The People Behind Refractive Surgery News
David Evans, PhD, MBA » Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Evans has directed marketing efforts for medical companies and surgical practices since 1985. In 1996, he co-founded an Internet medical marketing communications firm specializing in eye health. He has helped refractive surgeons throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia better educate and connect with patients through their practice websites and other online communication strategies. Dr. Evans is a recognized authority on Internet healthcare marketing strategies and has spoken at meetings of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He co-founded Ceatus Media Group LLC in 2004. Dr. Evans is also a world leading expert in contrast sensitivity testing technology and founder of VectorVision. He is a member of the FDA committee for vision testing standards, testifies as an expert witness on topics related to real-world functional vision, holds a number of patents on optical devices and has published more than 30 articles and book chapters.
Ron Walker » Partner
Mr. Walker was co-founder and executive vice president of eye care trade publisher Viscom Publications, as well as publishing director for Cardinal Business Media's joint publishing venture with the American Optometric Association. His 30-year career in vision care includes various positions with professional and trade publications and with an ad agency specializing in optical retailing. He is a founding partner of Access Media Group LLC and is publisher of All About Vision®, an informational resource for consumers on eye health and vision correction options such as eyeglasses, contact lenses and LASIK.
Tom Meinert » Partner
Mr. Meinert's 24-year publishing career includes roles as vice president, sales, of eye care trade publisher Viscom Publications, and associate publisher at Frames Data Publications, a unit of Medical Economics Company. He also served as associate publisher of Eyecare Business magazine. In 1997, Mr. Meinert co-founded Access Media Group LLC, a company specializing in print and electronic eye health information for consumers. The company's flagship property, All About Vision, is an eye care portal serving more than 9 million unique visitors in 2009. Mr. Meinert is also publisher of Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery and Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery.
Gary Heiting, OD » Editor
Dr. Heiting is the founding editor of Refractive Surgery News (formerly LASIK Surgery News) and launched the site in 2006 while serving as primary eye care provider at Eau Claire LASIK in Eau Clare, Wisconsin. In addition to working alongside refractive surgeons, Dr. Heiting has more than 20 years experience as an eye care professional, including positions at Ophthalmic Surgeons & Physicians, Ltd., in Tempe, Arizona, and Park Nicollet Medical Center in Minneapolis. He also has served as director of professional relations and education, North America, for Pentax Vision Inc., a multinational eyewear company based in Tokyo. Dr. Heiting also is associate editor of All About Vision.
Sonal Blackburn » Webmaster
Ms. Blackburn is webmaster of Refractive Surgery News and other Ceatus Media online properties, including Consumer Guide to Dentistry — a comprehensive resource covering all aspects of dentistry including dentures and braces cost — and the eye surgeon directory at All About Vision. She earned a BS in Biology from Northern Illinois University and a BA in English Literature/Education from Northeastern Illinois University. Ms. Blackburn also has worked as a web/graphic designer and consultant and in marketing, design and content management.
Liz Segre » Group Editorial Director
Ms. Segre is editorial director for the online properties of Ceatus Media and Access Media Group and is the founding editor of All About Vision. Ms. Segre has been involved in healthcare publishing for 13 years and is a former editor-in-chief of Eyecare Business magazine. She also has held editorial positions with consumer publications at Cahners Publishing and is the former editor and webmaster of OptiStock News and OptiStock.com, a newsletter and website serving investors in vision care stocks.
Steve Bagi » Design Director
A 16-year veteran of graphic design, Mr. Bagi has held art director, design director and creative director positions with a number of advertising agencies in the Philadelphia area. He was a founding partner of Beacon Advertising & Design, where he developed successful campaigns for such clients as First USA Bank, Southwest Airlines and Cahners Publishing. Mr. Bagi is president of Bagi Design and directs all design work for Ceatus Media Group LLC consumer websites, including this website, All About Vision, Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery, Consumer Guide to Dentistry and educational portals for consumers afflicted with mesothelioma or a serious personal injury. He also creates all company marketing materials, including printed brochures and Internet advertising for clients.
Mike Brooks » Vice President, Operations
Mr. Brooks joined Ceatus in 2007 and directs day-to-day operations for the company, including a team of writers, webmasters and programmers who serve the company's clients. He has nearly two decades of experience in business management and sales in the Internet and high-technology fields. During this time he successfully launched, managed and sold a broadband company that served corporate clients throughout Southern California. Mr. Brooks has a BA in business economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Jack Barrient » Vice President, Sales
Mr. Barrient has directed health-care-related marketing and sales efforts for more than 25 years. During the last eight years, he has marketed programs to build consumer Internet visibility for surgeons who offer elective fee-for-service procedures. His background includes serving clients in ophthalmology, dentistry and plastic surgery throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
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Last updated: February 2010
