FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

 

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Maynard-Garrett, APR

UTHSC Communications and Marketing

(901) 448-4957.

 

UT’S HAMILTON EYE INSTITUTE TO BENEFIT FROM GENEROUS DONATION BY HYDE FAMILY FOUNDATION

 

            Memphis, Tennessee (January 28, 2005) – The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) is pleased to announce a $500,000 donation by the Hyde Family Foundation to the Hamilton Eye Institute.  This generous donation is being used to construct the Hyde Family Foundation Glaucoma Center.

            “We are pleased to support UT’s Hamilton Eye Institute. Dr. Haik and his team are dedicated to providing the best possible education, research, and clinical care in the area of ophthalmology,” said J.R. (Pitt) Hyde, III.

            He commented, “Our foundation chose to specifically support the glaucoma center because of the hope affiliated with early diagnosis of glaucoma. Among the other benefits provided by the Hamilton Eye Institute, we feel that it will provide easy access to care for individuals with glaucoma.  Here, too, research holds the promise of developing new and more effective therapies to combat this sight-robbing illness.”

Department of Ophthalmology chairman and the Hamilton Endowed Professor, Barrett G. Haik, MD, stated, “We are honored to have the support of Pitt and Barbara Hyde and their foundation. They are known for supporting quality education and research programs, and we are so pleased they felt we were deserving of their support.  Dr. Peter Netland, one of the top ranked glaucoma specialists in the country, directs our glaucoma service. Under his guidance, this center will be able to advance treatment for this disease, which affects the lives of so many.  Glaucoma is an asymptomatic disease, which robs sight without warning, and detection and early treatment are key to preventing blindness.”

The Hamilton Eye Institute is the only university eye center providing an advanced level of vision care for the Mid-South region.  Named in honor of Memphis ophthalmologist and UT faculty member, Ralph S. Hamilton, MD, and his wife, Barbara Howell Hamilton, the institute provides services to patients from all walks of life.  Recently, for the second consecutive year, the institute was ranked in the top ten facilities in the United States for clinical care.  In the spring of this year, state-of-the-art research laboratories were completed; and construction of the clinical facilities are scheduled for completion in the summer of 2005.

Hyde is founder of AutoZone, an auto parts chain, established in 1979, that today thrives throughout the country. He and his wife, Barbara, have contributed greatly to the city of Memphis through their involvement and support of organizations such as the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis Tomorrow, Ballet Memphis, Greater Memphis Arts Council, Memphis in May and the Memphis Challenge. They were also instrumental in leading the efforts to bring the NBA’s Grizzlies to Memphis, fulfilling the city’s long-time dream of having an NBA team.

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