RCA’s Dr. Derek Y. Kunimoto Graduates From AAO Leadership Development Program

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Phoenix – December 8th, 2017 – On Monday, November 13th during the Society Presidents’ Recognition and Awards Session held in conjunction with AAO 2017 in New Orleans, Dr. Derek Y. Kunimoto was recognized for completing his participation in the Academy’s Leadership Development Program XIXI, Class of 2017.   Dr. Kunimoto was among a select group of nineteen participants chosen for the LDP XIX, Class of 2017, from among a large group that was nominated by state, subspecialty and specialized interest societies.  The class also included an international participant from Turkey who represented the International Council of Ophthalmology.

In January 2017, Dr. Kunimoto took part in a 2 ½ day interactive session in San Francisco covering a wide variety of leadership and association management topics.  The meeting also included a visit to AAO headquarters to hear from the 2017 Academy President Cynthia Ann Bradford, MD, CEO David Parke II, MD, and Academy Vice Presidents on key priorities for the Academy.  Next was a trip in April 2017 to attend the Mid-Year Forum 2017 in Washington D.C. where Dr. Kunimoto visited Arizona’s Members of Congress and their staff to discuss issues important to the medical profession as part of Congressional Advocacy Day.  During a dedicated LDP session on Capitol Hill, Dr. Kunimoto and his LDP colleagues also heard from 2017 US Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) about building effective relationships with legislators and how best to advocate on behalf of patients.

During the final LDP XIX session in New Orleans, Dr. Kunimoto heard from the leadership of the AAO and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology regarding global collaborative efforts and key priority issues for organized ophthalmology and was encouraged to put his leadership skills to good use.

“This is an important program aimed at collaborating with state, national, and even international societies and moving the needle forward in how we strengthen our profession, educate our providers and advocate for the best possible care of our patients,” said Dr. Derek Kunimoto, managing partner, Retinal Consultants of Arizona. “I am proud to participate and represent the great state of Arizona.” 

 

Graduates of the AAO Leadership Development Program XIX, Class of 2017

Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology

Russell W. Read, MD PhD

 

American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Ophthalmology

Stacey J. Kruger, MD

 

American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology

Erin P. Benjamin, DO

 

American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Catherine J. Hwang, MD FACS

 

Arizona Ophthalmological Society

Derek Y. Kunimoto, MD JD

 

Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Rebecca Sands Braverman, MD

 

Eye Bank Association of America

Michelle K. Rhee, MD

 

International Council of Ophthalmology

Seyhan Bahar Ozkan MD

 

International Society of Refractive Surgery

George O. Waring IV, MD

 

Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology

Jeffrianne S. Young, MD

 

Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

John M. Franklin, MD

 

National Medical Association, Ophthalmology Section

Adrienne W. Scott, MD

 

North Carolina Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Kathleen B. Gordon, MD

 

Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company

Robert G. Fante, MD FACS

 

Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society

Maria Cirone Scott, MD

 

South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology

Scott K. Schultz, MD

 

Washington DC Metropolitan Ophthalmological Society

Natasha L. Herz, MD

 

West Virginia Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

Mark D. Mayle, MD

 

Wisconsin Academy of Ophthalmology

Suzanne M. Falkenberry, MD

 

Women in Ophthalmology

Erin M. Shriver, MD FACS