After a cold winter, spring has finally arrived and that means the POA Spring Congress is right around the corner. From May 15-17, the POA is pleased to be returning to one of our favorite venues: the beautiful Omni Bedford Springs Resort. With its turn-of-the-century architecture and rich history, as well as the lush grounds and amenities, it is the perfect backdrop for our annual meeting events. This meeting is packed with education, exhibits, business and social events that you won’t want to miss.
Continuing Education Hours
We are pleased to offer a well-rounded program of 13 continuing education credits, which includes 6 hours of TPA:
Conversations in Glaucoma – Dr. Joe Pizzimenti and Dr. Carlo Pelino
Essential Topical Formulary - Dr. Joe Pizzimenti and Dr. Carlo Pelino
Update on Oral Medications - Dr. Joe Pizzimenti and Dr. Carlo Pelino
Ocular Surface and Lid Marginal Disease – Dr. Thomas Kislan
Scleral Lenses: Speciality Lens Education for the Novice and Expert – Dr. James Deom
Scleral Lens Wet Lab – Dr. Thomas Kislan and Dr. James Deom
Primary Care Electrodiagnostics – Peter Kehoe, O.D.
Evidence-Based Eye Care of patients with Diabetes Mellitus – Peter Kehoe, O.D.
The POA would like to acknowledge Diopsys, MiboMedical and Valley Contax for their support of our continuing education program.
Business Partner Programs
The following programs will be presented at our Congress by POA Business Partners and we hope that you will attend.
On Friday, May 15 from noon-1:00 p.m., Dr. James Thimons will present The Growing Presence of Dry Eye Disease. This presentation is sponsored by Allergan. This non-credit program also includes lunch.
On Sunday, May 17 from 7:00-8:00 a.m., enjoy free breakfast and What do you know about the VSP® Global Premier Program? presented and sponsored by VSP. Come discover how the Premier Program can help you achieve your business goals by bringing you more patients, more value, and more support. During the presentation, attendees will learn: how to stand out to attract more valuable patients; make more by choosing innovative products that benefit you and your patients; and how to take it to the next level with exclusive offers and support.
If you haven’t registered for these sessions, please contact the POA office at (717) 233-6455.
Exhibit Hall
As of April 20, the following exhibitors will be bringing a wide range of products and services to our hall this year. You will have ample time to visit their displays on Saturday, May 16 from 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. during our lunch in the exhibit hall. Many will be giving away door prizes so bring your business cards. We encourage you to support the companies that support the POA by visiting their booths and welcoming their representatives into your offices.
ABB Optical Group
Alcon - Gold Business Partner
Allergan - Gold Business Partner
Beitler McKee
Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services
C&E Vision - Platinum Business Partner
Carl Zeiss Meditec
Carl Zeiss Vision
Coopervision
Diopsys, Inc.
Essilor Labs of America
Eyeficcient LLC
Eyenavision
Heidelberg Engineering
Hoya Vision Care
Maculogix - Silver Business Partner
MiboMedical
Novabay Pharmaceuticals
Optovue
PA Paraoptometric Association
Professional Eye Care Associates of America
Signet Armorlite
USI Affinity - Gold Business Partner
VSP Global - Platinum Business Partner
Walman Optical
We would also like to thank the Provision Group for their financial support of our Congress.
Social Events
The POA is pleased to invite you, your family and staff to join us at our social events.
Our golf outing on Friday, May 15 is always one of the highlights at Bedford. The magnificent golf course is accessible right outside the front door of the resort and provides spectacular views of the surrounding area, as well as a challenging round of golf. The cost is just $140 and includes breakfast, greens and cart fees. Everyone is welcome to join this event from expert golfer to the weekend duffer, and our exhibitors have been invited also.
Friday dinner is on your own so we encourage you to make reservations between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. in the hotel’s main dining room, 1796 Room, or the pub. Check out our recent member update, which features a list of restaurants for wining and dining in Bedford. Doctors who have graduated since 2010 are invited to attend a special networking reception with the POA Board and local society presidents. Please see page 13 for details.
At 9:00 on Friday evening, POA President Dr. Rich Christoph and his wife Tammy invite you to join them for a relaxed evening of snacks, drinks and conversation. Spend the night talking with old friends and meeting new ones while taking in a spectacular view of the golf course and surrounding area. Everyone is welcome to join in this event.
Support your fellow members on Saturday night at 6:00 for the POA’s annual Awards Ceremony, where we will be honoring the 2015 award recipients. After the ceremony, we will be horsing around POA-style! Join us for a walk-around dinner featuring food, drinks and entertainment. Hedge your bets at our horse racing table or try your luck at the casino games. We invite the ladies in attendance to wear your “Derby hats” and participate in the fun of our hat contest. It will surely be a casual evening of fun with just a little competitiveness thrown in.
Wine and Dine in Bedford
As you know from perusing the POA Congress schedule, Friday evening has been left open for dinner on your own from 6:00-9:00 p.m. There are three wonderful restaurants located right on the Omni Bedford Springs property. There are also a number of options in and around downtown Bedford, just a 10-minute ride from the resort. The POA has compiled a list of restaurants (http://pennsylvania.aoa.org/Documents/PA/POA-2015-bedford-wineanddine.docx), both on and off property, for your consideration. Those located off the property are recommended by the Bedford Visitors Bureau.
There are also boutiques, wine cellars, candy shops and antique shops located in downtown and we encourage you to visit if you have time. It’s a great place for families to explore while you are in business or education sessions, with plenty of parking and helpful shop owners to guide you around the main shopping area.
Check out the bureau website at www.visitbedfordcounty.com for other ideas.
