WASHINGTON, D. C. (November 9, 2017) – Dr. Leslie Jones, chair of the Howard University Department of Ophthalmology, will speak at the third annual HUH EYE Alumni Association reception at the American Academy of Ophthalmology convention in New Orleans on Nov. 11. 

Dr. Jones said she would encourage alumni of the Howard University Hospital residency program to support the campaign to endow a chair in honor of Dr. Robert A. Copeland.

 “Our annual alumni event is a time for social engagement, networking, taking the pulse of graduates from our residency program, and taking time to pause and honor those who trained us,” Dr. Jones said. “We need the support of our alumni and friends in order to make the dream of a Robert A. Copeland, M.D. Endowed Chair a reality.”

Since its start last year, the campaign to create an endowed chair to honor the legacy of Dr. Copeland has raised more than $50,000. 

Dr. Jones was selected as the new chair of the Department of Ophthalmology earlier this fall. She said the past year has been full of new and important developments. The eye clinic is undergoing a face-lift and surgical services have been expanded. The department continues to lead the way in community engagement with weekly vision screenings.

At the alumni reception, Dr. Jones and Regine Pappas, M.D., president of the HUH EYE Alumni Association, will address their vision to enhance the HUH Alumni Day experience. Each year in June the department holds an alumni symposium, an initiative started by Dr. Copeland.  In 2018, the Alumni Day experience will likely be expanded to an off-campus location and include activities throughout the weekend.

About Howard University Hospital

Over the course of its roughly 155-year history of providing the finest primary, secondary and tertiary health care services, Howard University Hospital (HUH) remains one of the most comprehensive health care facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and designated a DC Level 1 Trauma Center. The hospital is the nation's only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. For more information, visit huhealthcare.com 

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, nine Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 60 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University, please visit www.howard.edu.