Dr. Woods – Ophthalmologist
July 1944Dearest Reader,
“I would like to get you under Dr Woods who, I understand, is the head of the Wilmer Institute”
Dr Alan Woods was one of the most respected ophthalmologists of the mid-20th century and a leading figure in American eye medicine. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, Woods trained under the pioneering ophthalmologist William Wilmer and went on to become his successor. In 1934, Woods was appointed Director of the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, the nation’s first university-based eye hospital devoted entirely to research and training in ophthalmology. By 1937, he was placed at the forefront of clinical and academic innovation in eye disease. Under his leadership, Wilmer became the premier center for diagnosing and treating complex ocular disorders.
Dr Woods specialized in the most challenging eye conditions. His research contributed to advancements in corneal disease, optic nerve disorders and visual impairment. He was the physician to see when an eye condition needed authoritative assessment. In 1944, my grandmother wanted my father to be assessed by Dr Wood, so that his condition could be seen, heard and diagnosed by one of the foremost ophthalmologists of the era.
Dr. Nancy Watson
Rambling With Nan
Washington
Read More From Nancy
Army Hit on Vets Abuse in Hospitals
Among the newspaper clippings preserved by my mother is this article concerning allegations of mistreatment at a military veteran’s hospital during World War II. I have no direct evidence connecting the article to my family, butcannot help wondering why it was saved. At the time the article appeared, my father was serving in the Army and was spending part of 1944 in Washington […]
Corporal Douglas Stewart and the Forgotten Front
Among the wartime newspaper clippings preserved by my parents is this article about Corporal Douglas Steward, a serviceman from the Martinsburg area who returned home on furlough after serving on what the newspaper calls the “Forgotten Front” of World War II. The article recounts Stewart’s experiences in the Pacific Theater, where he spent months in active combat in […]
Gas Rationing
In 1944, gasoline rationing had become an accepted part of American life. Every driver carried a small ration book, and a lettered windshield sticker determined how much fuel they were permitted each week. For most families, like my mother’s, the driver had an A-ration card, the most common classification in the country. It allowed only […]
