Dr. William Sanderson "Sandy" Grizzard

William Sanderson Grizzard, "Sandy," passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida, early on the morning of December 8, 2011. He was a prominent and well-respected ophthalmologist and retina specialist locally, nationally, and internationally. Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, he graduated from Emory University and the University of Miami, School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in ophthalmology at the University of South Florida, College of Medicine, after which he traveled widely, obtaining fellowship level training in ophthalmo-genetics and retinal disease with August Deutman in the Netherlands. He went on to study vitreoretinal surgery with George Hilton and retinal genetics with James O'Donnell, both in San Francisco. In 1978 he joined the faculty of USF and soon after assumed directorship of the vitreoretinal service and the residency training program. In 1983 he established a private practice in Tampa while continuing his support of the university teaching program, eventually becoming a full clinical professor. His practice expanded to include locations in Lakeland, Plant City, and St. Petersburg. His clinical practice style was unusual for the times as he incorporated research into his private practice, which resulted in 67 scholarly publications, 132 medical professional presentations, 3 NIH grants and 12 private research grants. He pioneered pneumatic retinopexy with George Hilton and Paul Tornambe. Sandy was a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, was admitted to the academically exclusive Retina Society and the European retina society the Club Jules Gonin. His outspoken honesty and frankness coupled with keen sensitivity to the needs of others made him a natural leader. He became an early president (the 4th) of the Vitreous Society and remained actively engaged in the growth and maturation of the organization. Today the society is known as the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) and due to the inclusive membership policies Sandy championed it has become the largest and most influential retinal organization in the US and perhaps in the world. In recognition and appreciation of the many contributions to his field Sandy received the ASRS's first Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, as well as the Mentor's Lecture Award at the Third Annual Masters Meeting. As medicine in general became more complex, Sandy introduced modern business techniques such as service marketing, accrual accounting and 360 degree evaluations for the entire staff. To help him better understand the economic issues of medicine, he obtained a master's degree in economics from USF in 2009 while practicing full-time. Sandy's honesty, ethics and intellectual curiosity remain an integral part of the practice he originated. He and his long-time partner and dear friend, Mark Hammer, recruited Ivan Suner to help carry on the practice. He is professionally survived by them, a vital practice and a loving staff. Sandy is survived by his loving and devoted wife Leenetta (Lee) Blanton Grizzard and his sons Scott Sanderson and William Christopher (sons of Kathleen Grizzard) all of Tampa; his sister, Joy Hemstreet (Don), of Morganton, NC, and his nieces and nephew, Katie Moreau (Garth) of Pine Island, FL; Jon Hemstreet, M.D., Miami, FL; Amy Evans (SR) and Molly Hemstreet (Fransisco Risso), Morganton, NC; six great nieces and nephews; brother Leslie Grizzard (Jane), uncle Robert Harold Grizzard, cousins Carol Ann Sargeant (Dick) and Robert Harold Grizzard, II (Betsy) all of Lakeland. He was predeceased by his sister Woodley Grizzard Trussell. Sandy is also survived by Lee's family: mother-in-law Margaret G. Blanton, sisters-in-law Gerhie Richardson (Marc) of Santa Rosa, CA; Marabeth Blanton, Charlotte, NC; Molly Blanton (Carl Wilson), nephew Tyler Blanton Wilson, and niece Riley Blanton Wilson of Brandon; uncle James M. Gerhardt, Dallas, TX; "Aunt" Ann Hicks; and many other loving cousins. A visitation will be held at Blount-Curry Funeral Home, 604 S. MacDill, Friday, December 16, 2011, 6-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 412 E. Zack Street, Tampa, Florida, Saturday, December 17, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., the Reverends Fitz and Kathy Conner presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation either to the Foundation of the ASRS, W. Sanderson Grizzard Memorial Fund, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2030, Chicago, IL 60606; or a charity of your choice which will advance the Kingdom of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ. One of Sandy's favorites is Andrew Wommack Ministries Int'l., PO Box 3333, Colorado Springs, CO 80934-3333.