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• What's Happening
• For the Record
• FYI
• Academy Store
• Members At Large
• 2009 Awards
• Washington Report

What's Happening 

Chinese Ministry of Health Adopts Academy’s PPPs

In an important step for the standardization of training and evaluation of Chinese ophthalmologists, China’s Ministry of Health has endorsed the Academy’s Preferred Practice Patterns (PPPs) as the national standard for ophthalmic practice and training. This decision marks the first time China has mandated standards of patient care and professional training for any medical specialty.

The Academy’s PPPs are a series of guidelines that identify the characteristics and components of quality eye care. The Chinese Ophthalmological Society (COS) had previously endorsed the PPPs as the standard of care. The COS translated the PPPs, edited for regional relevancy and published them for the more than 20,000 ophthalmologists in the country.

“We are honored that the Chinese Ministry of Health has recognized the value of the PPPs as a standard for quality care,” said David W. Parke II, MD, executive vice president and CEO of the Academy. “The Academy is committed to the professional development of ophthalmologists internationally, and this action will increase the use of evidence-based guidelines as the standard for ophthalmic care globally.”

The Chinese ministry’s endorsement of the Academy’s PPPs was formalized at an April signing ceremony and symposium in Beijing.

“I believe it will improve our local ophthalmologists’ professional knowledge and clinical skills,” said Huang Jie-fu, vice president of the Ministry of Health. “It surely will play an important role in promoting Chinese ophthalmology development.”

For the Record 

Annual Business Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Business Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25, in Esplanade Ballroom at Moscone South, San Francisco, from 10:15 to 10:30 a.m.

The order of business shall be:

•  Call to order

•  Report of the president

•  Report of the executive vice president

•  Election of fellows and members

•  New business

•  Announcements and notices

• Adjournments

As stated in the bylaws of the Academy, the order of business of each annual business meeting may be amended by an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting fellows and members present and voting at the meeting.

Officer Nominees

In accordance with Academy bylaws, notice is hereby given of the following nominations for officers to the Academy, made by the Academy board of trustees in June.

Please note that senior secretary for Clinical Education is a three-year term, one trustee-at-large position is available in 2010 and the Council nominated both candidates for chair and vice chair of the Council during the Mid-Year Forum.

President-Elect
Richard L. Abbott, MD

Senior Secretary for Clinical Education
Gregory L. Skuta, MD

Chair, The Council
Jean E. Ramsey, MD

Vice Chair, The Council
Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD

Trustee-at-Large
George B. Bartley, MD

Nomination Procedures for the Academy Board

On Jan. 1, 2010, five board of trustee positions will become vacant. Elections to fill those positions will take place by mail ballot after the Oct. 25, 2009, Annual Business Meeting.

To nominate a candidate by petition for the 2010 board, submit a written petition to the Academy’s executive vice president no later than Aug. 11. The petition must be signed by at least 50 voting Academy members and fellows.

To suggest a nominee for the 2011 board, watch for the call for nominations that will be published in January’s EyeNet Magazine.

To read the rules in full, visit www.aao.org/bylaws and see Article V of the Academy bylaws.

Did You Know?

Academy members have free online access to current and past issues of EyeNet Magazine. If you misplaced an issue, need to reference a specific article from a few years ago or have a few spare minutes and want to catch up on the latest ophthalmic news, check out EyeNet online. Here, you will find immediately useful medical management strategies and surgical techniques, as well as summaries of recent journal articles, quick tips for managing your practice, news from the Academy and more. To access EyeNet online, visit www.eyenetmagazine.org.

FYI 

Raise Awareness of Cataracts With These Academy Resources

Looking for a fresh way to participate in Cataract Awareness Month this August?

The EyeSmart campaign is offering a free 11- x 17-inch poster that illustrates the effects of cataracts on vision and raises awareness of cataracts as a condition that will affect most people at some point in their lives.

To order your free poster, visit www.aao.org/practice_mgmt and click “EyeSmart” and “Free Practice Materials.” Additional patient education products on cataracts, including the Understanding Cataract Surgery DVD, can be found at the Academy Store by visiting www.aao.org/store.

Visit the Academy Exhibit at ESCRS

If your plans take you to the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS) meeting in Barcelona from Sept. 12 to 16, be sure to stop by the Academy’s booth (#G8) to learn about new products, the benefits of membership and the Joint Meeting in October.  

For more information, visit www.aao.org/meetings/aao_exhibits.cfm.

