Ophthalmology Times ranks Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Best in Nation

MIAMI, Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ophthalmology Times today ranked Bascom Palmer Eye Institute as the #1 Overall Ophthalmology Program, the Best in Clinical Care, and the Best Residency Program in the United States.  "It is a deep honor for our team of clinicians, scientists and educators to be recognized for the high-quality of our care," said Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., chair of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, a University of Miami Hospital and Clinic, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System.

"Since Bascom Palmer was founded 55 years ago, we have been dedicated to providing the finest possible eye care, finding new ways to treat vision problems and prevent blindness, and to educate the physicians of the future," Alfonso added. "We are continually looking to improve and evolve to make vision care even better."

Ophthalmology Times, a national UBM Media publication focused on cutting-edge advancements in vision care, has resumed its national rankings after a five-year hiatus. In 2012, the publication also honored Bascom Palmer as the nation's Best Overall Program, Best in Clinical Care and Best Residency Program. 

Alfonso said Ophthalmology Times pays close attention to vision research and education, as well as patient care.   "Bascom Palmer provides a forum where key issues and challenges confronting ophthalmology have been addressed, where new technology has been unveiled and where ophthalmologists come together to discuss and teach the best care for their patients," he said.  "The credit belongs to our entire team of physicians, scientists, researchers and dedicated staff members." 

All of Bascom Palmer's 89 faculty members embrace community service, as well as clinical care, education and research, Alfonso said.  For example, Bascom Palmer's Vision Van provided care to residents and first-responders in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma, and the Institute's leaders delivered medical supplies and organized a patient-physician support network for Puerto Rico's ophthalmologists after Hurricane Maria.

Bascom Palmer's robust clinical and laboratory research programs focus on glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), genetic conditions, infectious diseases and other issues. "The current treatment for wet AMD was developed here, and is now the worldwide standard," noted Alfonso.

Bascom Palmer's residency program, under the leadership of Steven Gedde, M.D., professor of ophthalmology and the John G. Clarkson Chair in Ophthalmology, consistently attracts "the best and the brightest young physicians entering the field of ophthalmology," Alfonso said. "We have a large patient volume, giving residents experience on a wide range of ophthalmic diseases and disorders. Many go into academic medicine and educate other physicians, contributing to Bascom Palmer's long-term and global impact."

In 2017, Bascom Palmer was also ranked as the nation's Best in Ophthalmology by U.S News & World Report in its 2016-17 Best Hospitals edition.  It is the 16^th time that Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital has been named No. 1 since the publication began surveying U.S. physicians for its annual rankings 27 years ago.

"At Bascom Palmer, the patient always comes first," said Alfonso. "Having ophthalmologists from throughout the country recognize our Institute as the best in the nation again and again is a great honor."

About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, a University of Miami Hospital and Clinic, is ranked the nation's best in ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report, an honor it has received for the 16^th time; and by Ophthalmology Times.  In addition to its international reputation as one of the premier providers of eye care in the world, Bascom Palmer is the largest ophthalmic care, research and educational facility in the southeastern United States.  Each year, more than 250,000 patients are treated with nearly every ophthalmic condition and more than 18,000 surgeries are performed. With five patient care facilities in Florida (Miami, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, Plantation and Coral Gables at the Lennar Foundation Medical Center), the Institute serves as the Department of Ophthalmology for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, part of UHealth-University of Miami Health System. Bascom Palmer faculty members also staff the Miami and West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Jackson Memorial Hospital and Miami Children's Hospital. For information on Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, contact Kai Hill or [email protected] or visit www.bascompalmer.org. 

SOURCE Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

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