It’s been a minute since our last update on executive changes in the eyecare space. So with that being said, we’ve got a few announcements to report on.
On the agenda: Optos, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and the American Optometric Association (AOA).
Let’s begin with Optos.
The retinal imaging company—and a subsidiary of Nikon Corporation—has appointed Alexandre Montague as its new leader.
Where you may know him from: Montague most recently served as CEO of Hoya Vision Care.
- And prior to that, he held leadership roles at EssilorLuxottica and ZEISS.
So who is he replacing?
That would be Robert Kennedy, who has assumed a new role as chief financial officer (CFO) at the Scotland-based iGii after previously serving as Optos CEO since 2016 —and, prior to that, CFO.
Now back to the new CEO; talk more about his expertise.
Per Optos, Montague brings nearly 25 years of leadership experience in global healthcare, ophthalmology, and vision care.
More specifically, he has focused on three key areas:
- Building high-performing organizations
- Advancing innovation
- Expanding access to technologies that support earlier detection, prevention, and improved patient outcomes
And how does this translate to leading Optos?
The company is a developer of integrated ulta-widefield (UWF) retinal imaging devices with optical coherence tomography (OCT) desigend to target the early detection, management, and treatment of ocular conditions.
- Check out a few of its recent product launches.
Tying this back to Montague: He plans to build on Optos’s areas of expertise using his own experience in promoting “innovation and long-term approaches to vision health, including leadership in myopia management and preventative care.”
Per the company: “Together, these synergies open a new, exciting chapter aimed at driving its mission forward of saving sight and saving lives.”
So when was his appointment effective?
June 8.
Alrighty, now to the latest from Bascom Palmer.
Our next leadership update is more on the faculty side: Pradeep Y. Ramulu, MD, MHS, PhD, has been named as chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer.
- To be more precise: As chair, he will hold the Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Chair in Ophthalmology.
And who is he replacing?
That would be Eduardo C. Alfonso, MD, who held the role since 2007.
See the plethora of accolades attributed to Bascom Palmer under Dr. Alfonso’s leadership.
- And take note: Dr. Alfonso isn’t going far, as he will remain as a faculty member
Next up: some background on this new chair.
Referred to as one of the world’s “foremost glaucoma specialists,” Dr. Ramulu brings nearly 20 years of leadership in the clinical, research, and educational spaces.
And where has he spent this time, exactly?
The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University (since 2006), serving as:
- Sheila K. West Professor of Ophthalmology
- Chief of the glaucoma division
- Director of the Wilmer Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program
- Funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH)
He is also a professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health—and will become president of the American Glaucoma Society in 2027.
So what are his specialities?
Both routine and complex glaucomas (including those requiring repeat operations) as well as glaucoma occurring:
- In the context of corneal or retinal disease
- In newborns and young children
Another key focus of his: The Safety and Functionality Eye Research (SAFER) Lab research program, in which he is the principal investigator.
- About this program: Uses patient-reported outcomes, real-world behavioral monitoring, and observation of task performance to study how glaucoma affects reading, driving, walking, fall risk, and independent living—all with the goal of developing better, more patient-centered treatment and rehabilitative strategies
Impressive! And now to our final leadership update: the AOA.
While we briefly highlighted this during our recap story from Optometry’s Meeting earlier this month, it’s worth another mention.
The news: During the AOA House of Delegates’ final session, the Board of Trustees selected its 106th president: Teri K. Geist, OD.
And with this: Terri A. Gossard, OD, MS, of Ohio, was named president-elect.
Tell me about Dr. Geist.
As a comprehensive optometrist, Dr. Geist has spent the last 29 years in practice at Midwest Eye Care in Omaha, Nebraska.
- She is the past president of the Nebraska Optometric Association, a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and joined the AOA Board of Trustees in 2019.
Her clinical specializations: Routine and problem-focused eye exams, pediatric eyecare, and urgent eyecare as well as pre- and postoperative examinations
- See here for more on her optometric memberships.
And what will she focus on as AOA president?
Check out this recent interview with Dr. Geist on her plans to continue to build on the AOA’s ongoing momentum in advancing “optometry’s role as a primary eyecare profession.”
For more leadership news, see here.