Academy Store 

Third Installment of Clinical DVD Series Now Available

Front Row View, Series 3 (#0252416) features 32 videos that demonstrate clinical techniques, innovative surgical procedures and educational concepts across six subspecialties.

The DVD is $129 for members and $180 for nonmembers. The three-series set (#0252417T) is $285 for members and $397.67 for nonmembers.

Academy Introduces Updated Tool for Presentation Building

The updated Eye Care Skills: Presentations for Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals CD-ROM (#0240391) is designed to assist in the creation of training presentations for ophthalmologists as well as nonophthalmic medical professionals.

The new version features comprehensive, ready-to-use presentations on eight ophthalmic topics, a library of more than 500 full-color clinical images, text slides and speaker notes, and the ability to edit slide content for custom presentations.

The CD-ROM is $190 for members and $245 for nonmembers.

Check Out the Academy’s New Surgical Textbook

Basic Techniques of Ophthalmic Surgery (#0283002) describes more than 75 of the most common surgical procedures performed by ophthalmologists and explores the skills needed for surgical proficiency. This book includes more than 500 drawings and photographs that illustrate the procedures step-by-step.

This is the second volume in a pair of books intended to improve surgical training in ophthalmology residency programs. The other book, Basic Principles of Ophthalmic Surgery (#0283001), covers the key elements of the surgical process and environment. Together, the two volumes provide an overview of the wide range of principles and procedures that are covered throughout residency training programs.

The book is $75 for members and $110 for nonmembers.

Preorder 2010 Coding Products Beginning Aug. 1

The Academy will begin taking advance orders for AAOE’s 2010 coding reference guides beginning Aug. 1. In addition to this full line of updates, the Academy is offering the new Introduction to Ophthalmic Coding Module (#012371). This module is part of the Ophthalmic Coding Series (#012368), an important resource in the open-book Ophthalmic Coding Specialist exam.

For a complete list of AAOE’s coding and reimbursement products, visit www.aao.org/codingproducts. Receive a 10 percent discount when you order four coding products together.

Academy Store

To order products from the Academy Store, visit www.aao.org/store or phone the Academy Service Center at 866-561-8558 (toll free in the United States) or 415-561-8540.

Members At Large 

Asia Pacific Academy Launches Leadership Development Program

This May in Bali, Indonesia, Academy President Michael W. Brennan, MD, joined the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology’s leadership development program (APAO LDP) director Philip T. Lam, MD, in welcoming 30 participants to the inaugural APAO LDP class. “The Academy looks forward to continued collaboration with the APAO on the newly launched program,” said Dr. Brennan.

LDP participants were nominated by APAO national member societies and, in addition to their induction session, participated in three other mandatory sessions at the APAO/AAO Congress in Bali—including one titled Leadership in Medicine.

Dr. Brennan led off this session with a presentation regarding the challenges for ophthalmology in national health policy. Four Academy LDP graduates, Anthony C. Arnold, MD, Mary Gilbert Lawrence, MD, MPH, Zelia M. Correa, MD, PhD, and Sundaram Natarajan, MD, also participated in the panel discussion with presentations on professional standards in graduate medical education, professionalism in telemedicine and teleconsulting, and conflict of interest.

“We are excited that the APAO has joined our other society partners who have worked with the Academy to implement leadership development programs, including the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, the European Society of Ophthalmology, the All India Ophthalmological Society and the Middle East African Council of Ophthalmology,” said Dr. Brennan.

For more information about the APAO LDP, visit www.apaophth.org/leadership.php.

People

Robert F. Melendez, MD, has been selected to receive the 2009 AMA–Young Physician Section Community Service Award for his work at the Juliette RP Vision Foundation in Rio Rancho, N.M.

Dr. Melendez created the foundation in 2008 to help find a cure for retinitis pigmentosa. The organization provides scholarships for high school seniors suffering from RP and for young ophthalmologists who are conducting research on the disease.

Who’s in the News

David F. Chang, MD, was interviewed by The New York Times for two May 15 stories on cataracts.

“The most important change [in cataract surgery] has been the development and improvement of artificial replacement lenses,” said Dr. Chang. However, he added, “Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness around the world because sight-restoring surgery isn’t available in most developing countries.”

2009 Awards 

Announcing the 2009 Academy Awards

It is with great pleasure and pride that the board of trustees and the awards committee announce this year’s award recipients.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Individuals who are honored with the Special Awards will be invited to attend the 2009 Joint Meeting in San Francisco as guests of the Academy’s president, Michael W. Brennan, MD.

