Honoring Dr. Robert B. Welch: A Legacy of Dedication and Philanthropy in Ophthalmology
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bond Welch were dedicated supporters even before GBMC opened its doors in 1965. Dr. Welch served on the Board of the Presbyterian Eye Research Foundation before GBMC was established and later was a member of the Board of the Presbyterian Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital until his death.
Loyal supporters for many years, Dr. Welch and his wife, Betty, first met while racing sailboats in 1950. The couple became members of the Elizabeth Duncan Yaggy Society when they named GBMC as beneficiary of a Trust that they established, during Betty's lifetime.
Dr. Welch grew up across the street from the State House in Annapolis. After taking a break from his studies at Princeton University to serve in the Navy during World War II, he graduated from Princeton in 1949 and from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1953.
The son of an ophthalmologist, Dr. Welch was drawn to that specialty in medical school after having watched with awe and admiration his father's successful career.
Dr. Welch had an incredible career of his own, with Betty at his side managing his private practice they ran out of his childhood home. He completed his Internship in Internal Medicine at Duke University and his Residency at The Wilmer Eye Institute where he was later selected as Chief Resident. He also served as Chief Resident at Baylor University. In addition, Dr. Welch spent a year as a Retina Fellow at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
For more than 50 years, Dr. Welch was a preeminent figure in retinal care, clinical research and education. In 1985, he came to GBMC to Chair the Department of Ophthalmology after his close friend, Dr. Richard E. Hoover, asked that favor from his deathbed. Dr. Welch retired in 1991 from the GBMC Chairmanship and continued in private practice until his full retirement in 2016, after Betty's death.
Today, the Wilkinson-Welch-Hoover Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology at GBMC bears his name along with his friends, Drs. Pat Wilkinson and Richard Hoover. When Dr. Welch died, he left more than $2 million to GBMC Ophthalmology and the Richard E. Hoover Rehabilitation Services for Low Vision and Blindness.
Because of the Welches' steadfast commitment, future generations of Ophthalmology patients will see clearly that GBMC provides some of the best medical care in the region, as it has since 1965.
GBMC is proud to honor the Welches with a perpetual membership in the Elizabeth Ducan Yaggy Society and 1965 Society.
The Elizabeth Duncan Yaggy Society honors loyal benefactors who have provided for GBMC in their estate plans or with a gift to GBMC that pays them a lifetime of income. Please contact us to learn more.
