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Steve Charles, MD, receives Philip M. Corboy, MD, award, emphasizes the role of mentors
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Alan Faulkner, MD, from the Hawaiian Eye Foundation, presented Steve Charles, MD, with the Philip M. Corboy, MD, Memorial Award for Distinguished Service in Ophthalmology, sponsored by Bausch + Lomb here at Hawaiian Eye 2019.
“He is nothing short of a superman in ophthalmology for his field-altering advancements and leadership,” Faulkner said. “His techniques and devices have helped shape vitreoretinal surgery into what it is today.”
Charles has performed more than 37,000 vitreoretinal surgeries in 25 countries, Faulkner added.
His popular textbook is currently in its fifth edition and has been published in six languages.
Charles, who kept his comments brief, said, “you get here because of mentors.”
He recounted his early days in the field at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami with its founder Edward W.D. Norton, MD.
As a freshman student, Norton gifted Charles with an indirect ophthalmoscope, “when I speak about him I tear up,” Charles said.
Norton asked Charles if he would be interested in completing his residency at Bascom Palmer. Charles was thrilled.
When he asked Norton how he could repay him for the opportunity to residency there, Norton told him to teach.
“Instead of asking what about me? It’s about the patients,” Charles said.
“The more you teach, the more you give back and people can help others,” Charles added. – by Abigail Sutton
Reference: Charles S. Philip M. Corboy, MD, Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Ophthalmology. Presented at: Hawaiian Eye; Jan. 19-25, 2019; Waikoloa, Hawaii.
Disclosures: Charles consults with Alcon.