With gifts to Johns Hopkins totaling $2.3 million, Texas oilman Boone Pickens is funding a new professorship in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins. Walter J. Stark was named the inaugural Boone Pickens Professor of Ophthalmology during a dedication ceremony held Oct. 28 in the Patz Lecture Room of the Wilmer Eye Institute.

Pickens, founder of Mesa Petroleum and chairman of BP Capital Management, is a longtime supporter of the Wilmer Eye Institute. "Mr. Pickens has created a legacy that will benefit generations to come," said Peter J. McDonnell, director of Wilmer. "The endowment will provide a distinguished faculty member with the resources necessary to pursue research into effective treatments and cures for ocular diseases."

Stark is an internationally recognized leader in the area of corneal transplantation, use of the excimer laser and intraocular lens implantation for rehabilitation of patients with visual disability. He has served as visiting professor at many universities and has trained numerous ophthalmologists who are now leaders in the field. In addition, he was instrumental in the development of the Medical Eye Bank of Maryland and Tissue Banks International. Stark is currently medical director of the Medical Eye Bank of Maryland and director of the medical board of directors at Tissue Banks International.

GO TO OCTOBER 31, 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
GO TO THE GAZETTE FRONT PAGE.