SAN FRANCISCO – Randy Johnston, MD, became the new president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology on January 1, 2010, taking over from departing President Michael W. Brennan, MD. Dr. Johnston is in private practice in Cheyenne, Wyo., as a vitreoretinal specialist and is a consultant to the Cheyenne VA Medical Center.
“This is a crucial time for ophthalmology, both in terms of opportunities and challenges,” said Dr. Johnston. “I am looking forward to working on the issues that are of critical importance to our members now.”
Dr. Johnston has held numerous leadership positions in the Academy. He has served on the Academy's Board of Trustees since 2003. Most recently, he served on the Board as senior secretary for advocacy. He has been a member of the Academy's Council and Committee on State Governmental Affairs and acted as chairman of the Academy's OPHTHPAC Committee as well as coordinating Eye MD for the Academy's Laser Surgery Initiative. He has also carried out 12 years on the Regional Roundup Organizing Committee.
“We are pleased to have Dr. Johnston’s leadership through this year,” said David W. Parke II, MD, executive vice president and CEO of the Academy. “He will bring a great mix of clinical, academic, and organizational expertise to this presidency post, with much dedication and enthusiasm to the Academy and the profession,”
Dr. Johnston received his medical doctorate in 1979 and completed his internship and residency in 1980 and 1983, respectively, from the University of Utah College of Medicine. He received his fellowship in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous at the University of Pennsylvania's Scheie Eye Institute in 1984.
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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 more than 27,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.