In 2011, Cal Roberts, MD, got an unexpected call from Brent Saunders, then head of Bausch & Lomb. Saunders asked if Dr. Roberts would trade a thriving ophthalmology practice to serve as chief medical officer at the eye care giant. Today, Dr. Roberts is thrilled with the decision, and other ophthalmology companies are following the example, bringing on practicing physicians as CMOs. But what were Dr. Roberts’ concerns? And why did he decide to take the leap? “It’s difficult and it’s sometimes more difficult than someone coming in realizes,” he says.