J. William Harbour, M.D., has been named the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the School of Medicine.
“Endowed professorships are among the most important gifts a university can receive because they allow us to recognize outstanding individuals and to support their important contributions in research and education,” said Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton.
“Dr. Paul Cibis was one of the true pioneers of modern vitreoretinal surgery, a remarkably gifted clinician and scientist,” said Larry J. Shapiro, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “It is highly appropriate that a professorship endowed in his name helps to support the work of Bill Harbour, a physician-scientist who is one of our most gifted eye surgeons.”
The Cibis Distinguished Professorship was established in 2000 by an anonymous donor. It honors the late Paul A. Cibis, M.D., an important figure in the history of Washington University’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
“Dr. Cibis helped increase our understanding of retinal disease and helped to develop new therapeutic approaches that have provided benefits for millions of patients,” said Michael A. Kass, M.D., head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. “In a similar way, Dr. Harbour’s current research on the link between genetics and prognosis for patients with eye tumors will transform the way we care for these patients.”
Harbour specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye tumors. He directs the Ocular Oncology Service at the School of Medicine. Through the service, housed in the Barnes Retina Institute, he is actively involved in the training of medical students, residents and fellows.