Another week translates to more industry updates in the eyecare space—this time with a new leader at Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL) as well as a major new appointee to EyeCool Therapeutics’ Board of Directors and an executive addition to Eyes On Eyecare (EOE).
Let’s start with OWL.
Formed in 2004, the 501c3 professional organization seeks to broaden and drive diversity in leadership while also uniting “key stakeholders” in the eyecare industry—including consultants, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and practice professionals.
How: Via sponsored educational and networking events (both in-person and virtual) that promote collaboration, networking, and innovation for the benefit of eyecare patients.
- See here for more on the organization’s vision, mission, and values.
And this leadership change?
OWL announced four updates heading into 2026, starting with the appointment of its first ophthalmologist president: Renee Bovelle, MD.
Also: Three new industry and ophthalmic members were added to its Board of Directors:
- Kevin M. Douglas, MD
- Medical Director and Retina Lead for U.S. Medical Affairs Eye Care at Allergan/AbbVie
- Cynthia Matossian, MD, FACS
- Chief Medical Officer for Visiox and Freya Ophthalmics
- Chief Medical Advisor for Bruder Health-Hilco
- Maaza Martin
- Senior Director of Global Strategic Marketing at Tarsus Pharmaceuticals
See here for rundowns on each of these members.
Its first MD president? How exciting!
Indeed … and Dr. Bovelle has a few notable credentials that include:
- Owner and Medical Director of Envision Eye and Laser in Glenn Dale, Maryland
- Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Howard University
Her expertise: Extends to advanced technologies and healthcare cybersecurity
And who is she replacing?
That would be Nivine Woods, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at EyeCare Partners, who has served as OWL president since 2023.
Now on to EyeCool.
What to know about it: The clinical-stage medical device company is exclusively focused on developing and testing a novel treatment for chronic ocular surface pain (COSP) patients.
That treatment: Is ETX-4143, an investigational device intended for use as an in-office and out-patient procedure. Read up here (and see the recent clinical data on it).
So who joined its Board of Directors?
Vance Thompson, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and “internationally-recognzed leader in the anterior eye space.”
Among his notable credentials: Dr. Thompson is the founder of Vance Thompson Vision and the immediate past president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).
And (in support of EyeCool’s investigational device): He has served as principal investigator on multiple FDA-monitoring trials and led over 100 monitored ophthalmic trials.
Any other member updates?
The company also transitioned two BOD members to a newly-formed Medical Advisory Board:
- Anat Galor, MD, MSPH
- Bonnie Henderson, MD
Click here for details on their clinical backgrounds (as well as more about the MAB’s five other members).
And the company’s focus moving forward?
That would be ETX-4143.
Specifically: Advancing the investigational device toward FDA De Novo classification and, eventually, commercialization within the United States.
Last but not least: Tell us about EOE’s new addition.
Two words: Rachel Krug.
An experienced strategic leader, Krug joins the digital media and education platform for eyecare professionals (our parent company) as Vice President of Sales.
What’s her background?
Most recently, she served as CEO of Virtual Field, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company specializing in virtual field testing for eyecare providers.
- See here for more on her professional experience, which includes building eyecare and media brands.
And what can we expect from her new role?
With EOE reportedly undergoing a “phase of strategic growth,” Krug will be instrumental as the platform focuses on “data-informed creative campaigns, NPI targeting, and industry partnerships that drive both clinical impact and measurable engagement.”