The Outstanding Advocate award was created in 2008 to recognize Academy members who participate in advocacy-related efforts at either the state and/or federal level. Nominees must perform advocacy functions in their capacity as an ophthalmologist. The nominee must be a Fellow or Member in good standing of the American Academy of Ophthalmology who has demonstrated a pattern of advocating for the profession at the state and/or federal level(s) over a period of at least several years. Qualifying service might include, but is not limited to:
- Implementing fundraiser(s) for political candidates;
- Lobbying for federal legislation or regulatory issues introduced by the American Academy, or providing opposition to adverse legislation and/or regulatory issues;
- Instrumental in helping to grow his/her state ophthalmology society PAC;
- Lobbying for state legislation or regulatory issues introduced or endorsed by the state ophthalmology society and/or relevant subspecialty societies, or providing opposition to adverse legislation and/or regulatory issues;
- Participating in Academy Congressional Advocacy Day (CAD) visits;
- Presenting/arranging for Residents’ Advocacy Program(s) (RAP) at state level;
- Instrumental in key Academy advocacy outcome (i.e. getting a bill introduced, meeting/negotiating ophthalmology’s position with key Member(s) of Congress, securing coalition partner(s) for a particular advocacy effort, etc.);
- Instrumental in implementing a State Legislator Advocacy Plan, including a key contact program wherein an ophthalmologist contact representing the state ophthalmology society is provided for each legislator;
- Holding key leadership position(s) within the state medical association serving to raise the issues of concern to ophthalmology.
2009 Outstanding Advocate Award Recipient 
