Eyeworld

mission to advance anterior segment surgery through innovation, educa- tion, and advocacy on behalf of our members. In this 40th anniversary year, ASCRS is looking ahead, not just to follow but to surpass our ac- complishments in the next 40 years. Together we continue to advance ophthalmic surgery, improve eyecare for our patients, and work toward the noble goal of making treatable blindness a thing of the past. We are at this meeting and in this room be- cause ASCRS is the indispensable or- ganization that allows us to realize our goals. We have been exhilarated by the challenges we have faced and strengthened by the accomplish- ments we have achieved. Serving, protecting, and advancing our very special profession are things we all care deeply about, and it is what our patients and the next generation of ophthalmologists deserve. Let us pledge to make this next year, under the leadership of Rick Lewis, the best year in the history of ASCRS. It is now my great honor and privilege to transfer the leadership of the Ameri- can Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery into the capable hands of my good friend and our new ASCRS president, Rick Lewis. Rick unfortunately cannot be here today. He experienced an injury and cannot travel, but the good news is he is recovering nicely at his home in Sacramento. As part of the ASCRS family, we all wish him well. However, we are fortunate to have him here by way of video recording. [Editors' note: A video was then shown of Richard Lewis, MD, speaking to attendees.] Dr. Lewis: Hello, I am Rick Lewis, president of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. I have been in practice in Sacramento, Calif. since 1983. This is a unique and exciting time for ophthalmology. Never before have we faced so many challenges. Our needs as ophthalmologists to stay engaged and informed has never been greater. On one side, technology has broadened our diagnostic and surgi- cal options in ways not envisioned only a few years ago. Today patients have a wide range of surgical op- tions, and we have the ability to provide a level of eyecare that far exceeds previous generations. We are closer than ever to eradicating some causes of blindness, while achieving outcomes that have never been better. On the other side, government regulatory and legislative changes make taking care of our patients more difficult every day. The ACA, ICD-10, and the SGR effects on re- imbursement all threaten our ability to provide the highest quality care for our patients. As doctors, we are being challenged to find ever more effective ways of delivering the high quality eyecare our patients want and deserve. The world of medicine is evolving, and we need to evolve with it. Working together and using the resources and outstanding staff of the ASCRS, we hope to continue to guide our members though these and other, yet unforeseen, chal- lenges. I am looking forward and quite honored to be taking on this role. I look forward to working with all of you this year. Dr. Donnenfeld: Rick also requested that I read the following from his inaugural address: "ASCRS is truly an international or- ganization. As many as 40% of our membership comes from countries around the world, and about 50% of you here today are from countries other than the U.S. I am pleased to announce that the 2015 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium & Con- gress in San Diego will be a joint meeting with the Latin American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons. This is an exciting and powerful partnership that will be sure to help advance our profes- sion." I spoke to Rick a couple of days ago and he had one request in this speech and that was to thank every- one on his behalf for their well wishes and support. EW Contact information Donnenfeld: ericdonnenfeld@gmail.com Lewis: rlewiseyemd@yahoo.com

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