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The Future of OptometryWho shapes inventive minds?Who shares visionary ideas?Who serves the future of optometry?

You do. Theoptometriceducator.You are dedicated to protecting andpromoting a positive image of optometrists foryears to come. You set an example for yourcolleagues and students.Thank you for shaping minds, sharing ideasand serving the future of optometry. Yoursense of honor and commitment to theprofession will always be the foundationfor the ODs of tomorrow.Join us in the fight to protect optometrists’rights and make your voice heard at thefederal and state levels.Building Optometry’s workAOA & You

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ShapingMinds.You andthe AOA:Shaping thefuture ofoptometry.Today.4

aoa.orgBeing a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA)and your state association means you’re making an even greatercontribution to your students – the future of our profession. You’retapping an extraordinary pool of professional expertise that benefitsyou and your students. And you’re having a positive influence onoptometry’s future.The AOA works to ensurewe have a profession.Without AOA politicaladvocacy, our professionceases to exist becausewe are a legislatedprofession.We optometrists arepassionate about ourprofession. We caredeeply about our patientsand their futures. TheAOA allows us to standtogether as a group andsupport and protect whatwe cherish.Janice McMahon, O.D.Associate ProfessorIllinois College of OptometryPaul M. Dobies O.D., F.A.A.O.Assistant Professor / Clinical EducatorWestern University of Health SciencesCollege of Optometry5

SharingIdeas.You andthe AOA:Shaping thefuture ofoptometry.Today.6

aoa.orgThe AOA and your state association are the only organizationsthat advocate for optometry at the federal and state levels, whileeducating the public on the importance of regular eye care as a vitalpart of overall health.The AOA leads me when I don’tknow which direction to go, hasmy back in the midst of the battle,and provides a friend to walkbeside me.Joseph L. Shetler, O.D.Clinic Chief and Assistant ProfessorNortheastern State UniversityOklahoma College of OptometryTogether, we defend the scope of practice for every setting – fromcorporate eye care to private practice. We support the professionthrough advocacy and public education, but we can’t do it alone.Association membership is critical to optometry’s advocacy strength.The AOA is anorganization that strivesfor the betterment of theoptometric profession andthe ocular health of thepopulation via education,advocacy, communityoutreach and service.Srihari Narayanan O.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.O.ProfessorUniversity of the Incarnate WordRosenberg School of OptometryInvolvement in the AOAshows that we recognizethe importance ofprotecting our professionand moving it forward.Caroline B. Pate, O.D., F.A.A.O.Director of Residency ProgramsAssociate Professor of OptometryUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamSchool of Optometry7

Serving theFuture.You andthe AOA:Shaping thefuture ofoptometry.Today.8

aoa.orgHere are just a few ways the AOA and your state association helpsyou, the overall profession and your students – the ODs of tomorrow. E mphasize the ability of ODs to perform most treatments for goodeye health. Work to ensure optometric services are covered on most insurance plans. Advocate for more uniform scope of practice for ODs in all 50 states. Educate and protect the public from contact lens sales without a prescription. I ncrease respect for ODs with the general public and other medicalprofessions and ultimately influence long-term earnings potential.But there is much more work to be done. Legislative battles inoptometry today are as relevant now as in the past.You’ve dedicated your careerto shaping the future of theoptometric profession.The AOA and your state associationare dedicated to protect it.You teach to the highest level.The AOA supports you and theprofession to the highest level,helping you do your job better.For me, for the past 35 years, the AOA hasbeen an organization dedicated to furtheringthe scope of professional optometry, thusinsuring the security of my career andenhancing my ability to provide qualityhealth care to my patients.Jacqueline G. Davis, O.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.O.Associate Professor of Clinical OptometryThe Ohio State UniversityCollege of Optometry9

Shaping. Sharing. Serving.Making theConnection.You andthe AOA:Shaping thefuture ofoptometry.Today.10

aoa.orgAssociation members connect on multiple levels – professionally,personally and educationally. Support the organization that supports you!Professional development – Stay current on clinical and legislativeissues facing optometry and the latest technology and advocacy used toovercome them – a benefit to you and your students.Personal networking – Form valuable contacts to help further yourcareer and the careers of your students.Education – The AOA, your state association and web resources offerinformation for both professional and educational optometrists that canbe used as models for classroom discussion and assignments.Don’t let someone else decide your future. Hundreds of optometriceducators just like you have already committed to supportingoptometry through association membership. Join us in the fightto protect optometrists’ rights and make your voice heard at thefederal and state levels.The AOA protects allthat is good in optometryand the visual welfareof the nation. It is thecornerstone of theprofession.JW. Howard McAlister, O.D., M.P.H.Associate ProfessorUniversity of Missouri-St. LouisCollege of OptometryThe AOA safeguardsoptometry! A source onhealth care, evidence basedmedicine, and professionalevents pooling individualresources, educating doctors,students and the public.Marilyn Vricella O.D.Assistant Clinical ProfessorState University of New YorkCollege of Optometry11

