Arthur Hail Keeney, M.D. (1920-1996)

Twentieth Dean, 1973-1980

M.D., University of Louisville, 1944

Arthur H. Keeney, M.D., a native of Louisville, graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1941, the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1944 and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School (M.Sc. 1952; and D.Sc. 1955).  He served his internship and an initial residency at the Louisville General Hospital and in South Korea as an Army physician.  He was resident surgeon at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, then began private practice in Louisville and held a position as Associate Professor at the Medical School.

In 1965, Dr. Keeney returned to the Wills Eye Hospital as Ophthalmologist-in-Chief and served as Chairman of Ophthalmology at Temple University.  He returned to Louisville in 1973 as Dean of the School of Medicine and Professor of Ophthalmology.  He served as associate editor of The American Journal of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology, and Excerpta Medica and was elected to the American Ophthalmological Society.  He served on several national safety boards, contributing to the development of plastic eyeglasses, eye testing standards for drivers, safer windshields and the introduction of safety belts in automobiles.  His publications included more than 150 articles and three books:  Chronology of Ophthalmic Development (1951), Lens Material in the Prevention of Eye Injuries (1958), and Ocular Examination:  Basis and Technique (1970-1976), and three edited volumes.  He received the 11^th Lucien Howe Gold Medal in 1973 for Education in Ophthalmology. 

During his deanship, Dr. Keeney launched the Professional Practice Plan.  Under his leadership, the faculty tripled their production of new scientific literature, and the School attained maximum accreditation in 1980.