Ophthalmic leader and respected editor selected to head the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
SAN FRANCISCO – The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced the appointment of George B. Bartley, M.D., to the post of editor-in-chief for the American Academy of Ophthalmology's flagship journal, Ophthalmology. Beginning January 2013, Dr. Bartley will succeed Andrew P. Schachat, M.D., who has served in this capacity since 2003.
In his role as Ophthalmology's 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 act as the primary liaison between the journal and its publisher, Elsevier, provide strategic leadership for both print and electronic journal versions, and sit on the Academy's Board of Trustees.
A respected ophthalmologist who also has extensive editorial experience, Dr. Bartley is the author or coauthor of approximately 250 professional publications. Although most focus on his field of oculoplastic and orbital surgery, he has written on subjects as diverse as medical ethics and medical history, baseball, and the blindness of the poet John Milton. He has served on the editorial boards of Ophthalmology, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and the Archives of Ophthalmology, and previously served as editor-in-chief of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
"I feel privileged that the Academy has given me the opportunity to take the helm of Ophthalmology," said Dr. Bartley. "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."
"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, M.D., CEO of the Academy. "As we welcome Dr. Bartley and look forward to the journal evolving and thriving, the Academy 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."
Over the course of Dr. Schachat's tenure, Ophthalmology's impact factor, a major measure of journal influence, increased to the highest in the journal's history and the highest level among the major ophthalmology journals. The publication is also consistently ranked as one of the most valued Academy member benefits.
"Ophthalmology's enviable position as the highest-impact journal in our specialty is a testament to the superb services of Dr. Schachat," said Dr. Bartley. "My goal will be to sustain and enhance such service – to our authors, our readers and to the Academy – while addressing the challenges and opportunities before us."
Dr. Bartley is the Krueger professor of ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He previously served as the organization's national vice president for quality and is emeritus CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. He is an emeritus director of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a former councilor for the American Ophthalmological Society.
He graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine, served his residency in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and completed a fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and orbital surgery at Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio.
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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons — Eye M.D.s — with 32,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three "O's" – ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and perform eye surgery. For more information, visit www.aao.org. The Academy's EyeSmart® program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve their healthy vision. EyeSmart provides the most trustworthy and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program. Visit EyeSmart or OjosSanos to learn more.
About Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, publishes original, peer-reviewed reports of research in ophthalmology, including basic science investigations and clinical studies. Topics include new diagnostic and surgical techniques, treatment methods, instrument updates, the latest drug findings, results of clinical trials, and research findings. Ophthalmology also publishes major reviews of specific topics by acknowledged authorities.
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