Eyeworld

12 | EYEWORLD | SUMMER 2025 ASCRS NEWS Contact Mah: Mah.Francis@scrippshealth.org by Ellen Stodola Editorial Co-Director About the physician Francis Mah, MD Director of the Cornea Service Scripps Clinic La Jolla, California began to focus on refractive surgery and other subspecialties. The organization was started by a group of people who weren't always accept- ed, he said. They were ahead of their time, and with research and refinements in techniques, these advancements became standard and well accepted. "As far as the incorporation of cornea and glaucoma, I think ASCRS is the society for all anterior segment surgeons," Dr. Mah said, adding that these areas of anterior segment sur- gery have grown in the past several decades. In terms of his goals during his presidency, Dr. Mah said he hopes to make it an impactful year. "It's the opportunity to put your mark, as small or large as you can, on ASCRS. From my perspective, there's a lot of great things people have done that I'd like to continue." Dr. Mah said he'd like to continue the efforts in service and mission trips, specifically with the ASCRS Foundation and the humanitarian care it provides. He's also interested in advancing research efforts. "Those are two things I can focus on that I've done throughout my career," he said. Dr. Mah said he also hopes to continue the growth with other societies across the globe, which he noted that Immediate Past President Vance Thompson, MD, has had an impact on. Dr. Mah said he's both excited and humbled to take on this role and has enjoyed his time so far on the ASCRS Executive Committee, learn- ing what's involved and how much it takes to lead the organization. New ASCRS President shares what he's looking forward to in leading the Society F rancis Mah, MD, took on the role of ASCRS President at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. He spoke to EyeWorld about what he's look- ing forward to in his time as president and his involvement with the Society. Dr. Mah said that taking on the role of ASCRS President is a huge honor. "It wasn't even on my radar as far as why I wanted to participate in and con- tribute to ASCRS," he said. Dr. Mah became involved with ASCRS when he was in training. "I wanted to be educated like the other members, and I wanted to keep up to date on things I was doing on a day-to-day basis. Every time I would go to the meeting, I would pick up many things I was excited about that I wanted to try," he said. "I remember my first several meetings. A couple other residents/ fellows/junior faculty and I would get together and write down our schedules, then we'd get together and download on what we'd learned. "As I started learning more, growing more, I wanted to contribute and give back to the Soci- ety," Dr. Mah said. "I wanted to do my part and do whatever was asked of me. At the beginning, it was to try to educate on things I'd been doing research-wise or clinically. It grew from there, and people asked if I wanted to contribute in other ways. It's a big honor when someone recognizes you. Leaders are looking at you and talking to you, then you realize these people are just like you and they started the same way. There were no barriers or egos. Everyone is equal and has the opportunity to contribute whatever they want to contribute." Dr. Mah added that many great people have helped to form ASCRS. "I'm going to try to do my part and help guide the organization as best as I can in the footsteps of the people who have come before me," he said, adding that many of these leaders remain involved in the Society. "I'll be leaning on all of them to help guide me." Dr. Mah stressed that all ASCRS leadership positions and Clinical Committee positions are volunteer. "We do this because we love the or- ganization. We want to help guide the organiza- tion that has helped us so much in our careers and practices." He noted the history of the Society, which started with IOLs and cataract surgery, then Dr. Mah officially took on the role of ASCRS President at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. Source: ASCRS

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