In July 2007, a UT Hamilton Eye Institute patient brought the project of raising funds for an American Cancer Society Harrah’s Hope Lodge to the attention of Matthew Wilson, MD, FACS, UTHSC faculty and St. Jude Chair a of Pediatric Oncology. The project had already received major gifts from Harrah’s Entertainment, the UT Health Science Center, but more funds were still needed.
Partnering with Terrapin Racing Triathlon Team in Memphis, Dr. Wilson raised funds and increased awareness about the project through the Janus Charity Challenge external link as part of the 2008 Ironman Lake Placid event. Dr. Wilson also canvassed the community, securing additional gifts of funding. Subsequently, Dr. Wilson was awarded the ACHHE Distinguished Service Award, and the fitness room at the Hope Lodge facility was named for Terrapin Racing in honor of Dr. Wilson.
Dr. Matthew Wilson, MD, is an Ophthalmology specialist in Memphis, Tennessee. With an unmatched passion for teaching the next generation of physicians and healing all ages, Dr. Wilson is a profile in the best of medicine. Daily it is the care of his patients, guidance for students & fellows, and perseverance in research that make him more than just a doctor, he is a miracle-worker.
The UT Hamilton Eye Institute (UTHEI) is the department of ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee. It serves several key purposes, including clinical care, education, research, and international outreach. It also influences public policy related to eye care.