The symphony of humility and healing – Susan Day

Figure 1: Dr. Susan Day (Courtesy – Dr. Ralph Eagle)An interesting fact is that no one knows who invented music. No one knows who sang the first song, who wrote the first hymn, who made the first rhythm, or who wrote the first lyrics, but we all are aware of the power of music and the peace it bestows upon everyone. Music plays an orchestral role in converting an ordinary life into an extraordinary one. Dr. Susan Day is a living example of such a life journey, as she has been instrumental in connecting the strings between music and ophthalmology. Born on July 6, 1949, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Susan, from a very young age, explored and embraced the intricacies of music. She grew up around genuine love and appreciation for music. Her mother loved playing the piano and was the accompanist for a glee club. Her father played the piano and the carillon in the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago. He also became a professor of music at the Louisiana State University (LSU). Susan’s inspiration to pursue medicine as a career was a female pediatrician from her choir who encouraged and inspired her.[1] With an exceptional aptitude for both medicine and music, she maintained their sacred synchrony and completed her Bachelor in Science degree with Zoology as her major and music as her minor in 1971 at the LSU and enrolled herself in August 2000 at Schulich School of Music in McGill University to earn her Bachelor of Music degree. Susan Day effortlessly navigated the complexities of medical education with the peaceful power of music and obtained her medical degree in May 1975 from the LSU. Interestingly, music brought her to San Francisco as part of the LSU band as they played at the East–West Shriner’s game, and she was fascinated by the city.[1] After completing her internship in medicine in 1976 at Letterman Army Medical Center, Dr. Susan Day harmonized the complexities of ophthalmology by completing her residency in 1979 at the Pacific Medical Center, now known as the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). She was indeed fortunate to be trained by the likes of Dr. Art Jampolsky, Dr. Bruce Spivey, Dr. Bob Shaffer, Dr. Bill Spencer, Dr. Bob Stamper, and Dr. Alan Scott, and she equally contributed to the professional and personal development of these outstanding clinicians. In 1979, Dr. Susan Day [Fig. 1] started her training in pediatric ophthalmology with Dr. David S. I. Taylor at The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London. This phase helped her establish a strong foundation in the subspecialty, thus fostering a deep understanding of the intricacies of the subject while refining her core abilities. In the following year, she joined Dr. William E. Scott at the University of Iowa and observed him to sharpen her abilities. This allowed her to refine her approach toward patient care and decision-making.[2] During this journey, she also accorded well with her passion for music and let it bloom as she honed her skills as a versatile musician, specifically proficient in playing her woodwind – flute. “We think of our heroes as icons, almost beatific, because of their ability to achieve. Susan is a hero for me, but I see her differently from those who don’t know her well although still iconic. When one becomes so close to another human, you see the many facets of a personality and gain the perspective of the unvarnished personality. Susan, up close, is through and through much the same person you would meet for the first time without knowing of her achievements. The most important aspect of her personality is the ability to think of others and their situation. Few of us can do this so easily. She should never be considered as intimidating. Empathetic is as close a word as I can find to describe her. Responsible and respectful come close, too.” – Dr. Ivan Schwab Dr. Susan Day is known for her keen eye for detail, surgical excellence, and compassionate demeanor. She worked at the Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center, California as the Chief of pediatric ophthalmology and explored an interesting phase in Saudi Arabia for 1 year as Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. Following this phase, for 4 years, she became a part of the multispecialty ophthalmology group before she started her solo private practice in September 1992. She ensured the provision of precise and dedicated services to her patients, saved numerous sightlines, and brightened countless lives. During her academic journey, this visionary continued to embrace and recognize the profound impact of music. She integrated her musical expertise with her approach to patient care by emphasizing the soothing power of music to treat and heal. With her ethereal grace as a flutist, she loses herself in the melodies of different genres. The gentle notes of her melodies put not only her mind at ease but also made her patients experience a calm and therapeutic treatment process. Dr. Susan Day played an instrumental role in the development of the Smith–Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco, California as the director