Illinois Eye And Ear Infirmary

150th Anniversary Gala

June 20, 2008

Celebrating 150 years of excellence...

Visual Timeline
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 (3-5 MB PDF files)

The University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary has a long and storied history. Founded in 1858, the Infirmary's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is the oldest constituent arm of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Its roots were in patient care, but has also established itself as a world-renowned research and physician training center. The Infirmary is regularly ranked among the best hospitals for eye care by U.S. News & World Report, and its physicians are named among the Best Doctors in AmericaTM every year.

The Infirmary opened 150 years ago in a single room of a frame building at 60 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL. A 30-year-old physician, Edward Lorenzo Holmes, wanted to provide eye care for paying and indigent patients. For almost 100 years, the Infirmary was operated independently by the state of Illinois. Then, in 1941 the Infirmary began an academic affiliation with the University of Illinois, with an eventual move to the University's West Side Medical Campus in 1965. Five years later, the Infirmary was fully integrated into the University of Illinois' Hospital system.

In 1985, the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute was opened, providing additional research space for common or serious eye diseases and surgical therapies.

In later years, the Infirmary formed a partnership with the Michael Reese Medical Center in 2001, and launched the Millennium Park Eye Center in 2007 to provide laser vision correction and further specialized vision services.

The Infirmary's Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute are dedicated to combating vision loss and blindness. The IEEI and its satellite clinics see more than 50,000 patients each year, offering general eye care and services in 10 subspecialties. The National Institute of Health recently ranked the department 10th nationally in overall research funding to ophthalmology departments. Medical students, residents and clinical fellows receive training in the department under the direction of 30 full-time clinical and research faculty, many of whom are recognized as leaders in their specialties. The private charity opened by Dr. Holmes has become one of the truly outstanding ophthalmic centers in the United States.

By Megan Pellegri

A more detailed history is available by clicking here.