Dr. William B. Stewart receives the Dr. G. Venkataswamy Endowment Award

This year’s recipient of the Dr. G. Venkataswamy Endowment Award is Dr. William B. Stewart, a renowned oculoplastic surgeon and former Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at California Pacific Medical Center.

Dr. Stewart and his wife Suzy have a long friendship with Aravind.  His first visit to Aravind was a defining moment in his life that inspired him to leave surgery at the peak of his career and to co-found the Institute for Health and Healing, an integrative medicine clinic which focuses on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of patients.  A mentor to many, he was central in the establishment of the Department of Orbit and Oculoplasty at Aravind Eye Hospital, unique among its kind in India.

The Dr. G. Venkataswamy Award was instituted in memory of our beloved founder, who made enduring contributions to the world of ophthalmology by pioneering a unique, self-sustaining model of eye care.  The award honors outstanding professionals in ophthalmology who have taken humanity a step forward towards eliminating needless blindness and enhanced our knowledge of vision and vision-related disease.

You can watch Dr. Stewart’s award oration here.