DR. SANDY GRIZZARD OF RETINA ASSOCIATES OF FLORIDA EARNS MASTERS IN ECONOMICS AND LAUNCHES HEALTH CARE BLOG

TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2009) — It is not that Sanderson (Sandy) Grizzard, M.D.. founder of Retina Associates of Florida, didn’t have enough education. Dr. Grizzard completed his medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine after receiving his bachelor’s from Emory University in Atlanta. He did his residency in ophthalmology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and completed his retina fellowships at the University of Nijmegen in The Netherlands (Ophthamologenetics and Retinal Disease Fellowship), and the University of California (Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship and Genetics Fellowship.

And at the age of 58, he decided to pursue a masters degree in economics, a degree he recently received from the University of South Florida.

“After 25 years of practice in a highly specialized, yet highly effective field, it became apparent to me that in order to provide the best care, it was important to understand the economics of medicine as it was to understand the anatomy and pathology of disease,” said Dr. Grizzard. “If I can’t keep my office open because of economic factors, I am unable to help anyone. I hope this new knowledge of economics will allow me to continue to provide the very best care for my patients.”

Dr. Grizzard is already applying his medical expertise and economic knowledge to launch a blog called Adam Smith, MD: Making Economic Sense of Healthcare, www.adamsmithmd.com.

About Retina Associates of Florida

Established in 1983, Retina Associates of Florida exclusively treats diseases and disorders of the retina, including macular degeneration, retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, vitreoretinal disease, vascular retinal disease, hypotony, eye tumors and complications following cataract or corneal surgery. Its main clinic is located at 602 South MacDill Ave. in South Tampa.

In addition to treating patients, the physicians conduct research in this field of ophthalmology. The practicing physicians are Dr. Grizzard, his partner Mark Hammer, M.D., and now Ivan Suner, MD, who joined the practice early in 2009. In addition, Retina Associates of Florida has been heavily involved in research and responsible for pioneering several procedures and conducting clinical trials on ophthalmic medications, including the breakthrough macular degeneration drugs, Lucentis® and Macugen®. Additional information on retinal disorders and the practice can be found at www.RetinaAssociatesFlorida.com.

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Media Contact: Helen Knight, APR, King Knight Communications, 813-837-1701; 813-690-4787 [Mobile] helen@kingknight.com