Dr. Howard Gimbel is an ophthalmologist and pioneer in out-patient cataract and refractive eye surgery.
Born in Calgary in 1934, Dr. Gimbel grew up on a farm near Beiseker, about 100 kilometres northeast of Calgary. He earned a B.A. in Physics from Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington, and received his doctorate in medicine and a Masters in Public Health from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California. He completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at the White Memorial Medical Centre in Los Angeles and began his private practice in Alberta in 1964. Dr. Gimbel began outpatient surgery in 1980 with the opening of the Gimbel Eye Centre and subsequently, the Gimbel Eye Surgical Centre was opened in 1984.
Dr. Gimbel was the first ophthalmologist in Canada to use phacoemulsification for the removal of cataracts. He is the developer of the Continuous-Tear Capsulotomy technique and the Divide and Conquer phacoemulsification technique, which are accepted as international standards of excellence for their safety and effectiveness. The centre attracts a large number of Canadian and international ophthalmologists to observe his surgical skills and advanced methods of care delivery.
The centre, in conjunction with the Gimbel Eye Foundation, supports and promotes education, service and medical research. Clinical research by the centre’s ophthalmologists, research physicians and assistants has resulted in numerous scientific publications.
The Foundation has produced award-winning patient education videos and surgical teaching tapes. Dr. Gimbel has also served as a guest lecturer at medical associations and schools around the world.
Dr. Gimbel has served as a member of many associations and societies which include the Alberta Medical Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the International Intraocular Implant Club.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada), and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and Associate Clinical Professor at Loma Linda University.
Committed to providing the best medical care and education with the finest available equipment, Dr. Gimbel has combined technical excellence with the art of caring in an atmosphere of open co-operative communication. His dedication to the service of mankind has raised the standard of care in this province and his innovative techniques have placed him clearly at the forefront of modern cataract surgery in the world. Dr. Gimbel has distinguished himself as a caring physician, a skilled surgeon and an effective teacher.