APRIL 13, 2005 | The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) marked the “topping out” on April 6 of a five-floor, $13 million addition to the Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute that will provide more space for patient care, education and research.

The Pat Walker Tower at the Jones Eye Institute, named for the Springdale philanthropist whose gift to UAMS made the expansion possible, will double the 11-year-old facility’s size when it is complete later this year.

"It certainly gives us a chance to have one of the best eye institutes in the country," said UAMS chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D. "Eventually, the quality of eye care in Arkansas will be as good, if not better, than any other place in the world."

A steel beam, signed by JEI employees and supporters, was raised into place by a construction crew during the ceremony.

“We are grateful for the enduring support of Pat Walker, who has carried on a tradition of philanthropy she and her husband, the late Willard J. Walker, began that demonstrates an inspiring commitment to improve health care in Arkansas,” said John P. Shock, M.D., chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology in the UAMS College of Medicine, director of the eye institute and executive vice chancellor of UAMS. “This addition gives us much-needed space for the clinical, education and research activities that support our mission of fighting blindness and impaired vision in the state.”

Pat and Willard Walker’s gifts to UAMS total more than $40 million. Their previous support of JEI helped to fund the Pat & Willard Walker Eye Research Center, which is involved in sight-saving research, particularly regarding viruses of the eye.

UAMS College of Medicine Dean E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph. D., M.B.A., called the facility a jewel and “a real testament to Dr. Shock’s tenacity.” Reece joined Shock and Wilson in signing the ceremonial steel beam before it was raised into place.

Construction started in November 2004 on the 50,000-square-foot JEI expansion that will include additional clinic, research and office space, as well as more room for the Arkansas Lions Eye Bank, the state’s only eye bank. A larger library, additional classroom space for the ophthalmic medical technology program and room for future growth are included in the expansion.

Some remodeling of existing space also will be completed during construction, including the optical shop in the clinic and the addition of two operating rooms.

Opened in 1994, the Jones Eye Institute is one of only 20 free-standing vision research institutes in the nation. The UAMS Department of Ophthalmology faculty at JEI represents every ophthalmic subspecialty and the eye institute’s clinical offerings range from full diagnostic services to a LASIK surgery program.

The Jones Eye Institute also educates doctors and technicians to become skilled ophthalmic practitioners through the residency program and the ophthalmic medical technology program.

 
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