Looking back...and ahead

The first quarter is now in the rearview mirror and we are well into spring. Let's take a few moments to look back at what we have accomplished over the last couple of months at the POA and what we have set our sights on for this coming summer and fall. 

In late March, there was a substantial showing of POA optometrists at Senator Chris Gebhard’s fundraiser. The Senator, currently sponsoring the children’s vision bill, and his staff were impressed by the number of ODs present at the event and appreciative of the tremendous support shown. Leading into April, our annual Spring Congress in Gettysburg was a massive success! There was an array of quality continuing education with high attendance, robust engagement between industry supporters and doctors in the exhibit hall, roaming Welcoming Ambassadors, the second POA Board meeting of 2023, our House of Delegates, the annual POA Awards Ceremony, and plenty of social events for friends and families to mingle and have some fun. It was a memorable weekend for sure!

In March and April, the POA and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) continued a dialogue on several different initiatives where Optometry and Ophthalmology are confident we can work together. Some of these efforts will include low vision, scleral and medically necessary contact lenses, third party center mutual challenges, and medicaid.

From June 21 to 24, Optometry’s Meeting and AOA on Capitol Hill will be held  in Washington, D.C. Please contact me, or the POA office, if you would like to act as a Pennsylvania delegate at the AOA House of Delegates. Please also consider advocating with us for our patients and our profession on the Hill in Washington that same weekend. 

Keep alert for more details on another course on Ophthalmic Laser Procedures for the Anterior Segment presented by Salus University and supported by the POA. It will be on the road in Western Pennsylvania sometime this fall. 

Additionally, you should save the dates of September 29 and 30 to volunteer in Harrisburg by performing eye exams in an underserved area. 

And lastly, please join us November 1 to 3 for our final 2023 POA Board of Directors meeting and Fall Educational Conference with an exhibit hall in luxurious Bedford Springs!

I am immensely proud of what our POA Board, committees, and staff have accomplished so far this year. Let the hard work and collaboration continue! I look forward to seeing you again soon and, of course, meeting new people too.

Appreciatively,

Jesse

A summary of summer so far

 Well, here we are…mid-summer and the pandemic emergency has finally been declared over. Though the mask mandate has been lifted, it’s still enforced at healthcare facilities. So, at least for us, the mask saga continues—with the addition of a few more requirements from OSHA. Mask or no mask, the POA continues to move forward and make itself heard. The most recent way? The AOA’s 2021 Optometry’s Meeting that was held in Denver.

The Meeting was all about Pennsylvania! Dr. Michael Mittleman and Dr. Satya Verma were inducted into the Optometry Hall of Fame; Tyler Lesko, a fourth-year PCO student, won the National Quiz Bowl; and the POA Board of Directors’ own Dr. Erick Henderson received the Young Optometrist of the Year award. It doesn’t get any better than that!

The Presidents Council and the Eastern States, through the NEO Forum, brought to light the legislative goals of each state and how they had succeeded so far. The POA led the conversation amongst both groups regarding Bioptic Driving and Children’s Vision. 

There were no surprises at the AOA House of Delegates—the open Board positions were filled by an equal number of candidates. The most controversial motion was to incorporate a diversity statement within the optometric oath. It ultimately passed with strong support of the delegates.

While every state had their own initiatives, they also had common challenges like growing and maintaining membership, adding member benefits, and association income. Here at the POA, we hold the line on dues increases by providing member benefits that produce non-dues income for the association. We have endorsed two new programs for our members over the last few months. The first, Digital on Demand, advises clients on how to most effectively market their business online at the lowest cost. The second is a HIPAA compliance authority, Abyde. HIPAA Compliance violation fines are ridiculously high and Abyde helps to avoid violations. I use them in my own practice and am now confident that we will pass any compliance audit. Bring it on!

Enjoy the rest of the summer, and know that the POA has never stopped working for you…

Edward Savarno, O.D.

