American Academy of Ophthalmology announces leadership transition

San Francisco-The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has accepted planned retirements of two of its senior staff leaders: H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, executive vice president and chief executive officer (CEO), and David J. Noonan, deputy executive vice president and chief operations officer (COO), according to a prepared statement issued by the AAO.

The change arises out of a carefully orchestrated succession plan initiated by Dr. Hoskins and Noonan with the AAO leadership earlier this year.

Noonan, who has held his COO position for 37 years, will leave in January 2009. Dr. Hoskins, who has served as CEO for 16 years, will depart in the spring of 2009, pending selection of his successor. Both men will continue to serve the organization as consultants, according to the statement.

Dr. Hoskins said that the true success of his tenure belongs to the board, volunteer physicians, and a committed professional staff. “I am pleased that we can all take pride in having united and reduced divisiveness within the profession, cultivated ophthalmology as a force in medical advocacy … and enhanced the academy’s Foundation’s ability to support future needs of the academy and the profession.” He added, “The greatest accomplishment is in leaving behind an extraordinarily capable management team and professional staff.”

Noonan, who participated in the growth of the AAO from its days in a small office in Rochester, MN, said, “I take great satisfaction in having been a part of an organization whose members commit their lives to caring for people. In leaving my role as COO, I am delighted to have participated in building an academy culture that permits the staff to bring the same commitment to the academy membership.”