GUEST Of HONOR AWARD

This award honors individuals for their importance to ophthalmology.

John P. Shock Jr., MD
zelia M. Correa, MD, PhD
Charles F. Sydnor, MD

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award honors individuals or organizations for ongoing notable service to both ophthalmology and the Academy.

Military Ophthalmologists

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

This award recognizes individuals for their lifetime commitment to and support of ophthalmology. The award may also be presented to an organization for outstanding service in a specific effort or cause that has improved the quality of eye care.

Iraqi Ophthalmology Society

OUTSTANDING HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD

This award recognizes Academy members for their contribution to humanitarian efforts, such as participation in charitable activities, care of the indigent, involvement in community service and other forms of ophthalmological care performed above and beyond the typical duties of an ophthalmologist.

Jack A. Aaron, MD
Linda M. Lawrence, MD

OUTSTANDING ADVOCATE AWARD

This award recognizes Academy members for their participation in advocacy-related efforts at either the state or federal levels.

Thomas F. Moore, MD

INTERNATIONAL BLINDNESS PREVENTION AWARD

This award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the prevention of blindness or the restoration of sight around the world.

Louis D. Pizzarello, MD

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM

The Achievement Awards program recognizes individuals for their contribution to the sci entific programs of the Annual Meeting and those who serve as Academy committee members, representatives, trustees, councilors, authors, coauthors and reviewers of educational material.

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Individuals who have cumulatively earned 60 points and have made significant contributions to ophthalmology as determined by the awards committee are nominated to receive this award.

Michael W. Belin, MD
Gary C. Brown, MD
Stanley Chang, MD
Donald J. Doughman, MD
M. Gilbert Grand, MD
Barrett G. Haik, MD, FACS
Lee M. Jampol, MD
Douglas D. Koch, MD
Richard Alan Lewis, MD, MS
Michael F. Marmor, MD
Samuel Masket, MD
Steven A. Newman, MD
David W. Parke II, MD
Richard K. Parrish II, MD
Andrew P. Schachat, MD
Roger F. Steinert, MD
Paul Sternberg Jr., MD
R. Doyle Stulting, MD, PhD
Alan Sugar, MD
John T. Thompson, MD
Michael T. Trese, MD

SENIOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Individuals who have cumulatively earned 30 points are nominated to receive this award.

Gerd U. Auffarth, MD
Howard Barnebey, MD
James C. Bobrow, MD
Michael W. Brennan, MD
Reay H. Brown, MD
Peter A. Campochiaro, MD
Francesco Carones, MD
Wiley Andrew Chambers, MD
Arturo S. Chayet, MD
Neil T. Choplin, MD
Robert M. Christiansen, MD, FACS
Philip L. Custer, MD
Sheraz M. Daya, MD
Victor M. Elner, MD
Daniel Epstein, MD, PhD
Paul T. Finger, MD
James C. Folk, MD
Sharon F. Freedman, MD
Jose L. Guell, MD, PhD
David J. Harris Jr., MD, FACS
Santosh G. Honavar, MD
Mark S. Hughes, MD, FACS
David G. Hwang, MD
Thomas John, MD
A. John Kanellopoulos, MD
Marilyn C. Kay, MD
Thomas Kohnen, MD
Mary Gilbert Lawrence, MD, MPH
Richard H. Lee, MD
Robert L. Lesser, MD
Jay I. Lippman, MD
Walter H. Marshall, MD
Lylas G. Mogk, MD
Louis D. Nichamin, MD
Paul N. Orloff, MD
Graham E. Quinn, MD
Yaron S. Rabinowitz, MD
Elias Reichel, MD
Richard B. Rosen, MD
Theo Seiler, MD, PhD
Harold E. Shaw Jr., MD
Arun D. Singh, MD
H. Kaz Soong, MD
Jonathan H. Talamo, MD
Yasuo Tano, MD (in memoriam)
Mark A. Terry, MD
James C. Tsai, MD
David S. Walton, MD
Peter J. Whitted, MD, JD
Matthew W. Wilson, MD
Helen K. Wu, MD
Robert Zaldivar, MD
Harry A. Zink, MD

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Individuals who have cumulatively earned 10 points are nominated to receive this award.

