Optometry Takes A Leap Thanks To A Generous Donor

As we step into 2022, we can reflect that 2021 was a year like no other. While for some things it seemed like we were all standing still, rocket pace was the mode of action for others. As a profession, optometry is perpetually moving forward, and occasionally, something good happens that creates a leap rather than constant and consistent progression. Sometimes, the leap isn’t recognizable until hindsight catches up, and sometimes, the leap is obvious mid-flight.

Recently, Dr. Herbert (Herbie) Wertheim, an extremely philanthropic optometrist entrepreneur, gave a $50 million naming gift to the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. This is a first of its kind transformational gift to a school or college of optometry. In fact, there have been very few similar gifts across healthcare, and for optometry to be a part of something this special is truly an honor, and an advancement for our profession.

In Dr. Wertheim’s words, “The optometric profession is the first line of defense to prevent blindness and enhance vision. Optometrists are the family eye doctors in virtually every community in America.” Wertheim’s passion for optometry shines through with this gift. “Hopefully our family’s love of funding in education and passion for new ideas will excel all of optometry forward.” Not only is the gift inspirational, Dr. Wertheim has a vision for the future of optometry. Dr. Wertheim said, “Let Berkeley and other optometry schools be the birthplace of what I will call ‘The New Optometrist, similar to the concept we promoted for engineering at the University of Florida.’” The initial gift provided funding that kick-started future collaboration, entrepreneurship and development in engineering. In looking back, Dr. Wertheim commented, “The gift lit a fire in engineering education where students and faculty, with attention by the administration, infused entrepreneurism across the program, generating additional ideas and funding.” The gift to engineering resulted in research growth from $56 million to over $350 million in a six-year period, significant engineering undergraduate enrollment growth and over 70 new faculty members who wanted to be part of “The New Engineer” pride and transformation.

Are we in academic optometry ready to push the envelope to realize the transformation of “The New Optometrist”? Can this initial naming gift result in the beginning of a golden period in the optometric profession, attracting students and faculty with education at the highest levels and groundbreaking clinical and translational vision science research? I am excited to track the course over the next several years, and welcome the opportunity to see where this can lead.

Our profession is fortunate to have an optometrist benefactor in Dr. Wertheim, and I hope many students and faculty across the country have the opportunity to meet Dr. Wertheim and his family, to hear Dr. Wertheim’s story, and for us to give them the thanks they deserve for their numerous gifts to education. To me, this moment is one of those mid-flight leap opportunities for optometry, and what happens because of it is what will make a difference in the future. So to all of us so invested in the profession of optometry, let all of us play our part, better, stronger and more proud, starting in 2022, so that the transformation of “The New Optometrist” can be realized. And to you Dr. Wertheim, a sincere and very heartfelt thank you as we look to the future.