On October 27, 2006, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the expansion of the Donald P. and Darlene V. Shiley Eye Center. The growth includes a new three story 15,000 square foot building adjacent to the east of the original Shiley main facility, as well as 2,000 additional square feet at the Anne F. and Abraham Ratner Children’s Eye Center.

The current 65,000 square foot center is named after longtime UCSD benefactors Donald Shiley, an engineer and inventor of the Shiley heart valve, and his wife, Darlene. The Shileys, who contributed the leadership gift to establish the original Center, have provided an additional donation to help fund the expansion.

As Mistress of Ceremonies, Darlene Shiley began the event with “Ever since we met Dr. Stuart Brown and learned of the wonderful work being done and the patients he’s been able to help, we realized this center would become something remarkable.”

Marye Anne Fox, Chancellor of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), remarked about the significant contributions in the areas of the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of all eye diseases, as well as pioneering outreach programs that the Shiley Eye Center has made in the community.

“We have outgrown our facilities faster than imagined and must again plan for further expansion. With additional space, concerns associated with appointment availability and waiting room comfort for our patients, as well as opportunities to expand our research and community outreach programming will diminish. This is indeed an urgent need, critical to the continuing success of the Shiley Eye Center” said Stuart I. Brown, M.D., Chairman of the Ophthalmology Department and Director of the Shiley Eye Center.

This latest expansion will increase the existing clinical space by more than 60 percent and will include additional examination rooms, a registration area and a new waiting room on the first floor to offer added convenience to patients setting appointments and accessing the facilities. The second floor will contain space for faculty and future research needs. The third floor will enlarge the surgery suite and recovery room. The Ratner Children’s Eye Center will also add several new examination rooms and offices, essentially doubling its clinical examination space.
Also speaking was Pauline Foster, representing her mother, Anne F. Ratner, benefactor of the Anne F. and Abraham Ratner Children’s Eye Center. Mrs. Foster recounted her family’s longtime involvement with the Children’s center and the center’s Director David B. Granet, M.D. Dr. Granet noted the significant advances in pediatric ophthalmology that he and his staff have accomplished with the help of the Ratner family.

Darlene Shiley closed the event with, “It has also been wonderful to see other community members support the center and the work underway. With broad community support, the center can continue to serve as a leader in both care and research.” This latest expansion was completely funded by grateful patients and donors in the community.
The construction is scheduled to be completed in early 2008.