Mr. Richard S. Ruiz, M.D.
Class of 1951

Dr. Richard S. Ruiz was born in Houston on July 12, 1932. Dr. Ruiz graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1951 and attended Texas A&M University for undergraduate studies and, following his father's footsteps, received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

He entered private practive in 1962 after attending the Wayne State Kresge Eye Institute and Harvard Medical School. At the age of 35, Dick was appointed Chief of Ophthalmology at Hermann Hospital, a position he still holds. He founded the Hermann Eye Fund in 1967, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching, research, and care for indigent patients. He was appointed Chairman of the University of Texas Medical Branch when it was established in Houston. Since 1989, he has been Chief of Ophthalmology at the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. He is past president of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology.

Dick has published over one hundred articles and has made hundreds of medical and scientific presentations during his career. He has been honored with the Ashbel Smith Distinguised Alimni Award of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The Eye Exhibit at the Museum of Health and Medical Science is dedicated to his honor. Dick served this community as a member of the board of numerous organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Board of Trustees, the Museum of Health and Medical Science, The Kinkaid School, Harris County Heritage Society, YMCA Downtown, and the St. Thomas High School Foundation Board. He has the honor of holding the John S. Dunn Distinguished University Chair of Ophthalmology, the first distinguished university chair in the University of Texas System.

Dick and his wife Yvonne have three daughters and twin son along with two grandchildren. The twins, Robert and Raymond, are members of the St. Thomas High School graduating class of 1978. Other members of his family who graduated from St. Thomas include his late brother John J. Ruiz, Jr. '49 and nephews John III '81 and Kennety '82.