POA President

Unprecedented Times

I’ve got to be honest: when I figured out during the early years of my Board service that I would be president of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association in the year 2020, I thought “wow, how many ODs get to say that?” Both the POA and the AOA prepared for this unique year with big plans to promote our profession. None of us ever expected what we currently face both in our personal and professional lives. Like you, I am unsure of how long things will take to get back to normal and what the new normal will look like. The POA faces many of the same concerns and challenges as we wait to see what the future holds. However, as members of the POA, we are fortunate to have a strong professional organization that employs dedicated staff who truly care about us as individuals and as an organization. They are working from home to support and protect the POA in ways they never anticipated. As members of the POA, we are also fortunate to have a committee structure with volunteer ODs that are passionate about our profession.

Since the onset of COVID-19, the following optometry-centered events have been cancelled:

• Vision Expo East
• POA’s Lobby Day in Harrisburg
• POA/VSP eye exam clinic in Harrisburg
• POA’s Spring Congress in Gettysburg
• AOA’s Optometry’s meeting in Washington, D.C.
• POA’s CE in Italy trip

Keeping members updated during this time is the POA’s topmost priority. Here is an update on several of the committees and their current strategies:

THIRD PARTY COMMITTEE
This committee continues to work with the insurances we deal with every day. Their in-person meetings have been replaced with conference calls and Zoom events. They continue to advocate for us and work to resolve the ongoing issues between the insurance industry and optometrists as providers. Of utmost importance is their efforts to ensure that optometry is included in telehealth delivery of care to our patients.

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The way the Pennsylvania Legislature functions during this pandemic has changed dramatically. There are no in-person meetings between our elected officials and constituents or lobbyists. Communication happens via email or phone calls. The LAC is working to update and modernize the optometric practice act as this pandemic has proven we are the primary eyecare profession and our diversity geographically increases patient access to urgent and emergency care.

Governor Tom Wolf has designated optometrists as life-sustaining providers. The Federal Government has recognized us similarly. We are on the frontline of urgent and emergency eye care statewide. The time is now to make your legislators aware of optometry’s expanded role during the pandemic and how we can continue to be a vital resource as we move out of this crisis.

CLINICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Clinical Education Committee has been working overtime to develop educational programs to assist members in renewing their licenses in 2020. The governor has allowed optometrists to obtain 100% of their credits for license renewal online for this renewal period only. The Committee sent out a survey to the membership and based on the responses have developed a series of webinars to include the core requirements for renewal and beyond. By now, you have hopefully participated in one or more of our web-based offerings. With the unexpected cancellation of our Spring Congress, the POA sustained a substantial loss of income. The Committee is doing what it can to give the membership what they need. Please support this endeavor when choosing the source of your online credits. Your financial support enables your professional organization to better support you!

As of now we are moving full steam ahead on our Fall Education Conference from October 23 to 24 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. A few weeks ago, the POA emailed the membership a survey regarding continuing education this year and were encouraged by the number of members who still want to attend an in-person meeting this fall. Topics covering glaucoma, therapeutics, Act 31, and opioids for doctors still needing to meet the core requirements will be offered as well as additional educational topics.

I hope that you can appreciate all that the POA continues to do to support its membership. It is so very important to every Pennsylvania optometrist that the organization remains strong to support us in the coming weeks, months, and years. Your continued support of the POA and its programs is vital.

David Evans, O.D.

POA President

PCO Quiz Bowl 2017

The PCO Quiz Bowl was held Friday, March 17 at Salus University. Congratulations to PCO second-year (and my former employee) Celeste Gomez for winning the opportunity to represent the school in Denver next summer. Congratulations also to Colleen Gibson for winning the travel grant to Optometry's Meeting in D.C. this summer. Special thanks to Drs. Shana Barrett Zeitlin, Steve Hess and Ben Foreman for helping to represent the POA.

- Dr. Steven Eiss, POA President

Summer 2015

Strong ties: Senator Eichelberger (middle) visited his keyperson, Dr. Michelle Barnes (second from the left), and her children (from left to right: Shane, Shannon and David), at the June 19, 2015 grand opening of Dr. Barnes’s new location.

