Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION 12 Inaugural program held in New Orleans T he Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), well known as being the oldest national transplant society, recently decided it was time to inject some young blood into its operation. It did so in February at the inaugural Physician Leadership Program, held in New Orleans. Mark Mannis, M.D., board member, EBAA, and Marian Macsai, M.D., chair-elect, EBAA, developed the 2-day program, which was facilitated by Marsha Link, Ph.D., principal and co-founder, Link Consulting, Irvine, Calif. The first class included 17 cornea surgeons less than 10 years out of fellowship: Winston D. Chamberlain, M.D., Sean Edelstein, M.D., Jonathan Etter, M.D., Bennie Jeng, M.D., Roheena Kamyar, M.D., Chris Ketcherside, M.D., Yousuf Khalifa, M.D., Carrie Lembach, M.D., Jennifer Li, M.D., Kenneth Maverick, M.D., Kristiana Neff, M.D., Yen Nieman, M.D., Matthew Rauen, M.D., Satya Reddy, M.D., Roni Shtein, M.D., Scott Uttley, M.D., and Maria Woodward, M.D. "Our goal was to identify emerg- ing leaders in the corneal surgeon community who would continue to partner with eye banks and lead eye banking in the future," Patricia Aiken-O'Neill, president and CEO, EBAA, said about the program. The EBAA's mission, with 85 eye bank members both nationally and internationally, is "the restoration of sight through core services to its members which advance donation, transplantation and research in their communities and throughout the world." During the course, participants were given an overview of the EBAA and its mission and participated in a roundtable discussion with senior physician leaders in eye banking. They also engaged in role-playing scenarios and identified their own strengths and opportunities in lead- ership roles. "I was interested in eye banking and the EBAA, but unsure of how to get involved prior to this meeting," said Dr. Lembach, Columbus, Ohio, who was sponsored by the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank. "I now feel that I have a better understanding of how to get involved." Dr. Lembech said she appreci- ated being able to interact with sen- ior members of the EBAA. "The opportunity to brainstorm and dream about the future for physician involvement in eye bank- ing has been excellent," said Dr. Chamberlain, Portland, Ore., who was sponsored by the Lions Eye Bank of Oregon, Portland. "Before coming to New Or- leans, each attendee had a 'home- work assignment.' We called it 'Follow the Cornea,'" Dr. Macsai said. "They met with their local sponsoring eye bank and spent a day following the cornea from donation to transplantation. Over the week- end we discussed what they learned from the exercise, and they were all surprised and intrigued by the com- plexity of the process of bringing the cornea to surgery. In their minds, prior to this exercise, the cornea was a commodity, like an IOL, that just appeared in the operating room when you order it." During breakout sessions, timely topics were discussed, including the development of a corneal graft reg- istry, development of an eye bank curriculum for fellowship programs, and the role of a young physicians committee in the EBAA. "The enthusiasm in the room was palpable, as was the energy shared by all participants," Dr. Macsai said. A Sunday evening program showed participants what corneal transplantation is like from a pa- tient's perspective, with remarks from Bruce Varnum, chair, presi- dent, and CEO, Georgia Eye Bank Inc., Atlanta. Mr. Varnum is a double corneal transplant recipient, having had his sight restored 45 years ago by Ramon Castroviejo, M.D., namesake of the former Castroviejo Society (now The Cornea Society). The 17 nominated participants were chosen out of a pool of 32 based on several criteria, including education and experience. As part of their appointments, they were given year-long memberships to both The Cornea Society and the EBAA's R. Townley Paton Society. Their travel to the conference was paid for by their respective eye banks, while the EBAA, aided by a commitment from The Cornea Society, supported their room and board. The 17 surgeons are now part of the newly formed EBAA committee called MD Career Development. "I think there is a realization that we need to shepherd this group through and provide the infrastruc- ture necessary to not only cultivate the relationship, but to make sure we cement this, that this young group actually integrates into the as- sociation," Mrs. Aiken-O'Neill said. She said the group left the con- ference with plenty of enthusiasm and good ideas. "This is an energized and com- mitted group of young physicians," she said. "They are already focused on what they can do, from present- ing a course at future scientific ses- sions to researching the idea of a corneal graft registry to research projects that they can undertake and partnering with the eye banking community." EW Contact information Aiken-O'Neill: 202-775-4999 April 2011 by Jena Passut EyeWorld Staff Writer Young leaders learn about, join eye banking community Mark Mannis, M.D., and Ellen Heck, M.A. Mark Mannis, M.D., Jennifer Li, M.D., and Barry Lee, M.D. Yen Nieman, M.D., and Winston D. Chamberlain, M.D. Source: Eye Bank Association of America Roheena Kamyar, M.D., and Kristiana Neff, M.D.

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