Eyeworld

APRIL 2023 | EYEWORLD | 49 Contact Link: bill@williamjlink.com by Liz Hillman Editorial Co-Director About the source William Link, PhD Managing Director Versant Ventures Irvine, California "During my investment career, I have invested in and helped build nearly 30 ophthal- mic companies," he said, among them IntraL- ase, Eyeonics, AcuFocus, Glaukos, Wavetec, LenSx, Oculeve, Oyster Point, RxSight, and Tarsus Pharmaceuticals. Before entering the healthcare industry, Dr. Link was an assistant professor in the Depart- ment of Surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. In addition to his work with venture capital companies, Dr. Link currently serves on the board of several private companies and three public companies (LENSAR, RxSight, and Tar- sus Pharmaceuticals). Dr. Link received his BS, MS, and PhD from Purdue University. "[It is] a privilege to be selected to give the Charles D. Kelman, MD, Innovator's Lec- ture," Dr. Link said. "Early in my career, I had the good fortune to work with Dr. Kelman. My life and career have been impacted by what I observed and learned from this stalwart inno- vator." The Charles D. Kelman, MD, Innovator's Lecture and Medal honors the work of individu- als whose creativity has benefited ophthalmolo- gists and their patients. William Link, PhD, to deliver the Charles D. Kelman, MD, Innovator's Lecture W illiam Link, PhD, has been on the innova- tion side of eyecare for more than 40 years, so it's only fitting that his topic for the Charles D. Kelman, MD, Innovator's Lecture will reflect on the history and status of innovation in ophthalmology. "There are multiple key stages that success- ful innovation must pass through. I will share my perspective on this cycle of innovation," said Dr. Link, who specializes in early stage investing in medical devices. In the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. Link founded and helped build two enduring ophthalmic com- panies. The first was American Medical Optics, which would later become Advanced Medical Optics, then Abbott Medical Optics (AMO). AMO was acquired by Johnson & Johnson Vision in 2017. The second company was Chiron Vision, which was acquired by Bausch + Lomb in 1997. After this Dr. Link got involved with health- care investment, co-founding Versant Ventures and Flying L Partners. management, coding and billing, human re- sources, leadership and strategic management, marketing and business development, risk man- agement and compliance, subspecialties, and technology. ASOA courses are open to all ASOA and ASCRS attendees, as well as those regis- tered in the joint ASOA/Technicians & Nurses category. Courses were highly selective this year, and direct involvement from administrators and practice management staff on the Program Committee and within the courses provides ad- ditional depth to all areas of the ASOA Annual Meeting, Ms. Rowland said. "Self-care is an important topic these days, and you can find some of that self-care within the education and connections at the ASOA Annual Meeting," Ms. Rowland said. "This meeting allows attendees to strength- en connections and form bonds with peo- ple going through the same things they are. Strengthening connections at the ASOA Annual Meeting and enhancing attendees' knowledge base through the education is something they can't experience without coming in person," Ms. Perlberg said. continued from page 48

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