Helping out: POA members volunteered to give veterans free eye examinations for the AOA’s VFW National Convention in Pittsburgh.

Seeing double: While in Seattle for Optometry’s Meeting, Dr. Charles Stuckey (POA executive director) enjoyed time with Dr. Lori Gray’s (POA Secretary/Treasurer) and Dr. Steve Eiss’ (POA Trustee) twin children! The leftmost and rightmost are Dr. Eiss’ and the middle two are Dr. Gray’s.

Let's go, PCO: During Optometry's Meeting, Nicole Rist won the annual Studentbowl, effectively defeating the other competitors on behalf of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. 

2015 PCO Quiz Bowl

From left to right: AOSA Trustee Christin DeMoss, Dr. Lori Gray, Dr. Steven Eiss, Quiz Bowl winner Marshall Ward, Dean of PCO Dr. Lori Grover, Associate Dean of PCO Dr. Melissa Trego and Dr. Alissa Coyne

Students run in with an American flag to rally support.

From left to right: Christin DeMoss, Dr. Lori Gray, Dr. Steven Eiss and POSA President Brian Johnson

Students gather for a non-competitive photo op.

A student shows off his rollerblading skills when he enters for the Quiz Bowl.

Photos taken by PCO students Ryan Chia and AJ Pastor.

AOA’s House of Delegates meeting

Richard Christoph, O.D.
POA President-Elect

During Optometry’s Meeting this year, my duty as POA’s president-elect was to attend AOA’s annual business meeting, the House of Delegates, as a POA representative along with POA president Dr. Marianne Boltz. Just as it is for POA, the House of Delegates sets policy for AOA. It is made up of representatives from each affiliated organization of AOA, which includes the 50 state associations, plus Washington D.C., the American Optometric Student Association and the Armed Forces Optometric Society.

As is protocol, the House of Delegates opened with a flag ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation and the Optometric Oath. During the meeting, there were reports and introductions from the member volunteers in the Sergeant At Arms, Credentials, Resolutions and Nominating Committees. There were also votes to approve the handbook and procedures, adopt the agenda and approve the actions of the Board since the last House meeting.

This year, three resolutions were brought forward for vote. One was related to optometric care of brain injury, including concussions. It recommends an optometric evaluation following brain injury to diagnose and treat ocular disorders or vision changes. The Vision Rehabilitation Section of AOA was involved in crafting this resolution. They have assembled an excellent resource, the Brain Injury Electronic Resource Manual, available online at aoa.uberflip.com/i/225867. The other two resolutions were modifications of existing resolutions regarding paraoptometrics. Because the paraoptometric section was dissolved and reformed as the paraoptometric resource center last year, some changes in wording were necessary to reflect the current status of paraoptometrics within AOA.

AOA’s secretary-treasurer, Dr. Andrea Thau, informed the House that AOA’s financial standing was strong. The new dues accounting procedures and restructuring of membership classes has resulted in more consistent cash flow for the organization, without a significant loss of membership. In fact, both total membership and dues revenues have increased.
The AOA-PAC chair, Dr. Ron Benner, reported on the status of AOA-PAC. Donations were down in every measurable way: total dollars, number of donors, average donation and percentage of donors all decreased for 2013 compared to the last few years. AOA has been relying heavily on a small number of larger donors who are approaching the end of their careers. If you are not already an AOA-PAC donor, please make it a priority to donate this year. In addition, please also donate to POPAC. Optometry has to be active at both the state and national levels to ensure our inclusion in healthcare reform. 

Next, there was a presentation regarding the Think About Your Eyes Campaign. AOA members who participate in this campaign may receive discounts. The purpose of its media campaign is to increase the number of eye exams performed. For more information, please see www.thinkaboutyoureyes.com. 

Dr. Teri Geist reported on AOA’s public relations efforts as of mid-June, stating that AOA had over 1 billion positive media impressions so far in 2014. 

