Our Vision for Pearls in Ophthalmology

We have a strong interest in professional and leadership development. It is our goal to provide resources to help residents, fellows, and young ophthalmologists transition into private practice and/or academics. We understand you have strong clinical and surgical skills, but what about the so-called soft skills to excel in this business? It is our intent to help you excel with the soft skills (Effective Communication, Leadership, Listening Skills and others). We are excited about the opportunity to bring forth valuable information by ophthalmologists from around the country to challenge all of us to be better physicians. I encourage you to partner with us by submitting an article to improve the profession of ophthalmology.

Sincerely,

Rob Melendez, MD

Chief Editor

About the Chief Editor

Dr. Melendez is the co-founder of the Chief Resident Leadership Forum that was started in 2004. He is committed to improving leadership skills in his own life and chief residents across the country. He was a former chief resident for a one-year term and named resident of the year in 2004. He is the Senior Editor of the CPChiefs Newsletter.

He is now a full-time comprehensive ophthalmologist with emphasis on cataract and refractive surgery since 2004. He is a partner at Eye Associates of New Mexico, one of the largest multispecialty practices in the United States, with 40 doctors and 14 clinics across the state.

Dr. Melendez is passionate about mentoring young ophthalmologists and students. He is also an assistant clinical professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Department of Surgery/Division of Ophthalmology since 2005 where he teaches medical students about ophthalmology and the business side of medicine. He authored the first Question & Answer audio book in Ophthalmology to help learn more about the eye and various eye diseases known as Ophthalmology Buzzwords™. He is also Editor-in-Chief of Pearls in Ophthalmology (EyePearls.com), a website with over 1500 subscribers designed to help young ophthalmologists with the clinical, surgical, and the business side of medicine.

Dr. Melendez is actively involved in the American Academy of Ophthalmology where he is a member of the Young Ophthalmologist (YO) committee since 2006 and is on the ONE Network Comprehensive Ophthalmology editorial committee. He graduated from the AAO Leadership Development Program, a highly competitive program where nearly 20 ophthalmologists are selected from across the country each year.

Dr. Melendez is actively involved in the American Medical Association (AMA) where he is a Delegate to the AMA Young Physician Section (YPS) and will serve a five-year term.

Dr. Melendez has received several awards including the AMA Leadership Award in 2008 and has been nominated for the 2009 AMA Community Service Award. He has been named by the NM Business Weekly as one of the top 40 movers and shakers in New Mexico under the age of 40 in 2007 known as 40 under 40. He has been named in the Top Docs Edition of Albuquerque The Magazine in 2006, 2007, and 2009. He has been named to Who’s Who in the World and Who’s Who in America for 2009.

Awards:

AMA Foundation honors New Mexico physician as an outstanding leader in medicine