Advancing the future of retina and eye care: the Richard S. Munsen, M.D. Professorship
To honor a career defined by compassion, clinical excellence, and mentorship, Dr. Richard S. Munsen and his wife, Deidra Wager, together with generous support from a small group of grateful patients, have established the Richard S. Munsen, M.D. Professorship in Ophthalmology. This endowed position recognizes Dr. Munsen’s extraordinary legacy as a retina specialist, educator, and humanitarian. Over the course of his career, he has touched countless lives through his dedication to preserving sight and guiding the next generation of ophthalmologists.
Dr. Munsen began his practice in Seattle in 1980 at the Eye Clinic of Seattle and went on to become the founding partner of Vitreoretinal Associates in 1982, where he practiced until 2006. That same year, he joined the University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology as a clinical assistant professor and clinician at the UW Medicine Eye Institute, seeing patients two days per week and spending the rest of his time performing surgeries and mentoring medical trainees. In 2011, Dr. Munsen played a key role in establishing the Community Advisory Board for the Eye Institute, helping strengthen ties between the clinic and the broader community.
Beyond his work in Seattle, Dr. Munsen volunteered in China and with the Himalayan Cataract Project’s Cure Blindness initiative in Nepal, performing surgeries while teaching local physicians in real-time. These global efforts reflect his deep belief in the power of shared knowledge to improve care and expand access to vision-saving treatment around the world.
The Richard S. Munsen, M.D. Professorship, is designed to support retina clinician-scientists who, like Dr. Munsen, are committed to balancing patient care, academic research, and medical education. By investing in emerging leaders in retinal care, the fund ensures that Dr. Munsen’s values—compassion, excellence, and service—continue to shape the future of ophthalmology. The gift he and Deidra Wager have made is a celebration of a life dedicated to healing and teaching, and it opens new possibilities for vision care worldwide.
In addition to establishing the professorship, Dr. Munsen is also supporting a scholarship at St. Olaf College, his alma mater, for underserved students, underscoring his generous spirit and broad philanthropic vision. Whether advancing medical care, mentoring future physicians, or expanding access to education, Dr. Munsen is deeply committed to giving back and making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
To donate to the Richard S. Munsen, M.D. Professorship in Ophthalmology, visit - Richard S Munsen Fund
