ASCSR Foundations Robert Sinskey Eye Institute Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Dedication Ceremony August 27, 2013

Good morning. My name is Dr. David Chang. I am an ophthalmologist from San Francisco, California, and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation Board. I know that Dr. Robert Sinskey, for whom this wonderful hospital is named, wishes he could be here with me today to celebrate its dedication. Unfortunately, at 89 years old, Dr. Sinskey now finds long travel difficult. But his health is good and he sends his thanks and his good wishes to his many friends present here today. Dr. Sinskey had a vision for eye care in Addis Ababa that began in 2005. Working with Professor Badeg Bekele and the ASCRS Foundation board, he helped establish the small, green building that once stood on this spot. Dr. Sinskeys idea was to provide the best possible medical care, including Western-style cataract surgery, at a time when it wasnt regularly available in Addis. In that first year, the small clinic treated just over a 1,000 patients. But the word spread quickly, and now, almost 9 years later, look what has been achieved. I know that Dr. Sinskey is very proud, and that his position as a leader in ophthalmology, and as someone who cares deeply for Ethiopia, will be recognized long into the future through the important work done at this wonderful hospital. There are a few additional people who I feel must also be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to this project. First, and most importantly, our partner Prof. Badeg, without whom the foundation could never have navigated the difficult and challenging path of building and operating a fullservice eye hospital in a foreign county. Prof. Badegs commitment to advancing Ethiopia is evident through the incredible work hes done with the health center, his Leadership Institute, and the countless other social, medical, and academic projects that hes spearheaded. As a physician, I can tell you that even the best facility is only as good as those who staff it. The Sinskey Eye Institute has been blessed from the very beginning with people who share the ASCRS Foundations and Prof. Badegs commitment to quality and service. Drs. Allehone and Zerihun are the leaders of our caring and dedicated medical staff, and Sister Adanech, Yohannes Assefa, the nurses, and the entire administrative team, work hard to effectively manage the many challenges associated with a busy eye hospital. Working together have made the Sinskey Eye Institute a recognized leader in the Ethiopian medical community. The ASCRS Foundation shares Dr. Sinskeys pride in the work done at this facility and his vision for Ethiopia. We're committed to helping train and prepare more Ethiopian ophthalmologists in hopes of serving even greater numbers of patients both here in Addis and in other parts of the country. I know I speak for Dr. Sinskey and the entire ASCRS Foundation leadership in saying how excited I am for the future of the Sinskey Eye Institute and for the future of Ethiopia. Thank you.