WIXLIB

Wallingford, from page 1Institute for Researchand Therapy in LittleRock, AR, recommended a more aggressivetreatment plan.So starting in July2004, Dr. Wallingfordhas been through sixrounds of chemotherapyand two stem cell transplants. The stem celltransplants, technicallyknown as “autologoushematopoietic stem celltransplants,” involve avery high dose ofchemotherapy followedby a transfusion of hisown stem cells to stimulate bone marrow production of white bloodcells, red blood cells,and platelets.Despite the aggressive treatment, Dr.Wallingford has maintained a full schedule ofAOA volunteer work.He held his presidentialplanning meeting inOctober in RocklandME, where the Board setthe goals and objectivesfor the coming year.He attended theBoard meetings inAugust, January, andMarch, as well as fiveother meetings, and hasthe agenda and his teamof volunteers selectedfor the upcoming SpringPlanning Meeting thismonth.Dr. Wallingford hasmissed one board meeting, his first ever, butfeels he will be readywhen he becomes president at Optometry’sMeetingTM in June.Dr. Wallingford waselected to the AmericanOptometric AssociationBoard of Trustees inJune 1998, and re-elected in June 2001. He is apast president of theMaine OptometricAssociation and theSend letters to:Editor, AOA News243 N. LindberghBlvd., St. Louis, MO63141.RAFoster@aoa.org.AOA Newsreservesthe right to editletters submittedfor publication.Work Hard, Play HardYou work hard providing the best possible eye care topatients who depend on you. You need the latestup-to-date information. Get it from the mostknowledgeable, experienced optometrists as they sharetheir extensive clinical expertise with you. And after 4 hours a day of the finesteducation available, play just as hard, as you enjoy the best beaches, the finestfare, the most luxurious resorts and the release you deserve for working so hard.Keynote speakersSt. Kitts 2006Randall Thomas, OD, FAAOFebruary 1-7, 2006Ron Melton, OD, FAAOCuracao 2006Chris Quinn, OD, FAAOMarch 1-7, 2006Puerto VallartaVallarta 20062006Maynard Pohl, OD, FAAOBruce Onofrey, RP h, OD, FAAOMarch 29-April 4, 2006Australia 2006July 19-25, 2006Maine Board ofOptometry. He currentlyserves on the Board ofTrustees of The NewEngland College ofOptometry.He is a graduate ofthe University of Maineat Orono and The NewEngland College ofOptometry.He resides inRockwood, ME, with hiswife Elaine.They have threeadult children, RichardIII, M.D. a family physician and currently athird-year resident atHarvard Medical Schoolin Psychiatry; Denise,a special educationteacher in NorthboroMA, with a MastersDegree from BostonCollege, and Tiffany, agraduate student atCalifornia-Polytechnicmajoring in biology.With chemotherapyand transplants behindhim, this coming yearwill only involve regular intravenous treatments with a new drugcalled Velcade.“My strength isincreasing, and I’mstarting to feel more likemyself all the time,” Dr.Wallingford said.“It has been anordeal and certainly nota pleasant experience,but I have faith andhope that the treatmenthas served its purpose,”he said.Dr. Wallingfordsaid, “The good news isthat the doctors, inJanuary, have officiallydiagnosed the multiplemyeloma as being inremission and observedthat the genetic profilehas dramaticallyimproved.”While there havebeen some rumors orconjecture in the profession regarding Dr.Wallingford’s condition,he assures AOA members he is ready toassume the role of AOApresident in Dallas atOptometry’s MeetingTM.“Compared to whatI’ve been through asPresident-elect, I shouldbe ready to face anychallenge,” he said.Those wishing tosend Dr. Wallingfordsupport may do so atP.O. Box 159,Rockwood, ME 04478 ore-mail him atRLWallingford@aoa.org.Tony Litwak, OD, FAAOJimmy Bartlett, OD, FAAOPaul Karpecki, OD, FAAORegister on the web or just call Kathie today.(281) 992-0002 Kathie@tropicalseae.comwww.tropicalseae.com20 hours of continuing education4 AOA NEWSMike Daley, president of Essilor Lenses,meets with AOA President-elect RichardWallingford, O.D., at International VisionExpo East last month.APPROVEDRead more at www.AOANews.org

