Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has received a $15 million pledge from philanthropist Jeffrey T. Fort, aimed at accelerating research and developing new treatments for diseases that cause vision loss. The gift will support innovative research led by retinal surgeon and scientist Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, of the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.
Deterioration of the parts of the eye essential for clear vision — such as the macula and retina — can lead to vision impairment and, eventually, blindness. The gift will fund research to understand how inflammation and neurodegeneration can cause diverse eye diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. Such research is essential to developing novel therapies to prevent or treat vision loss.
“We are deeply grateful to Jeffrey Fort for his continuous support of Washington University, the research efforts of our faculty, and the patients who benefit from his kindness,” said Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. “His generous gift will lead to discoveries with great potential to be translated into therapies that can improve the lives of the many people suffering from illnesses that cause vision loss.”
David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor, reiterated appreciation for Fort’s generosity.
“This generous gift from Jeffrey Fort recognizes the exceptional caliber of our physician-scientists and their dedicated staff within the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences,” Perlmutter said. “Together, they are delivering tremendous medical care and working to make significant advancements in the field of visual science. We are deeply grateful to Mr. Fort for his desire to help us with these extremely important endeavors.”
Under the care of Washington University physicians for nearly four decades, Fort intimately understands the impact of ocular disease. Ophthalmologists at the School of Medicine diagnosed and treated his eye conditions.
“This gift is about the future, a moonshot that will allow us to take a giant leap forward,” said Apte, who is the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor and vice chair for innovation and translation and has known Fort and his family for a decade. “Jeffrey Fort has a big personality and an even bigger vision for the future. He realizes the problems people face and is inspired by the innovative ideas that one day can lead to therapies to help them.
“As a St. Louis native, he is proud of the impact that Washington University is making in the community. His generosity is a testament to his dedication to the betterment of the community.”