Stan Musial — Hall of Fame baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals — was known as “Stan the Man” for his ability to always come through when needed.
Last week, another Stan the Man came through for UNMC.
Stan Truhlsen, M.D., legendary Omaha ophthalmologist, made the lead gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation so that UNMC can build a $30 million eye institute at 40th and Leavenworth streets.
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Tom O’Connor |
In the next decade, as we baby boomers wind our way into retirement, it’s estimated that age-related eye diseases will increase by 30 percent in the United States.
Never has the need been greater for eye-care services and the professionals to administer them.
You want to talk about a game changer. That’s Stan Truhlsen.
Stan, who is 88 and still active in the ophthalmology field, has been affiliated with the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences for more than 50 years, including two years as interim chairman.
He knew that UNMC had the manpower to provide the care and do the research to be a force in the ophthalmology field. We just didn’t have the facilities.
So, he decided to do something about it. Construction on the new facility — which will be called the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute — starts in 2011 and will finish in 2012.
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Stan Truhlsen, M.D., recently gave the lead gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation that will allow UNMC to construct a $30 million eye institute. |
It will allow UNMC to:
- Double its clinical faculty;
- Add new residency and fellowship slots;
- Step up its research; and
- Provide a variety of new services and treatments for children and adults.
In preparing for last week’s announcement, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Truhlsen and learn more about him. What I will remember most from this meeting was Stan’s strong small town values.
He grew up in Herman, Neb., population about 300. His father imparted the need to “repay your town for what they’ve done for you.”
I’d say Stan the Man learned his lessons well.