“As I have traveled the country, I have had the opportunity to visit many eye institutes,” Dr. Spitzberg said. “Now that the Glicks have provided the lead gift for us, I thought it would be a great idea to support the conference room – it’s a place where everybody will gather to discuss ophthalmology.”
Dr. Spitzberg said the opportunity to honor his alma mater while providing a space to foster education and the exchange of ideas appealed to him and his wife and prompted the support. Always excited by teaching, Dr. Spitzberg said he enjoys the opportunity to teach residents while providing care to his patients. Support for the conference room was a natural way of recognizing the importance of continuing education in a subject he loves, he said.
“Hopefully some great things can come from this,” said Mrs. Spitzberg. “So many great ideas will be passed among one another in this room. And the Glicks inspired us to support this and give back to the university.”
Dr. Spitzberg is a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology. His bachelor’s degree, medical degree and residency all were completed at IU, along with a uveitis fellowship. Dr. Spitzberg maintained a private practice for many years, returning to the university in 2008. He currently sees patients in clinics at University Hospital, Spring Mill Medical Building and in Mooresville.
“When we started talking about this gift, he had just gone back to work at IU,” said Mrs. Spitzberg. “He was just so happy. And one of the great things in life is to be able to spend it doing something you love, something that excites and stimulates you, and to be able to enjoy it. He truly enjoys his patients and the opportunity to teach.”
Louis B. Cantor, M.D., chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, said the department is grateful for the Spitzbergs’ support of the new eye institute.
“This conference room space is something we will use on a daily basis, as we provide educational opportunities for medical students, residents and fellows, and for our faculty. We are looking forward to moving to the Glick Eye Institute this summer, and having this classroom space will benefit our department for many years to come,” Dr. Cantor said.
The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute is currently under construction on Michigan Street on the IU School of Medicine campus. The $20 million structure will feature two floors of lab space, allowing department researchers to work in a collaborative environment. The first floor will feature an ophthalmology clinic and an optometry shop. Additional space in the four-story building includes a mock surgery center, a library and offices and meeting rooms for faculty and staff.
The eye institute, designed by RATIO Architects, has been designed to attain silver LEED status (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council. It will be the first building on the IUPUI campus to have that environmental status.
The building is scheduled for completion this spring; the official IU dedication will be Aug. 19, 2011.