A Silver Anniversary for Optometry and Golden Moment for the AOA
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.
Just as the situation stood a quarter of a century ago, it remains important for WOA’s member doctors to stay active and alert to what is happening in health care today. Congress is scrambling to find a way to tighten up Medicare and Medicaid, and no one really knows what the end product is going to look like. Every WOA member needs to remain aware of the issues currently under consideration here in Wisconsin and in Washington D.C. We must actively and financially support efforts to keep Optometry involved in the process in order to ensure we can all practice to the fullest extent of our education, training and licensure.
Concerning national events in optometry, in June, I travelled to Salt Lake City, Utah for the Annual AOA Congress. The Congressional Delegates made history at this national event by electing AOA”s first female President, Dr. Dori Carlson. Dr. Carlson is dedicated to making our profession stronger and advancing vision and eye care for our young patients. On behalf of the WOA membership, we wish her well in her new position.
During our trip to Salt Lake City, a vital concept that arose multiple times at the House of Delegates’ meeting was that optometry needs to have all of its doctors working together for the betterment of our profession. What that means for our membership is that WOA member optometrists need to work with one another in the utmost professional manner at all times. Even though we may disagree on certain issues, it is important to “team up” in order to find solutions to difficult problems and collaborate to strengthen our profession. Each of us is highly educated and has our own experiences, and therefore, our own opinions. Yet, this diversity will continue to be one of our greatest strengths as a dynamic group of optometrists as long as we utilize these unique attributes and experiences to come together for the maximum benefit of our profession.
On another note, summer is now in full swing, and I hope that you are all having a wonderful time. Don’t forget that WOA has our First Annual Summer Education Event taking place on August 5-6 at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, WI. Blue Harbor is a great place to bring the family, get some golfing in, and gather a few additional hours of the continuing education that you may still need. Regardless of whether you already have your CE hours, extra education is never a bad thing.
In closing, please do continue to have a wonderful summer, and I hope to see many of you at the Blue Harbor Resort next month for what is sure to be an excellent Summer Education Event.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Lisa Slaby
2011 WOA President
