Thomas Samuelson, MD, opened the first ASCRS Main Stage session on Saturday morning. “It’s great to be back in Washington,” he said, adding that this is one of his favorite cities.
In his third year as Program Chair, Dr. Samuelson said it occurred to him while preparing for this year’s program what a privilege it is to serve in the role and to work with the caliber of people who navigate this on a daily basis. He added that there is so much untapped talent in the Society, and he encouraged everyone to get involved. He also thanked ASCRS staff, industry, and administrators for their contributions and commitment.
Source: ASCRS
Outgoing ASCRS President Francis Mah, MD, took the stage to reflect on his year leading the Society before Kevin Miller, MD, was introduced as the new ASCRS President. In addition to celebrating this year’s ASCRS Annual Meeting, Dr. Miller noted the 250th anniversary of the United States, adding that he was part of the bicentennial celebration and parade of the country in 1976.
Dr. Miller first attended the ASCRS Annual Meeting when it was at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California. He described the meetings as like “drinking from a fire hydrant” because there were so many ideas coming at him so fast. “If you’re a cataract or refractive surgeon, this is your society. This is your home,” he said.
The session also featured the presentation of the ASCRS Foundation Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award. ASCRS Foundation Chair Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, MD, introduced this year’s recipients, Aravind Haripriya, MD, and Rengaraj Venkatesh, MD, both representing the Aravind Eye Care System.
Dr. Haripriya noted that the award also belongs to the thousands of hands and hearts at Aravind who show up every day, as well as founders who taught that empathy and selflessness go hand in hand. Dr. Venkatesh echoed these comments, saying the recognition belongs to everyone back at home and across the Aravind Eye Care System, where he also learned ophthalmology. “Work done with love and devotion is always of the highest quality,” he said.
Source: ASCRS
This year’s ASCRS Hall of Fame featured recognition of David Karcher and Stephen Obstbaum, MD.
Mr. Karcher acknowledged some of the many physicians and other individuals who he was able to meet and work with through ASCRS, including many pioneers in the field. He said it was amazing to see all those surgeons who “hung their egos on the outside of the door and spent their time talking about the successful road map for ASCRS and ASOA.”
Dr. Obstbaum expressed what a privilege it has been to work with everyone over the years. He added a message to younger colleagues that while many pioneers have contributed to advancements in cataract surgery and IOL implantation, as well as laser refractive surgery and glaucoma surgical techniques, there remains an unrealized quest to be perfect. The excellence of the profession to enhance the quality of lives of patients is now in the hands of the younger generation, he said.
