AAO honors Dr. Redmond

San Francisco-Michael R. Redmond, MD, has received the Outstanding Advocate Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Dr. Redmond was honored for his more than 30 years of involvement with advocacy on behalf of ophthalmologists and their patients, and for his many contributions to AAO.

Dr. Redmond, who practices in a multi-specialty group practice in Pensacola, FL, has long been a driving force in the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and its political action committee. For many years, Dr. Redmond was the only ophthalmologist on the council on legislation for the Florida Medical Association, eventually becoming chairman of that council. He served on AAO’s board of trustees from 1993 to 1999, first as chairman and vice-chairman, and then as trustee-at-large. He served as AAO president in 2003.

Other positions Dr. Redmond has held with AAO include representative to the American Medical Association's house of delegates, and chairman of the long-range planning committee. In addition, he was a member of the ethics committee, the ad hoc committee for primary eye care, and the committee for state governmental affairs. He also chaired the subspecialty society relations task force and served as chairman of EyeCare America's Children's EyeCare Project.

“Dr. Redmond's legislative work, both on a national and local level, has truly had a momentous impact on the field of ophthalmology,” said David W. Parke II, MD, CEO of AAO. “I could think of no finer person to receive this award. He is a teacher, an advocate, and an ambassador for our profession.”