Doug May Named CEO of HelpMeSee to Scale Aviation-Based Surgical Training

The appointment marks a strategic transition for the Jersey City-based organization, which applies high-stakes aviation training methodologies to Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS). Drawing on his background as an experimental test pilot and his tenure as Executive Vice President at FlightSafety International, May is tasked with expanding the nonprofit’s network of 19 training centers and 40 simulators. His experience with immersive virtual reality and haptic technologies is central to the board's mission of standardizing surgical proficiency.

HelpMeSee, co-founded by Al and Jim Ueltschi, operates on the premise that the rigorous, competency-based training used to ensure flight safety can be adapted to restore sight for the estimated 100 million people suffering from cataract-related blindness. Under the new leadership, the organization intends to deepen its partnerships with governments and universities to transition trainees from high-fidelity simulation to clinical practice. Jim Ueltschi, Chairman of the Board, noted that May’s operational track record at firms like Textron Aviation and Bell Helicopter was a decisive factor in his selection to lead the next phase of the organization's growth.