HelpMeSee Appointed Doug May as CEO

The Jersey City-based organization named its former COO as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a haptic surgical training simulator, representing the medical technology used for cataract surgery training.
HelpMeSee has appointed former COO Doug May as its new President and CEO to lead the scaling of its simulation-based surgical training programs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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HelpMeSee appointed former Chief Operating Officer Doug May as its new President and CEO, effective September 16, 2026. The organization aims to leverage commercial aviation training techniques to combat global cataract blindness.

Why it matters

The leadership change arrives as HelpMeSee looks to scale its simulation-based surgical training programs. By applying aviation training methodologies to eye surgery, the group seeks to address the needs of those suffering from vision loss.

HelpMeSee currently maintains 40 virtual reality simulators and 19 training centers across the globe. These facilities serve a mission targeting 100 million people worldwide who are blind or visually impaired due to cataracts.

The players

Doug May

He is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of HelpMeSee who previously served as the organization's Chief Operating Officer.

HelpMeSee

This is a Jersey City-based nonprofit organization that applies commercial aviation training methods and simulation technology to address cataract blindness.

The details

HelpMeSee utilizes virtual reality simulators and haptic technology to standardize surgical training. Trainees complete an eLearning curriculum before moving to simulator-based practice to ensure they meet objective assessment standards for cataract procedures.

Timeline

  1. Doug May joined the organization in 2025.

  2. The appointment as President and CEO became effective September 16, 2026.

  3. The official announcement regarding the leadership change was made October 1, 2026.

Market Landscape

The transition follows the growth of the HelpMeSee surgical training program, signaling a focus on scaling specialized medical education. This move positions the nonprofit to further integrate industry-standard simulation models into global healthcare practices.

The change in leadership does not impact the immediate availability of existing surgical training centers for current trainees. Participants should expect continued adherence to the established simulation-based curricula and eLearning protocols.

The takeaway

The appointment of a veteran executive from the aviation industry underscores the organization's commitment to importing high-stakes technical training standards into medicine. This shift suggests that future surgical training may increasingly rely on objective, data-driven simulation.

Further reading

For more context on leadership movements within the industry, see the latest People news.

More information

Find additional information regarding the organization's mission and training methods at the HelpMeSee official website.

Live Poll

Should non-profit groups adopt private-sector training methods to address global humanitarian challenges?