Patient Care: UPMC Eye Center is rated among the top 10 ophthalmology programs in the United States in the delivery of patient care. Our most fundamental function is to serve the community through patient care. As we see patients daily by referral, our primary goal is to offer them quality care and provide needed information to the referring doctors as soon as possible so that patients may return to their care. We continue to expand our subspecialty areas by adding new faculty and positions, leading to a higher quality of oveall care. Research: The Department of Ophthalmology recently ranked eighth in the country for National Institutes of Health funding for departments of ophthalmology and has one of the top basic and clinical research programs in the country. Research focuses on ocular immunology, infectious disease, molecular genetics, molecular biology of retinal disease and glaucoma, and advanced diagnostic imaging technology development. Teaching: The Department of Ophthalmology has an outstanding research program, training six residents each year in a three year program. Graduates have gone on to clinical, research, and combined clinician-scientist careers. The department is at the forefront of continuing medical education and provides both ongoing and specialized educational opportunities. This year, in addition to our 18 residents, we trained retina, cornea, glaucoma and pediatric ophthalmology fellows. We are growing our fellowship programs and plan to offer a fellowship in oculoplastics. Innovative changes will steadily filter through to each area of service. In view of these accomplishments, I can safely say that I am very proud of the department, and I look forward to keeping you up to date on future progress.