New historic marker tells the story of Roanoke ophthalmology pioneer Elbyrne Gill

New historic marker tells the story of Roanoke ophthalmology pioneer Elbyrne Gill

A new historic marker was unveiled Friday in Roanoke that tells the story of Elbyrne Gill, who founded the first specialty hospital and first eye bank in Virginia. Gill also started the first post-graduate courses offered in ophthalmology in the country.  Gill, who is from Bedford County, founded the Gill Memorial Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat Hospital on Jefferson Street in 1926. In 1976, the hospital was acquired by Roanoke Memorial Hospital.  “Th…