Glaucoma Research Foundation Receives Landmark Bequest to Support Research and Education Programs
In 2013, Glaucoma Research Foundation received a $3 million bequest, the largest in its history, from Henry Adolph Sutro, DDS, of Oakland, California.
Dr. Sutro made the gift, a $3 million bequest, in honor of his eye surgeon, Andrew G. Iwach, MD, Executive Director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, and Board Chair of Glaucoma Research Foundation.
The bequest will establish the Dr. Henry A. Sutro Family Grant for Research and the Drs. Henry and Frederick Sutro Memorial Lecture. The lecture will be held each year at the Glaucoma 360 annual meeting, created to promote innovation in glaucoma therapy in addition to a continuing education program for clinicians to highlight the latest advances in glaucoma management.
Thomas M. Brunner, GRF President and CEO stated: “We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Sutro for this remarkable gift. His thoughtful contribution in honor of Dr. Iwach is particularly meaningful, as it is a testament to the quality and excellence of the care and compassion Dr. Iwach provides to all of his patients.”
Dr. Iwach remarked: “I was privileged to be Henry’s eye surgeon for many years. Attentive and customized ongoing management allowed us to preserve his vision and in turn, Henry was able to continue his many passions including photography.” Dr. Iwach added “Henry realized the importance of funding promising investigations to better understand glaucoma as well as the importance of educational and collaborative efforts. I am both humbled and honored by his most generous philanthropy.”
A great grandson of Adolph Sutro, the 24th mayor of San Francisco, Dr. Sutro was born in Germany and moved to the United States in 1939. Settling in Oakland, CA, he attended Oakland High School and University of California Berkeley before earning his dental degree at the age of 24 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco. He taught at the college (now the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry) for more than four decades while he built a busy private practice in Oakland.
“Henry will be greatly missed by his family and friends as well as his many patients,” said Dr. Iwach. “Through his outstanding contribution to Glaucoma Research Foundation, Henry has created an incredible legacy that will ensure funding for innovative collaborative efforts in research and ongoing ophthalmic education. This will benefit the lives of glaucoma patients for generations to come.”
About Glaucoma Research Foundation
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in San Francisco, Glaucoma Research Foundation is America’s oldest and most experienced nonprofit dedicated solely to its mission: to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
First posted on September 1, 2013; Last reviewed June 22, 2022