Eye on WashingtonCMS moves towardNational Provider ID launchThe Centers forMedicare &Medicaid Services(CMS) this monthannounced what theagency said was animportant step toward amajor program that willprovide health careproviders with a uniquehealth care provideridentification (NPI).CMS April 5announced the selectionof Fox Systems, Inc. asthe contractor to perform the support operations for the project.As “enumerator”for the NPI project, Foxwill process applicationsfrom health careproviders and operate ahelp desk to assisthealth care providers inobtaining the standardidentifiers, CMS said.The assignment ofNPIs to health careproviders will beginlater this year, accordingto the agency.Further informationon how health careproviders can contactFox for an NPI will beannounced as the project implementation dateapproaches.The standardunique identifier forhealth care providers ismandated by the HealthInsurance Portabilityand Accountability Actthe latest step in implementing the HIPAA’sAdministrativeSimplification provisions.The Secretary ofHealth and HumanServices has alreadyadopted standards forelectronic transactionsand code sets, theCMS did not indicate whenhealth care providers might beable to start applying for NPIs,only that providers “do not needto take any action to apply forNPIs at this time.”of 1996 (HIPAA) andwill eventually becomethe primary health careprovider identifier forthe “standard transaction,” a standardizedelectronic billing formatalso required underHIPAA, according toCMS.The NPI project isemployer identifier, andthe privacy and securityof protected healthinformation.CMS did not indicate when health careproviders might be ableto start applying forNPIs, only thatproviders “do not needto take any action toapply for NPIs at thistime.”However, when thenew NPI system beginsaccepting applications,practitioners “will beurged to apply,” theagency said.The NPI will berequired on standardtransactions with mosthealth plans no laterthan May 23, 2007.Small plans willhave a little longer toimplement NPIs.However, healthcare providers shouldnot begin using the NPIuntil health plans haveissued specific instructions to do so, the CMSsaid.Fox Systems provides consulting services to county, state andfederal agencies.Information onNPIs can be obtained online at rs/default.asp, bycalling (866) 282-0659, orAskHIPAA@cms.hhs.gov.CDC offering diabetes courseThe Centers for Disease Control andPrevention’s (CDC) Division of DiabetesTranslation (DDT) will offer a five-day course on“Diabetes Public Health and Research.”“I recommend this course for anyone who’sinterested in diabetes research,” said IllinoisCollege of Optometry Professor Dan Roberts,O.D., who attended the course in fall 2003.“The course puts research into practice. TheCDC personnel did a great job delivering thematerial, making it interesting and informative.Additionally, the course is a great way to network with diabetic clinicians and practitionersfrom around the world.”The course will be held in Atlanta, GA onOctober 17-21, 2005, and will provide trainingin diabetes epidemiology and public health, andapplied research (translation, economics, socialand behavioral research, community interventions and programs).The course will foster the creation of anational and international network of collabora-tors in diabetes translation research and economics.Participants will be introduced to the standardized measurement(s) of the public health burden of diabetes, and to the rationale, concepts,and methods used in translation research, healtheconomics, social and behavioral research, andcommunity-based interventions and programs.“The biggest problem with diabetics is gettingthe patient to do what we think they should,”explained Dr. Roberts. “The course delves intowhat we know about putting diabetes researchinto practice for our patients.”For information detailing eligibility, coursegoals, itinerary, and application process, /index.htm. Please pass this information to eligible colleagues who might be interested in participating in the short course.For further assistance with your applicationyou may contact John Whitener, O.D., M.P.H., atthe AOA Alexandria office at (703) 739-9200.APRIL 18, 2005 5

