CEO Information: James Reynolds, M.D.

Dr. James Reynolds is professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University at Buffalo and head of the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute.

After receiving his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University at Buffalo in 1974, Dr. Reynolds completed his medical degree at UB’s School of Medicine. Dr. Reynolds specializes in pediatric ophthalmology with a research interest in fetal retina pathophysiology. At the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Dr. Reynolds is a nationally recognized specialist in retinopathy of prematurity, a disease of the premature infant's developing retinal vasculature. The disease can lead to blindness and about 400 to 600 babies per year in the United States have suffered severe visual loss from the disease.

Along with his work as a Professor and researcher in retinopathy of prematurity, Dr. Reynolds received an appointment in 2003 to head the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute. Plans for the Institute were unveiled in 2003 at the kick off of a campaign to raise a total of $8 million.

The Ross Eye Institute will consist of a free-standing facility within the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and a dynamic program of basic research at the Medical School’s south Campus. Several new physician scientists will be recruited.

With the construction of the new Eye Institute, Dr. Reynolds and the Department of Ophthalmology plan to establish offices at the new research facility. At the new facility Dr Reynolds and faculty will conduct applied vision research, educate residents and medical students, and provide patient care in cooperation with the Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired. The site also will provide community education to patients, practicing physicians and other health professionals.

Dr. Reynolds and his wife, Kathleen Lindell, grew up in rural Western New York. After training and working in other great cities, they returned to the Buffalo area in 1988. They have two sons, Andrew, a sophomore at U.B. and Nicholas, a sophomore at Amherst High. Said Reynolds, “We love to live and work here. Great things can be accomplished by people with vision and courage working together. We just have to dream and do.”