General Article Archives
Summer is Finally Here, Bringing National Events in Optometry, And a Time to "Learn!"
The summer season is finally here, and I hope you all have time in your crazy schedules for some family fun. Summertime should be about enjoying baseball and softball games, attending graduation parties, traveling, and of course, having your kids empty the kitchen cupboards while they are at home all day.
Listen to a New Radio Interview on Fourth of July Fireworks Safety from Dr. John Bonsett-Veal
WOA member optometrist Dr. John Bonsett-Veal recently conducted a fantastic interview with morning announcer Russ Gowey on WKEB/WIGM radio in Medford, WI on the importance of Fireworks Safety in Wisconsin as we approach the Fourth of July Holiday. This is a must-listen!
2011 WOA Northwoods Education Event
Do you happen to be an optometrist who loves the outdoors and needs several hours of continuing education? Join the WOA at our Northwoods Education event, located this year at the Black Bear Lodge in picturesque St. Germain, Wisconsin.
2011 WOA Primary Care Symposium
As the month of November rolls around and the Fall season truly begins to set in, why not escape the cool Midwest weather and join the WOA for our final CE event of the year, the 2011 WOA Primary Care Symposium. This event offers both water park fun and the last opportunity to gain WOA sponsed CE hours this year.
A Silver Anniversary for Optometry and Golden Moment for the AOA
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the year when optometrists were first recognized as physicians under the Medicare assistance program. The decision to include optometry under this designation proved monumental in providing patients with better access to care as well as improved vision and eye health. A big “thank you” goes out to all those that were a part of that arduous process, and specifically, for the many doctors that lobbied for optometry through making the necessary constituent calls to their legislators. Optometry’s success in this endeavor has proven how powerful we can be as individuals in keeping our profession strong.
Have Your Voice Heard at the 2011 WOA Convention
As we move into the late summer months here in Wisconsin, WOA was proud to have recently held our Inaugural Summer Education Event at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, WI. This event took place on August 5-6, and it proved to be an excellent way for ODs to enjoy the late summertime while obtaining some additional CE hours. Registration for this event definitely exceeded WOA’s expectations; in fact, more ODs registered for this first annual event than have ever registered for a WOA-sponsored summer event in our organization’s history. The WOA is truly thankful to have members who are so dedicated to their chosen profession and their professional organization.
September 22-25 marks our largest sponsored event of the year. WOA is proud to present our 2011 Convention and Annual Business Meeting, to be held at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, WI.
New Interview! "Back-to-School" and the Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams - Dr. John Bonsett-Veal
Back by popular demand from WKEB/WIGM radio in Medford, WI, WOA member O.D. and Communications Committee Chair Dr. John Bonsett-Veal was kind enough to represent the WOA in a new interview with morning announcer Russ Gowey. The topic of this interview concerns how children's vision problems can have a negative impact on their learning process, and stresses the importance of children receiving a comprehensive eye exam from their local, licensed WOA member optometrist.
2011 Wisconsin Optometric Association Convention, and Moving Forward
As the WOA leadership, members, and staff settle down from the whirlwind of our Annual Convention and Business Meeting, I would like to thank all attendees for supporting the WOA and for making our 2011 event a great success. Traveling and parking may have been a bit difficult for those coming and going, but for the most part, the activities surrounding the location during Oktoberfest were an added bonus.
WOA Presidential Address Given at Convention 2011 - Dr. Jeff Sarazen, 2012 WOA President
I would like to begin by thanking my friends and colleagues for giving me the honor to serve as your WOA President in 2012. I have been a devoted member of the WOA and AOA for many years, and moving through the leadership ranks has been an amazing journey for me personally and professionally. Thank you.
2011 Wisconsin Optometric Association Convention Highlights!
There were so many great moment's at this year's Convention and Annual Meeting! With this in mind, we've created a feature PowerPoint presentation highlighting the "sights" of the 2011 event. See your leadership, AOA Trustee, event speakers, the exhibit hall, new ODs, student members, pictures from Band Night, and more. This presentation, entitled Capturing the Moments: A Look Back at the Sights of Convention 2011, provides photos and captions from the 2011 Convention that you simply won't want to miss!
November 2011 Radio Interview with WOA President Dr. Lisa Slaby - National Diabetes Awareness Month
As WOA recognizes November as National Diabetes Awareness Month, be sure to check out this Nov. 4, 2011 radio interview with WOA President Dr. Lisa Slaby!
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month!
November is recognized by WOA as National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a condition that each of us deals with on a daily basis in our practices and even in our personal lives. Coinciding with this, the WOA is continuing to grow in our public awareness efforts.
Dr. Slaby's Farewell Address
Throughout my tenure on the WOA Board, I have heard each Past President say “I can’t believe how fast my year as President has gone,” and this is certainly true. Wisconsin is a great state to practice optometry, and we can only continue to move forward with the help of all of our doctors.
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month - Protect Your Sight!
Impacting over an estimated 4 million Americans, Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. See your optometrist for a comprehensive dilated eye exam to protect your vision and eye health!
Live TV Interview on Glaucoma Awareness with ABC News Channel 27 Madison featuring WOA Past President and Current Communications Chair. TUNE IN!
Attention WOA Members! WOA Past President and current Communications Chair Doctor John Bonsett-Veal will take part in a live televised interview this Sunday, January 8 at 8:25 a.m. with "Wake Up Wisconsin Weekend" morning anchor Julia Fello on ABC News Channel 27 in Madison!
New Year, New WOA President, New Resolutions
Happy New Year!
I would like to start by thanking Dr. Lisa Slaby for her dedication and great insight in leading the WOA in 2011. Working with Dr. Slaby and the rest of the WOA board is and will continue to be a very productive and satisfying experience for me, especially as I work to fulfill my responsibilities as your 2012 President. The doctors I work with on the WOA board are a dedicated group of volunteers, YES, volunteers.
2012 WOA Spring Seminar
Tired of the cold winter weather? Does even the mention of "spring" lift your spirits? WOA's first annual event of the calendar year brings excellent CE, great amenities, and hopefully, some milder weather. Join us for the 2012 WOA Spring Seminar on April 11-12, which will be held at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha, WI.
HEHP Community Grants Applications Being Accepted
The AOA and Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation are pleased to announce the 8th annual funding of the Healthy Eyes Healthy People® (HEHP) Community Grant Program. The 2011 HEHP grants are made possible through a generous grant from Luxottica.
More Free Webinars!
Who should attend?
Optometrists, Key Staff Responsible for Billing and Coding,
and Office Managers/Administrators
Bring in Fresh Eyes
I don’t know about the rest of you, but this is the time of year where I find that winter is getting a bit tedious. I try to get out and enjoy skiing and snowshoeing, and the longer days and increasing light are certainly helping. So, I applaud those of you who continue to push through the harsh weather and embrace this great state of ours.

