Dr. Lisa Nijm was recognized at AAO 2019 in San Francisco for her selection to the Academy’s 22nd Leadership Development Program (LDP) class. Dr. Nijm, nominated by Women in Ophthalmology (WIO), joins 19 other ophthalmologists in the LDP XXII, class of 2020 chosen via a competitive selection process. In addition to US participants nominated by state, subspecialty and specialized interest societies, the LDP XXII class also includes one international participant from Serbia who is representing the European Society of Ophthalmology. This incoming LDP class had an Orientation Session in San Francisco where they were introduced to their classmates, met Academy leaders, and heard project presentations from the graduating LDP XXI, class of 2019.

In January 2020, Dr. Nijm will take part in a 2 ½ day interactive session in San Francisco where she will hear from AAO physician leadership, including 2020 Academy President Anne Coleman, MD, PhD, on a wide variety of leadership topics. During this session she will also visit the AAO headquarters and participate in skills training exercises. Next Dr. Nijm will attend the Academy’s Mid-Year Forum 2020 in April in Washington D.C. where she will have scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill with Senators, Representatives and healthcare staff to discuss issues important to the medical profession. During an advocacy session dedicated to LDP XXII participants, Dr. Nijm 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 2020 will take place in conjunction with AAO 2020 in Las Vegas.