All About Giving

by Nancy Meyers

Giving comes naturally to James P. Gills, M.D., founder and director of St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute. In fact his faith-based life’s doctrine revolves around this generosity of spirit. “Philanthropy frees you from the idea that you live your life by how much you accumulate,” he says. “All of us have a small amount compared with the tremendous needs around us. So you have to give to what you love.”

He’s given abundantly through his chosen profession, having performed more cataract and lens implant surgeries than any other eye surgeon in the world. In 1974, he became the first eye surgeon in the U.S. to dedicate his practice in Tarpon Springs, Florida, to cataract treatment using intraocular lenses. In 2004, he bequeathed $2 million to the Duke Eye Center for a research endowment; in appreciation, Duke named a portion of the Albert Eye Research Institute the Heather and James Gills Research Floor. “His contributions to medicine and to philanthropy inspire so many others to contribute,” says Rebecca Auman, Director of Development at the Duke Eye Center and the Albert Eye Research Institute. “He’s all about giving. We consider him a great friend.”

For his work in more than 70 ministries and organizations, Dr. Gills has received multiple honors, including the 2007 Frederick E. Fisher Humanitarian Award, the Duke University 2005 Humanitarian Award, and the 2002 William Carey Award for Extraordinary Leadership and Service in World Missions, from Trinity College. Early this summer, Dr. Gills was inducted into Johns Hopkins’ Society of Scholars and was awarded the institution’s highest honor, the Johns Hopkins Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award.

Through his involvement with International Cooperating Ministries, a non-profit, trans-denominational Christian organization, Dr. Gills has helped fund 350 churches out of the 2,500 that ICM has built, has donated money to Medical Ministry International to build 18 hospitals throughout the world, and contributed toward another 1,000. Dr. Gills will say, “Together, we’ve developed a way to get help to the people in great need without any bureaucracy.” But Robert Leatherwood, area director of Hampton, Virginia-based ICM, says, “James Gills is an amazing man. He’s the real deal. A guy who loves to offer matches. The reason for that, I gather, is that he likes to encourage others to give with his giving.”

But the doctor’s talents and interests extend far beyond the confines of his career and charitable ventures. A prolific author, a voracious reader, and a spiritual scholar, Dr. Gills draws inspiration from the likes of Irish author C.S. Lewis – in particular The Four Loves and its chapter on Charity. He has published more than 190 medical articles and authored or co-authored 14 books on ophthalmology. He has also penned 18 books focused on Christian living, with more than 7 million distributed throughout the U.S. prison system, where his titles are among the most requested.

“The good choices are what determine the good part of life,” Dr. Gills says. “Good people usually have good lives. A lot of it is caring for others and being selfless, being a servant.” The book he hears most about was one he thought was a total flop, The Unseen Essential. “I just didn’t think it would get to people. But it has reached people when they’re going through hard times. The books all come down to the fact that we have choices, and our choices determine who we are and our convictions determine our choices,” he says. “Faith is what we don’t see but believe in; it’s our convictions, and our convictions make us who we are.”

Dr. Gills is also a highly accomplished endurance athlete. As the owner of the World Triathlon Corporation, he has competed in 46 marathons, 30 triathlons, five Ironman events, six Double Irons and fourteen 100-mile races.

Asked about the future, Dr. Gills has no intention of retiring. “I delight in practicing medicine, because it’s a great way to help other people.” He has instilled the giving spirit in his son and daughter as well. Both have been involved in overseas ministries. His daughter Shea and her husband, Shane, help build overseas orphanage ministries in India and Indonesia. His son Pit Gills, MD has participated in medical missions to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Ophthalmologist Dr. Pit has also followed his father’s medical footsteps by joining St. Luke’s staff in 2001 after receiving his medical degree from Duke University Medical Center.

Ultimately, it’s Dr. Gills’ longstanding commitment to service that he credits with a rich and fulfilling life. “You get a little meaning out of life as you go along,” he says. “A lot of people look for substance and sustenance. So much of our development is submitting ourselves to being servants. I think that’s the essence of life.”