Dr. Susan MacDonald

Dr. Susan MacDonald, MD, stands as a global leader in the fight against preventable blindness.She is reshaping the landscape of charitable global eye care with a priority of medical excellence and sustainable design . As a renowned cataract surgeon and educator, she has trained thousands of ophthalmologists across the globe, influencing modern surgical practices and nurturing the next generation of clinical leaders. Yet, it is her transformative role as co-founder and CEO of Eye Corps, Inc. that defines her as one of the most visionary professionals of 2025.

With Eye Corps, Dr. MacDonald is leading a revolution in the non-profit space, with her  model of sustainable, community-based eye care across sub-Saharan Africa. The organization’s mission goes far beyond restoring vision—it trains and equips young eye surgeons to succeed by providing long term  empower local professionals to provide quality care and. , Her approach is to remove obstacles , and ensure access to high-quality care for underserved populations. In Tanzania, Eye Corps has emerged as a locally led initiative under the stewardship of Dr. MacDonald and co-founder Lisa Williamson, focused on training, mentorship, and a deeply human approach to medical service. Through their collaborative leadership, the organization fosters a strong esprit de corps—where laughter, compassion, and purpose drive impact just as much as surgical precision.

Dr. MacDonald’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that restoring sight is not merely a clinical intervention but a direct confrontation against poverty and inequality. “Restoring sight isn’t just medical care—it’s a direct act against poverty, inequity, and exclusion,” she states. This philosophy is evident in Eye Corps’ broad initiatives, from surgical education programs to microfinance models that support mobile outreach clinics. These efforts help equip local ophthalmologists, nurses, and optometrists with the tools and confidence to lead care delivery within their own communities.

Beyond her fieldwork, Dr. MacDonald serves as an Associate Clinical Professor at Tufts School of Medicine, chairs the ASCRS Foundation Board, and contributes as a board member at Epion Therapeutics, a company advancing treatments for keratoconus to prevent irreversible vision loss. Her influence stretches across continents and disciplines, blending science with advocacy and fostering a model of leadership defined by service, equity, and enduring impact.

As Eye Corps prepares to launch an advanced surgical fellowship and expand its regional presence, Dr. MacDonald continues to lead by example—proving that restoring vision is not only a medical mission but a catalyst for transformation. In her words, “Sight is power. When you restore vision, you restore dignity, economic potential, and the ability to shape one’s future.”

Learn more at www.eyecorps.org