FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Contact: Leah C. Payne, Director of Public Affairs, Schools of Medicine & Pharmacy, 304-691-1713

Marshall University School of Medicine announces new administrative chair of ophthalmology 
Highly respected local physician and alumnus to take position 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dr. R. Mark Hatfield, a Charleston-based retina specialist, has been appointed administrative chairman of Marshall University’s department of ophthalmology.

 Dr. Joseph I. Shapiro, dean of the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, said the appointment is effective today.

 “We are thrilled to have Dr. Hatfield join us at Marshall,” Shapiro said.  “He is an accomplished, successful, private practice physician whose expertise, both clinically and in business, will be a tremendous asset as Marshall navigates the bold new world of health care and medical education.”

 Hatfield earned a doctor of optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry before graduating from the Marshall University School of Medicine in 1983.  He completed a surgical internship at Marshall, an ophthalmology residency at the University of Illinois School of Medicine and a vitreoretinal fellowship at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s in Chicago.

 He is the founder of Retina Consultants, which has five locations in West Virginia.

 “I am very pleased to accept this new position at my alma mater,” Hatfield said. “Making health care more accessible to those across this region is very important to me. I look forward to working with Dr. Shapiro and others at Marshall to not only continue the mission of educating doctors for Appalachia, but also expanding clinical services in the area.”

 Hatfield has received dozens of honors and awards, including the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary Distinguished Alumnus Award and the 2013 Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus.

 In addition to his medical practice, Hatfield is a busy lecturer who has presented at a number of professional meetings, including ones sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control, the West Virginia Optometric Association and the West Virginia Academy of Ophthalmology.

 Marshall’s department of ophthalmology, located at 5187 U.S. 60 E. in Huntington, is a referral center for eye surgery and eye disease including cataract evaluation and surgery, diabetic eye care and treatment, glaucoma evaluation and treatment as well as ocular injures, emergency eye care and comprehensive diagnostic services. 

 Hatfield replaces Michael A. Krasnow, D.O., Ph.D. who has retired as chairman, but will continue to serve as a professor in the department. 

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Date Posted: Wednesday, July 2, 2014