LDS leader, U. professor are honored for 'Vision'

SALT LAKE CITY — At Thursday's Friends For Sight People of Vision Awards Dinner, it was clear to see why 2010 honorees Bishop H. David Burton, presiding bishop for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Dr. Anne Osborn Poelman, a professor at the University of Utah, Presidential Endowed Chair in Radiology, and founder and president of Amirsys Publishing Inc., were selected.

Both honorees lay claim to many accomplishments and successes in their personal and professional lives, but it truly was their humility in accepting the evening's honors and the sharing of their genuine visions of compassion, education and service that reminded attendees the proper focus of life. Both spoke at the fundraising dinner about service, family, faith and relationships as the center point of humanity's purpose in life.

Bishop Burton was honored this year for his work with revitalizing downtown Salt Lake City, his humanitarian efforts and overall community service. Poelman was honored for her service, research and contributions to the medical community.

As Bishop Burton spoke, he shared how his grandmother would call him a sight for sore eyes. As he continued, he expressed gratitude for modern medical technology, for sight, service and closed his remarks by reminding guests about true compassionate service by sharing the classic scriptural verse in Matthew 25:37-40, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Poelman shared her vision through a brief speech, but in her honorary video, she truly shined. "I believe in true science and true religion, at the bottom, truth is truth," said Poleman. Continuing she added, "Family, relationships, faith, those are forever."

The dinner drew more than 450 supporters.

Since 1982, the organization has honored both a man and a woman in the community, selected by the organization's board to receive the award. The criteria are simple, the nominees must be visionary leaders in the community. Started in 1955, the organization has served over a million pairs of eyes throughout Utah through many volunteers and supporters.

"It's very rewarding to work with all different types of people, We test eyes, get glasses and people may forget they had a vision screening from Friends for Sight, but our screening will have an impact on them for the rest of their life," said Colleen Malouf, Friends For Sight president and CEO.

For more information about Friends For Sight, visit www.friendsforsight.org.