Eyeworld

UPDATE the excimer laser. Can you tell us about some of the stories behind the stories? DK: Having spent time with Dr. Charles Kelman in the early years when phaco was not mainstream was a valuable experience for me. Charlie was persistent in his ap- proach, and it was gratifying to see how slowly but surely with the help of a handful of early adapters the procedure became the standard of care. A memorable experience that comes to mind was Dr. Johnny Gayton presenting his first few cases using piggyback IOLs. I remember sitting in the audience listening to attendees grumble and watching them shake their heads. The next year we had 10 surgeons present- ing their data on the piggyback technique, which soon became an accepted means of treating patients whose condition would be enhanced by this procedure. Another memorable moment was Dr. Tom Mazzocco presenting his first experiences with the fold- able intraocular lens. Within min- utes after his presentation, the doors of the ballroom flew open with peo- ple standing in line to use the pay phones. Within 24 hours, the stock exchange closed the stock down and called me to ask what had transpired at the meeting that had resulted in such a tremendous impact on the stock price. Two hours after the call, trading was reopened and the stock value continued to climb. ED: What do you like the best about ASCRS, and what are our challenges for the future? DK: One of my most memorable experiences that I will take away from this is the willingness of the hundreds of dedicated volunteer leadership who I have been blessed to work with over these many years. In addition, working with a staff who has taken ownership and pride in their work is a highlight of my career. I look forward to watching ASCRS continue on the path of providing the best, cutting-edge ed- ucation in anterior segment surgery. The introduction of social media and the role it can play in providing additional sources of information is exciting. The regulatory environment continues to be problematic, to say the least. Organized medicine (if there is such a thing) has been victimized by a government that has little, if any, understanding of the dynamic involved in providing quality patient care. When you have thousands of bureaucrats attempt- ing to address healthcare issues in an attempt to justify their existence rather than ensure quality care at an affordable price, you have a prob- lem. These issues will remain until someone realizes that all stakehold- ers have to be part of the solution. The government is one issue. The hospitals and insurance companies are another, which we don't have the time to discuss at this point. ED: Steve Speares will be assuming the position of ASCRS executive director, which you have held for 37 years. What advice would you like to give him? DK: I am very enthused about Steve taking over the reins at ASCRS. He's a great guy and brings a tremendous understanding of ophthalmology to the table. I think Steve will bring an entrepreneurial spirit to the position, and if I was to provide one word of advice, that would be LISTEN, to everything, including your gut. ED: David, how involved will you be with ASCRS now that you are step- ping down as executive director, and what will you be doing with your free time? DK: Anyone who knows me knows that I am a lover of golf. To me golf is life. If you mess up, its on you. If you excel, good for you. The friend- ships that I have developed both on and off the golf course have played an important part in my life, and I look forward to continuing these relationships. Most importantly I look forward to spending more time with my family who have been very support- ive along the way. EW Contact information Donnenfeld: ericdonnenfeld@gmail.com Karcher: dkarcher@ascrs.org ASCRS outgoing executive director talks to EyeWorld chief medical editor L ater this year, David Karch- er, executive director of ASCRS, will be stepping down following 37 remark- able years of extraordinary leadership. Eric Donnenfeld, MD (ED): David, your legacy as one of the leading advo- cates for ophthalmology is firmly secured. On behalf of our profession, we thank you for your contribu- tions. Can you tell us how you were first introduced to our organization? David Karcher (DK): Thank you for your kind words, Eric. It's hard to believe it's been this long, but I think it is an indication of how much I have enjoyed the journey. My first introduction to the American Intra-Ocular Implant Soci- ety (AIOIS), founded by Dr. Kenneth Hoffer, actually preceded my start date in 1981. This was a result of my position as convention sales manag- er at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, which hosted the annual meeting in the early 1970s. I left the hotel business in the late 1970s to join a company out of Connecticut that was involved in producing major conventions, one of which was Vision Expo. After 3 years I decided to return to Los Angeles and form my own meeting planning company. During that process I heard from a friend at the Century Plaza that AIOIS was look- ing for a meeting planner to con- tract with for its upcoming annual meeting. During my meeting with Drs. John Gilmore and Donald Dick- erson, I was informed that the soci- ety was undergoing a reorganization. A couple of days after the initial interview they asked if I could come to the office and answer phones on Monday morning. That was how it all began. Dr. Henry Clayman, the society's president at the time, and I had many conversations over the next 2 weeks, which resulted in my accepting the position as executive director. ED: ASCRS has been extremely suc- cessful for a long time. What was the unmet need that our organization provided when you first joined us, and how have the needs evolved over time? DK: It became obvious to me at the beginning that providing quality ed- ucation was and had to remain the major objective of the organization, specifically education that directly increased quality of patient care. Education at that point took the form of the annual meeting along with publishing the Journal of the American Intra-Ocular Implant Society. One other significant benefit was the EyeStat early warning system, which alerted members of complications related to either a specific technique or a device. Over time the society became well known as an organization that was accepting of new concepts and ideas. This mantra has been main- tained and I think is a highly valued part of our brand today. ED: What do you love about ophthal- mology? DK: Ever since I observed my first cataract surgery soon after joining the organization, I knew this was something in which I wanted to be involved. The patient was a grand- mother who had never seen her grandchildren due to her advanced cataracts. I observed the surgery with amazement and was invited back the next day when she had her patch removed. Seeing her reaction, I knew this field was for me. A few weeks later, I was invited to watch Dr. Dick Kratz perform surgery, which solidified my understanding of the various techniques and proce- dures and, most importantly, started a wonderful friendship with a truly great surgeon. The bottom line for me is there is no other medical specialty that has had such a tremendous impact on the quality of life of the global society. Some have tried to argue with me over the years on this point, but I cannot be persuaded to the contrary. ED: You have been a first-hand witness to some of the most remark- able advances in ophthalmology such as phacoemulsification and by Eric Donnenfeld, MD, EyeWorld chief medical editor Interview with David Karcher David Karcher

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