Evangelos S. Gragoudas, MD, the Charles Edward Whitten Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvarrd Medical School, was honored with the 2023 American Ophthalmological Society (AOS) Medal at the Society’s Annual Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, last month in recognition of his meritorious and remarkable service to ophthalmology. This award is considered the highest honor from AOS.
Dr. Gragoudas is a world authority on the diagnosis and management of retinal diseases and intraocular tumors. His clinical and research achievements have led to sight-saving treatments for millions of people worldwide. Early in his career, he developed the use of proton beam irradiation for the treatment of uveal melanoma, a treatment that is still one of the most effective therapies for intraocular tumors.
In collaboration with Joan W. Miller, MD, Dr. Gragoudas also developed photodynamic therapy (Visudyne®), the first pharmacologic treatment approved by the FDA for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He was also a key member of the group who identified the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinal vascular diseases and AMD, and for his contributions, was a co-recipient of the 2014 Champalimaud Vision Award.
Dr. Gragoudas has earned a reputation in our department as one of the most generous, insightful, and patient mentors. As director of the Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program at Mass Eye and Ear for nearly 30 years, he trained more than 100 clinical retina fellows from around the world.
Dr. Gragoudas has been recognized with numerous other awards and honors, including the J. Donald M. Gass Medal and the Arnall Patz Medal from the Macula Society and the Mildred Weisenfeld Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology from the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology. In 2013, he was inducted into the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center's The One Hundred, which honors 100 individuals and groups for their discoveries, philanthropy, and passion to advance the fight against cancer. In 2022, Dr. Gragoudas was inducted to The Academy of Athens. He has also received honorary Doctorate degrees from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Patras, and the University of Athens.