PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO), the preeminent professional association for medical and osteopathic physicians who specialize in vision care, is pleased to announce that J. William Harbour, MD, received the Shaler Richardson, MD, Service to Medicine Award at its Annual Meeting, Masters in Ophthalmology, held June 28-30 in Palm Beach, FL.

Established in honor of Shaler Richardson, MD, this annual award is presented to a Florida ophthalmologist who has made the greatest personal contribution to quality patient care by coordinating, participating, collaborating, and integrating ophthalmology into the great body of the medical profession on a local, state or national level. J. William Harbour, MD is professor of ophthalmology and holder of the Mark J. Daily Endowed Chair in ophthalmology of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami, and is known for his clinical, surgical and research expertise in ocular oncology.

One of the few physicians in the country that specializes exclusively in the diagnosis and treatment of eye cancer in adults and children, Dr. Harbour serves as vice chair for translational research and director of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute ocular oncology service.

Dr. Harbour received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, summa cum laude, from Texas A&M University, and medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Following a three-year residency in ophthalmology at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he completed clinical fellowships in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and ocular oncology at the University of California in San Francisco. Prior to joining the faculty of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Harbour served as the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University. He is listed in America's Top Doctors and Best Doctors in America.

An academic leader, Dr. Harbour has received as American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology’s prestigious Cogan Award and the Macula Society's Rosenthal Award. He has authored more than 90 articles and 26 book chapters for publication and has served as invited lecturer or visiting professor on more than 150 occasions.

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ABOUT THE FLORIDA SOCIETY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) has a rich history of serving patients since its founding in 1939 as the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Today, the organization represents more than 500 physician members throughout the state and is focused on advancing patient care and protecting the medical specialty of ophthalmology. For more information, please visit the FSO website at www.mdeye.org.