A Dream Becomes a Reality

The Dedication of the Ruth and Herman Albert Eye Research Institute

More than 300 friends, faculty, and staff of the Duke Eye Center gathered in the garden to dedicate the Ruth and Herman Albert Eye Research Institute (AERI). Friday, April 8, 2005. The building honors Ruth and the late Herman Albert from Purchase, N.Y.

“For those of us who treat patients with eye diseases, we are aware of some truly extraordinary recent clinical advancements, but we also are humbled by our overall lack of understanding of disease mechanisms and lack of specific treatments for many common disabling eye diseases that, unfortunately, are increasing in prevalence and robbing people of the quality of their lives. The Albert Eye Research Institute — the “AERI” — provides hope and optimism for the future, that in this uniquely rich and interactive environment of Duke University, we will be able to apply the very best in science to the treatment and cure of these potentially blinding eye diseases,” said David Epstein, MD, chairman of ophthalmology.

Duke President Richard Brodhead, PhD, Chancellor Victor Dzau, MD, Chancellor Emeritus Ralph Synderman, MD, Medical School Dean R. Sanders Williams, MD, and Ms. Ruth Albert joined Epstein on stage to dedicate AERI officially. Flanked by Dzau and Brodhead, Albert officially cut the ceremonial ribbon. A reception and tours followed the ceremony.

The dream for AERI began in the mid-90s but began moving toward reality in 2001 when Leonard and Rose Herring pledged the first $1 million, followed by a major endowment from the Estate of William Wannamaker to support eye research, and another million dollar gift from Evelyn Hunter-Longdon in memory of her husband, Stanley Longdon. Ruth and Herman “Hy” Albert contributed $8 million, the largest single gift in the Eye Center's history. Subsequent major gifts by James Gills, Jr., MD, the Duke Private Diagnostic Clinic, The Duke Endowment, and donations from the many friends of the Eye Center have made AERI possible.

AERI, the five-story 72,000-square-ft. state-of-the-art research building, is located directly behind the Wadsworth Building, which has housed the Eye Center for 32 years. The building has an auditorium and resource center on the first floor, clinical space for the Eye Center's Pediatric and Strabismus Service on the second floor, faculty offices on the third floor, and research labs on the fourth and fifth floor.

With millions threatened by loss of vision, researchers at the Duke Eye Center are collaborating with researchers at Duke and around the world to translate research advances to patient care. The AERI will provide a place where basic science researchers and clinician-scientists collaborate to find a cure for blinding eye disease. 

View photographs from the event >>