Legacy

Honoring the leadership that built Arizona ophthalmology, from our founding presidents to the physicians guiding ASEPS today.

Honoring the Physicians Who Moved Our Mission Forward

For more than six decades, generations of Arizona ophthalmologists have stepped forward to lead this Society, first as the Arizona Ophthalmological Society and now as ASEPS.

This page honors that legacy of leadership through our Wall of Honor, recognizing physicians whose extraordinary dedication, innovative leadership, and unwavering commitment have advanced ASEPS's mission to protect and strengthen the profession across Arizona. It also preserves a complete historical record of every president who has served since 1963.

VIEW THE WALL OF HONOR

Photo of many saguaros in Arizona by Jeff Maltzman, M.D..webp

WALL OF HONOR

INNOVATION

Responding with new ideas

Encourage new methods and approaches to meet the evolving challenges facing our profession.

MENTORSHIP

Fostering the next generation

Educating ophthalmologists who will carry our profession forward and uphold its tradition of excellence.

SERVICE

Leading by daily action

Advancing access to high-quality eye care through leadership, volunteerism and service to our communities.

© Photo by Jeff Maltzman, M.D.

Thomas Moore, MD - Member of the Arizona Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.webp

Thomas F. Moore, MD

Pediatric Ophthalmologist
President 1980–81

First ophthalmic sub-specialist (pediatric ophthalmology) in Arizona
Pioneered healthcare political advocacy, creating the first ophthalmic subspecialty PAC, AZ OPAC
Instrumental in the creation of the AAO's OphthPAC (1985)

James Meador, MD

Comprehensive Ophthalmologist· President 1982–83

Comprehensive ophthalmologist
Led the Society through its early growth in the 1980s

Christian Risser, MD - Member of the Arizona Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.webp

Christian F. Risser, MD

Comprehensive Ophthalmologist· President 1993–95

Comprehensive ophthalmologist
Guided ASEPS through the mid-1990s

Daniel J. Briceland, MD

Comprehensive Ophthalmologist· President 2000–01

AAO President
AAO State Affairs leadership
OMIC President
AAO Leadership Development Program
Clinical Professor, University of Arizona College of Medicine

Robert C. Spurny, MD

Glaucoma Surgeon
President 1998–2000

AZ OPAC Chair (2013–present)
AAO Councilor
Clinical Professor, University of Arizona College of Medicine

Jeff Edelstein, MD - Member of the Arizona Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.webp

Jeffrey P. Edelstein, MD

Oculoplastic Surgeon (retired 2025)
President 2001–03

AAO Health Policy Committee (2008-present, Chair 2018-23)
AAO Council (2017–23)
AMA RUC Member (2019–25)
AOS Foundation Chair (2011–present)
AOS President (2001-03)

Kristin Carter, MD

Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
President 2007–09

AAO Health Policy Committee
Arizona CAC Member

Jeff S. Maltzman, MD

Glaucoma/Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
President 2010–12

OphthPAC Chair
AAO Board of Trustees
Clinical Professor, University of Arizona College of Medicine

"True leadership is about inspiring and empowering people to shape outcomes through integrity, vision, and leadership to achieve our goals for quality eye care well into the future."

— Thomas F. Moore, MD

THE COMPLETE RECORD

Past Presidents of ASEPS

Every physician who has led the Society since its founding in 1963 — first as the Arizona Ophthalmological Society.

Phoenix | 1963–1964
Tucson | 1965–1966
Tucson | 1967–1968
Phoenix | 1969–1970

1960s

Mesa | 1964–1965
Phoenix | 1966–1967
Prescott | 1968–1969

Tucson | 1970–1971
Mesa | 1972–1973
Tucson | 1974–1975
Tempe | 1976–1977
Phoenix | 1978–1979

1970s

Tucson | 1971–1972
Phoenix | 1973–1974
Phoenix | 1975–1976
Tucson | 1977–1978
Tucson | 1979–1980

Phoenix | 1980–1981
Phoenix | 1982–1983
Phoenix | 1984–1985
Tucson | 1986–1988

1980s

Phoenix | 1981–1982
Flagstaff | 1983–1984
Lake Havasu | 1985–1986
Tucson | 1988–1990

Scottsdale | 1990–1992
Phoenix | 1993–1995
Tucson | 1996–1998

1990s

Phoenix | 1992–1993
Tucson | 1995–1996

Phoenix | 1998–2000
Mesa | 2001–2003
Prescott | 2006–2007

2000s

Phoenix | 2000–2001
Tucson | 2003–2005
Tucson | 2007–2009

Phoenix | 2009–2010
Tempe | 2012–2015
Chandler | 2017–2019

2010s

Tucson | 2010–2012
Sun City West | 2015–2017
Tucson | 2019–2021

Phoenix | 2025–Present

Phoenix | 2021–2025

2020s

"The leaders recognized here are celebrated for their care about our profession and actions to make it better for all. Their dedication is unparalleled."

— Trish Hart, Arizona Lobbyist

Are You Ready to Add to ASEPS's Legacy?

ASEPS membership connects you to the statewide community that built this Society, and the advocacy work that will define its next chapter.

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MEMBER BENEFITS

Legacy

Honoring the Physicians Who Moved Our Mission Forward

WALL OF HONOR

"True leadership is about inspiring and empowering people to shape outcomes through integrity, vision, and leadership to achieve our goals for quality eye care well into the future."

THE COMPLETE RECORD

Past Presidents of ASEPS

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

"The leaders recognized here are celebrated for their care about our profession and actions to make it better for all. Their dedication is unparalleled."

Are You Ready to Add to ASEPS's Legacy?

Direct Links:

Contact:

Legacy

Honoring the Physicians Who Moved Our Mission Forward

WALL OF HONOR

"True leadership is about inspiring and empowering people to shape outcomes through integrity, vision, and leadership to achieve our goals for quality eye care well into the future."

THE COMPLETE RECORD

Past Presidents of ASEPS

Oscar W. Thoeny, MD

Emery Royce, MD

James P. Calkins, MD

W.L. Sage, MD

1960s

C. Truman Davis, MD

Robert F. Lorenzen, MD

W.D. Rummel, Jr., MD

George A. Shetter, MD

James C. Wootton, MD

Robert W. Blake, MD

Truman D. Plainer, MD

John R. Crowell, MD

1970s

A.K. Hansen, MD

Thomas W. Bauer, MD

Lawrence N. Frazin, MD

Robert N. Dryden, MD

Robert T. Estes, MD

Thomas F. Moore, MD

James R. Meador, MD

Thomas F. Minas, MD

Charles S. Gannon, MD

1980s

Lawrence A. Spitalny, MD

J. Charles Casebeer, MD

William J. Dooley, Jr., MD

Leonard Joffe, MD

Robert L. Yockey, MD

Christian F. Risser, MD

Jack A. Aaron, MD

1990s

T. Glendon Moody, MD

Dean C. Brick, MD

Robert C. Spurny, MD

Jeffrey P. Edelstein, MD

Steven W. Mortenson, MD

2000s

Daniel J. Briceland, MD

Brock K. Bakewell, MD

Kristin Carter, MD

Curtis R. Winkler, MD

Brian T. Rose, MD

Robert C. Davidson, MD

2010s

Jeff S. Maltzman, MD

Charles L. Schaffer, MD

Jordanna M. Smith, MD

Joanne Shen, MD

Mark Kwong, MD

2020s

"The leaders recognized here are celebrated for their care about our profession and actions to make it better for all. Their dedication is unparalleled."

Are You Ready to Add to ASEPS's Legacy?

Direct Links:

Contact: