Society For The Blind and Visually Impaired to Present Leslie Dana Gold Medal

Prestigious medal will be awarded to internationally renowned clinician-scientist, Dr. Joel S.

Schuman MD at 2017 Visionary Gala on April 22nd.

St. Louis, MO, April 10, 2017 -- The Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, based in
Brentwood, MO, has been awarding the Leslie Dana Gold Medal since 1925 to distinguished
recipients for their outstanding work in the ophthalmic and blindness prevention fields. This year,
the prestigious award will be presented to Dr. Joel S. Schuman MD, Professor and Chair,
Department of Ophthalmology and Professor of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Langone
Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, at the Societys Visionary Gala, to be held on Saturday,
April 22nd, at the Palladium St. Louis, 1400 Park Place, beginning at 6pm. Tickets for the event
($175.00) can be purchased by calling 314-968-9000.

According to David Ekin, President, Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, We are honored
to present Dr. Schuman with the Leslie Dana Medal. The late Mr. Dana designated the medal to be
awarded in St. Louis to a recipient with long meritorious service for the conservation of eyesight
research and instruction in ophthalmology, social service for the control of eye diseases, or special
discoveries on the domain of general science or medicine of exceptional importance in conservation
of vision.

Ekin added Dr Schuman is being honored as one of the inventors of Optical Coherence
Tomography (OCT), a technology that provides rapid, non-invasive three-dimensional imaging of
the internal structures of the eye. OCT has had a transformative impact on ophthalmology and has
revolutionized the ability of researchers and clinicians to study and treat eye diseases such as
glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

Dr. Schuman, has an illustrious and distinguished career as a researcher, author and clinician. Dr.
Schuman and several colleagues were the first to discover a molecular marker for Glaucoma, a
disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible vision loss. Dr. Schuman and his
team developed groundbreaking medical imaging procedures that creates a 3-D map of the eye,
which revolutionized research and treatment in the field.

Dr. Schuman was selected to receive the Dana Gold Medal Award by the Dana Medal Committee,
headed by James Bobrow, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington
University School of Medicine and Honorary Committee Chair. Dr. Bobrow said We selected Dr.
Schuman to receive this award because of his work to adapt the combination of increased computer
power from CT scan, MRI and laser imaging techniques to create three-dimensional analyses of
ocular structures, providing increased insight into the functions of the eye without needing to invade
the eye. The information gained from these studies guides both diagnosis and treatment of a wide
variety of ocular diseases.

In addition to the Dana Gold Medal Award, the Society will bestow two additional awards: The
Community Partnership Award to MindsEye Radio, and James Butler Award to Volunteer of the
year, Patricia Schonlau.

MindsEye Radio is a virtual newsstand connecting people with vision loss to the news and
entertainment they need to lead full lives. Minds Eye provides readings from local and national
publications through radio and internet broadcasts to enable individuals in the blind and print
impaired community of Metro St. Louis to stay connected and self-reliant.

The James Butler Award, presented only when deemed appropriate, is to be given this year to Patti
Schonlau who has devoted 35 years of service as an advocate, stressing the importance of self-
advocacy and social graces. Ms. Schonlau has devoted her time and efforts to assist people with
disabilities in order for them to acquire and maintain control of their own lives through the
acquisition of necessary support or assistance, to live with self-determination through choice and
opportunity, and to become active agents in their own advocacy commented David Ekin. Ms.
Schonlau adds I am extremely excited to be the recipient of this distinguished award and I have
worked to promote people with disabilities in order to be integrated fully into society and to live
independently as a vital part of their community.

About Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired:

The Society enhances independence, empowers individuals and enriches the lives of people who are
blind or visually impaired and their families. Caring, qualified staff provide specialized vision
rehabilitation, adaptive education, assistive technology and support services.

For further information, please visit the Societys website at www.slsbvi.org.

Contact:
David C. Ekin
ACSW, LCSW, President,
Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired
8770 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63144
314-968-9000
david@slsbvi.org
http://www.slsbvi.org