Keith D. Carter, MD, FACS.
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SAN FRANCISCO—The American Academy of Ophthalmology announced this week that Keith D. Carter, MD, FACS, began his term as the 122nd president of the Academy on Jan. 1. Carter was elected by the Academy's community of ophthalmologists in recognition of his scientific leadership, international reputation as a leading academician and teacher, and his commitment to advocacy for patients and the profession, according to the announcement. Carter will focus his presidential year on enhancing the community impact of the Academy and the profession.

He brings 30 years of experience as an innovative physician educator to issues of access to care, enhancement of quality programs, incorporation of new technology to create a more patient-centered experience, and to promoting diversity within medicine, the announcement added.

“Diversity benefits not only the educational experience but also allows us to better represent the patient populations we serve and address the unfortunate health disparities that surround us,” Carter said in the announcement.

Before serving as president-elect in 2017, Carter was an at-large member of the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2010. Other leadership roles within Academy include the Ethics Committee, Committee for the Medically Underserved–Mentor Program, and Public Liaison Committee, among others. Carter, whose clinical specialty is oculoplastic surgery, has been a faculty member at University of Iowa Health Care since 1988 and he now serves as chairman and head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, with a global community of 32,000 medical doctors.