Eye doctor wins award

At the time, he was one of about 16 members of a new group of physicians nationwide who called themselves the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Eventually, Dr. Stasior would become the group's second president.

As the decades came and went, Dr. Stasior kept his practice going and growing. He joined the medical staffs of Albany Memorial Hospital, Childs Hospital, Albany Medical Center and the Veteran's Administration. Eventually, he became chief of the Eye Department at both Albany Memorial and Childs. He was an active member of Childs Hospital Board of Governors and the Childs Hospital Foundation. For many years, he was the only eye surgeon in Albany on-call at all the hospitals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Pioneer

"My whole passion was to develop eye plastic and reconstructive surgery into a field of medicine," he explained. "I wanted to make a difference."

His work with young students at universities worldwide has helped to increase the quality of teaching in the field of eye plastic surgery. According to Dr. Stasior, there is little known or understood about the process of eye plastic and reconstructive surgery. He believes that it is important to pass on to others the knowledge that he and his colleagues have gained through their experiences over the past 40 years.

Sharing knowledge

He feels that the Society has grown from its original handful of members to its current membership of 400 due to the chance that he and his original colleagues have had to teach doctors who made the decision to enter this unique field of medicine.

"Over the years, I have had the opportunity to personally train many new plastic surgeons," said Dr. Stasior. "It is wonderful to see them carry on this field of endeavor."

Volunteer efforts

"We are always happy to organize free vision and glaucoma screenings," he said, referring to himself and his son who is also an ophthalmologist. "I would love to start there and eventually work up to a full health fair, in conjunction with St. Pius X and possibly another parish or a group of parishes.

"I feel that my role as a doctor is to be of service to my community. First of all, a physician has to have the support of his wife and family. My wonderful wife and children have always supported my efforts, and it is due to that continued support from them, as well as from my wonderful patients, that I have been able to spend the past 40 years serving my community."

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