George Bartley to become Ophthalmology editor in January

San Francisco-George B. Bartley, MD, will succeed Andrew P. Schachat, MD, as editor-in-chief of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO’s) flagship journal, in January. Dr. Schachat has served in this capacity since 2003.

“I feel privileged that the [AAO] has given me the opportunity to take the helm of Ophthalmology,” Dr. Bartley said. “I’ve been blessed with an interesting and diverse career that has ranged far from ophthalmology. This new role allows me to return to my roots and to give back to our specialty in a meaningful way.”

In his role as editor-in-chief, Dr. Bartley will be responsible for the overall management of the journal, which includes overseeing the review and approval of new research and clinical content for publication. He will be the primary liaison between the journal and its publisher, Elsevier; provide strategic leadership for both print and electronic journal versions; and sit on the AAO Board of Trustees.

Most of the approximately 250 professional articles written or co-written by Dr. Bartley focus on his field of oculoplastic and orbital surgery. He has served on the editorial boards of Ophthalmology, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and the Archives of Ophthalmology, and he previously was editor-in-chief of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

“Dr. Bartley’s extensive editorial background, coupled with his multiple leadership roles within medicine, makes him extraordinarily well-qualified to tackle such a visible and challenging role,” said David W. Parke II, MD, chief executive officer (CEO) of the AAO. “As we welcome Dr. Bartley and look forward to the journal evolving and thriving, the [AAO] thanks Dr. Andy Schachat for his dedication and success. Under Dr. Schachat’s leadership, Ophthalmology has secured a well-deserved reputation as one of the most respected journals in medicine.”

Dr. Bartley is the Louis and Evelyn Krueger Professor of Ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He previously served as the organization’s national vice president for quality, chairman of the ophthalmology department, and CEO of the Mayo Clinic in Florida. He is an emeritus director of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a former councilor for the American Ophthalmological Society.

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