The advocacy team also reported on their activities for the past year. Between state government relations, third party, federal relations and the clinical resource group, the activities are far too numerous to list here. Some of the newer legislative initiatives are as follows: to advance scope at the state level; to address issues with insurance and vision plans, such as discount on non-covered services, credentialing and restrictive material ordering; telemedicine issues like online exam and kiosks; and Medicaid issues, specifically inclusion and reimbursement. 

The Clinical Resources Group is involved with the creation of an optometric registry, an important tool for optometrists to fully participate with PQRS, meaningful use and other incentive programs. The statistics gathered through this registry will provide individual doctors with valuable information about their own practice, and benchmark data to compare themselves with others. It will also provide state associations and AOA with aggregate data that can be used in negotiations with government entities and insurance plans. Most importantly, it will enable optometrists to improve the quality of care provided to patients. AOA expects this to roll out in early 2015. Doctors will need to be using electronic records to participate.

And lastly, elections were held for 2015 and the following slate of officers was elected: Dr. Steven Loomis (president-elect), Dr. Andrea Thau (vice president), Dr. Christopher Quinn (secretary-treasurer), Drs. Barbara Horn and Samuel Pierce (trustees; three-year term), and Dr. James DeVleming (trustee; one-year term). Dr. David Cockrell assumes the office of president and Dr. Mitch Munson assumes the office of past-president. Drs. Greg Caldwell, Robert Layman, and William Reynolds continue their three-year terms as trustees.

Optometry's Meeting®

AOA and POA members surged to Philadelphia in full-force for AOA's annual Optometry's Meeting®. The Pennsylvania Optometric Association had the honor of hosting the meeting. Below are some photos highlighting POA's involvement in the event.

Dr. Boltz, president of POA, waits to proudly represent Pennsylvania in the flag procession.

Dr. Boltz addresses attendees at the Opening General Session of Optometry's Meeting in Philadelphia.

Roberta Beers, CPOT accepts the 2014 Paraoptometric of the Year Award presented by AOA President Dr. Mitchell Munson.

Former figure skater Scott Hamilton entertains and enlightens the audience after the awards ceremony.

Dr. James Spangler discusses the Kids Welcome Here® program with attendees in the Exhibit Hall.

Dr. Boltz, Dr. Lori Gray and Dr. Robert Owens (dressed as John McAllister) pose with Benjamin Franklin, the special guest invited to POA's member reception.

Have some photos from Optometry's Meeting® that you want to share? 
Email Kelsey@poaeyes.org and you might see your photo on this blog or our Facebook page!

Please only submit photos belonging to you.

Highlights from the 2013 AOA House of Delegates

By Marianne E. Boltz, O.D., F.A.A.O.

POA President-Elect

The 116^th Congress and AOA House of Delegates (HOD) were called to order on Thursday morning, June 27, at the San Diego Convention Center. As is tradition, the HOD begins with a bit of pomp and circumstance and standard procedures. Delegates were led by former AOA President Dr. Richard Hopping (current AOA President Dr. Ronald Hopping’s father) in a reading of the Optometric Oath. All state affiliate executive directors paraded into the ballroom, immediately followed by the presentation of the Virgil Deering Optometric Executive Director Award. The award was given this year to Bryan Markowitz from Georgia. (If you recall, our own Dr. Charles Stuckey had the honor of receiving this award a few years ago.)

2013 Optometry's Meeting: Proud to be a Pennsylvanian!

by Marianne Boltz, O.D., F.A.A.O.

POA President-Elect

There are some moments in life that you know, even as they are happening, will be memorable…moments that you will look back upon with pride and smile! Just such a moment of relief and joy occurred on Saturday, June 29 in the San Diego Convention Center at approximately 2:00 pm when my long-time friend and former fellow POA Board colleague, Dr. Greg Caldwell, was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees.

Although Dr. Caldwell’s election to an AOA Trustee position was the most significant event for the Pennsylvania delegation, it was just one of several moments and events throughout Optometry’s Meeting that would make any optometrist “proud to be a Pennsylvanian”!