Family Tradition

Many families have traditions that form a common thread, often spanning generations. For Mary Ann Jensen, her family tradition is rooted in the field of ophthalmology. Her father was an ophthalmologist and ear, nose, and throat specialist. In those days, physicians underwent a one-year training program to learn both specialties. 

Mary Ann fondly recalls assisting her father as he “simulated” eye surgeries using grapes. Sophisticated training equipment was unavailable, so doctors improvised with what they had. His expertise proved invaluable when he diagnosed Mary Ann with amblyopia, an ophthalmologic condition that permanently and significantly impaired her vision in one eye. 

Decades later, Mary Ann chose GBMC as her family healthcare provider, with all three of her children born at the hospital. She continued to manage her eye health through routine check-ups with former GBMC ophthalmologist Dr. Anthony Kameen. 

Mary Ann vividly remembers a particular emergency when she was experiencing issues with her “good” eye. Initially attributing the problem to stress or fatigue, she sought advice from her daughter, Allison, who was then in medical school. Though early in her training, Allison recognized the seriousness of the situation and urged her mother to contact Dr. Kameen for an urgent exam. 

Dr. Kameen quickly identified the condition as a retinal detachment, a serious threat to Mary Ann’s vision. He understood the potential outcome — blindness in the affected eye — which would have been devastating, given her preexisting limitations in the other eye. Dr Kameen immediately referred her to Dr. James Kelley, a comprehensive ophthalmologist and retina specialist at the time, who performed surgery to repair her retina at 11:00 p.m. that same day. Dr. Kelley spent his entire career at GBMC practicing with Dr. Richard Hoover, founding Chair of the Ophthalmology Department. 

Dr. Kelley’s prompt and expert intervention efficiently spared Mary Ann’s sight. Today, she remains grateful, enjoying near-perfect vision in her only seeing eye, thanks to Dr. Kelley’s skill and dedication. 

The family’s tradition continued with Mary Ann’s daughter, Dr. Allison Jensen, who pursued a career in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus. Allison always envisioned working at GBMC but took time to broaden her experience, completing her residency at Northwestern University, a fellowship at the University of Minnesota, and working in private practice in Baltimore. In 2008, she joined GBMC at the invitation of Dr. Mary Louise Z. Collins, then Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, now Chair of Ophthalmology. 

When Allison invited her mother to learn more about the Founders Building and the planned expansion of Ophthalmology, Mary Ann was reminded of her gratitude to Dr. Kelley and GBMC years earlier. The idea of honoring her father by naming a space in his memory held profound meaning for the Jensen family.