8 Ophthalmology Business • March 2017
by William B. Rabourn Jr. and Louis Pennow, MBA
The shifting role of the modern
ophthalmic administrator
ing a bucket of responsibilities larger
than ever before due to a demand-
ing practice environment, today's
medical landscape, and government
requirements. However, caught up
in the need to keep up with their
own changing role in the practice,
some doctors and others in charge
of selecting these managerial fig-
ures have unrealistic or undefined
expectations for those filling the lead
administrative position. Many are
not even aware of how much the role
has changed or how much many ad-
ministrators are struggling to keep up
with their modern job requirements.
ditions create a variety of complica-
tions and opportunities for patients,
doctors, and staff alike. The resulting
excitement surrounding this contin-
uous shifting often distracts medical
professionals from the less obvious,
often overlooked changes taking
place within their own practice,
specifically those related to the oph-
thalmic administrator's mounting
responsibilities.
As eyecare evolves, so does the
ophthalmic administrator. Their role
is radically different compared to 5 to
10 years ago. Those in this position
in 2017 may find themselves carry-
T
he field of ophthalmic
medicine is constantly
shifting. Often compa-
rable to a high-stakes
game of Tetris, where
new technology and regulations
emerge frequently, find their place
within the industry, and reshape the
landscape, medicine's perpetual ad-
