Biography
George Robert Beauchamp, MD, was born in Pontiac, MI in 1942. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BS in Physiology, and received his medical degree at Northwestern University School of Medicine. While serving his country in the United States Army, George continued his education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he completed his internship and residency. He pursued his fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology and corneal surgery in Washington, DC at Children’s Hospital National Medical Center and the Washington Eye Center, under the tutelage of the late Dr. Marshall M. Parks, a lifelong mentor and friend.
Dr. Beauchamp worked both in private practice, in Washington, D.C., and in the department of ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic. In 1991, he relocated to private practice in Dallas, TX, and would later be joined by his daughter, Dr. Cynthia L. Beauchamp.
Dr. Beauchamp served as a Director of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and of the American Board of Ophthalmology (1981 through 1988). He was Chairman of the Ethics Committee for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, where he taught ethics. Dr. Beauchamp was a member of the American Ophthalmological Society. He served as President and subsequently Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Eye Foundation. He traveled extensively internationally to teach, mentor and perform charitable surgery throughout his career. Dr. Beauchamp published over 80 articles in peer reviewed medical journals, including several book chapters. In 2007, he published his book, Slaves to Medicine. His research included performance measures applied to medical outcomes. He approached each problem with great curiosity and intellect, choosing always to work to get from ‘curious’ to ‘grateful’ in every endeavor.
In 1984, Dr. Beauchamp joined the Board of Directors of the Children’s Eye Foundation and for the next 30 years, the CEF was an abiding passion for Dr. Beauchamp. After serving on several committees, including the Executive Committee, Dr. Beauchamp was elected President of the CEF in 1987. He worked tirelessly to create programs and funding to end preventable vision loss in children. Under his leadership, the CEF became the foundation of AAPOS, providing educational research and public service programs for children, their parents, and pediatric ophthalmology. In 2003, Dr. Beauchamp was named Chairman of the Board and CEO of the CEF.
He lived in Dallas, TX, with his wife of 48 years, Suzanne, and was endlessly proud to be the father of his loving daughters, Christine M. Beauchamp and Dr. Cynthia L. Beauchamp (Dirk Fisher) and his four grandsons: Kyle, Chase and Finn Fisher and George R. Beauchamp, II. He adored his family and spending peaceful time with them at the summer home he designed on Long Pond Lake in the woods of Maine. His unfailing optimism and joy of life were gifts to all who knew him.