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Retina International Change in Leadership

Joint statement from Ms. Christina Fasser, outgoing President, and Mr. Franz Badura, newly instated Chairperson of Retina International

Retina International held its 22nd General assembly on September 5th and 6th. Due to the Covid-19 travel restriction it was, for the first time, held as a virtual meeting. The General Assembly was attended by 20 full members and 4 candidate members and the members took some very important decisions:

  1.  The new constitution was unanimously adopted
  2.  The registration of Retina International in Ireland was formally adopted.
  3.  Franz Badura (Germany) was elected as the incoming chair of Retina International
  4.  The new Board of Directors (formerly known as the Management Committee) consists of:

    • D’Souza Jeremy (Retina Australia)
    • Holahan Ronan (Foundation Fighting Blindness Ireland)
    • Menzo Jason (Foundation Fighting Blindness USA)
    • Medefindt Claudette (Retina South Africa)
    • Morita Saburo (Japanese RP society)
    • Ramshage Caisa (Swenska RP-Föreningen)
    • Sánchez González David (FARPE)
    • Smedstad Martin (RP-foreningen i Norge)
    • Sutter Penz Marina (Retina New Zealand)

The Secretariate in Dublin will continue to be led by Avril Daly (CEO). Christina Fasser has stepped down as President but will continue in an advisory role so that her scientific expertise is not lost to Retina International. The financial administration will continue to be run from the Zurich office under the supervision of Christina Fasser until Retina International is formally registered in Ireland.

The new chair, Franz Badura (Germany) has a long-standing career as a patient advocate and leader. He has served for more than 20 years in different positions in Pro Retina Deutschland e.V. He has held the chair of this organization since 2012. He initiated and, with a scientific committee, has organized the Potsdam meeting since 2005. This internationally renowned research colloquium is a unique opportunity for young scientists to hear scientific information directly from the best researchers in the area of retinal degeneration.

With this broad experience he will lead Retina International into a bright future!

Retina International (RI) is a global umbrella organisation for patient-led charities and foundations who support research into rare, genetically inherited and age-related forms of retinal disease. More info under https://www.retina-international.org/