Ophthalmology Foundation Elects New Leadership To Enhance Global Eye Care

The Ophthalmology Foundation, a prominent nonprofit organization with a focus on enhancing ophthalmic education and advancing eye care in underserved communities across the globe, recently announced the election of new board members and officers. This addition of esteemed professionals from the ophthalmology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors aims to bolster the Foundation's mission. The newly elected individuals are set to play crucial roles in propelling the Foundation's initiatives, with a particular emphasis on improving eye care accessibility in low-resourced areas.

Among the newly appointed officers, Jim Mazzo steps up as President, succeeding his previous role as Vice President. Peter McDonnell, MD, takes on the role of Secretary-Treasurer. McDonnell is recognized for his passion and research in areas such as surgical correction of refractive error and dry eye disease. Julia Haller, MD, has been elected Vice President. Haller is celebrated for her contributions to retina surgery and her leadership in ophthalmology. David Pyott, MDhc, transitions to Vice President after serving as President, and Bruce Spivey, MD, MS, MEd, also joins as Vice President and representative to IAPB.

The Foundation welcomes Brent Saunders as a new board member. Saunders is currently the CEO and Chairman of Bausch + Lomb, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience within the global pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Susan MacDonald, MD, also joins the board as CEO & Executive Director of Eye Corps. MacDonald has significantly contributed to eye care in sub-Saharan Africa through Eye Corps. Justine Smith, FRANZCO, PhD – a distinguished professor at Flinders University and a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist – is another notable addition to the board.

Julia Haller expressed her honor in leading the Ophthalmology Foundation alongside such distinguished colleagues. She emphasized their collective commitment to advancing ophthalmic education and ensuring access to quality eye care for underserved communities worldwide.

About the Ophthalmology Foundation

The Ophthalmology Foundation stands as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting ophthalmic education internationally. Its mission is to preserve and restore vision for people worldwide through various educational programs and fellowships aimed at improving global eye care and advancing scientific ophthalmology.

With the support of its newly elected board members and officers, the Ophthalmology Foundation is poised to enhance its impact on global eye health significantly. The collective expertise and dedication of these individuals are expected to drive forward the Foundation's initiatives, ensuring that high-quality eye care reaches those most in need around the world.