BY ERIKA MCCARTHY, MMS SENIOR EDITOR AND WRITER
Dr. Olivia C. Liao
Olivia C. Liao, MD, FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist at Lexington Eye Associates, where she has served as treasurer and on the board of directors since 2000. She is also a founding member of Surgisite Boston and has been a member of
Emerson Hospital’s medical staff since 1996, holding various leadership roles.
An active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) since 1988, Dr. Liao has contributed to several committees and served as executive committee member, secretary-treasurer, vice president, and president of the Middlesex District. She
was named the 2019 Community Clinician of the Year. Her work with the MMS includes roles such as vice-chair of the Committee on Legislation, co-chair of the Working Group on Governance Reform, and chair of the Task Force on Joint and Several
Liability.
Dr. Liao is also a longtime member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including Castle
Connolly’s Top Doctor and Exceptional Women in Medicine.
A graduate of Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Liao volunteers with the Lions Club and conducts annual vision and glaucoma screenings, as well as fundraising for Emerson Hospital’s family health events.
On May 16, Dr. Liao was inaugurated as the 143rd president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, with her term officially commencing on June 1, 2025. Prior to her inauguration, she shared her thoughts with Vital Signs on the importance of primary
care, AI integration, legislative and advocacy efforts, and what’s ahead for the MMS.
VS: What inspired you to take on this leadership role, and what excites you most about it?
Dr. Liao: The mission of the Massachusetts Medical Society to prioritize the needs of patients and physicians, as well as the example set by MMS leaders and role models, inspired me to take on this role.
I am passionate about medicine and deeply respect the dedicated physicians who uphold our oath to help patients. This leadership position gives me a unique opportunity to shape the direction of medicine at a higher level, and I am excited
to foster open-minded, respectful dialogue to drive positive change.
VS: How do you envision your leadership impacting the
organization in the coming years?
Dr. Liao: My vision is to strengthen MMS’s advocacy for patients and physicians, enhance engagement among members, and promote a collaborative culture. I aim to support the Society’s strategic plan — optimizing
membership value, driving impactful advocacy, and advancing professional development — so that we remain the most trusted leadership voice in health care in Massachusetts.
VS: What are your top priorities for your first year as president?
Dr. Liao: My top priority is rebuilding and strengthening the physician workforce, with a special focus on primary care. Addressing the primary care shortage requires innovative strategies, including value-based
care models, team-based practice redesign, and efforts to reduce administrative burdens that drive burnout and deter new entrants to the field.
I am also committed to ensuring that physicians have a strong voice as artificial intelligence rapidly evolves in health care. Responsible artificial intelligence (AI) integration should support, not replace, physicians, enhance patient care,
and reduce clerical burdens while maintaining physician autonomy and ethical standards. We need a seat at the table to guide AI’s development, ensure transparency, and advocate for robust education and training so that AI is an asset, not
a threat, to our profession.
VS: What legislative or advocacy issues are most important to you right now?
Dr. Liao: I am especially focused on legislative and advocacy efforts that improve patient care and reduce physician burnout. Attracting and retaining future physicians, particularly in primary care, is
a priority, along with supporting policies that make the practice environment more sustainable and rewarding for current and future clinicians.
VS: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing medicine today?
Dr. Liao: Major challenges include economic and external pressures that make practicing medicine difficult at every level — from private practice to hospitals. These pressures can deter talented, compassionate
individuals from joining or staying in the health care workforce, highlighting the urgent need for systemic improvements.
VS: How do you balance administrative leadership with your dedication to hands-on patient care?
Dr. Liao: My private practice is personally rewarding and keeps me grounded in the realities faced by patients and physicians. This direct experience informs my work in organized medicine, ensuring advocacy
and policy decisions are relevant and effective for those at the front lines.
VS: How can physicians and health care professionals be more engaged in local and state-level policy advocacy?
Dr. Liao: Start with a topic you are passionate about and get involved with the relevant MMS committee or your district. The MMS provides training and resources to help bring your voice to legislators, making
it easier to participate in meaningful advocacy efforts.
VS: If you weren’t a physician, what career might you have
pursued?
Dr. Liao: There is no other profession I would rather pursue. While I have many hobbies, medicine is the best fit for me and continues to be my calling.
