Koby named to Atherton Hall of Fame

Atherton High School will honor Melvyn Koby, a retired ophthalmologist and member of Louisville’s Jewish community, at its 12th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet Thursday, September 19.

Koby, class of 1956, will share the stage with 10 other distinguished alumni, including former metro councilman and mayoral candidate, Hal Heiner. Since 2002, Atherton has inducted 138 teachers, principals, coaches and former students into its hall of fame, including such luminaries as author Sue Grafton, guitarist David Grissom, Metro Councilman Tom Owen and Congressman John Yarmuth.

“Atherton has a long history in this community and honoring these distinguished alumni and teachers not only recognizes the contributions of Atherton, but also inspires future generations,” said Nicholas G. Gardner, Atherton Alumni Association president.

Koby graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in chemistry and attended medical school at the University of Louisville’s School of Medicine. He completed an internship and a year of internal medicine at Barnes Hospital at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, then went into the Air Force during the Vietnam War with the rank of captain.

He started his ophthalmology practice in 1971 in Louisville and then founded the Doctors Eye Institute and Surgery Center and The Right to Sight program. Koby was one of the first ophthalmologists in the U.S. to perform refractive surgery, including LASIK, and did the first cataract operation with the implantation of an intraocular lens in the area.

He retired this January after 42 years of active practice and is now an associate professor of medicine at UofL. He’s active in the Department of Ophthalmology and works with its eye residents.

The induction ceremony will be at 6 p.m. in the Galt House Hotel and Suites, Grand Ballroom A. Call Gardner at 568-4267 or go to www.athertonalumni.com to purchase tickets.