Dr. James John Corbett was born on July 2, 1940, in Chicago to a family of physicians (father, grandfather, and uncle). He spent his early days in Corbett Clinic in Chicago. He was interested in neuroscience early on as a college student at Brown University. He attended University of Chicago Medical School and did a 2-year internal medicine residency at Rhode Island Hospital followed by a 3 year neurology residency at Case Western Reserve. His chair, Dr. Joe Foley, sent him for 3 months to Dr. Bill Hoyt, and James came back to teach his fellow residents neuro-ophthalmology. He then spent 2 years in the Navy as a general neurologist. He went to Will’s Eye Hospital and Jefferson Medical School for 3 years with Dr. Norm Schatz, Dr Peter Savino, Dr. Linda Orr, and Dr. Tulay Kansu. He was recruited to the University of Iowa by Dr. Bob Rodnitzky in 1978 where he teamed up with Dr. Stan Thompson to form a first rate neuro-ophthalmology service at the University of Iowa for 13 years before being recruited to University of Mississippi in Jackson Mississippi.
James was a mentor to ALL of his fellows, residents, colleagues, and generous with attribution. He considered his greatest success was training residents and fellows. He is also known for his pioneering work in idiopathic intracra nial hypertension. He wrote more than 200 articles and chapters, 4 textbooks, and lectured all over the world. He was an Eagle Scout. He was an avid fly fisherman and collector of books. He became interested in ornithology.
James was an enthusiastic NANOS supporter who encouraged all fellows to attend the Walsh meeting and the initial Rocky Mountain Neuro-ophthalmology meeting before it became NANOS. He served on the NANOS board for 11 years (1985–1996), and he presented numerous lectures at NANOS and assisted in the formation of NANOS. He was honored by NANOS with the Distinguished Service Award (NANOS’ highest honor).
James leaves his family, Joyce Corbett (married 61 years), children John Corbett and his wife Terri Kapsalis, Jack Corbett and Emily Maynor Corbett, Jennifer and Jason Kapsalis, Jack Corbett and Emily Maynor Corbett. He also leaves all of us in neuro-ophthalmology.
Blessed be the memory of James J Corbett.