
The GP Lens Institute is proud to announce that as of January 1, 2025 Jennifer Harthan OD, FAAO, FSLS will assume the role of Executive Director of the GP Lens Institute (GPLI). She will become the third Executive Director in the history of this organization and just the second since Dr. Ed Bennett – who announced his plans to retire this past June – assumed the role in January, 1988. Dr. Harthan, a renowned lecturer and author in the area of specialty contact lenses, is a Diplomate in the Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry and currently serves as Professor of Optometry and Chief of the Cornea and Contact Lens Center for Excellence at the Illinois College of Optometry.
Dr. Bennett is very excited to welcome Dr. Harthan to lead the future of the GPLI. “Dr. Harthan is an outstanding educator, clinician-researcher, and leader and she is very familiar and experienced with GPLI programs and resources having served as a long-time member of our Advisory Board, editor of our online journal, The Advisor, co-Chair of one of our committees, and recipient of the 2022 GPLI Educator of the Year award. She is most definitely a specialty contact lens educator at heart and the perfect individual to work with our leadership team of Associate Director, Dr. Tom Quinn, and our Administrative Director, Beth Anderzhon, to lead the future direction of the GPLI.”
Dr. Quinn agrees: “Dr. Harthan has been an active member of the GPLI and understands what we are about. Her knowledge, organizational skills and passion for the GPLI’s educational mission make her perfectly suited to move us forward.”
And Dr. Harthan is excited to lead an organization she is passionate about. ”GPLI’s many educational resources have helped shaped me as a contact lens clinician and educator. I am dedicated and committed to carrying out the GPLI’s mission in a collaborative effort. Personally, I would like to thank Dr. Bennett for his many years of mentorship, service, and leadership. I am honored to be able to contribute to the GPLI in this new role, and look forward to what the future holds for GP and custom soft lenses.”