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News Release

Last modified: Friday, August 19, 2011

IU School of Medicine's Glick Eye Center to be dedicated today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 19, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS -- Discoveries that will lead to treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases will be made possible in the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, the newest building on the Indiana University School of Medicine campus, which will be formally dedicated at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Campus Center.

The building is the capstone of the philanthropy of Eugene and Marilyn Glick, Indianapolis residents who donated $30 million to Indiana University to support vision research, eye care and education in the new institute. Their support provided $20 million for building construction and $10 million for a research endowment to help fund scientific work in the new laboratories.

"In our early discussions with Eugene and Marilyn Glick about their creating the Glick Eye Institute, our frame of reference was to become one of the top 10 eye programs in the world. They have paved the way for that to occur. Already seven gifted researchers have been hired and we will add even more ophthalmology scientists so we can advance the understanding and treatment of eye disease with an aim of ultimately preventing such diseases in the first place. With the opportunities provided, we know discoveries will be realized, placing the Glick Eye Institute as a cornerstone in the advancement of ophthalmologic care," said D. Craig Brater, M.D., dean, IU School of Medicine, and vice president for university clinical affairs at IU.

The building marries elements of light, air, color and perspective in creating spaces with a shared mission but different functions of patient care, teaching and research. Mrs. Glick's appreciation of art glass is incorporated in the design of the building, which features a sweeping glass wall on the south façade facing Michigan Street. The glass expresses the study of the eye through transparency and opacity and is a nod to Mrs. Glick's admiration of glass artists and her interest in glass art. Glass used in the building is iron-free and ultra-clear, minus particles that typically tint clear glass and represents the clear vision that ophthalmologists hope to provide to all of their patients.

"We are very grateful to the Glicks for their dedication to eradicating vision disorders and selecting Indiana University School of Medicine as the recipient of their philanthropy," said Louis B. Cantor, M.D., chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology. "Having the Glick Eye Institute as home to the department has allowed us to recruit researchers who are investigating therapies for glaucoma, retinoblastoma and age-related macular degeneration."

The four-story 77,000 square-foot building provides 14,000 square feet of clinic space. The Ophthalmology Clinic at Indiana University Health University Hospital outpatient center will be doubled in size when it moves to the Glick Eye Institute later this summer. Additionally, the eye institute also will have optometrists and a full service retail optical shop.

The Glick Eye Institute offers the Department of Ophthalmology the unique opportunity of locating its researchers near the clinicians and patients who benefit from their discoveries. The second and third floors houses 15,000 square feet of research space, with connecting third floor labs to provide opportunities for discussion and collaboration.

On the second floor, the Hrisomalos Library features ample space for conversation and small meetings and will safeguard the department's historical books and surgical items along with current books and journals. The fourth floor is 20,000 square feet of shell space for future expansion.

Ratio Architects is seeking Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the building which features state-of-the-art strategies in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resource selection and indoor environmental quality.

The building's general contractor, F.A. Wilhelm Construction Company of Indianapolis, recently was honored in the American Concrete Institute's Healthcare/Life Sciences category. Wilhelm used concrete for the four-story structure to insure that vibration will not disturb sensitive optical research equipment. The building also has an architectural precast concrete cladding and precast concrete site walls.

"The Glick Eye Institute is the foundation of the second century of vision-related research and medical care at the IU School of Medicine," said Dr. Cantor. "Mrs. Glick has made her expectations very clear - she wants to see sight-saving discoveries come from researchers who will come to IU to work at this institute."

Facts about the Glick Eye Institute

• 77,000 square feet
• 15,000 square feet of research space
• 20,000 square feet for expansion of research and office space
• Doubles the size of current clinic, which will move from University Hospital to the Glick Eye Institute later this summer
• Full service optical shop and optometry services
• Surgery simulation room for medical student education
• Library with space for small group meetings
• Conference room to seat up to 100 people; two smaller conference rooms
• Gift of Eugene and Marilyn Glick. Mr. Glick is the founder of the Gene B. Glick Co., a property management and development company headquartered in Indianapolis.
• The Glicks also have supported history, the arts and health care in Indianapolis, including the Cultural Trail, the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, the Indianapolis Children's Bureau and Indianapolis Museum of Art. Mrs. Glick is a long-time supporter of Prevent Blindness Indiana and founder of People of Vision.
• 35 artists have loaned their works to the university for exhibit in the Glick Eye Institute.

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