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.
Shortly, I and other WOA leaders will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the 2011 AOA Annual Congress. Many of you have attended an AOA Congress in the past and are, therefore, familiar with the excitement surrounding this event. In addition to the excellent education, leaders from around the country will gather in the House of Delegates (HOD) to conduct important association activities such as; review of the AOA budget, vote on several proposed resolutions and bylaws, amendments, and conduct elections for the AOA Board of Trustees.
Dr. Jeff Sarazen (current WOA President-Elect) and I, along with any Wisconsin optometrists in attendance, will be representing licensed O.D.’s throughout our state. We will also be attending the President’s Council and North Central States Optometric Council meetings held the day before Convention officially begins. At these smaller meetings, we will be receiving up-to-date information from the other states on the different issues they are facing in regards to the profession of optometry.
The House of Delegates meetings are always a good time to stop and evaluate how optometry in Wisconsin is doing overall. By doing this, we can ascertain any possible need to change directions in any of our focus areas. It appears from the regional meetings we have had over the past several months that healthcare reform, specifically its method of implementation, is still a sizable issue in many states. Due to the relatively recent changes to our state’s legislative and political leadership, the implementation of health care reform has shifted direction and has slowed at present in Wisconsin. However, we are not alone; it appears there are several other states that have slowed down the health care reform
process for political reasons as well.
The AOA is presenting its “EyeLearn” online education program to O.D.’s at the national Convention. Upon the WOA delegation’s return from AOA’s Annual Convention, we will communicate details of this new program, which is free to all AOA members. “EyeLearn” is a member-only benefit that will allow individual doctors to refresh their knowledge on a number of professional topics.
Additionally, for those doctors interested in taking the ABO board certification exam, “EyeLearn” provides online courses and practice tests so that you may chart your progress and prepare for the exam.“EyeLearn” does not provide credited continuing education, however, as this would negatively impact state affiliate CE efforts. This program also has a CE locator which assists ODs in finding credited CE events, both local and across the country.
Although the concept for “EyeLearn” was originally designed to prepare doctors for board certification, it quickly evolved into an online source of education and knowledge building. Please keep your eyes out for additional information on this program, and visit the “EyeLearn” website at aoa.org/eyelearn.
Enjoy your first month of summer, I know I will.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Lisa Slaby
2011 WOA President
Additional Information
Other Article Categories
More Information