AOA Resources for EducatorsOptometry’s Meeting – Substantialmember registration discounts,participation in the Optometric Educator’sExchange (OEE) collaborative educationprogram, opportunities to providecontinuing education, connect withstudents and network with colleagues,involvement in the poster session andmore. Visit optometrysmeeting.org.Summer Research Institute (SRI)Participation – Facilitated by theAOA Council on Research and cosponsored by the American Academyof Optometry (AAO), ODs and scientistsin North American schools and collegesof optometry have received over 65million in research grants since theinception of the Summer ResearchInstitutes in 1988.Evidence Based Optometric ClinicalPractice Guidelines – Developedand reviewed by an interdisciplinarypanel of OD experts, specialists,patients and patient advocates, thisAOA essential patient care resourcecombines evidence based research withexpert clinical opinion to recommendappropriate steps in the diagnosis,management, and treatment of patientswith various eye and vision conditions.Learn more at aoa.org/evidence.AOA’s MORE (Measures and OutcomesRegistry for Eyecare) – MORE is the keyword for AOA’s anticipated optometricregistry that promises to take theprofession to the next level of care. Moredata, more access and more qualitymeasurement solutions—AOA’s MORE,powered by Prometheus Research ,represents a technological milestone inoptometry for helping ODs keep up withadvances in the ever-changing world ofvalue-driven health care.12EyeLearn – Take advantage ofthis centralized, easy-to-useonline learning resource.Exclusive Members-Only Accessto the AOA website – Dedicatedto serving you and your students inmeeting the eye care needs of thepublic, the AOA website keeps you upto date on issues that matter to theprofession. Visit aoa.org.AOA.org/news – Updated with a newstory each day, aoa.org/news bringsyou the latest news on the professionwhere you want it: on your computer,smartphone or tablet.AOA Week in Focus E-newsletter –This weekly update offers in-depthinformation on AOA activities and newsyou can use in your classroom.AOA Focus – This newsmagazineoffers background and perspective,stories about individual members—theirpractices, challenges and successes,and quick and easy tips and round-ups.Visit aoa.org/news.AOA First Look – A daily email digestthat provides an immediate, unfilteredlook at news from various nationalsources that affects you, your students,and the general public.The AOA has played a crucialrole in the expansion of thescope of practice I am able toprovide in the state of Arizona.Alicia Feis O.D., F.A.A.O.Assistant ProfessorAssistant Director, Clinical RotationsMidwestern UniversityArizona College of Optometry

aoa.orgAOAExcel – Helps students and ODswith the “business side” of optometry,including business and career coaching,how to buy or sell a practice, businessand malpractice insurance, Optometry’sCareer Center , Education loans,health information technology, practicefinancing and more. Visit excelod.com.Special Economic Reports – The latestOD income insights to help yourstudents see the “big picture.”Optometrystudents.com – Thiswebsite was developed by students, forstudents, helping them connect andlearn from each other. The site now alsoprovides access to Compass, the AOA’sonline interactive tool that guides yourstudents step-by-step from college tocareer and beyond.Public Education Materials at MemberDiscount Pricing – Pamphlets and factsheets, displays and vision simulators,unique gallery frames and prints tohelp you and your students educatethe public about eye diseases andconditions. Visit aoa.org/marketplace.Optometry’s Career Center - Helpyour students help themselves with thisnational, online database and careermatching service that helps ODs findjobs, partners or candidates in theoptometric field across all 50 statesand Washington, D.C. Learn more atoptometryscareercenter.org.Contact Lens and Cornea, SportsVision & Vision RehabilitationSections – Stay current on clinical andtechnological advancements throughmembership in one or all three specialinterest Sections.Pediatric and Binocular (3-D) Vision –Incorporate the use of static stereoscopictesting, education, and vision therapy inyour classroom. Resources include visiontherapy fact sheets, 3-D news, researchand patient education.AOA Member Directory – The AOA’ssearchable member directory to helpyou keep in touch with your colleagues,past classmates, students and more.Social Media Channels – Connectwith the AOA on Linkedin, Facebook,Twitter and YouTube.Volunteer Opportunities – Give backto your community as an InfantSEE provider, or make a difference in yourcommunity as a Healthy Eyes HealthyPeople grant recipient.Resource Guide for the Employed/Affiliated Optometrist – Especiallyhelpful for your fourth-year studentsand new graduates, contains usefulinformation relating to lease agreements,contract negotiations and businessmanagement for the independentcontractor, leaseholder, or franchiseeoptometrist. Visit aoa.org, go to theoptometrists tab, then membership, thenmember benefits and services.Maximize your AOA membership today:aoa.org/optometrists/for-educatorsThe AOA has providedresources and networks tohelp me feel more empoweredin teaching, expanding andpioneering pressing topics inoptometry.Phyllis Andrejko, O.D.Director of Eye Care ServicesNew England Eye RoslindaleClinical Assistant Professor of OptometryNew England College of Optometry13