Tissue Banks International (TBI)
Leaders in Cornea Transplantation to Advise International Eye and Tissue Banking Programs
BALTIMORE, Maryland, July 1, 2010 – Tissue Banks International (TBI) announced today that six new members will be joining its International Advisory Committee: Frederick Griffith, Mark Mannis, M.D., Minguita Padilla, M.D., Roberto Pineda, M.D., Geoffrey Tabin, M.D., and Samuel Yiu, M.D., Ph.D. They will join Chair Anthony Aldave, M.D. and eight returning members in providing strategic oversight of TBI’s international programs.
The Advisory Committee will assist TBI in identifying areas of the world that could most benefit from TBI eye and tissue banking programs. They will also focus on the international roll out of TBI’s VisionGraft Sterile Cornea, an innovation extending the preservation of corneal tissue to one year at room temperature.
“TBI has long been recognized as a leader in eye and tissue banking worldwide, and we look forward to enhancing our international services and, with the help of the International Advisory Committee, helping more people regain sight” said TBI President and CEO Gerald Cole.
Frederick N. Griffith served as TBI’s first President and CEO and is founder of its International Federation of Eye and Tissue Banks. He brings decades of first-hand international eye banking experience and a historical perspective to the committee.
Roberto Pineda, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and Director of Refractive Surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Pineda has worked extensively overseas, including in Africa and the Caribbean.
Mark J. Mannis, M.D. is Professor and Chair of the UC Davis Health System Eye Center. He also serves as Chair of the Pan-American Association of Eye Banks and has successfully supported the development of eye banks in Central and South America.
Geoffrey Tabin, M.D. is Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at University of Utah School of Medicine and Co-Director of the Himalayan Cataract Project. Dr. Tabin has demonstrated his commitment to improving eye care delivery through his work in Nepal, and now has a keen interest in helping countries in Africa.
Minguita Padilla, M.D. is founding and current President and Chairperson of the Santa Lucia International Eye Bank of Manila and of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines. Dr. Padilla is also and President of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology. She is actively involved in the advancement of corneal transplantation and eye banking in the Asia-Pacific region.
Samuel C. Yiu, M.D., Ph.D. is an assistant professor in Ophthalmology at Doheny Eye Institute. He is also the director of the Doheny Ocular Surface Center, director of undergraduate studies in Ophthalmology and the director of Cornea Fellowship at the Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Yiu, who lived in Hong Kong for several years, is interested in collaborating with colleagues and organizations in China.
The returning members are: Giampietro Bertasi, M.D., Gerald Cole, Akef El-Maghraby, M.D., Herbert Kaufman, M.D., Kenneth Kenyon, M.D., Alan Robin, M.D., Jan Rosocha, DVM, Ph.D., and Walter Stark, M.D.
“I am proud to be working with such a forward-thinking group that is dedicated to helping patients in medically underserved countries through medical assistance and innovation,” said Dr. Aldave. “I look forward to working with both new and returning IAC members and TBI staff to carry out this important work.”
About TBI/Tissue Banks International
Non-profit TBI/Tissue Banks International, founded as a single eye bank in 1962, today is a far-reaching network of medical eye and tissue banks throughout the United States and around the world. TBI’s mission is “to relieve human suffering by facilitating the donation, retrieval, processing and equitable distribution of corneal and other cadaveric tissue for transplantation, research and other medical needs worldwide.” TBI’s International Federation of Eye and Tissue Banks was formed in 1989. For more information from TBI, visit www.tbionline.org.
For further information concerning this press release, contact:
Kathleen C. Terlizzese
Vice President, Public Information
TBI/Tissue Banks International
410-752-3800 x260
[email protected]
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