of the pediatric unit from 1981 to 1996. She also worked as the program director in the Department of Ophthalmology at CPMC from July 1997 and was additionally assigned as the chair of the department from January 2000 until September 2014. From November 2010 to September 2014, she also worked as a Medical Director and Designated Institutional Official for graduate and undergraduate medical education at CPMC. Her loyal association with CPMC continued for more than three decades. She was also associated with Children’s Hospital, Oakland for nearly three decades from 1981 to 2000. “Susan is a great friend, perfectly humorous, a true music lover, fellow lover of dogs, and her life and contributions to Ophthalmology and women in ophthalmology have been as if she has played so many instrumental roles, “musically” - with such expertise and camaraderie - that she contributed immensely to the advancement of our profession. Her solo performance, playing Mozart, on the flute with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1982, is an unforgettable memory.” – Dr. Hsu-Winges Along with the abovementioned affiliations, she took up leadership positions in various organizations. Her humility and ease with which she played her leadership roles have always been rejuvenating and inspiring. Dr. Susan Day has always been upbeat and loved during her leadership tenure, especially during her term in office as the president of the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) in 2004 and the first female president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in 2005. She played the euphonic concert of advanced diversity and equity, thus encouraging women to play evocative roles. From being the chair of the council of the American Ophthalmological Society (AOS) in 2005, she rose to a crescendo by becoming the president of AOS in 2008. She also held the position of the president of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology in 2010. She has dynamically played important roles as an active member of multiple organizations such as AAO, AAPOS, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-International (ACGME-I), American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company, and International Council of Ophthalmology. The symphony continued as she became the president and CEO of the ACGME-I in 2014. Over the next 6 years, she traveled across the globe to establish international standards, provide her services in different regions, and advance the quality of residents worldwide. “Susan has had a multifaceted career— pediatric ophthalmologist, flautist, program director, departmental chair, leader of societies, educational administrator, worldwide accreditor, graduate student in music, and now she is assessing the neuroplasticity of visual cortex in patients with congenital blindness with the help of music! These and her amazing interpersonal connections signify a unique individual.” – Prof Bruce Spivey Dr. Susan Day wrote several articles addressing various pediatric ophthalmology diseases[3-5] and gave memorable presentations and several named lectureships. Currently, she is working on assessing the delicate interdisciplinary connection between the neuroplasticity of the visual cortex and music. As a testament to her relentless dedication, many prestigious honors were bestowed by different organizations. She was awarded the Residents’ Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to Resident Education by CPMC seven times between 1983 and 2014. She received the Honor Award at AAO in 1988 and AAPOS in 1991, followed by the Senior Honor Award from AAO in 1998. She is also the recipient of the Veronneau–Troutman Recognition Award by Women in Ophthalmology in 2000 and the Helen Keller Fellow award by the Lions Eye Foundation in 2002. In 2012, AAO awarded Dr. Day the EnergEYES award and the Lifetime Achievement award for her generous contributions. In 2013, she received the AAPOS Lifetime Achievement award and the Marshall Parks Silver Medal in 2018.[6] The Lucien Howe Medal was awarded to her in 2016, and she was recently invited as the AAO Foundation Orbital Gala Special Honoree in 2022. She has graciously received these awards and has remained grounded while leaving inspirational indelible marks on generations to come. While Dr. Day’s loved ones remain in awe of her personality, those who get newly introduced to her fascinating persona get magnetically drawn to her and get mesmerized and inspired by the ease with which she radiates optimism. She believes that the intertwined symphony of music and ophthalmology brings tranquillity and fulfillment to her life. As she continues to live a vitative life, with an unwavering passion for ophthalmology and music, her heart finds solace in the captivating melodies and rhythms of music and in providing a healing touch to her patients with the power of music. Dr. Susan Day’s invigorating contributions to the ophthalmology world and gleeful nature shall continue to be greeted with rhapsodies of praise. “Music can change the way you think, the way you feel, and the way you see the world.” – Stevie Wonder

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