About the Foundation

The Dean McGee Eye Institute Foundation (DMEIF) acts as the visionary catalyst that funds and empowers the Dean McGee Department of Ophthalmology’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education and cutting-edge vision research. Operating as an independent philanthropic entity, DMEIF’s sole mission is to financially fuel research, clinical trials, and educational initiatives, ensuring a future of continuous innovation.

An abstract outdoor sculpture at the Dean McGee Eye Institute Foundation

Our Board

The Dean McGee Eye Institute Foundation is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors whose visionary leadership and stewardship ensure our continued commitment to excellence in vision research and education.

Chris Fleming – Chair

Partner
REHCO, LLC

Jari Askins

Former Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor

Michael A. Cawley

Retired Past President
Noble Foundations

Ian Dunn, MD, FACS, FAANS

Professor & Executive Dean, OU College of Medicine
Chief Physician Executive, OU Health

Ali Farzaneh

Partner
Home Creations

Garyl G. Geist, MAcc – Secretary / Treasurer

Vice President of Finance
Oklahoma City Community Foundation

Judy Goforth Parker, PhD, APRN, FACHE

Commissioner of Health Policy
Chickasaw Nation

Kevin Moore

Founder/Managing Partner
Serac Ventures

Stacy L. Murray, CPA, CFP®

Wealth Manager
Harvest Strategies Group

Max J. Myers

CFO
Tall Oak Midstream

David E. Rainbolt

Executive Chairman
BancFirst

R. Michael Siatkowski, MD, MBA

Edward L. Gaylord Professor and Chair | Dean McGee Department of Ophthalmology

Andria Stark Heafy

Attorney
Co-founder | Wilshire Charitable Foundation

Honoring a Legacy of Excellence

The Foundation is proud to support excellence in ophthalmology by recognizing those who dedicate their lives to the field. Through generous philanthropic support, we manage endowments and specialized awards that champion excellence within the Dean McGee Department of Ophthalmology.

The Amalia M. Miranda, MD Special Recognition Award

The Amalia M. Miranda, MD Special Recognition Award honors an outstanding individual associated with the Dean McGee Department of Ophthalmology. Reflecting Dr. Miranda’s own inspiring journey, this award recognizes a professional who received their undergraduate, graduate, and/or post-graduate education or training outside of the United States or Canada, and who has made highly impactful contributions to vision research and clinical excellence.

Past Award Recipients:

2026 – Feng Li, MD, MPH, MS
2023 – Jila Noori, MD
2022 – Martin-Paul Agbaga, PhD
2020 – Raju V.S. Rajala, PhD
2019 – Vinay A. Shah, MD

Endowed Chairs

Endowed chairs are a vital part of the Dean McGee Department of Ophthalmology. Earned through the generosity of our donors, these prestigious positions are established to recognize a donating family’s philanthropic legacy or to honor other trailblazing professionals in the field of vision science.

History of the Dean McGee Eye Institute

Critical to the Dean McGee Eye Institute’s success and unique among major American eye institutes was the incorporation of the Institute as a separate charitable entity with its own governing Board of Directors and the adoption of an affiliation agreement with the University of Oklahoma. The committed and insightful stewardship of volunteer Board members has been critical to the Institute’s growth and development. In particular, the Board leadership of Stanton L. Young and James R. Tolbert III, longstanding Oklahoma City civic leaders, provided consistent strength and stability.

Ultimately, the remarkable achievements of the Dean McGee Eye Institute are the result of the outstanding quality of compassionate care provided by its physicians and staff, the disciplined and creative work of its scientists, and the hundreds of generous donors who have supported its mission. The Institute is proud of its remarkable legacy and the trust placed in it by patients and the citizens of Oklahoma.

1965

A small group of prominent Oklahoma City citizens, led by ophthalmologist Richard A. Clay, MD, founded the Oklahoma Eye Foundation in 1965 with the specific goal of establishing an eye institute. Their vision was to create a center of excellence to train ophthalmologists and conduct vision research in order to provide superior eye care for all Oklahomans.

1971

Dean A. McGee, President of the Kerr-McGee Corporation, developed a retinal detachment in 1971. This was successfully repaired by Dr. Tullos O. Coston and Dr. Thomas E. Acers. Inspired by this experience, Mr. McGee joined the effort to establish an eye institute. His stature within the community, leadership, and personal generosity provided the catalyst for the creation the Eye Institute that bears his name.

1972

Dr. Thomas E. Acers was named as the first full-time Chair of the University of Oklahoma Department of Ophthalmology in 1972. Under his leadership, the current site of the Dean McGee Eye Institute was chosen, and construction of the original building began. On December 4, 1975, the Dean McGee Eye Institute was dedicated with Dr. Acers as its President. During Dr. Acers’ eventful tenure from 1972 to 1991, the Institute and Department experienced tremendous growth while establishing a new standard of clinical care and retaining a primary focus on education in ophthalmology.

1975

The Opening of the Dean McGee Eye Institute.

1992

In 1992, Dr. David W. Parke II succeeded Dr. Acers as the Institute’s second President and as Chair of the Department. As a result of Dr. Parke’s leadership, the Institute, building on its history of clinical and educational excellence, established one of the nation’s premier vision research programs and embarked on a major construction and renovation project to double the size of its facilities. The Dean McGee Eye Institute Foundation was also formed. Dr. Parke now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

1995

Dr. Robert E. “Gene” Anderson hired as the Director of Vision Research at DMEI/OU Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Anderson retired from DMEI/OU in 2020.

2009

Dr. Gregory L. Skuta was appointed as the third President and as Chair of the Department in 2009. Successful clinical and academic programs as well as the fulfillment of the capital campaign continued under his leadership and resulted in completion of the new building, which was dedicated on September 30, 2011. Dr. Skuta retired from his role of president/chief executive officer/department chair in 2021.

2011

Completion of the $46 million capital campaign and opening of the David W. Parke II, MD Pavilion.

The exterior of the David W. Parke II, MD Pavilion

2018

Completion of the $3 million clinical expansion in the Thomas E. Acers, MD Pavilion. “Retina friendly” multi-purpose space with 20 examination lanes, four injection rooms, diagnostic equipment rooms, and a large central reception area.

A waiting room in the Thomas E. Acers, MD Pavilion

2021

Dr. R. Michael Siatkowski was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Dean McGee Eye Institute and the Edward L. Gaylord Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology.

2026

The Dean McGee Eye Institute was acquired by OU Health to create the integrated OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute.

Simultaneously, the Dean McGee Eye Institute Foundation (DMEIF) transitioned into its new, independent structure as a dedicated philanthropic engine designed exclusively to fund the Department of Ophthalmology’s enduring legacy of research and educational excellence.