Class of 1970 Commemorative Biographical Book

D AV I D O . M A Z U R Address: 1308 North Frederick Street, Arlington, VA 22205 Email: domazur@comcast.net ● Phone: H: 703-728-6289 ● C: 703-728-6289

Alma mater: Johns Hopkins University, B.A., 1967

Postgraduate Training/Certification: Surgery Internship: University of California San Diego, 1970-1971 Ophthalmology Residency: Naval Hospital Bethesda, Maryland, 1975-1978 Vitreo-Retinal Disease/Surgery Fellow: Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, NYC and Cornell University Medical Center, New York Hospital, 1979-1980 Current Employment: Retired (2011) from the US Navy (after 40 years active duty). Last place of employment: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: Chairman, Joint Department of Ophthalmology Spouse or Partner’s Name: Janet T. Mazur (Ross), retired special education teacher (B.A., M.A. George Mason University) Name(s) of Children and Grandchildren: Children: Nick Mazur, Cahlan Mazur Grandchildren: Vivienne Mazur (8), Hudson Mazur (6), Duncan Mazur (2) Narrative: What was your most memorable moment from medical school? I have countless fond recollections of my classmates, who were brilliant, fun-loving, rebellious, focused, altruistic, unpredictable – the list goes on! My mentor through three years, J. Alex Haller M.D., head of pediatric surgery, was an inspiring and charismatic role model – I learned more valuable lessons from him than from any class, rotation, or book. My first, and biggest, highlight was marrying Janet, the love of my life, in 1971 – so our 50th will be celebrated just one year after our class 50th. My next, and more surprising big change came just four weeks after we were married – I was drafted (it was 1971 after all, in the thick of the war so many of us protested) and found myself in the Navy! With no interest or experience of the military, my intent was to serve out my obligation and then do my residency training, but I had lately vacillated

between specialty choices. I thought aviation would be at least interesting, so signed on as a flight surgeon in the Navy. I was sent to Pensacola, FL for six months of flight training and aviation medicine instruction, and found it challenging as well as great fun learning to fly. I was then assigned to be the flight surgeon at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico, where my duties were divided between aviation medicine and being a primary care doctor. The ophthalmology training I received as a flight surgeon was outstanding, and I soon found myself drawn to a specialty that I had thoroughly disliked as a student rotating on Wilmer (perhaps partly due to a somewhat condescending attitude to medical students on that rotation, who were largely considered a great inconvenience). As the end of my obligation approached, I found that the Navy offered an excellent ophthalmology residency experience at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda. Following that, I was enticed to stay further by Navy support for retina fellowship training in New York. I was now a decade into military service, and finding it increasingly rewarding. At the same time Janet and I had started a family – raising two sons – and Janet was teaching in the challenging field of special education. Staying with the Navy a while longer seemed a great idea. In addition, I was finding my clinical practice, teaching activities, and clinical research opportunities increasingly appealing. My professional colleagues were a delight to work with – I could not have imagined a more cordial and helpful group – and we supported each other in every way possible. Our collaboration with our medical school (USUHS), the

46