CINCINNATI—LCA-Vision (NASDAQ: LCAV) appointed Steven C. Straus, 50, as CEO of the refractive surgery firm, effective immediately. Straus will also be joining the company's board of directors.

Straus joins the company from his recent position as president and COO of MSO Medical, Inc., an obesity disease and bariatric surgery management company. Straus has also held a number of prominent positions in healthcare related businesses throughout a professional career spanning approximately 30 years, including executive level positions at TLC Vision Corporation, Jordan Industries, Inc., Columbia/HCA Inc./Medical Care America, Inc., and Baxter International/American Hospital Supply Corporation.

Commenting on behalf of LCA-Vision’s board of directors, chairman Tony Woods said, “After an extensive and thorough search process, I am honored and excited to welcome Steve Straus to LCA Vision/LasikPlus. He is a talented healthcare executive who brings with him the unique marriage of large company and entrepreneurial experience that we are looking for going forward. Straus is a bright, strategic thinker whose operational successes with multi-site healthcare businesses demonstrate a strong, results-driven, growth orientation. His reputation as an excellent leader, team member and mentor, together with his solid background in the laser vision correction industry, will complement our strong management team.”

Straus' appointment follows an extensive search by the company's board through an engagement with the national recruitment firm SpencerStuart. Earlier last month, Kevin Hassey, president of the firm resigned. During a conference call anounncing the resignation, company chairman Tony Woods said LCA-Vision’s board expected to name a new CEO by the end of October and until the new CEO was on board, a replacement for Hassey would not be named.