The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) announced it has appointed Abigail Markward, MBA, as the new executive director of the ASCRS Foundation.
Talk about ASCRS.
Founded in 1974, the organization has established itself as a trusted resource in allowing cataract, refractive, cornea, and glaucoma surgeons access to the latest clinical information, published research, and regulatory information that may impact patient care.
It’s focus is geared toward three areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy
- Advocacy
To note, the ASCRS’ current executive leadership (May 2023 - April 2024) is led by Elizabeth Yeu, MD (president) and Vance Thompson, MD (vice president/president elect).
And the foundation?
As an arm of ASCRS, the ASCRS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established to support physician education and offer humanitarian cataract surgery across the U.S. and developing countries via programs and partnerships.
Operation Sight, the foundation’s U.S.-based charitable cataract surgery program launched in 2014 and led by a network of volunteer surgeons, is intended to serve patients who are financially vulnerable, uninsured, and who cannot otherwise afford or access care.
Now Markward; what’s her background?
Per the foundation, Markward has experience in corporate leadership and nonprofit contributions within the ophthalmic industry.
She most recently served as vice president of Business Development and associate publisher at PentaVision amid an acquisition by BroadcastMed in 2022.
Under these roles, she collaborated on and organized large-scale marketing and content campaigns targeting industry and medical professionals.
Anything else?
Markward also participated with SightLife International, a nonprofit global eye bank for corneal blindness, on a women’s advocacy mission to Nepal (in 2018).
Other nonprofit involvement with a leadership role include Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL), where she is currently the immediate past president.
Gotcha. Anything to keep an eye out for in the near future?
The 2024 annual ASCRS meeting will kick off in Boston, Massachusetts, April 5 - 8, 2024 as part of its upcoming 50th anniversary celebration.
Click here for details!