Since 1979, Gerry has been part of a team of Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists who provide free eye care in the developing world. The clinical education and experience gained by interacting with many great minds in eye care on volunteer projects taught Gerry significant goals were only achieved when a dedicated group could be ligned around a shared goal. To this end, Gerry helped create and remains President of Canadian Vision Care. He is currently spearheading a project to raise $1,000,000 for a multi-disciplinary eye clinic to be built in Jamaica.
From 1980 to 1982, Dr. Leinweber worked part-time for Dr. Howard Gimbel who led the revolution of IOL cataract surgery by collaborating with Optometrists in shared patient care. This experience taught Gerry new eye care models could combine high standards of clinical care with healthy profits to sustain such innovation. Gerry continues these efforts today as he works to develop a new business model DECE (Doctors Enhancing Clinical Excellence) which makes scanning laser instruments affordable and available to private offices who choose to license such technology, virtually eliminating the risks of technology obsolescence. Gerry’s diverse interests have led him to found “Doctor’s Business Alliance”, a consulting group dedicated to bringing effective training and consulting to eye care offices. He has designed four different software products and consults on practice management, clinical, and information technology issues.
Dr. Leinweber is immediate past President of the Alberta College of Optometrists and has served on many committees for the Alberta Association of Optometrists. In addition, Gerry has worked to align independent Optometry in Canada, and is a founding member of Doctors Eyecare Network. He has served the organization in various capacities, including CEO, CFO, and CLO. Since 1990, Gerry has also been very active in continuing education by authoring courses, lecturing and leading seminars for Doctors and their staff. He has lectured across Canada and at international seminars.
In 1981, Gerry joined Lions in 1981 and has served multiple times as club President, District Sight Chairman, and on the Board of the Alberta Eye Bank. In international projects, he has donated over 60 weeks to clinical projects, and was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship by the Lions Club of the Caribbean when he was the keynote speaker at their 1999 convention. He received the International President’s Appreciation Award in 1988.