition, the foundation also supports an active research program, awarding ten $5,000 research grants each year to ophthalmologists pursuing interesting studies. Now in its second year, the foundation’s research program was designed to provide a critical first infusion of funding for those looking to explore a promising new idea. The program is open to practicing ophthalmologists and those still in training.
Following the dedication ceremony and a short reception outside the clinic, it was right back to work for Dr. Mulu. A woman had brought her 2-year-old granddaughter to the clinic with a badly swollen left eye.
“It’s not often than I have the chance to examine a patient alongside Dr. Sinskey,” said Dr. Mulu, clearly enjoying the opportunity to interact with one of ophthalmology’s most respected teachers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Don Bell is director of membership for the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. Contact him at 703-591-2220, dbell@ascrs.org.