“Welcome to our historic 2026 Annual Meeting!” said Abigail Markward, MBA, ASOA Executive Director. Forty years ago in 1986, the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators was founded by Lucy Santiago who saw a need for administrators to come together in a community to learn and support each other.
Both Ms. Santiago and Laureen Rowland, who served as ASOA Executive Director for 12 years, solidifying the Society as the go-to resource for ophthalmic administrators, were honored with standing ovations during Saturday’s Opening General Session.
“While the ASOA history is our foundation, our current activities are crucial for our future success,” Ms. Markward said.
Source: ASCRS
Source: ASCRS
She went on to recognize the 2026 ASOA awardees. Deborah Davis, COE, was presented with ASOA’s highest honor—2026 ASOA Fellow. Melissa Ciccarelli, MHA, COE, received the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award, Amy Slabaugh, MBA, RN, CRNO, COE, was identified as the 2026 Rising Star, and Elizabeth Cifers, MBA, earned the 2026 AE Editor’s Choice Award.
Ms. Markward also provided an update on ASOA’s strategic objectives for the next 3–5 years, which include membership, education, leadership and certification, and industry partnerships. Some programs have already taken shape within these objectives—Aii, Retina Sunday, and the Business of Interventional Glaucoma—while new initiatives like ASOA Live! and 40 Under 40-ish will be launched later this year.
Gretchen Kimble, JD, COE, Mississippi Vision Correction Center, was introduced as the 2026–2027 ASOA President. Ms. Kimble has been an ASOA member for 15 years.
“ASOA has meant so much to me professionally and personally. The sense of connection among our membership is what makes ASOA special,” she said, adding later that “as we look ahead, this is a particularly meaningful year for ASOA,” with the organization celebrating 40 years as a community, 40 years of education, 40 years of collaboration, and 40 years of connection.
“This year our focus will center on two simple but powerful ideas: connection and recognition,” Ms. Kimble said, explaining that the strength of ASOA will always come from its people.
People are at the heart of everything ASOA does. “This organization works because of the individuals in this room, because of your willingness to share ideas, to mentor others, to ask questions, to show up,” Ms. Kimble said.
