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Tamara R. Fountain, MD, to Assume Leadership of OMIC
SAN FRANCISCO – The Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC) announced today that effective January 1, 2014, Dr. Tamara R. Fountain of Deerfield, Illinois will succeed John W. Shore, MD as Chairperson of OMIC’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Shore, who reached the maximum number of years of service allowed under OMIC’s bylaws, said the occasion was bittersweet. “Being honored with the chance to affect the profession I love in such a profound way has been a highlight of my life. I’m sad my time has come to an end, but am filled with optimism and gratitude that this great organization has such a wealth of talent to lead us into the future.”
Dr. Shore noted the challenges for healthcare and emphasized how OMIC, the largest insurer of ophthalmologists in America, will play a critical role in shaping the specialty’s future. “As the delivery of ophthalmic services changes to meet the needs of an expanding and diverse patient population, coordination of care, risk management, and patient safety initiatives will be essential to protecting our interests.” He continued, “There is no other person I can think of who is better equipped, through vision, intellect, and experience, to lead OMIC through this period of uncertainty. Dr. Fountain has been a leading voice for our profession for nearly two decades, particularly with regard to ethics, advocacy, and health policy.”
During the past quarter century, OMIC has risen to become an undisputed worldwide leader in ophthalmic risk management. Dr. Shore believes this will be a critical strategic advantage for OMIC. “We must continue to work in partnership with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and all other ophthalmic societies to promote initiatives that minimize errors and protect our patients.”
Under the leadership of Dr. Fountain, OMIC’s risk management program maintains joint educational alliances with virtually every state, subspecialty, and specialized interest ophthalmic society in America. “OMIC outperformed all of our peer malpractice insurance competitors in 2012 claim performance and this can be directly tied to our emphasis on loss prevention,” according to Dr. Shore, “and this has translated into lower and stable rates for ophthalmologists and consistently higher dividend returns.”
Dr. Fountain joined OMIC’s Board of Directors in 2007 after serving for six years as an OMIC Committee member. She was appointed Secretary on the Executive Committee and has served as Chair of the Strategic Planning, Marketing, and Risk Management Committees. In addition to her work at OMIC, Dr. Fountain has held several leadership positions within the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Fountain pointed to the significant contributions of Dr. Shore during his nearly 30 years of leadership within ophthalmology, “We are navigating the changes in healthcare better than many other specialties because of the years of service of dedicated ophthalmologists like Dr. Shore, who has lead our company during many of our most successful years. I pledge every effort to continue to meet such high standards during my service as OMIC’s Chairperson.”
More about Dr. Fountain
Dr. Fountain is professor of ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center and maintains a private practice in oculofacial plastics in Chicago’s northern suburbs. She has been recognized by her peers as a “Best Ophthalmologist” and has been named to America’s “Top Ophthalmologists” for the past several years.
She graduated with a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.D. from Harvard Medical School. After completing a residency in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Institute, she pursued fellowship training in oculoplastic surgery at Doheny Eye Institute/University of Southern California.
Dr. Fountain is the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s secretary for member services. Past Academy service includes membership on the Young Ophthalmologist, Ethics and Health Policy Committees. She was part of the inaugural class of the Leadership Development Program and has received the Academy’s Secretariat and Senior Achievement Awards. Dr. Fountain served on the Academy’s Board of Directors as trustee-at-large from 2005-2008 and completed a term on the EyeNet editorial advisory board in 2012.
Dr. Fountain has served 13 years as a committee member and board director for the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company. She currently serves on the executive committee and chairs the Risk Management Committee. Dr. Fountain is active in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, having served as executive secretary and chair of both the Thesis and Oral Exam Committees. She recently received the Orkan Stasior Leadership Award for service to the society. She is a past president of the Illinois Association of Ophthalmology and has been involved in programming for both Women in Ophthalmology and the Chicago Ophthalmological Society.
About OMIC
The Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company is the largest insurer of eye physicians and surgeons in the United States and is the nation’s premier source for ophthalmic risk management information. OMIC maintains educational alliances with 45 state, subspecialty, and specialized interest ophthalmic societies and maintains the exclusive endorsement and sponsorship of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
For more information
Contact: Robert Widi
Vice President, Marketing and Sales
415-202-4654, rwidi@omic.com
