Emilio H. Balius, OD
ATLANTA—SECO International announced this week that Emilio H. Balius, OD, will become the next SECO International president. He will be formally introduced to the industry on Friday during the House of Delegates meeting here at SECO 2018. Balius becomes the first Hispanic president to lead the organization, according to the SECO announcement. Born in Cuba, his family migrated to Madrid, Spain, before moving to Miami. Balius began his optometry journey at Florida State University, before entering optometry school at the University of Houston College of Optometry and completing his residency at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. Balius will be introduced at a delegates’ session beginning at 3:45 p.m. Friday in Amphitheater A3.

SECO, a leading international meeting providing optometrists and ophthalmic professionals outstanding educational opportunities since 1924, begins today (Feb. 28) at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Balius has enjoyed managing his own practice in Florida for the past 25 years. As a result, he is well versed in the needs and concerns of optometrists in today’s business climate.

“SECO International has a storied history of engaging the best and the brightest in the industry to help lead and drive the industry forward,” Dr. Lynn Hammonds, OD, president of SECO International LLC. “We are delighted to recognize Dr. Balius as the next president and look forward to drawing from his years of experience, esteemed background and enthusiasm to build upon SECO’s success in engaging and supporting the industry.”

Balius enters the role with a strong commitment to maintaining the tradition of providing the industry with engaging and cutting-edge content and education to keep doctors up-to-date in all aspects of the optometry business, from treatments and new protocols to technologies, business best practices in marketing and office management, according to the announcement.