James V. Aquavella, MD was the first fellowship trained cornea surgeon when he was recruited to Rochester by the then Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester, John Gipner, MD. He had trained at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Naples School of Medicine, Kings County Hospital, Harvard’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and the Schepens Research Institute. He subsequently founded and became first president of the Cornea Society; President of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology; Director of the Eye Bank Association of America; consultant to the Food and Drug Administration; and Director of Tissue Banks International.