Distinguished ophthalmologist AKEF EL-MAGHRABY has been an international leader in establishing eye care hospitals, training eye care professionals, and bringing much-needed eye care services to the people of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia as the founder and chairman of El-Maghraby Eye and Ear Hospitals and Centers. In addition to funding these facilities, Dr. El-Maghraby has underwritten training of physicians and has introduced new technology in these nations. He has received numerous awards and honors for his achievements in medicine and for his generosity in providing eye care services and prevention programs for the poor. In addition, he has taken an active role in helping to improve general living conditions among his fellow Egyptians.
Akef El-Maghraby Professorship in Preventive Ophthalmology
School of Medicine
Established in 1991 by Akef El-Maghraby
Held by Sheila K. West
SHEILA K. WEST, PhD, PharmD, is the Akef El-Maghraby Professor of Preventive Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for Research at the Wilmer Eye Institute, with a joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research interests include trachoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and vision and function in older persons. Dr. West’s research has informed all aspects of the present World Health Organization guidelines for trachoma control. Currently, her research is focused in Africa on ways to improve trichiasis surgery outcomes and on elimination of blinding trachoma.
Dr. West received her PhD in epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and her PharmD from the University of California, San Francisco. She joined the Wilmer faculty in 1984.