Kellogg Eye Center and Brehm Center Groundbreaking

September 19, 2006

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Today is about vision—the vision of the University of Michigan and our Health System to continually find ways to improve the well-being of others.

We see an extraordinary future for the Kellogg Eye Center and all that it will do for quality health care.

We know the need is there. Just last week, the New York Times chronicled the rise of diabetes in the developing world, particularly in India. As we all know, with diabetes comes the threat of lost vision, among the disease’s many complications.

Experts predict that within two decades, India alone will have 75 million diabetics. On a global scale, the World Health Organization predicts 350 million diabetics by 2025. Three of every four of those diabetics will live in developing countries that do not enjoy first-rate health care and treatment.

That is a siren call for a cure. And that is why today is so important.

The expansion of the Kellogg Eye Center, and the establishment of the Brehm Center for Type 1 Diabetes Research and Analysis, will further the University’s commitment to novel research and quality patient care.

With our new facility, we will intensify our focus on understanding and treating debilitating eye diseases, such as the complications of diabetes that take away sight, and age-related macular degeneration, for which there currently is no cure.

We are able to strengthen our research, education and care because of the remarkable efforts of our faculty and the dedication of our donors, who believe in the Michigan Difference and the University’s ability to change lives for the better.

In particular, I want to thank Bill and Dee Brehm for their remarkable gift to the University. It is really a gift to the future—to tomorrow’s students and faculty, and tomorrow’s patients and their families.

Bill and Dee, we deeply appreciate your support of the University, and we are thrilled that you are with us for today’s groundbreaking.

The exceptional research and health care at the University begins with leadership, and we are fortunate to have a great leader for our Health System. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Robert Kelch, executive vice president for medical affairs at the University of Michigan.