Sara McLenighan

My success is attributed to a combination of relentless preparation, choosing great people, and never losing sight of the patient. I have always believed that if you out‑prepare everyone in the room, stay deeply curious, and surround yourself with people who are smarter than you in their craft, performance follows. I have been fortunate to have mentors who took a chance on me, teams who trusted me, and family who kept me grounded enough to keep taking bold swings. At the end of the day, every big decision I’ve made has been anchored in one question—“Does this create better outcomes for patients, physicians and my team?”—and that clarity has guided my career more than any single achievement

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to “run toward the hard things, and bring people with you.” Early in my career, a mentor told me that the opportunities that stretch you, feel a bit uncomfortable, or come with real consequences are usually the ones that accelerate your growth the most. That lens has pushed me to say yes to complex challenges, step into ambiguity, and stay close to the work rather than managing from a distance. Just as importantly, it taught me to never do it alone—to intentionally build teams of people with diverse strengths and then create the space for them to shine. That advice has shaped how I lead, how I make decisions, and how I navigate every major inflection point in my career.

Young women coming into this field should know that imposter syndrome is not a signal they don’t belong it’s often a sign they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be, stretching into their next level. First, don’t wait to “feel ready” before raising a hand; competence is built in motion, not in your head. Second, keep a running record of wins- cases influenced, people developed, tough situations handled—so there are facts to go back to when the brain starts rewriting the story. Third, be very intentional about your circle; surround yourself with people who will tell the truth, remind you of your strengths, and say your name in rooms you’re not in. Finally, stop apologizing for taking up space- speak clearly, ask the question, share the idea because the room is better when your voice is in it, and other women are watching to see what’s possible.

Some of the biggest challenges in the field right now sit at the intersection of innovation, access, and execution. Reimbursement and access pressures are constant, with coding, coverage, and pricing changes making it harder for new glaucoma procedures to be adopted confidently. At the same time, surgical centers and practices are facing staffing shortages, burnout, and margin pressure, so even great technologies can feel like “one more thing” to operationalize. Physicians are also inundated with information—new data, devices, and “must‑have” solutions—so cutting through the noise with clear evidence, training, and support is more critical than ever. Layered on top of that is the ongoing challenge of health equity: the patients who could benefit most from advanced care are often the hardest to reach due to geography, insurance, or social determinants of health. Finally, on the commercial side, there is the work of keeping teams engaged and future‑ready navigating rapid change in AI, data tools, and customer expectations while still protecting culture, ethics, and performance.

The values that matter most in both work and life are the ones that keep decisions, relationships, and results aligned. For me, that centers on integrity, excellence, and people.

Integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching, telling the truth even when it is uncomfortable, and honoring commitments. Excellence is about preparation, high standards, and never mailing it in whether that is a patient outcome, a presentation, or a tough conversation. And people sit at the core of everything: empathy, respect, and loyalty to family, friends, colleagues, customers and patients are the filter for how time is spent and how success is defined.