SAN FRANCISCO--The American Academy of Ophthalmology announced last week that David W. Parke II, MD, will take over next April as the Academy’s executive vice president and chief executive officer. Parke will succeed H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, who has led the Academy since 1993 and is retiring.

“Dr. Parke brings an exceptional mix of clinical, academic, business and organizational expertise to this position,” said Michael Brennan, MD, president-elect of the Academy.

Parke, who has served on the Academy’s board of trustees since 2000 and is the 2008 Academy president, is president and CEO of the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City. He is also professor and chair of the department of ophthalmology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

The Academy’s search committee, comprising seven ophthalmologists as well as an outside executive search consultant, conducted a search starting in August. The Academy’s board of trustees, after reviewing the final candidates, selected Parke.

Parke commented, “My career as an ophthalmologist now will be dedicated to serving the profession I love. We have all benefited inestimably from the skills and commitment of Dr. Hoskins. He has led us all with a sure hand through many difficult challenges over the past 16 years, and our profession has fared well under his stewardship. I pledge to dedicate my best efforts to the same end. I look forward to working with and representing the Academy’s members. This new position will be the greatest challenge and honor of my professional career.”

Parke is a graduate of Stanford University and the Baylor College of Medicine.