For Patrick Flaharty, MD, the lessons he learned during his Wills Eye residency extended far beyond the operating room. Under the mentorship of Joseph C. Flanagan, MD, he found not only an exceptional teacher, but also the inspiration to pursue a career in oculoplastic surgery.

"Dr. Flanagan was an amazing mentor and the reason I chose oculoplastics," said Dr. Flaharty, a member of the Wills Eye residency Class of 1990. "The Wills Eye residency provided a remarkable education and foundation that has served me well in my 30-plus year career."

Wanting to honor Dr. Flanagan's extraordinary impact on generations of residents and fellows, Dr. Flaharty led a fundraising effort to establish the Joseph Charles Flanagan Visiting Professor Lecture in Oculoplastic Surgery. More than two dozen donors – primarily Wills Eye residency alumni and fellows – joined together to make the endowed lecture a reality.

The inaugural lecture was held at Wills Eye Hospital in May 2024 and featured renowned oculoplastic surgeon Andrea Lora Kossler, MD, of Stanford University. Designed to bring nationally recognized leaders in the field to Wills Eye, the annual lecture will foster collaboration, encourage lifelong learning, and expose trainees and faculty to the latest advances in oculoplastic surgery.

The creation of the endowed lecture reflects the profound influence that dedicated mentors have on the next generation of physician leaders. Through the generosity of Dr. Flaharty and his fellow alumni, Dr. Flanagan's legacy will continue to inspire excellence in education, research, and patient care for future generations of leading clinician-scientists and ophthalmologists at Wills Eye.

Interested in creating a lasting legacy through an endowed fund or supporting ophthalmic education at Wills Eye Hospital? Contact the Foundation office at giving@willseye.org or 215.440.3154.