Alfred Sommer, M.D., M.H.S.

Headshot of Alfred Sommer
  • Dean Emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • Professor of Ophthalmology

Research Interests

Blindness prevention; Vitamin A deficiency

Background

Alfred Sommer, M.D., M.H.S., is a professor of ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute and Dean Emeritus and professor of epidemiology and international health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He was the founding Director (1980-1990) of the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins, which focuses on clinical epidemiology and public health aspects of blindness prevention and child survival.

Dr. Sommer''s current research interests include outcomes assessment; clinical guidelines; the screening, diagnosis and management of glaucoma and other blindness prevention strategies; and cost containment. He demonstrated the impact of vitamin A deficiency on childhood blindness and mortality in developing countries. His newest efforts concern the growing interface between medicine and public health. He has published five books and over 300 scientific articles and has received numerous awards. His current research interests include child survival and blindness prevention strategies, micronutrient interventions and the interface between public health and clinical medicine.

Dr. Sommer received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School and his M.H.S. in epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

...read more

Titles

  • Dean Emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • Founding Director, Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology
  • University Distinguished Service Professor
  • Professor of Ophthalmology

Departments / Divisions

Centers & Institutes

Education

Degrees

  • M.D.; Harvard Medical School - Boston (Massachusetts) (1967)
  • M.H.S.; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Maryland) (1973)
  • B.S.; Union College (New York) (1963)

Additional Training

  • Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 1976, Residency in Ophthalmology; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, 1973, Epidemiology; Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, 1969, Medical Intern and Resident

Research & Publications

Contact for Research Inquiries

615 N. Wolfe Street
Suite E6527
Baltimore, MD 21205 map
Phone: 410-502-4167
Fax: 410-502-4169

Email me

Activities & Honors

Honors

  • Dan David Laureate, Tel Aviv University, 2013
  • Ophthalmology Hall of Fame, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, 2011
  • Diplomate in Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology, 1977
  • Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners, 1968

Videos & Media

Recent News Articles and Media Coverage

The Ophthalmologist Who Saved Millions From Blindness - fee.org (July 2019)

Is this you? Edit Profile
back to top button