Candidate Bio
Stephen C. Kaufman, MD, PhD, is a Professor and Vice – Chairman of Ophthalmology, Co- Director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the University of Minnesota and the Medical Director of Eye Care Services for the M-Health Fairview System. Dr Kaufman was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cornea Society and Eye Bank Association of America, is Chairman of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Cornea Knowledge Base Committee, is the Co-Chairman of the Midwest Cornea Association, on the Board of the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology and is an associate Medical Director at Lions Gift of Sight.
He conducts research and lectures at numerous national and international Ophthalmology meetings. Dr. Kaufman is the editor of 2 cornea textbooks, is on the editorial board of 3 ophthalmic journals, has published 11 chapters on cornea and refractive surgery and has more than 400 publications and presentations to his name. He is a HEED Ophthalmology Fellow, received the Senior Achievement and the Secretariats Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, The AMA Achievement Award, an NIH Physician Scientist Award, National Academy of Science Award, New York State Research Award, The Paton Award from the EBAA and others.
Personal Statement
I have been involved in eye banking and ocular tissue storage research since medical school, where I conducted research which led to the first 14 day cold storage media (K-Sol) and other projects which improved the availability, quality and safety of our donor corneal tissue. My experience of working with large and small eye banks afforded me the opportunity to understand the procedures and challenges of different organizations. I have served on the board of 2 eye banks and the Cornea Society. Moreover, I have been involved with the EBAA for more than a decade and have served on many EBAA committees (see list). I can contribute to the EBAA’s important mission that that must address the many new challenges that arise from infectious diseases, new technology and new surgical procedures, without adding any unnecessary administrative burden. As a previous board member I believe that it is important for the board to consider multiple viewpoints and opinions and then to evaluate each based on the benefit to the overall EBAA membership. I will work hard to bring my experience and unique knowledge to serve the EBAA membership. Thank you for considering me as an EBAA board member.
EBAA Service
- Medical Advisory Board: Member (2010 – 2018, 2022 – present)
- At-Large EBAA Board: Member (2017 – 2021)
- Finance Committee: Member (2018 – 2020, 2022 – present)
- Research Committee: Member (2018 – 2022)
- Scientific Programs: Chair (2010 – 2013)
- IJEB Editorial Board (EBAA Journal): Member (1/14/2015 – Present)
- Policy & Position Review Subcommittee: Member (2012 – 2014)
- Nominating Committee: Member (1/1/2013 – 2013)
- Antifungal Supplementation RFP Selection Subcommitte: Member (1/1/2017 – 6/16/2017)
- Povidone Iodine Study Group
- Corneal Stem Cell Study Group: EBAA/Cornea Society (7/1/2012 – Present)
- Cornea Donor Study