Our Story

Pierre Thomas, a historian well known Somainois and other northern residents, the challenge of writing the history of the Institute of Ophthalmic Somain since it was founded by Dr. Henri-Narcisse Dransart.

At the request of certain heirs of that physician, Real-PAUCHET Dransart, he undertook the work, despite the somewhat limited interest that this seemed to generate. He had a good reason: the history of the Institute is also part of the history of Somain, a page of life Somainois more than a century: is there more opportunity for a historian?

When I met Mr. PAUCHET after receipt of the first manuscript of Sir Thomas, I immediately agreed to the material realization of the document. We were helped by Mr. O'Connor, son of Mr. and Mrs. PAUCHET, who agreed to effect seizure of the project. Subsequently, after proofreading, corrections and last-minute additions from the author and Drs André van Houtte, and Michel Vanhoutte, we decided to freeze the text as it relates to the history from the foundation up to the period before the departure of the Augustinian Sisters and that of Dr. Michel VANHOUTTE.

Mr. Thomas was easily persuaded to extend the usefulness of the approach to the history of XXI century.

We thank him for all past work and future, with a rigor that makes almost "surgical" with passion and generosity. I have the opportunity given to him by expressing my respectful consideration.

I also thank all those who, far or near, have contributed to the development of this document. PAUCHET family, first of all, without which nothing would have been done. Drs Van Houtte, and Vanhoutte, then, in particular for their cooperation to detail, the truth. All employees of the Institute, at last, who, like me, have passionate for the cause.

Some feel driven by an incorrigible need to look into their past for explanations, justifications or behavioral components of satisfaction. It will not be our case. We are proud to be the successors of the practitioners and others who have built the reputation of our stay we simply want the benefit of their memory, if not perpetuate scale up their responses.

With this in mind that the Institute has just passed the course of the twenty-first century, without a ripple, with each day even more advantages. For this, we are happy to be a part of the road, hoping it is still long and always exciting!

Download the document " History of the Institute of Ophthalmic Somain ".