Posted by: Eric Frick
Post Date: 18 July 2026
The award was presented during the World Eye Bank Symposium (WEBS2026) in Prague, Czech Republic, on 25 June 2026, where Collin was honoured for his outstanding contributions to the international eye banking community.
GAEBA is proud to announce our 2026 Dr. Paul Dubord award for international eyebanking has been awarded to Collin Ross of Eversight. Collin Ross began his career in eye banking nearly 30 years ago. After earning his Master of Public Management in International Security and Economic Policy in 1995, he began his career at a Washington, D.C. consulting firm, where he developed expertise in global economic analysis and information systems modernization. When he joined Eversight — then called Midwest Eye Banks — in 1997, he brought that same modernizing spirit with him. Collin overhauled the organization’s computer and internet infrastructure and led a comprehensive renovation of Eversight’s eye banking facility and laboratory spaces. The result: a facility that became the national benchmark and continues to welcome visitors from around the world.
In 2013, Collin took on leadership of Eversight’s global development team, overseeing surgical tissue distribution to patients in more than 30 countries annually. His impact has extended beyond logistics: he helped establish the first U.S.-owned and operated eye bank outside the country in Seoul, South Korea, and spearheaded a collaboration with Pakistani medical professionals to launch a revitalized national eye banking network. His long-term focus on building self-sufficient eye bank systems in partner countries earned him an Eye Health Hero award from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness in 2018. Collin has also been a foundational voice in GAEBA since its 2014 inception, contributing to the Barcelona Principles and GAEBA Medical Standards.
When asked what receiving this award meant to him, Collin had this to say. “This award is a tremendous honor that’s made even more meaningful coming from such distinguished peers in our profession. Having known Dr. Dubord and seen his global impact firsthand, I am especially honored to carry on his legacy of sight restoration and service to those in need. I am also deeply grateful to Dr. David Verdier for his sponsorship of this award.” Thank you to Collin for his continued work in sight restoration through the gift of sight and eye banking.