ASRS President Reflects on a Year of Change

As his term comes to a close, Geoffrey G. Emerson, MD, PhD, FASRS, discusses scientific advances, physician advocacy, and the collaborative leadership behind ASRS.

By
Geoffrey G. Emerson, MD, PhD, FASRS
July 15, 2026
3 min

Retinal Physician

Objective:

To discuss the advancements and changes in the field of retina during Geoffrey G. Emerson's presidency at ASRS, including the significance of the ASRS meeting and collaborative leadership.

Approach:

Meeting Overview: Geoffrey G. Emerson highlights the significance of the ASRS meeting in Montreal, emphasizing its size and scientific program.
Personal Reflection: Emerson shares that his presidency has been the best year of his professional life, focusing on advocacy and scientific advancements.
Team Collaboration: He discusses the collaborative leadership within ASRS, particularly the role of the program director, Audina M. Berrocal, and CEO Jill Blim.

Key Findings:

The ASRS meeting is the largest ever, with a focus on surgery and new therapeutics as highlighted by Emerson.
Emerson values the collaborative efforts of the ASRS executive committee, including the contributions of Audina M. Berrocal and Jill Blim.
Emerson notes that social events are an integral part of the meeting experience.