Greetings from Lahore, Pakistan, where the 22nd Congress of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) is drawing to a close. With more than 2000 participants from around the world, this has been an outstanding meeting, from both an educational and social perspective. This Congress demonstrates to me that, when the ICO, supranational and national societies work together, we can multiply the benefits for ophthalmologists and, indirectly, the public. 1. Golden Jubilee for Ophthalmology in Pakistan The APAO Congress marks the Golden Jubilee of the Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan (OSP). Our friends and colleagues from Pakistan have shown us both professionalism and warm hospitality, generously sharing the food, history and culture of Pakistan. My sincere congratulations and thanks to Congress President Professor Shad Muhammad, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Professor Lateef Choudhary, and the tireless Organizing Secretary Dr. Nadeem Butt. 2. APAO Looks to Hong Kong and Beyond The APAO Council met prior to the Congress and continues to make steady progress under the leadership of President Yasuo Tano, MD, and Secretary General Dennis Lam, MD. Dr. Lam reported to the Council and full Congress on plans for the next APAO Congress, in conjunction with the World Ophthalmology Congress, June 28 – July 2 in Hong Kong (www.woc2008hongkong.org). The 24th Congress of the APAO will be May 23 – 26, 2009 in Bali, Indonesia. 3. Jose Rizal Medal and ICO Golden Apple Award Both the APAO and OSP recognized many ophthalmologists and others for their significant contributions to eye care and prevention of blindness. The APAO presented its highest award, the Jose Rizal Gold Medal, to Professor Mohammed Daud Khan, recognizing Professor Khan for his many contributions both within Pakistan and around the world. I had the honor of presenting the ICO Golden Apple Award recognizing the best clinical teacher in the Asia Pacific region to Professor Xiaoxin Li, Director of the Eye Center of the People’s Hospital of Peking University in Beijing. 4. Residency Program Directors Course in Lahore Dr. Li is one of the participants in the ICO Course for Residency Program Directors, which is finishing its second day today. Even veteran department chairs participating in the course tell me it has given them new insight into teaching residents, and they find it of great value. Future courses for residency program directors are scheduled June 16 – 17 in Buenos Aires and September 1 – 2 in Brasilia. Since we are severely limited in our ability to offer this course by the availability of faculty (who volunteer their time), we are exploring for other ways to share some of the material covered with more residency program directors around the world. 5. ICO Roundtable on Leadership Development Also in Lahore, the ICO organized its first World Ophthalmology Roundtable on Leadership Development (WORLD), which attracted 36 participants from 15 countries. The four-hour Roundtable featured speakers from the ICO, APAO and Pakistan on leadership, ophthalmologic society development, enhancing education and advocacy, with a significant portion devoted to asking participants about the needs of ophthalmologists and societies and how the ICO might help them. The discussions were spirited, and the group let us know both what they wanted to learn more about (e.g. how to develop leaders, fellowship training, online education) and how we could help them most effectively (e.g., presenting good models and facilitating discussion about how to implement them). We may have learned more than the participants, but they were enthusiastic about continuing the dialogue. 6. MEACO Roundtable to Focus on Leadership for Sub-Saharan Africa With generous support from the Middle East African Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO), the ICO is organizing a second Roundtable on leadership development at the MEACO Congress, March 29 to April 1 in Dubai. With MEACO’s support, we have invited 20 younger leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa to participate in a Roundtable, the MEACO Congress and an ongoing ICO Advisory Leadership Group on Sub-Saharan Africa. While we are just starting to learn about what ICO can do that will be most helpful to leaders and ophthalmologic societies, I am excited about what we will be able to achieve together, with this APAO/OSP Congress serving as an inspiration. Thanks again to all of those who made the Congress a great event and our visit to Lahore a memorable experience. With warm regards, Bruce Spivey, MD 945 Green Street |
