April 8, 2005

Dear Colleagues:

I am delighted to report that Terrence P. O'Brien, M.D, has been named the inaugural Tom Clancy Professor of Ophthalmology. The professorship was made possible by a $2 million endowment by one of the world's best-selling authors, Tom Clancy.

Mr. Clancy, Dr. O'Brien's patient, is the literary master of best-selling thrillers such as "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games," and a long-time supporter of the Wilmer Eye Institute. The author has included the institute in his books: Cathy Ryan, wife of Clancy's fictional hero Jack Ryan, is a surgeon at Wilmer.

As you may know, Terry was the ideal candidate for this professorship and is considered by his peers to be a strong and constructive advocate for all of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Terry came to Hopkins from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1990 and has done extensive research in refractive surgery. At the Wilmer Eye Institute, he is medical director of the refractive surgery service and director of the Ocular Infectious Diseases Service and the Ocular Microbiology Laboratory, a multidisciplinary group of scientists who are investigating rapid diagnostic techniques and improved treatments for severe, potentially blinding eye infections.

Beyond his clinical and research achievements, his contributions to the School and Hospital have been significant. A superb clinician, he is a devoted and accomplished teacher and an internationally recognized investigator in his field. We are very pleased that Terry has been recognized with this professorship for his excellence in medicine and patient care.

I know you join me in congratulating him.

Sincerely,

Edward D. Miller, M.D.
Dean/CEO
Johns Hopkins Medicine