“From Vision to Lasting Impact: Eye Foundation of America Marks 50 Years of Service to Children in Morgantown, Honouring Dr. Clay Marsh with Robert Murphy Visionary Leadership Award”
Our Bureau
Morgantown, WV
The Eye Foundation of America (EFA), an organisation dedicated to advancing its vision of “A World Without Childhood Blindness,” brought together friends, supporters, distinguished guests and partners for a memorable evening of vision, music, service and fellowship at Forks of Cheat Winery in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The gathering was part of EFA’s journey commemorating 50 years of service to children — 1977–2027 — a milestone rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves the opportunity to see, learn, grow and live with dignity.
The evening carried a powerful theme:
Honouring Vision. Celebrating Impact. Inspiring Generations.
For EFA, the celebration was not simply about looking back. It was about recognising the people and partnerships that have helped transform a vision into a continuing global movement — and inspiring a new generation to carry that vision forward.
Robert Murphy Visionary Leadership Award Honours Dr. Clay B. Marsh
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Robert Murphy Visionary Leadership Award to Dr. Clay B. Marsh, M.D., Chancellor & Executive Dean for Health Sciences at West Virginia University.
The award recognises exceptional leadership in medicine and the health sciences, together with a commitment to education, innovation, service and human wellbeing.
The citation presented by the Eye Foundation of America Board recognised Dr. Marsh’s leadership in healthcare, education, research and clinical care, noting his commitment to transforming institutions and improving lives.
The award was presented by Dr. V.K. Raju, Founder President, Eye Foundation of America, and Dr. Leela V. Raju, President, Eye Foundation of America & UK, on behalf of the EFA Board. EFA’s recent public announcement described the honour as a recognition of Dr. Marsh’s leadership, healthcare innovation, education and enduring contributions to improving lives.
The Robert Murphy Visionary Leadership Award commemorates the legacy and values associated with Robert Murphy — compassion, service, visionary thinking and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
The recognition of Dr. Marsh therefore carried a special significance for EFA as it looks toward the next chapter of its mission.
Music That Brought The Evening To Life
Adding an extraordinary artistic dimension to the evening was Sunmi Chang, renowned violinist and Founder & Artistic Director of the Summit Chamber Music Series.
Chang delivered a memorable violin performance, bringing together music, emotion and human connection in a setting dedicated to service and philanthropy.
A laureate of major international violin competitions, Chang has performed widely across North America and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. Through the Summit Chamber Music Series, she has also championed the role of world-class chamber music in enriching the cultural life of Morgantown and North-Central West Virginia.
Her performance became one of the memorable moments of an evening built around the belief that vision is not only about what we see, but about what we imagine and what we choose to create for future generations.
Honouring Friends Who Have Stood With Efa
The evening also brought together two highly respected supporters of the Eye Foundation of America, Dr. Ranjit Majumdar and Dr. S. Jagannadhan, whose presence reflected the enduring network of friends and supporters who have stood behind EFA and its mission.
Their participation was especially meaningful as EFA looks toward its Golden Jubilee year and the next generation of its work.
A Special Tribute To Jerry And Susan Deal
EFA also expressed its deep appreciation to Jerry and Susan Deal, the owners of Forks of Cheat Winery, for their extraordinary generosity and longstanding friendship with the Foundation.
Year after year, the Deal family has extended warmth, hospitality and support to EFA.
Their contribution represents something larger than a venue or an event. It represents the spirit of people who believe in giving rather than taking — serving rather than seeking recognition.
Forks of Cheat Winery, established by Jerry Deal in 1990, has become a longstanding part of the Morgantown community. Its continued support of EFA reflects a relationship built over many years on friendship, trust and a shared commitment to giving back.
To Jerry and Susan Deal, EFA extends its heartfelt gratitude for being extraordinary friends of the Foundation and for continuing to open their doors and their hearts to the mission of a World Without Childhood Blindness.
50 Years — One Mission
Since its beginnings in 1977, the Eye Foundation of America has pursued a vision centred on children, sight and human dignity.
As EFA approaches its Golden Jubilee — 1977–2027, the Foundation is using the milestone to renew its commitment to building partnerships, expanding access to eye care, strengthening childhood eye-health programmes and mobilising a global community around the goal of eliminating avoidable childhood blindness.
The Foundation’s recent communications describe this milestone as 50 years of service to children, one mission: World Without Childhood Blindness, with supporters and partners helping to make that mission stronger with each passing year.
The September 25 gathering in Morgantown captured that journey beautifully — bringing together visionary leadership, healthcare, philanthropy, music, friendship and service in one setting.
It was a celebration of what has been achieved.
But more importantly, it was a reminder of what remains possible.
From Vision To Lasting Impact
The message emerging from the evening was simple:
Vision creates possibility. Service creates impact. Partnership creates scale. And generations create lasting change.
As the Eye Foundation of America moves toward its Golden Jubilee in 2027, it carries forward the legacy of those who began the journey, the commitment of those serving today, and the hope of generations of children yet to come.
Together, EFA and its global family of supporters continue to work toward one powerful aspiration: A World Without Childhood Blindness.
About the Eye Foundation of America
The Eye Foundation of America (EFA) is committed to advancing eye health and working toward a World Without Childhood Blindness. Founded on the principle that access to sight-saving eye care can transform the lives of children and communities, EFA works through partnerships, programmes, institutions and supporters across geographies to expand the reach and impact of eye care.
As the organisation approaches its 50th year of service to children (1977–2027), EFA is strengthening its global partnerships and building a new generation of leaders committed to making vision, opportunity and dignity accessible to every child.