Paediatric and neuro-ophthalmology specialist Dr Jane C. Edmonds has taken over as the 128th President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Dr Edmond is currently serving as the inaugural chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, the University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School, director of the Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute, and vice dean of professional practice.
Dr Edmond said her priorities include addressing physician and staff shortages and the “ever-growing legislative battles which challenge our pre-eminence by granting non-physicians an increasing scope of practice”.
“The ophthalmology community finds itself in a critical place: a growing senior population and limited expansion of residency programs point towards a potential shortage of ophthalmologists over the next decade,” she said in an AAO news release.
we can build upon this momentum and make an even greater push for serving our patients, educating our members, and inspiring future generations of ophthalmologists
“This comes at a time when declining reimbursements, pre-authorisation requirements, and an overall staffing shortage make our jobs as physicians even more challenging.
“However, there’s also so much passion and drive in the ophthalmology community, and we have lobbied hard for the safety of our patients these past several years. Together, I believe we can build upon this momentum and make an even greater push for serving our patients, educating our members, and inspiring future generations of ophthalmologists.”
