Eyeworld

UPDATE 17 ED: You will be succeeding David Karcher, our current executive direc- tor, after he's led our organization for 37 years. What are your thoughts about the legacy and contributions of David Karcher to ASCRS? SS: Dave is really the executive di- rector emeritus, and those of us who follow will have only one objective: build on his foundation. I have known Dave for 13 years and always appreciated his candor, open mind, and integrity. As we have begun the process of transition he has been nothing short of exceptional. His kind nature, incredible depth of knowledge, and passion for the so- ciety come across each time we talk. It has also become apparent to me that I am not only filling his shoes but Anne Karcher's as well. Anne has been a great ambassador for ASCRS, and I am fortunate to have both of them as my guides during this period. ED: What are some of the challenges that ophthalmologists face today, and how will ASCRS help us to meet these challenges? SS: I think the biggest challenge ophthalmologists face is the percep- tion of the value of the care they provide. I think we have to do more to tell the story of the investment surgeons make in themselves to become ophthalmologists and the value of the extraordinary outcomes they deliver to their patients. If we look across medicine, there is no specialty that delivers more consis- tent, quality outcomes than those that anterior segment surgeons pro- vide, and to watch payers system- atically devalue these outcomes is counter to the laws of logic. As with the rest of society oph- thalmologists are being inundated with data and regulations on how to manage that data. As a society tasked with advocating on behalf of ophthalmologists, ASCRS needs to find ways to affect government pol- icy that layers unnecessary burdens on practices and indirectly on pa- tients. If ophthalmologists, nurses, technicians, and administrators are being driven to focus on something that distracts from the primary mission of patient care, that policy needs to be addressed. ED: You are one of the hardest work- ing individuals I know. What do you like to do in your free time? SS: I spend a lot of my time with my fiancée, Nancy Beesley. We enjoy travel, movies, working out, and spending time with our kids. I also love golf—I've been playing since I was 11—and Auburn University foot- ball. Those are my true passions. EW Contact information Donnenfeld: ericdonnenfeld@gmail.com Speares: stevespeares@gmail.com Following an exhaustive search process, ASCRS welcomes Steve Speares as its incoming executive director Eric Donnenfeld, MD (ED): On behalf of ASCRS members and EyeWorld, we welcome you in your new position of leadership. Steve, during the interview process your passion for ophthalmology was quite evident. What is it that you love about ophthalmology? Steven Speares (SS): Thank you for the kind welcome, Eric. I am eager to get started. I am sincere when I say I really do love everything about oph- thalmology. To begin with, I love ophthalmologists. I learned early in my career how much surgeons love to teach. Much of my education in ophthalmology came from my customers. I also found them eager to learn about what other surgeons were doing and how open-minded most of them were. I love the elegance of the procedures. Ophthalmic surgeons definitely incorporate an artisan's approach in the way they oper- ate, and I have always found this marriage of technology and art a compelling story. I love the value ophthalmolo- gists provide their patients. At some level, the phenomenal success our specialty has experienced is almost taken for granted. If you step back and look at the life-changing value proposition that cataract, refractive, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery bring to patients, it makes all of us who are part of ophthalmol- ogy feel tremendous gratification. ED: Please tell us a little bit about your background in ophthalmology. SS: I began my career as a sales rep with Grieshaber in April 1991, cov- ering the Southeastern U.S. We made the finest hand crafted instruments in the world, and all subspecialties of ophthalmology used them, so it gave me a broad view of the various surgical procedures within ophthal- mology. I was fortunate to learn a great deal from Hans Grieshaber and Mark Forchette there. In 1998 Alcon acquired Grie- shaber, and I moved to Texas to work for Mike Southard and Cary Rayment in surgical marketing for the international division. It was a great opportunity, and I learned a great deal working with col- leagues and surgeons, as I worked in 42 countries. My roles at Alcon evolved into other responsibilities, culminating in becoming the vice president for Alcon's global surgical marketing organization. In 2015 I joined Glaukos to set up a direct organization in Europe as Tom Burns and Chris Calcaterra were looking to replicate the struc- ture they had in the U.S. This role has been extremely rewarding as I have had the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of people who are passionate about bringing a new approach to treating glaucoma patients to the European market. ED: You've been exceptionally suc- cessful in corporate ophthalmology. Why leave this area to lead ASCRS? SS: I have had many amazing op- portunities in my time in ophthal- mology, and these have exposed me to the many issues and challenges that touch ophthalmology. When I considered the opportunity to build on what David Karcher and his team have created and the unique perspective and experiences I could bring to ASCRS, the job seemed like it was meant for me. ED: What do you like best about ASCRS? SS: That one is easy: education. As I mentioned, I have always found ophthalmologists so naturally con- nected to the delivery and receipt of new information and new ideas. The educational approach ASCRS has employed over the years has been innovative, relative, and most importantly, effective. The clinical success anterior segment surgeons deliver is proof. I plan to introduce additional approaches to how we educate and engage membership, which should draw new members to our society. by Eric Donnenfeld, MD, EyeWorld chief medical editor Interview with Steve Speares David Karcher and Steve Speares Source: ASCRS Steve Speares

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