This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Change can have positive influence, OWL panel says
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
NEW ORLEANS — When Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, and her husband realized that Hurricane Katrina was going to strike their New Orleans home in 2005, they fled with only the clothes they were wearing and a few other items.
At the Ophthalmic Women Leaders (OWL) reception and panel discussion, "Managing, responding to and leading change," held in conjunction with the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Dr. McDonald said although the experience has showed her that change can be difficult, it can also make relationships stronger and life more precious.
When she and her husband, Stephen D. Klyce, PhD, were finally able to return to their intact but damaged home, Dr. McDonald said she had to set about reinventing her practice and her life, both of which presented new challenges.
"You just have to believe that you'll be OK and that whatever character traits you had that made you successful will kick in again," she said.
In addition to Dr. McDonald's talk, Ann M. Hulett, CMPE, COE, LaVon Kellner, Marion Morton, MBA, and Christine Oliver spoke about professional and personal changes that affected their lives.
Jaci Lindstrom, outgoing OWL president, introduced incoming president Jane Aguirre at the reception. Ms. Aguirre is AAO vice president of global alliances and a co-founder of OWL.
"I'm very impressed with her," Mrs. Lindstrom said in her opening remarks. "She's smart, she's talented, she's professional, and she will be a magnificent leader for you all."
Ms. Aguirre thanked Mrs. Lindstrom for her leadership over the past year, as OWL doubled its membership to more than 400 members. The group also reached its goal of expanding its networking community to a meeting at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons in Stockholm, Sweden.
"We're now in Europe - we're going international, which was one of Jaci's original missions for the organization when she joined as a co-founder 4 short years ago. OWL really has buzz, that's what I detect at all the meetings," Ms. Aguirre said. "It has pizzazz."