JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. has appointed Millicent Knight, OD, as head of professional affairs, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, North America, effective April 7, 2014. While Knight is not replacing anyone currently on the team, in her new position she will be a member of Johnson & Johnson's newly created Global Professional Affairs organization. She will lead the development and deployment of the company’s professional strategy across the U.S. and Canada, and she will direct its professional and education platform through The Vision Care Institute, LLC and other educational outreach programs. Knight’s 25 years of optometric experience include contact lens research, ocular disease management and integrative eye and systemic care.

She began her career in a hospital-based ophthalmology and optometry practice at a level one trauma center. She has owned two optometric practices where she built a customer base and diverse revenue streams as the principle driver of clinical operations and financial performance. Throughout her career, Knight has consulted for numerous eye and health care companies, conducted contact lens and solutions clinical trials, and lectured on contact lenses, leadership, cultural sensitivity, eye and systemic health, business and entrepreneurship. She has served as a professional affairs consultant for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care and as an instructor at The Vision Care Institute.

“Johnson & Johnson Vision Care recognizes the continued importance of eyecare professionals and their changing role in today’s marketplace,” said Laura Angelini, president, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, North America. “With her breadth of experience and commitment to professional education, Millicent is well poised to lead our North America organization in enhancing our professional strategies and capabilities and building strong partnerships within the eyecare community.”

Knight is a member of many organizations including the Illinois Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and National Optometric Association. She has served on the board of trustees of the Illinois College of Optometry, the National Advisory Eye Council and the National Eye Institute. Knight was selected as optometrist of the year by the National Optometric Association in 1999 and by the Illinois Optometric Association in 2012. She is a Certified Health Coach, a Fellow in the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and a Kellogg Leadership Fellow.