From Jet Engines to Eye Care: How an Aviation Titan is Taking Orbis International to New Heights

NEW YORK, NY – January 06, 2026 – Global eye care nonprofit Orbis International has announced a significant leadership transition, appointing seasoned aerospace executive John Slattery as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. The appointment, effective January 1, 2026, places a titan of the aviation industry at the helm of an organization renowned for its unique approach to fighting preventable blindness: a state-of-the-art ophthalmic teaching hospital housed within a cargo aircraft.

Slattery’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to deepen the synergy between the worlds of aviation and global health. With over 25 years of high-level experience, including tenures as President & CEO of GE Aviation and President & CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, his expertise is uniquely tailored to the operational and logistical complexities of Orbis’s flagship initiative, the Flying Eye Hospital.

A Leader Uniquely Suited for the Mission

John Slattery’s career has been defined by leadership at the pinnacle of the aerospace industry. Currently serving as Chairman at Forgital Group, a global manufacturer of aerospace components, his professional journey has given him an unparalleled understanding of aircraft operations, global logistics, and industry-wide relationship building. This background is not just an asset to Orbis; it is a direct complement to its most visible and ambitious program.

The Flying Eye Hospital is a fully accredited teaching hospital on board a converted MD-10 aircraft, bringing world-class training and sight-saving care to underserved communities around the globe. Slattery’s leadership is expected to enhance the efficiency and expand the reach of this complex mobile unit, which has recently conducted in-person training projects in countries like Vietnam, Zambia, Mongolia, and Bangladesh.

“I am honored to step into the role of Chair at Orbis International, an organization whose mission and impact I have been proud to champion for many years,” said Slattery in a statement. “The Flying Eye Hospital brings world-class training and care to places where it's needed most and offers a unique connection to the aviation sector, which we hope to build on. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, and partners to advance Orbis's mission and help ensure that avoidable blindness or vision loss never stands in the way of someone's potential.”

Elevating a High-Tech Humanitarian Model

While the Flying Eye Hospital is its most iconic asset, Orbis’s strategy extends far beyond the aircraft. The organization has become a leader in leveraging technology to scale its impact. Its award-winning telemedicine and e-learning platform, Cybersight, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and has grown to include over 100,000 registered eye care professionals across more than 200 countries.

The platform provides free virtual access to expert consultations, mentoring, and a vast library of training resources. A recently launched mobile app with offline capabilities makes these tools accessible even in areas with poor internet connectivity. Furthermore, Orbis has integrated artificial intelligence into Cybersight, enabling the platform’s AI to detect common eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy from simple retinal photographs, a critical tool for early screening.

Slattery’s expertise in managing complex, technology-driven global operations aligns perfectly with Orbis’s multi-faceted approach. His experience mirrors the logistical prowess seen in other major humanitarian efforts, such as the World Food Programme’s Humanitarian Air Service, which relies on aviation to deliver critical aid to the world’s most remote locations. By leveraging his extensive network and strategic acumen, Slattery is poised to forge new partnerships across the aviation and technology sectors, securing the resources and support needed to maintain and expand these cutting-edge programs.

A Culmination of a Decades-Long Commitment

For Slattery, this new role is not a sudden pivot but the culmination of a nearly two-decade-long personal commitment to Orbis’s mission. His involvement began in 2006 when he first joined the Board of Directors, a position he held until 2013, at which point he was honored as Board Member Emeritus.

He returned to the Board in January 2023, quickly taking on significant responsibilities as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee and, notably, as Chair of the Development Committee. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in the organization’s fundraising efforts, helping to secure a record-breaking gala in 2025. This long history demonstrates a deep, personal dedication to the cause of ending avoidable blindness that transcends his professional life.

His long-standing advocacy and proven ability to rally support underscore his suitability for the Chair position, combining deep institutional knowledge with the external influence needed to propel the organization forward.

Confronting a Preventable Global Crisis

The need for innovative leadership in global eye care has never been more urgent. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide live with vision loss. The most staggering part of this statistic is that 90% of these cases are treatable or entirely preventable with access to the right care, such as a simple pair of glasses or a straightforward cataract surgery.

The burden of this crisis falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, where 9 out of 10 people with vision loss reside. Barriers such as a lack of trained professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and cost prevent millions from receiving the care they need. Orbis directly confronts this challenge by training local doctors and nurses to provide care in their own communities, a sustainable model that builds local capacity for the long term.

Orbis’s impact is tangible. The organization recently administered its 100 millionth dose of trachoma-fighting antibiotics in Ethiopia, a major milestone in the global effort to eliminate the leading infectious cause of blindness. With Slattery at the helm, the organization is positioned to amplify these efforts, using his unique blend of corporate leadership and aviation expertise to navigate the logistical challenges of global health and open new doors for collaboration. His leadership promises to not only steer the Flying Eye Hospital but also to accelerate the entire organization's journey toward a world where everyone can access the eye care they deserve.