Devers Eye Institute names Cioffi chief of ophthalmology

George A. (Jack) Cioffi, MD, began his new role as chief of ophthalmology and ophthalmology research at Devers Eye Institute, a private, non-profit, non-academic research institute affiliated with Legacy Health System in Portland, OR.

Dr. Cioffi is the third chief of ophthalmology at Devers, following his immediate predecessor, E. Michael Van Buskirk, who retired May 31 after 30 years in the field, and Richard Chenoweth, MD, who was named the institute's first department chief in 1973.

"The biggest honor is that we're building on a 45-year heritage," Dr. Cioffi said. "It was really started with the most noble of missions—to serve the folks that couldn't help themselves—by a man who had a very debilitating eye disease but was wealthy and could help them out. Through foundation gifts and charitable giving, we've not only been able to continue that mission but to extend it. And the extension is that we now not only serve the indigent through clinical care but we have a world class research group and an educational mission."