George Williams, MD, began his term as the 123rd American Academy of Ophthalmology president Jan. 1.
Here are five insights into Dr. Williams:
1. Dr. Williams has previous AAO leadership experience. He served on the education and health policy committees, as secretary for the committee of foreign affairs and as an academy trustee-at-large.
2. He is a noted researcher, having published more than 250 articles and book chapters. He testified before the U.S. House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on ophthalmology and its need for compound treatments. His testimony influenced the government to drop a controversial policy on limiting access to compound treatments.
3. Dr. Williams is also Royal Oak, Mich.-based Beaumont Eye Institutes' director and Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine's ophthalmology department chair.
4. He has received several recognitions, including AAO's Special Recognition Award, Secretariat Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.
5. Dr. Williams earned his degree from Chicago-based Northwestern University. He completed a residency and fellowship at Milwaukee-based Medical College of Wisconsin.