Johns Hopkins Announces $10 Million Gift to Establish AI Innovation Center at Wilmer Eye Institute

James and Heather Gills have generously donated $10 million to the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Medicine to establish the James P. Gills Jr., M.D., & Heather Gills Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center.

Dr. James Gills, a world-renowned ophthalmologist who trained as a resident at Wilmer in the 1960s, is celebrated for pioneering small-incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation, which have become the gold standard in cataract treatment.

The Gillses are long-time supporters of Wilmer, previously funding endowed professorships, including the James P. Gills Professorship in Ophthalmology, held by Neil Bressler, M.D., and the James and Heather Gills Rising Professor of Ophthalmology, held by Michael Sulewski Jr., M.D.

Their latest donation will fund the creation of the AI Innovation Center, a collaborative hub dedicated to advancing research, education, and patient care through artificial intelligence. The center’s mission is to enhance vision preservation and eliminate blindness for patients with diverse eye conditions. The center will be led by T.Y. Alvin Liu, M.D., a retina faculty member and the inaugural James P. Gills Jr., M.D., & Heather Gills Rising Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology.

“What sets Wilmer apart is the breadth and depth of our current AI endeavors, from fundamental model development to translational implementation of AI clinical tools to advocacy for AI policies at the national level,” says Dr. Liu. “This transformational gift will significantly expand Wilmer’s AI capabilities, ensuring our leadership in this once-in-a-lifetime AI revolution.”

The new center will integrate clinical expertise, scientific resources, and infrastructure to harness AI across research, medical education, and patient care. Core values of openness, sustainability, and collaboration will guide its initiatives, fostering an inclusive and innovative environment for investigators.

Peter McDonnell, M.D., director of the Wilmer Eye Institute and the William Holland Wilmer Professor of Ophthalmology, expressed gratitude for the Gillses’ generosity. “We are honored by this gift, which will empower future generations of innovators and forever link the names of these extraordinary individuals to the Wilmer Eye Institute and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,” he said.

Reflecting on their philanthropy, Dr. James Gills remarked, “For a century, the Wilmer Institute has shaped the field of ophthalmology and trained leaders worldwide. Heather and I are delighted to contribute to the acceleration of Wilmer’s efforts to improve eye care for future generations in America and beyond.”

Read the Official Announcement