University Vision Care & Research Centers

and The Lions Clubs of District 20-Y1

At the start of the Vision 2000 campaign to support research at the University Vision Care & Research Centers, Lions District 20-Y1 stepped up and pledged $250,000 to the campaign over a three-year period.  This really supported their mission of trying to eliminate preventable blindness. Their donation was really the impetus that moved the campaign forward.  In addition, the Center for Vision Research (CVR) has been able to take that initial pledge and have turned it into over $19 million in research funding over the past ten years.

The local Lions fund raising efforts were able to secure a $75,000 grant from Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) to improve equipment and services for the Centers. LCIF was founded in 1968 as a charitable arm of Lions International. The foundation disburses millions of dollars in donated funds each year for Sight First, a global program to eliminate preventable and reversible blindness and for other humanitarian projects. "I can't say enough about the Lions involvement in our fund raising efforts," said Dr. John A. Hoepner, Chair of University Vision Care & Research Centers. "Their commitment and dedication to the Vision 2000 campaign is the primary reason for our success and they continue to support it every year."  The Lions Clubs' contribution was used to further the Centers' initiatives in ophthalmic research and clinical care and to purchase special equipment. The Lions Club members of District 20-Y1 comprise the CNY area from Skaneateles to Cooperstown and Mexico to Downsville.

Ophthalmic research at Upstate Medical University is conducted through its University Vision Care & Research Centers. The centers are multifaceted and draw upon the expertise and dedication of dozens of leading physicians and research scientists to provide medicine with advances in research, innovation in patient care and quality instruction in the practice of ophthalmology.

Thanks to each of the following Lions and Lioness Clubs of District 20-Y1 for supporting the Vision 2000 campaign and University Vision Care & Research Centers. Because of the generous support from each of these clubs and their dedicated members, the Vision 2000 campaign surpassed its $1.2 million goal. There is permanent recognition at University Center for Vision Care's wall of honor for all of the Lions Clubs that gave to the Vision 2000 campaign.

Lions and Lioness Clubs of District 20-Y1 who supported the Vision 2000 Ophthalmology Advancement Campaign are:

For more information about the Central New York Lions Clubs, please visit their web site at: http://www.centralnylions.com/

Continuing Collaboration between by the Lions District 20-Y1 and the Department of Ophthalmology - Lions' Research Presentations and Tours

Continuing to strengthen its relationship with the Lions Clubs, University Vision Care & Research Centers hosted its first-ever "Lions Day" in May 2000. Coordinated by the Upstate Medical University Foundation, this event offered the 60 Lions Clubs in Central and Southern New York the opportunity to tour the Centers and speak with a host of vision researchers, clinicians, and Vision 2000 representatives throughout the one-day event. According to Wayne Cunningham, Co-Chair of the Lions Vision 2000 effort, "Lions Day" was a huge success. "An event like Lions Day offers all Lions members the opportunity to see first-hand, the amazing advances that are being made at the Centers. We are extremely pleased to have established a relationship with University Vision Care & Research Centers and we all hope it will continue long into the future."

Tours of the facilities at Upstate Medical University's Department of Ophthalmology have continued each year so that the Lions can see how their generosity has enabled the University Vision Care & Research Centers to work towards finding the causes and cures for blinding disorders. Many of these events have been attended by Lions International Directors.  Even those Lions that have attended more than one of these events are surprised by how much has been accomplished since their last visit.

November 15, 2014

With Lions' International Director: Linda Tincher

Approximately 45 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast
9:30 am          Presentation @ Neuroscience Research Building by Dr. William J. Brunken
10:45 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Neuroscience Research Building
12:00 pm        Lunch

November 9, 2013

Approximately 45 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast
9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. John A. Hoepner
10:15 am        "Sneak Peak" of new Neuroscience Research Building

10:45 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall
12:00 pm        Lunch

November 19, 2011

Approximately 40 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast
9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. Francesca Pignoni
10:30 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall
12:00 pm        Lunch

Click here to see a picture of the Lions participating in the research lab tour.

October 30, 2010

With Lions' International Director: Gary Anderson O.D.
Approximately 55 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast
9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. Francesca Pignoni
10:30 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall
12:00 pm        Lunch

November 7, 2009

With Lions' International Director: Ann Smarsh
Approximately 45 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast
9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. Andrea Viczian
10:30 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall
12:00 pm        Lunch

November 8, 2008

With Lions' International Director: Dr. Harold R. Ott
Approximately 50 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast

9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. Robert Barlow, Director of the Center for Vision Research

10:30 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall

12:00 pm        Lunch

November 3, 2007

With Lions' International Director: Maurice M. Mahawaii
Approximately 50 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast

9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. Andrea Viczian and Dr. Michael Zuber

10:30 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall

12:00 pm        Lunch

September 23, 2006

With Lions' International Director: Howard Lee
Approximately 30 Lions Attended

9:00 am          Breakfast

9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. Robert Barlow, Director of the Center for Vision Research

10:30 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall

12:00 pm        Lunch

October 1, 2005

With Lions' International Director: Dur Robinson
Approximately 45 Lions attended

9:00 am          Breakfast

9:30 am          Presentation @ Center for Vision Care by Dr. Robert Barlow, Director of the Center for Vision Research

10:30 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall

12:00 pm        Lunch

November 20, 2004

8:30 am          Breakfast
9:00 am          Research Presentations @ Center for Vision Care
10:00 am        Tour of Research Labs @ Weiskotten Hall
11:00 am        Tour of Carrier Dome

November 1, 2003

With Lions' International Director: Walter R. "Bud" Wahl

November 3, 2001

Noon-2:00 pm

Welcome & Special Presentation
John A. Hoepner, MD, Professor and Chair

Research Presentations
Barry E. Knox , PhD
Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Ophthalmology
"Turning Genes and Vision On and Off"
Robert B. Barlow, PhD
Professor of Physiology and Ophthalmology
"How Do We See-and Not See?"

Tour of the Department of Ophthalmology
Refreshments

Thank you Lions District 20-Y1 for your support of the
University Vision Care & Research Centers!