AAO's 2009 Leadership Development Program participants announced

San Francisco-Participants have been announced for the American Academy of Ophthalmology's (AAO) 2009 Leadership Development Program (LDP), a program designed to recognize and support ophthalmologists with the potential to become leaders in ophthalmic societies.

"The LDP is important in providing leadership tools to Eye MDs who are ready to promote ophthalmology both locally and nationally," said H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD. "This year's participants are recognized for their commitment to their ophthalmology societies and their dedication to continuing growth and leadership in the profession."

Ophthalmologists are nominated for this program every spring by state, subspecialty, and specialized interest ophthalmology societies. Eighteen participants are chosen and selected to attend four educational sessions that address a variety of leadership, advocacy, and association governance topics. The participants are provided with orientation and skill development to promote ophthalmology worldwide.

This year's orientation session will be held in conjunction with the 2008 joint meeting, held this November in Atlanta. Next they will visit the AAO headquarters in San Francisco to participate in an interactive meeting and then will attend a mid-year forum in Washington, DC for the AAO to focus on developing participant's advocacy skills. Finally, at the 2009 joint meeting in San Francisco participants will graduate from the program.

Ophthalmology Times extends its congratulations to this year's participants:

American Glaucoma Society

Arthur J. Sit, MD

American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

James B. Randleman, MD

American Society of Ocular Trauma

Mathew R. Sapp, MD

American Uveitis Society

Eric B. Suhler, MD, MPH

Arizona Ophthalmological Society

Kristin Carter, MD

Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists

Ivan J. Suñer, MD

California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

JoAnn A. Giaconi, MD

Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Ron W. Pelton, MD, PhD

European Society of Ophthalmology

Carl G. Glittenberg, MD

Illinois Association of Ophthalmology

Chris Albanis, MD

Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

John Kitchens, MD

Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Lawrence Piazza, MD

Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Michael J. Price, MD

Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology

Scott T. Schaefer, MD

Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Linda M. Tsai, MD

Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology

Daniel V. Will, MD

Retina Society Tamara R. Vrabec, MD

Texas Ophthalmological Association

Aaron M. Miller, MD

Virginia Society of Ophthalmology

Alan L. Wagner, MD