Dr. Cavanagh, one of two ophthalmologists in the nation to receive the 2005 Bausch & Lomb Visionaries Recognition Award, asked that the $20,000 donation be given to the foundation in honor of Paul M. Bass and W. Plack Carr Jr., whose contributions Dr. Cavanagh said made his past achievements possible. "I want to take this opportunity to recognize and to thank Mr. Bass and Mr. Carr for all they have done for all of us to make UT Southwestern Medical Center the truly great institution that it is," said Dr. Cavanagh, who holds the Dr. W. Maxwell Thomas Chair in Ophthalmology.
Mr. Bass, chairman of the board of Southwestern Medical Foundation, and Mr. Carr, president, expressed their appreciation.
"Southwestern Medical Foundation is extremely honored to be the recipient of Dr. Cavanagh's generous gift through the Bausch and Lomb donation," Mr. Bass said. "Dr. Cavanagh's valuable contributions to the well-being of his fellow citizens are unexcelled."
Mr. Carr added: "The foundation and I are very honored by Dr Cavanagh's thoughtful, directed gift. This was completely unexpected, but we greatly appreciate being remembered in this way."
Dr. Cavanagh also has been honored with the 2005 Max Schapero Memorial Lecture and Award from the American Academy of Optometry's Cornea and Contact Lens Section, and, as one of only 100 scientists worldwide, with the Montagu Ruben Gold Medal from the International Society for Contact Lens Research, two of the field's highest honors. Dr. Cavanagh's research involves development of a new generation of lenses that allow better oxygen flow to the eye, which reduces infections and blocks bacteria from entering the cornea while wearing lenses. Thirty five million people wear contacts in the United States, and 100 million wear them worldwide.
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