Richard Lindstrom, MD, honored by ophthalmic community, ISRS

ORLANDO, Fla. — A “who’s who” of ophthalmic physicians and industry came out Saturday evening to honor Richard L. Lindstrom, MD.

Ocular Surgery News, the host of the event, honored Dr. Lindstrom for his significant contributions to and influence on the field of ophthalmology as OSN celebrates its 20th year of publication. Dr. Lindstrom has been chief medical editor of OSN since 1996.

“Dr. Lindstrom’s leadership in corneal, cataract, refractive and laser surgery has helped change the modern-day ophthalmic world,” said Peter N. Slack, president of SLACK Incorporated, the publisher of OSN. “We are proud of his achievements, specifically those of this year, appreciate his guidance on OSN as chief medical editor and are thankful for his friendship.”

In addition to last night’s recognition, Dr. Lindstrom has received two other honors here in events surrounding the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. He presented the Refractive Surgery Interest Group Honorary Lecture on the first day of Subspecialty Day. And he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Refractive Surgery on Friday evening.

George O. Waring III, MD, FACS, FRCOphth, editor in chief of the Journal of Refractive Surgery, the official journal of ISRS, presented the achievement award to Dr. Lindstrom.

“I think it is rather tricky to be giving a lifetime achievement award to someone who is still achieving,“ said Dr. Waring. “Dick has achieved in so many areas. It is a kaleidoscope — I think not only of ophthalmology but also of life. His early achievements as professor are well known. He was very active at the University of Minnesota and introduced a lot of new thinking into the department at that time.”

Dr. Waring said Dr. Lindstrom’s achievements in private practice “have eclipsed those at the university, as he was able to run free. He has set a practice that I would think would be the envy of any practitioner in the United States and in the world — a practice that is founded on solid ethics, on solid clinical standards and engages fellows in training,” Dr. Waring continued. “He is a role model as far as I am concerned. He has taught me a great deal.”

Accepting the award, Dr. Lindstrom thanked the members of ISRS. “I dedicate this award to my family, my wife Jaci, who probably deserves this award more than I do, and also to my colleagues and fellows,” he said.

The ISRS Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a member of the association “who has made significant and internationally recognized contributions to the advancement of refractive surgery over his or her career.”

At the 2003 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting, Dr. Lindstrom will present the Binkhorst Lecture.