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Children's National Eye Care Leader Installed as Inaugural Dororthy, Jay, Kara, and Mark Weinstein Professor of Ophthalmology

Washington, DC – Children’s National Health System named Mohamad Jaafar, MD, Division Chief of Ophthalmology, as the first ever Dorothy, Jay, Kara, and Mark Weinstein Professor of Ophthalmology. The newly endowed professorship is the first-of-its-kind and is funded by the Weinstein Family, who has been an integral part of the Children’s National family since 1998, when their youngest child, Mark was diagnosed with infantile glaucoma and was cared for by Dr. Jaafar.

The professorship will allow Dr. Jaafar and his team to maintain Children’s status as the world leader in pediatric ophthalmology, and build on his groundbreaking work to advance children's eye health by leading research, surgical and clinical care, and advocacy. Dr. Jaafar’s team adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to their specialized programs, providing the most comprehensive care possible in neuro-ophthalmology and ophthalmic genetics.  

“Dr. Jaafar heads the Children’s division of ophthalmology, which is the birthplace of pediatric ophthalmology and is one of the top training programs in the country. Through his care and mentorship, the eyesight and futures of countless children have been improved,” says Kurt Newman, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer at Children’s National.

Dr. Jaafar was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. A graduate of American University of Beirut, Dr. Jaafar joined the Division of Ophthalmology at Children’s in 1986 and has overseen it for 30 years.  In 1983, as the first pediatric ophthalmologist to practice in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Jaafar established the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Service at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh.

Dr. Jaafar is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology, as well as a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. His professional memberships include the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the International Strabismological Association, the Washington Academy of Ophthalmology, and many other national and international professional societies and associations. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington and the Editorial Board of a number of medical journals. He is currently Professor of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics at the George Washington University.
“The Weinsteins’ generosity, foresight, and deep commitment to improving pediatric eye care in our region have made this professorship a reality. We should be visionaries on behalf of the children the world over. They are our future,” says Dr. Jaafar

Contact: Leah Parker at 202-476-4500

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