Society Honors UC Davis Eye Center’s Dr. Mark J. Mannis with Briggs Award

We were proud to honor Dr. Mark J. Mannis, Chair of the UC Davis Eye Center, with the Briggs Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology during our Briggs Award Event in late October.

Dr. Mannis is known for his expertise as a corneal surgeon and corneal disease researcher. He was instrumental in creating ORBIS, the flying eye hospital, and has led the UC Davis Eye Center since 2003. He has been a wonderful champion for Society for the Blind, fostering the growth of our Low Vision Clinic, including the addition of pediatric eye care and occupational therapy. It is our privilege to have him serve on our board of directors. Honoring Dr. Mannis with the Briggs Award is one way we can acknowledge all that he has contributed to this field that has helped so many people across our region.

The Briggs Award Event is named for Dr. William Ellery Briggs, the first opthalmologist in the Sacramento area. His family moved to Sacramento in the 1870s, and his descendants established the Briggs Fund in his name several years ago at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation. Society for the Blind is the beneficiary of the fund, which ensures people can receive low vision eye care regardless of ability to pay.

Each year, nearly half of the patients we see require charity care. Thanks to the Briggs Fund, we have been able to serve more than 300 people who otherwise could not receive low vision evaluations or occupational therapy.

Congratulations to Dr. Mannis!