Paul Sternberg Jr., M.D., chair of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt and director of the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, was recently elected president-elect of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He assumed the post Jan. 1.
The one-year term will prepare Sternberg, also assistant vice chancellor for Adult Health Affairs and chief medical officer for Vanderbilt Medical Group, for his role as president of the academy beginning in 2013.
“It is an extraordinary honor to be selected to lead my professional organization,” said Sternberg. “Growing up as the son of an ophthalmologist, I have always considered membership and active participation in the academy to be essential, and I am committed to being a vocal and stalwart advocate for eye care providers and their patients.”
Sternberg said he is ready to steward the group that boasts more than 30,000 members worldwide.
“All of medicine must address the unsustainable increases in the cost of health care,” said Sternberg of one of the challenges facing physicians. “This will require a combination of creativity, practicality and strong leadership.
“In my current roles at Vanderbilt, I confront these issues on a daily basis,” he said. “I look forward to leveraging this experience to support our academy and our profession as we continue to lead the medical profession in providing outstanding quality of life and transforming care in exchange for appropriate levels of reimbursement.”
The AAO has long been a part of Sternberg’s professional life. He has served on various committees and was elected a trustee-at-large from 2006-2009.
