NANOS MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

ANDREW MELSON, MD – SELECTED TO THE AAO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (LDP) XXVI, CLASS OF 2025

NANOS has Representative in AAO Leadership Development Program XXVI, Class of 2025
Dr. Andrew Melson was recognized at AAO 2024 in Chicago for his selection to the Academy’s 26th Leadership Development Program (LDP) class.  Dr. Melson, nominated by North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS), joins 19 other ophthalmologists in the LDP XXVI, class of 2025, chosen via a competitive selection process. In addition to US participants nominated by state, subspecialty and specialized interest societies, the LDP XXVI class also includes two international participants from Canada and Egypt representing the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the Middle East African Council of Ophthalmology, respectively. This LDP class came together for an Orientation Session in Chicago led by Academy LDP Director Chris Albanis, MD. 

In January 2025, Dr. Melson will visit San Francisco to take part in a 2 ½ day interactive session.  He will hear from AAO physician leadership, including 2025 Academy President Michael X. Repka, MD, MBA and CEO Stephen D. McLeod, MD, on a wide variety of leadership topics. During this session he will also visit the AAO headquarters and participate in skills training exercises. Next Dr. Melson will attend the Academy’s Mid-Year Forum 2025 in April in Washington D.C. where he will have scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill with Senators, Representatives and healthcare staff to discuss issues important to the medical profession as part of Congressional Advocacy Day.  In addition, during an advocacy session dedicated to LDP XXVI participants, Dr. Andrew Melson will also hear from a member of the US Congress about building effective relationships with legislators and how best to advocate on behalf of patients.  The final LDP session for the class of 2025 will take place in conjunction with AAO 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

Andrew Melson, MD pictured with LDP classmates

Participants in AAO LDP XXVI, Class of 2025 Nominating Society / Participant

1. American Glaucoma Society, Natasha Nayak Kolomeyer, MD
2. American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Cat Burkat, MD
3. American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma, Grant A. Justin, MD
4. American Society of Retina Specialists, Kristen M. Nwanyanwu, MD
5. California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Angela N. Buffenn, MD, MPH
6. Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Milad Modabber, MD
7. Delaware Academy of Ophthalmology, Benjamin C. Chaon, MD
8. Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Raquel Goldhardt, MD
9. Georgia Society of Ophthalmology, Zachary Balest, MD
10. Kansas Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Anne Wishna, MD
11. Macula Society, Elliott H. Sohn, MD
12. Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology, Awni Aburamadan, MBBCH
13. Mississippi Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, William M. Watkins, MD
14. Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Steven Ross Cohen, MD
15. National Medical Association, Ophthalmology Section, Basil Williams, MD
16. New Mexico Academy of Ophthalmology, Rebecca S. Leenheer MD
17. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Andrew Melson, MD
18. Utah Ophthalmology Society, Rachel Simpson, MD
19. Washington DC Metropolitan Ophthalmological Society, Katrina C. Chin Loy, MD
20. Women in Ophthalmology, Kimberly Mei Winges, MD