Eyeworld

32 | EYEWORLD | SPRING 2024 ASCRS NEWS by Ellen Stodola Editorial Co-Director About the physician Thomas Samuelson, MD Minnesota Eye Consultants Bloomington, Minnesota EyeWorld: Can you speak a bit about taking on this role after Dr. Holland? Did you get any advice from him or others? Dr. Samuelson: Dr. Holland is one of the most hard working and creative educators I have ever encountered. His contributions to ASCRS are legendary. Going forward, I doubt that any one person could provide the time, work, and ener- gy that Ed has dedicated to ASCRS as Program Chair. I plan to involve the abundant talent within the ASCRS Clinical Committees and the committee chairs to help maintain the founda- tion and build on the momentum that Ed and the prior Program Chairs have created. EyeWorld: Looking ahead to the Annual Meet- ing, why do you think this is the meeting to attend in 2024? This meeting will formally kick off the 50th anniversary celebration; what does this say about ASCRS, its staying power, and its importance to ophthalmology? Dr. Samuelson: First off, the Annual Meeting is back in April and in the fantastic city of Boston, Massachusetts. For several years and for reasons beyond our control, we were stuck with May dates, competing with Mother's Day and gradu- ations. April is a perfect month for our meeting, and we are very excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Society at the meeting. Q&A with the new ASCRS Annual Meeting Program Chair Thomas Samuelson, MD continued on page 34 EyeWorld: ASCRS is celebrating its 50th anni- versary this year. How did you first get involved with ASCRS? Thomas Samuelson, MD: Early in my career, it became clear that the future of glaucoma surgery was increasingly becoming linked to cataract surgery. While standalone glaucoma surgery remains very important and relevant, improvements in glaucoma medications and la- sers have helped control most patients until they develop a cataract. Meanwhile, evidence was accumulating that cataract surgery lowered IOP, and while the MIGS revolution was still years away, safer surgeries were in development. As a glaucoma surgeon, I thought it was essential to stay abreast of advances in phacoemulsification, IOLs, and anterior segment surgery technology. ASCRS is the premier organization specializing in anterior segment surgery. EyeWorld: How did you start to take on leader- ship roles within the Society? Dr. Samuelson: At the encouragement of Reay Brown, MD, and Brad Shingleton, MD, I joined the Glaucoma Clinical Committee. Brad was the chair of the Glaucoma Clinical Committee at the time, followed by Reay. I became chair after Reay, and that paved the way for further involvement at the Executive Committee level. Ultimately, I became president of the Society, one of the true highlights of my career. EyeWorld: What led to you becoming Annual Meeting Program Chair? What are you looking forward to in this role? Dr. Samuelson: I was at home on a Sunday afternoon and received a cold call from ASCRS Executive Director Steve Speares. He asked me if I would be interested in succeeding Edward Holland, MD, as Program Chair of the Annual Meeting. I was somewhat astonished, as I had not sought the position, nor was I aware that a successor had not been appointed. I was very aware of the esteemed individuals who had held the position previously. There were only four in the 50 years of ASCRS, Kenneth Hoffer, MD, Manus Kraff, MD, Roger Steinert, MD, and Dr. Holland. It is daunting and humbling to succeed this incredible group! Contact Samuelson: twsamuelson@mneye.com Dr. Samuelson at the 2018 ASCRS Annual Meeting Source: ASCRS

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