DETROIT — Henry Ford Health System has signed a merger agreement with the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology, which will now be recognized as a division of Henry Ford’s Department of Ophthalmology, as its research education arm.
“Bringing our organizations together will give us greater ability to impact visual science through research,” says Paul Edwards, M.D., chair of Ophthalmology at Henry Ford. “It also means we’ll be able to expand DIO support services for the visually impaired and blind, in collaboration with the Henry Ford Center for Visual Rehabilitation and Research.”
The Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology is one of the largest ophthalmology practices in the U.S. It treats more than 55,000 patients annually at 12 locations throughout southeast Michigan. The Henry Ford Center for Vision Rehabilitation & Research, located in Grosse Pointe Park and Livonia, provides comprehensive rehabilitation to help people with macular degeneration and other low-vision conditions make the most of their available eyesight. The program can also provide rehabilitation for patients with stroke-related vision loss.
Over its 40-year history, the DIO has stayed true to its mission to assist, support, and educate the visually impaired in maintaining their independence. DIA also works to develop career opportunities in allied health, train ophthalmic technicians, and seek solutions to improve vision through research. In addition to public education, DIO provides seminars for emergency medicine physicians and hosts lectures for Henry Ford Ophthalmology residents.
“Integration of our programs and events into the Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology assures our volunteers, our donors, and our staff of a healthy and wise succession,” says Philip Hessburg, M.D., director of the DIO.
The DIO is well-known for its EyesOn Design events, including design awards presented at the North American International Auto Show, and the EyesOn Design Car Show held on Father’s Day at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores.
The DIO is located at 15415 E. Jefferson in Grosse Pointe Park, next to Henry Ford Department of Ophthalmology – Grosse Pointe. Combining these two campuses will broaden and enhance the clinical care provided throughout the Henry Ford Health System, and insure the continuation of DIO’s service-related programs.
For more information on Henry Ford Health System, visit henryford.com. For more information on the DIO, visit eyeson.org.
