A grand opening ceremony for the region’s only not-for-profit comprehensive center for visual rehabilitation of adults and children took place today at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
The $1.2 million Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation, at 38th Avenue and Jones Street, will provide a hub for low-vision services in the region. Optometrists, ophthalmologists, occupational therapists and nurses would be members of the team of providers for low vision services at the facility.
“This Center provides a means to assist people who have low vision to gain – or regain – their independence and quality of life,” UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said. “The Weigel Williamson Center is a state-of-the-art facility in which our faculty, staff and other low-vision specialists have the necessary resources to provide outstanding services for the people affected by low vision.”
Dr. Maurer lauded the donors who made the facility possible. The center’s lead gift was made by Dr. Harry and Beth Weigel of Auburn, Calif., and Robert and Alice Williamson of Omaha to the University of Nebraska Foundation. Dr. Harry Weigel (pronounced WHY-gull) is a 1958 graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine.
In addition to the Weigels and Williamsons, the principal benefactors for the center include Gerald Christensen, M.D., and Mary Haven; Fred and Dakota Sturges; the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation, the Adah and Leon Millard Foundation, Dr. C. Rex & Janet Latta and the Straws Charitable Foundation..
Speaking at the ceremony were: Harold M. Maurer, M.D., Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Chuck Hassebrook, Chairman, University of Nebraska Board of Regents, Clarence L. Castner, President, University of Nebraska Foundation, John L. Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., Dean, UNMC College of Medicine, Carl B. Camras, M.D., Chair, UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Gerald R. Christensen, M.D., Adjunct Professor, UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Richard Legge, M.D., a private practice ophthalmologist, Frank Velinsky, a patient of the UNMC Low Vision Services and CEO of Caretech, Inc., with special remarks by Mrs. Alice Williamson and Dr. Harry W. Weigel.
The new building replaces the existing Low Vision Clinic, which was established in 1983 and provides annual services to 240 new clients. The services were provided in the UMA Eye Associates building in inadequate space shared with other ophthalmology department services. It also is expected to replace the need for many community eye care professionals to provide low vision services in their private offices.
"While there are currently no cures for the eye diseases that cause low vision, there is a different avenue of treatment that can equip individuals with low vision to function better with their remaining eyesight,” said John Shepherd, M.D., director of the new center. “At the Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation we will help individuals maximize their residual vision by using devices, technology, training and counseling so they can regain their independence and lead active lives once more."
The 4,540 gross-square-foot, single story building with residential characteristics is modeled after the renowned Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation in Wheaton, Ill. That center annually helps more than 1,300 children and adults maximize use of their remaining sight and learn to cope with the challenges of living with vision loss.
The state-of-the-art center also includes offices and support facilities for staff, exam rooms, interview/counseling and testing/training rooms, a room equipped with assistive technology, and a low vision store where devices are available for clients to use before deciding whether to purchase them. Other spaces include a low vision adapted kitchen, bathroom, conference room, classroom and play area.
Optometrists, ophthalmologists, occupational therapists and nurses will be members of the team of providers for low vision services at the house. For a complete media kit, go to www.unmc.edu/lowvision.
Nearly 14 million Americans — about one out of every 20 people — have impaired vision. According to Lighthouse, Inc., New York, the older visually impaired population is the third fastest growing group of people needing rehabilitation services in the United States, outpaced only by arthritis and heart disease. The most common conditions causing visual impairment are macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, stroke and a variety of hereditary diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
The University of Nebraska Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that has been raising private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for more than 70 years. Last year almost $90 million was provided for students, faculty, academic programs, research and campus capital improvements. More information is available at www.nufoundation.org.