Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: Blind Marine will Demonstrate ‘Vision through the Tongue’ Device at News Conference for Center for Vision Restoration of UPMC and Pitt
WHO: News conference speakers:
- Cpl. Mike Jernigan, medically retired Marine who lost both eyes after being wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004
- Louis J. Fox, philanthropist and retired commodity merchant banker/trader
- Maj. Gen. (retired) Gale Pollock, executive director, Center for Vision Restoration of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh
- Alan Russell, Ph.D., director, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and professor of surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Joel S. Schuman, M.D., director, UPMC Eye Center and professor and chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Pitt School of Medicine
- Arthur S. Levine, M.D., senior vice chancellor, Pitt Schools of the Health Sciences and dean, Pitt School of Medicine
WHAT: Cpl. Jernigan will demonstrate the use of BrainPort, an investigational device to be studied at the Center for Vision Restoration of UPMC and Pitt that aims to give back sight through non-visual neural pathways. Also, the news conference will announce a multi-million dollar gift to the Center from Mr. Fox.
WHEN: 10 a.m., Thursday, June 18
WHERE: First Floor Multipurpose Room, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, 100 Technology Drive, off Second Ave.
WHY: More than one in 10 of all combat wounds during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have been eye injuries, according to Gen. Pollock, who, as former Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, recognized the need to find ways to restore lost vision. In addition, another 120 million people worldwide are visually impaired due to glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other conditions, according to the Word Health Organization. Mr. Fox’s gift will help the Center for Vision Restoration of UPMC and Pitt pioneer research and technology, like BrainPort, to help improve quality of life for the blind and treat those who have limited sight.
Note to media: After the news conference, one-on-one interview opportunities will be available with the speakers listed above. For parking information or questions about the news conference, please contact Stacey Simon at 412-417-0825 or simonsl@upmc.edu.