ORLANDO – The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO), the preeminent statewide professional association for medical and osteopathic doctors who specialize in vision care, elected Charles B. Slonim, M.D., as president at its Annual Meeting, Masters in Ophthalmology 2012, held June 22-24 in Orlando, FL.

As FSO president, Dr. Slonim will help lead the nonprofit association, which represents more than 500 medical doctors focused on protecting the medical and surgical specialty of ophthalmology. In addition to active participation in legislative advocacy and the dissemination of responsible information to physicians and patients throughout the state, the FSO also provides continuing medical education opportunities.

Dr. Slonim is a board-certified ophthalmologist in an active academic practice in Tampa, Florida. He is Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology and Affiliate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa and an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University Of Florida College Of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida.

Dr. Slonim has lectured extensively to ophthalmologists, optometrists and other physicians throughout the United States and in more than 55 international cities in more than 35 countries around the world. He has published 1 book, Eye Was There: A Patient Guide to Coping with the Loss of an Eye, 20 textbook chapters, 36 ophthalmic journal articles and 11 clinical symposia.

Dr. Slonim is a fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and a former fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Slonim received Honor Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 1993 and 2011 and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists in 1998. He was awarded Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2010 Healthcare Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Dr. Slonim is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University and New York Medical College. He completed an internship and ophthalmology residency at the Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

The mission of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology is to promote and to protect the medical specialty of ophthalmology through active participation in legislative advocacy and through providing continuing medical education and the dissemination of responsible information to its members, physicians and to the citizens of Florida to ensure the delivery of the highest standard of eye care throughout the state of Florida. For more information, visit www.mdeye.org.