Dr. Bruce Spivey ’56 receives the Founders’ Medal
Dr. Bruce Spivey ’56 receives Coe's Founders' Medal
The Founders’ Medal is granted by the board of trustees to people of rare and exceptional distinction, both in their profession and in their service to Coe.
After graduating from Coe, Spivey attended medical school at the University of Iowa choosing to specialize in ophthalmology.
Following his ophthalmological residency, Spivey served in the United States Army Medical Corps, becoming the first American ophthalmologist in Vietnam. He also received a Bronze Star for his service.
He began his career teaching at the University of Iowa, then became the chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and dean of the School of Medical Sciences at the University of the Pacific. He also served as the CEO of California Pacific Medical Center.
Spivey was the first executive vice president and CEO for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He then served as CEO of Northwestern Healthcare Network, before taking the position of CEO at Columbia-Cornell Care. Spivey established the Pacific Vision Foundation, authored over 140 publications and received the 2015 Laureate Recognition Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In 2016 he was honored with the Coe College Alumni Award of Merit in recognition of his professional achievements and unfailing support for his alma mater.
“Bruce has given back to Coe in more ways than I can count including three decades of service as a trustee, then continued service as a life trustee. I am honored to call Bruce my friend, and I am so proud that he is one of our own. He is an inspiration to all of us,” President of Coe College David McInally said.
As the ninth recipient of the Founders’ Medal since its inception in 1976, Spivey joins the ranks of Paul Engle ’31 and William Shirer ’25 in 1976; F. Gaynor Evans ’31 and S. Donald Stookey ’36 in 1980; Don Ebinger ’47, Russell Knapp ’30 and William Whipple ’35 in 2001; and Marv Levy ’50 in 2017.