Dear Friends and Patients,
It is with deep regret and sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend and mentor, Michael Colvard, on September 18, 2024. As the founder of the Colvard Eye Center, Dr. Colvard has been the heart and soul of our practice for over 40 years. His unwavering support touched each of us, both professionally and personally.
Dr. Colvard cared for us as patients, colleagues, and friends. His influence extended far beyond our practice, shaping the field of ophthalmology through his dedication to education, innovation, and research. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of compassion, excellence, and vision that will continue to inspire all who knew him. It is hard to imagine our practice and our lives without him.
His ethical values, selflessness, and profound concern for others anchored us all. He taught us not only how to be better professionals but how to live with integrity and kindness. Words cannot capture the depth of our grief at this loss. True to Dr. Colvard’s humble nature, he requested that there be no funeral.
In light of this difficult time, we kindly ask that you refrain from calling the office. We will be reaching out to each patient to reschedule appointments, and we appreciate your understanding as we navigate this process. If you have an appointment within the next three weeks and have not yet heard from us, please feel free to get in touch.
For those wishing to make a gesture of support, a donation to Friends of Vision on Dr. Colvard’s behalf would be a fitting way to honor his memory. We will continue his legacy of philanthropic work and hold him in our hearts always.
Rest in peace, Mike, knowing how much you are loved and forever cherished in our hearts and souls.
With deepest sympathy,
Rom Kandavel
Justin Dredge
Steve Rabinowitz
Steven Yoon
Dr. Colvard’s Obituary for the MAYO Clinic
Lovingly prepared by his life long friend Dr. Don Serafano
Submitted October 8, 2024
Dr. D. Michael Colvard, a beloved ophthalmologist, humanitarian, and educator, passed away September, 2024 from metastatic prostate cancer. Born and raised in Georgia, Mike’s journey in medicine began at Emory University where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and later earned his medical degree with AOA honors. He then went to Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston for a 1-year internship. His passion for ophthalmology was ignited during his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. It was there that we met on a cold and snowy January 1, 1975 to begin our first day of ophthalmology residency together.
We immediately bonded and this began our nearly 50 years of trusted friendship and professional collaborations.
After completing his residency, Mike pursued an oculoplastic fellowship under Dr. Robert Waller at Mayo before embarking on a distinguished career focused on anterior segment surgery and lens-based technology. He worked alongside David Dulaney in Phoenix AZ and later Richard Kratz MD in Van Nuys CA.
At this point, Mike and I were living and working close enough to visit regularly and assist each other in surgery. He encouraged me to join him on the volunteer faculty at Keck-USC School of Medicine where we helped residents in cataract surgery and lectured at Doheny meetings.
Mike opened his private practice in Encino, California and later formed the Colvard-Kandavel Eye Center with Rom Kandavel MD.
Throughout his career, Mike was a prolific contributor to the field of ophthalmology, publishing 58 scientific papers, publishing 9 transcripts from symposia and interviews, 142 scientific presentations and courses, and writing a textbook “Achieving Excellence in Cataract Surgery”.
He always had an innovative mind. He developed the Colvard Pupillometer to help evaluate pupil size in low light prior to laser vision correction. He also developed key surgical techniques and instruments for cataract surgery.
Mike’s commitment to humanitarian work was evident in devoting many years to serving the community of Namibia through his Friends of Vision Foundation, where he performed surgery on hundreds on individuals. His non-profit organization led to the restoration of vision for over 10,000 patients on over 35 mission trips. He established the Mwadinohmo School alongside a thriving farm that engaged and empowered local families.
Mike also had a passion for education and a deep concern for literacy among children. He founded a reading program called Pup’s Quest, aimed at addressing the alarming rates of illiteracy among elementary school-aged kids. Over the course of more than a decade, he poured his heart into this initiative to pass on his love of reading.
Mike’s contributions to ophthalmology and his community earned him numerous accolades including the Honor Award AAO, IIIC membership, Senior Achievement award AAO, distinguished Alumnus Award UCLA Doheny Eye Institute, Humanitarian of the Year – SEE International, LA County-USC Faculty Teaching Award-Dept of Ophthalmology, and the Strampelli Award- Italian Ophthalmological Society.
Mike will be deeply missed for his commitment to his profession, his kindness, his passion for helping others, and for his gentle humility.