Glance at the StatesKentucky expands children’svision protections with new lawOn March 21,KentuckyGovernor ErnieFletcher (R) signedSenate Bill 19, the Readto Achieve Act of 2005,into law at a ceremony inthe capitol rotunda thatincluded school childrenand educators fromacross the state.“The GeneralAssembly hereby findsthat reading proficiencyis a gateway skill necessary for all of Kentucky’sstudents,” reads SB 19.“It is Kentucky’s goalthat all children learn toread well before exitingthe primary program.”SB 19 expands themandatory children’svision examination lawto allow a second comprehensive eye examination for primary schoolstudents who are foundto be having difficultyreading.According to theInterested in jump-starting yourcareer? Don’t miss AOA’s NewPractitioner practice managementcourse at Optometry’s Meeting inDallas on June 25, 2005. You canattend for free since course fees arepaid in advance from a generousgrant given by CIBA Vision, ANovartis Company.Attendees of this fast-paced program receive information about topics such as debt management, negotiation tips, contracts, leases, financing, billing and coding, technology,compartmentalizing and networkingthe practice.Also included: Complimentary buffet lunch Attendance prizes Optometry’s Career Center (OCC) Update Women’s Issues in OptometryPanelRegister for course #0310 atwww.optometrysmeeting.orgOr for additional information,contact LDSmith@aoa.orgor 1-800-365-2219, extension 151.6 AOA NEWSKentucky OptometricAssociation (KOA), anychild who is identifiedwith a reading problemwill be referred to an ODor ophthalmologist, to bepaid for by the state.“This is proactivelegislation that we’revery happy with,” saidKOA President FreddieMayes, O.D. “Startingoff on the right foot ineducation is important,and our first children’svision bill addressed that.But, sometimes studentsget problems later, andSB 19 hopes to addressthe later problems.”Senate Bill 19 wassponsored by SenatorDan Kelly (RSpringfield), a strongadvocate of children’svision issues.“We hope SB 19means more productivityamong students now andin the future as citizensand adults,” said Dr.Mayes. “It allows ODs tobe a bigger part of thelearning process.”Viewing it as her firstinitiative, First LadyGlenna Fletcher supported the “Read to Achieve”bill as part of her effortsto improve early childhood education inKentucky.“The Read toAchieve initiative hasbeen an important bill forthe First Lady and myadministration as awhole,” GovernorFletcher said. “I amproud of Glenna’s persistence on this issue andher continuing work forthe children of Kentucky.This bill will help usachieve our goal of adequately educating everychild in theCommonwealth.”Senate Bill 19 establishes the ReadingDiagnostic andIntervention program tohelp teachers improvethe reading skills of primary students and inter-vene when students arestruggling. The goal isto ensure that all students are reading at orabove grade level by thethird grade.“With the signing ofthis bill, we will increasethe hope and opportunity for children who mayhave fallen through thecracks and never wouldhave been given theopportunity to masterthose skills which areneeded to have a brighterfuture,” said First LadyFletcher. “If we get thereading right, the restwill fall into place.”Five years ago,Kentucky became thefirst state in the countryto require eye examinations for children prior toentry into preschool,Head Start or kindergarten.House Bill 706 wassigned into law by thenGov. Paul Patton April 4,2000 as part of his EarlyChildhood Initiative.SIGN UP SHEETWhat is InfantSEE ?InfantSEE will be a public health programdesigned to ensure that optometric eye and visioncare becomes an integral part of infant wellnesscare to improve a child’s quality of life.Nearly 6,000 ODs have signed on!Please fill out the information to sign up as anInfantSEE Provider or register at www.aoa.orgName (please print):State:Phone:E-mail:Return to: Betsy Zatkulak, InfantSEE sign-up243 North Lindbergh BoulevardSt. Louis, MO 63141FAX: (314) 991-4101

