PORTLAND, Ore., April 13, 2018 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Paragon BioTeck, Inc., an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical device company, announced today that Alejandro Arboleda has been named its 2018 Koch Kellan Scholar. Paragon Gives, a Paragon BioTeck initiative, awards the Koch Kellan Scholarship to an outstanding graduate medical student committed to elevating the standard of eye care through social responsibility and a clinical, teaching or research career in ophthalmology.
Patrick Witham, President and CEO of Paragon BioTeck, discussed the importance of the scholarship in regard to ophthalmology, “Since its inception, this award has been extended to some of the best and brightest up and coming stars in this area of medicine. The award’s namesake is perfectly apt, given the unparalleled caliber of candidates and recipients that have shown interest in pursuing a career in an area of medicine where both Dr. Koch and Dr. Kellan have made such tremendously important contributions.”
Witham added, “While the contributions they have made to restoring sight in and of itself is remarkable, it is their vision that they so generously share that will leave their indelible mark on countless lives well beyond our time.”
Both Robert Kellan, MD and Paul Koch, MD, spoke of Mr. Arboleda’s determination to pursue a career in ophthalmology. “While many students imagine how things ought to be and wonder why not, Alejandro stepped out where few others do. He took actions to accomplish changes in the world around him. I have no doubt he has the temperament and the drive to accomplish many wonderful things and change our world as we know it,” Koch stated.
Mr. Arboleda is a third-year student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His initial studies in biomedical engineering drove his interest in ophthalmology. “I was not satisfied by simply creating novel devices, I wanted to be the physician with the experience to face problems and invent better solutions to treat patients,” he said. After collaborating with researchers in France during his tenure as a Fulbright Fellow, he began a photodynamic therapy (PDT) project.
Kellan noted Mr. Arboleda’s passion for caring for those in need, “Alejandro clearly demonstrates his compassion to make the world a better place by his eager participation in ophthalmic mission trips to South America and his tireless efforts to bring visual rehabilitation to the needy.”
Mr. Arboledo expressed how these experiences reaffirmed his dedication to medicine, “I have followed each patient’s journey and am humbled by their reactions to their recovery.”
Upon receipt of the award, Mr. Arboleda discussed how the scholarship mirrors both his commitment to driving innovation and serving the population, “I feel very honored to receive the Koch Kellan Scholarship. I look forward to dedicating my career to the field of ophthalmology where there is so much space for advancement and serving diverse patient populations. I will continue to work hard so that my contributions to the field of ophthalmology honor the spirit of this award.”
Paragon Gives will formally present the Koch Kellan Scholarship to Mr. Arboleda at a dinner attended by scholarship namesakes, Drs. Koch and Kellan, and Paragon CEO, Patrick Witham, during the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, held April 14-17, 2018 in Washington D.C.
About Paragon Gives and the Koch Kellan Scholarship:
Paragon Gives, a Paragon BioTeck, Inc., initiative, supports a number of charities and organizations, including those within the biotechnology and health care arena. The initiative also works with individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on our customers, vendors, investors and industry as a whole.
The Koch Kellan Scholarship affirms Paragon’s commitment to elevating the standard of eye care and enhancing patient quality of life. Alejandro Arboleda is the fourth recipient of the scholarship. Previous recipients include Xinxin Zhang of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Hasenin Al-khersan of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. The scholarship was first awarded to Captain Edward Woodward of the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in 2015.
Learn more at: https://paragonbioteck.com/gives/kochkellan/.
About Paragon BioTeck, Inc.:
Paragon BioTeck, Inc., is a privately held pharmaceutical and medical device company specializing in the development and commercialization of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, devices and therapies. Paragon BioTeck’s portfolio of products is designed to protect and preserve eyesight and deliver comfort to the eyes.
Learn more at: https://paragonbioteck.com/.
*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0413s2p-Alejandro-Arboleda-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Alejandro Arboleda has been named its 2018 Koch Kellan Scholar.
News Source: Paragon BioTeck Inc.
