WBRC Research Psychologist Retiring after 40 Years

Photo: Dr. Goodrich working with the NVT Light Panel

WBRC would like to congradulate Dr. Greggory Goodrich on his upcoming retirement.  Dr. Goodrich has worked at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care system for over 40 years.  Dr. Goodrich received his PhD in Experimental Psychology in 1974 from Washington State University. He has been an active member of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired serving as its president, and past president. He also has served as a member of the research advisory committee of Lighthouse International and a member of the national program advisory committee of the American Foundation for the Blind.

His dedication and commitment to ensuring service delivery excellence by conducting studies which support clinical rehabilitation programs never wavered during his tenure. Dr. Goodrich’s numerous publications chronicle his interests in low vision, technology, and mobility, as well as outcome assessments.  Dr. Gregory Goodrich was the recipient of the 2009 Olin E. Teague Award, a national award that recognizes contributions in an area of utmost importance to VA’s mission: the rehabilitation and improvement in the quality of life of war-injured Veterans. He received the award in conjunction with Dr. Glenn Cockerham, for their ground-breaking efforts in the care of Veterans injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In 2011 Dr. Goodrich received the 'Tiresias' award from the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR). The award was presented in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 10th International Low Vision Conference. The award, the first time it was given, recognized Dr. Goodrich’s major role in the development of the field of rehabilitation and research on visual impairment.  The award is named after the mythical character Tiresias, who was blinded by Hera. To compensate him for his loss of vision, Zeus gave him the gift of prophecy. Tiresias is mentioned in the Odyssey, when Odysseus was sent to the underworld to consult him. All in all, an interesting bit of mythology is attributed to Dr. Goodrich.

Dr. Goodrich will be retiring the first week in October.  We at the WBRC wish him all the best in his well earned retirment!

WBRC's Dr. Gregory Goodrich Recognized Internationally

Photograph of Dr. Goodrich accepting the 'Tiresias' Award at the

2011 ISLRR 10th Annual International Low Vision Conference

Dr. Gregory Goodrich, Supervisory Research Psychologist and Optometric Research Fellowship Coordinator, received the 'Tiresias' award from the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR). The award was presented in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 10th International Low Vision Conference. The award, the first time it was given, recognized Dr. Goodrich’s major role in the development of the field of rehabilitation and research on visual impairment.

The award will be given every three years and is named after the mythical character Tiresias, who was blinded by Hera. To compensate him for his loss of vision, Zeus gave him the gift of prophecy. Tiresias is mentioned in the Odyssey, when Odysseus was sent to the underworld to consult him. All in all, an interesting bit of mythology is attributed to him.

Dr. Gregory Goodrich is also the recipient of the 2009 Olin E. Teague Award, a national award that recognizes contributions in an area of utmost importance to VA’s mission: the rehabilitation and improvement in the quality of life of war-injured Veterans. He received the award in conjunction with Dr. Glenn Cockerham, for their ground-breaking efforts in the care of Veterans injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

WBRC RESEARCHER HONORED WITH AWARD

Director Lisa Freeman and Drs. Cockerham and Goodrich,

middle, right, and far right,

receive the Olin Teague Award from

VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich, far left,

and Olin Teague's daugther Mrs. Jill Cochran

at the Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Two researchers for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Palo Alto, Calif., were recognized with the Olin Teague Award for their research in vision issues that led to improved eye and vision injury examination techniques for Veterans.
"VA has identified these techniques as 'best practices' and now requires eye exams for all patients with traumatic brain injury at VA poly trauma centers," said VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich at the awards ceremony on Capitol Hill.
Gingrich presented Dr. Gregory Goodrich, research psychologist, and Dr. Glenn Cockerham, chief of ophthalmology, with the 2009 Olin Teague Award, a national award that recognizes contributions in an area critical to the rehabilitation and improvement in the quality of life of war-injured Veterans.

Click HERE for a link to the VA PRESS RELEASE