Healthy Vision Month tackles low visionPromoting independence throughvision rehabilitation” is the theme forthis May’s third annualobservance of HealthyVision Month.Developed by theNational Eye Institute(NEI) and the NationalEye Health EducationPartnership, HealthyVision Month is anational eye healthobservance devoted topromoting the visionobjectives of the U.S.Department of Healthand Human Service’s(HHS’s) Healthy People2010 public health agenda.This year, HealthyPeople Vision Objective28-10—increasing accessto vision rehabilitationservices and technologies for people withvision impairment—willreceive special emphasis, according to NEI.“With the aging ofthe population, visionloss is becoming a majorpublic health concern inthe United States,” NEInotes on its HealthyVision Month Web site.“People with vision lossexperience physical,economic, and psychological changes that candiminish their quality oflife. Vision rehabilitationcan help people experiencing vision loss makethe most of theirremaining vision andregain their independence.”AOA, which worksto achieve HealthyPeople 2010’s eye- andvision-related objectivesthrough its HealthyEyes Healthy Peopleprogram, and the AOALow VisionRehabilitation Sectionboth strongly supportNEI’s emphasis thisyear on low vision andencourage AOA members to take part in theobservance.“While sight cannotbe restored for patientswith low vision, theirquality of life can begreatly improved. Manylow vision services anddevices are available tohelp patients maintaintheir independence,”NEI notes. “This year’sHealthy Vision Monthobservance is intendedto help educate peopleabout the benefits ofvision rehabilitationservices and devices.”To help the publicbetter understand howlow vision devices andlow vision rehabilitationcan help those with lowvision conditions continue to lead happy pro-Resources for Healthy Vision Month Healthy Vision Month Postcards Healthy Vision Month Public ServiceAnnouncements Print ads for promoting Healthy Vision Month2005. Available in a variety of formats suitable forincluding in newspapers, newsletters, and magazines. See for Yourself: Vision and Older AdultsProgram families, and a low vision poster. ”There is Hope. There is Help.” poster What You Should Know About Low Vision ¡Ojo con su visión! Sepa qué hacer si tienebaja visión (What you need to know about lowvision) Baja Visión: No es su destinoSpanish-language Web site for patients, familymembers, and caregivers. sp). Healthy Vision Month Public ServiceAnnouncementsductive lives, NEI offersa Community Toolkitwith a variety of freeeducational and promotional materials, including materials designedspecifically for healthcare professionals;patients, family andcaregivers for peoplewith vision loss, and literature relating to pediatric vision loss.“By using thesematerials, you canimplement a community-based activity, largeor small, to educate people who have low visionabout rehabilitationservices and adaptivedevices,” the HealthyVision Month Web siteexplains. The toolkitincludes: The Healthy Vision2010 Community ActionGuide which providesbroad-based information for communityleaders to make vision ahealth priority andincludes tips on how todevelop Healthy Vision2010 activities, establishcollaborations, andwork with the media. Educating YourCommunity aboutVision Rehabilitation, ahandbook for peoplewho want to promoteeye health educationand vision rehabilitationin their community. Itincludes suggestions forcommunity-based activities, a newspaper/newsletter article, publicservice announcements,and a brochure to copyand distribute. A vision rehabilitation PowerPoint presentation designed tohelp engage and informcommunities about eyehealth and vision rehabilitation. (Word andAcrobat versions of thepresentation also areavailable.) Healthy VisionMonth logo, a high-resolution graphic suitablefor including on Websites and in newspapers,newsletters, and maga-zines. Sample proclamations which optometrists can provide governors or mayors as away to encourage themto proclaim May 2005 asHealthy Vision Monthin their respective statesor cities. Sample eventannouncements that canbe used to inform people and organizations inthe community aboutyour Healthy VisionMonth event or activity. A sample eventinvitation which can beused to invite people inthe community to aHealthy Vision Monthprogram or event. Sample news releasethat can be customizedwith name and contactinformation and sent tolocal print and broadcast reporters.A complete listingof free NEI HealthyVision Month materialsand resources can befound on line atwww.healthyvision2010.org/hvm.Orders for the materials can be placedonline or by calling(301) 496-5248 (althoughsome items may beavailable only on line).Those ordering materials should allow twoweeks for delivery.(Rush orders cannot beaccommodated.)For assistance withpublication orders,e-mail neipub@ aerie.comor call (301) 496-5248.The AOA Low VisionRehabilitationSection will be sending a complimentaryNEI Healthy VisionMonth Toolkit to allsection members,along with information highlightingupcoming AOAactivities related tolow vision rehabilitation. For information, or to join theSection, contactStephanie Brown,(800) 365-2219,ext. 225, orsdbrown@aoa.org.APRIL 18, 2005 7

Look who’s exhibiting at Optometry’s Meeting :ExhibitorBooth No.A & A Optical Co.529A.I.T. Industries419AARP 55 Alive/Mature Driving833ABB Optical1803ABBA Optical, Inc.1709ABS Smart Mirror901Accutome, Inc.1918Addition Technology, Inc.616Advanced Medical Optics1105Advanced Vision Research1701Alcon Laboratories, Inc.1223Allergan1601AlphaMed Inc.1819AO SOLA317AOA Apparel & Gift Items936AOA Group Insurance Program1022AOA Members Retirement Program1022Art Optical Contact Lens, Inc.1616ASICS710Association of Schools & Colleges of Optometry1331Aurora Ministries617ExhibitorBank of America Merchant ServicesBausch & LombBierley Associates, Inc.Briot/WECOCamirror Eyewear SelectorCanon Medical SystemsCarl ZeissCBD Ophthalmic/TomeyCIBA Vision, A Novartis CompanyCiti Health CardClearVision OpticalComlite SystemsCompulinkContamac US, Inc.CooperVision, Inc.Court Square Leasing Corp.COW Industries, Inc.Cynacon/OcusoftDaylight Co. LLC.Designs For Vision, Inc.DGH Technology, Inc.ConferenceExhibitsJune 22-26, 2005June 23-25, 2005Booth 0110071113507172220139111512callvisit(800) ine@aoa.orgList of ExhibitorsUnparalleled CE, 200 Exhibitors, House of Delegates, Professional Interaction – Optometry’s Meeting

Exhibitor List ContinuedExhibitorBooth No.EagleVision1615Elite Eyewear1922Enhanced Vision Systems1319Eschenbac

(EHR) system proposed by the federal govern-ment, an AOA spokesperson told a key advisory panel on the project last month there are concerns that need to be addressed before such a system is imple-mented. Benefits could include improved patient care at reduced cost, better communica-tion among health care providers, and faster third-party .