Practitioners, not theorists
Every panelist and guest runs or operates a real practice. Advice comes from people with skin in the game, not consultants reading slides.
About OB Academy
Great surgeons deserve great businesses.
Ophthalmology Business Academy exists for one reason: to give every ophthalmologist the business education their clinical training skipped.
2022founded
75+episodes published
3hosts & growing faculty
100%free to members
Our story
It started with a pattern we couldn't ignore
Brilliant clinicians, held back by the business side of medicine.
01 · The pattern
After consulting with ophthalmology practices across the US and Canada, our founder kept seeing the same thing: marketing that didn't work, operations that leaked revenue, and growth decisions made on instinct instead of evidence.
02 · The gap
The knowledge to fix this existed, but it was scattered across conference hallways, private peer groups, and the hard-won experience of a few standout practices. There was no single place where a practice owner, administrator, or early-career surgeon could learn the business of eye care.
03 · The academy
So in 2022, together with key opinion leaders across ophthalmology, we built one. OB Academy brings practitioners together, on the podcast, in live panels, and through practical resources, to share what actually works, including the disagreements.
Success is a by-product of our dedication to serving others. The academy is how we give back to the community that built us.Naren ArulrajahFounder, Ophthalmology Business Academy · CEO, Ekwa Marketing
The journey
From one podcast to a growing academy
2022
The podcast launches
The Ophthalmology Business Podcast debuts with co-host Guido Piquet, COO of Mann Eye Institute, and quickly earns 5-star reviews from ophthalmic leaders.
2023
The faculty grows
Surgeons and executives join as hosts and contributors, including retina specialists, refractive surgeons, and certified ophthalmic executives.
2024
75 episodes & live events
The library passes 75 episodes, joined by webinars and expert panels covering marketing, operations, and emerging technology.
2026
The relaunch
OB Academy returns with a new biweekly live panel series, a rebuilt platform, and a growing community of practice leaders across North America.
Our mission
To help every ophthalmologist find personal, professional, and financial success, by making world-class business education free and accessible.
What we stand for
Three principles behind everything we publish
Debate over consensus
The best learning happens where smart people disagree. Our panels surface genuine tensions, premium pricing, private equity, AI adoption, instead of safe generalities.
Actionable or it doesn't ship
Every episode, panel, and resource has to pass one test: can a practice apply this on Monday morning? If not, we cut it.
Who's behind it
Hosts & leadership
The people who plan the panels, host the show, and keep the academy running.
Naren Arulrajah
Founder & HostCEO of Ekwa Marketing. Has personally consulted with ophthalmology practices across the US, helping them scale from startups to multi-million-dollar organizations. AceTech Ontario Leadership Initiative Award recipient.
Guido Piquet
Co-hostChief Operations Officer at Mann Eye Institute (Houston & Austin). Certified Ophthalmic Executive and MBA. Under his operational leadership the practice has more than doubled in size.
Sarah Duval, COE, COA
Co-hostDirector of Marketing & Business Development at Concord Eye Center and past president of the National Board for the Certification of Ophthalmic Executives. Twenty-plus years in ophthalmology, from technician to leadership.
Plus a contributing faculty of surgeons and specialists across North America.
Powered by Ekwa Marketing
Backed by a team that serves doctors every day
OB Academy is an initiative of Ekwa Marketing, a digital marketing company that works exclusively with doctors in private practice, including ophthalmologists, dentists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons across the US and Canada.
That foundation means the academy isn't guessing about what works in practice marketing and growth. It's drawn from thousands of real client engagements.
About Ekwa Marketing200+team members
15,000+physicians served
95%client retention
US + CAprivate practices
Be part of the next chapter
Join free for live panel access, curated episode playlists, and one practical email every other week.