October 8, 1998
UW School of Medicine establishes Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology
The University of Washington School of Medicine has established the Ray and Grace Hill Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, funded through contributions of $1.5 million from Grace E. Hill and her late husband, Ray Hill, who graduated from the UW in economics in 1924.
Ray Hill had a successful career in the wholesale lumber business. He died in 1991, but during his lifetime made a number of gifts to the UW in support of research related to diseases of the eye, which Grace Hill has continued.
“We are very grateful for this generous gift,” said Dr. Paul G. Ramsey, vice president for Medical Affairs and dean of the UW School of Medicine. “It will allow us to appoint a faculty member who has achieved national recognition in ophthalmology and to advance teaching and research in the field.”
“This gift will assist us in making a highly regarded department even stronger,” said Dr. Steven E. Wilson, professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology. “Undoubtedly, this endowment will allow us to make further advances in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that steal the gift of sight. We hope to be able to announce an appointment in the near future.”