Ari Daniel Abel, MD
Darryl Jay Ainbinder, MD
Sofia N. Androudi, MD, PhD
Mohammed M. Anwar, MD
Francesco M. Bandello, MD
Irene A. Barbazetto, MD
Scott D. Barnes, MD
Neal P. Barney, MD
Roger Alfred Barth, MD
Atilla Bayer, MD
George Beiko, MD
Salim Ben Yahia, MD
Andrew F. Calman, MD, PhD
Teresa C. Chen, MD
Stephen P. Christiansen, MD
Kelly D. Chung, MD
Christopher R. Croasdale, MD
Tanuj Dada, MD
Mohammad Hossein Dehghan, MD
Steven J. Dell, MD
Sundeep Dev, MD
Uday Devgan, MD
Monte Steven Dirks, MD
Ali R. Djalilian, MD
Kimberly A. Drenser, MD, PhD
Kathleen M. Duerksen, MD
Albert O. Edwards, MD, PhD
Julie Falardeau, MD
Laura E. Fox, MD
Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD
Paul B. Ginsburg, PhD
Frank J. Goes, MD
Michael H. Goldstein, MD
Fumi Gomi, MD
Vijaya K. Gothwal
Gunther Grabner, MD
Robert Jay Granadier, MD
Hans R. Grieshaber
Federico M. Grignolo, MD, PhD
David C. Gritz, MD
Sandeep Grover, MD
Arun C. Gulani, MD
Amod K. Gupta, MBBS
Kristin M. Hammersmith, MD
Cynthia Hampton, MD
James T. Handa, MD
Sheryl M. Handler, MD
David Heiden, MD
Gavin S. Herbert
John A. Hovanesian, MD
Ann M. Hulett, COE, CAE
Yasushi Ikuno, MD
Herbert J. Ingraham, MD
Bennie H. Jeng, MD
William J. Jones, DDS
Richard S. Kaiser, MD
Aki Kawasaki, MD
John R. Kearney, MD
Robert J. Landau, JD
Paul D. Langer, MD
Michael S. Lee, MD
M. Cristina Leske, MD, MPH
Ralph D. Levinson, MD
Marta O. Lopatynsky, MD
Robert A. Lytle, MD
Alan R. Malouf, MD, FACS
John A. Marasco
Samuel N. Markowitz, MD
Louise A. Mawn, MD
Dominic A. McHugh, MD
Timothy J. McInnis, MD
Felipe A. Medeiros, MD
Jodhbir S. Mehta, MBBCH
Gerrit R. J. Melles, MD, PhD
Shahzad I. Mian, MD
Paul Mitchell, MD, PhD
Manish Nagpal, MD
Sundaram Natarajan, MD
Janet M. Neigel, MD
Sara S. O’Connell, MD
Annabelle A. Okada, MD
Susanna S. Park, MD, PhD
Victor L. Perez, MD
Randal T. Pham, MD, FACS
Derek A. Preece, MBA
Richard A. Quinones, MD
Irving M. Raber, MD
Adam C. Reynolds, MD
Philip R. Rizzuto, MD
Luis Alberto Rodriguez Torres, MD
David S. Rootman, MD
Gerald J. Roper, MD
Lisa Fran Rosenberg, MD
James Bradford Ruben, MD
Srinivas R. Sadda, MD
Pamela A. Sample, MD
Prithvi S. Sankar, MD
Seang-Mei Saw, MBBS, PhD
Sunil Shah, MD
Ashok Sharma, MD
Yog Raj Sharma, MD, MBBS
Bhavna P. Sheth, MD
Luciene B. Sousa, MD
Michael W. Stewart, MD
Michael E. Sulewski, MD
Ivan J. Suner, MD
Nasreen A. Syed, MD
Angelo P. Tanna, MD
Jennifer E. Thorne, MD
Lyle S. Thorstenson, MD
Jeewan S. Titiyal, MD
Goji Tomita, MD
Dan B. Tran, MD
Tara A. Uhler, MD
Carlos Verges, MD, PhD
Lingam Vijaya, MD
Tamara R. Vrabec, MD
John G. Walt, MBA
Nan Wang, MD, PhD
Ann A. Warn, MD, MBA
David R. Weakley Jr., MD
Robert J. Weinstock, MD
Robert W. Weisenthal, MD
Ilgaz B. Yalvac, MD
Sonia Zaouali, MD

SECRETARIAT AWARDS PROGRAM

The Secretariat Awards program recognizes individuals for their contributions outside the scope of the Achievement Awards program. Each of the Academy’s secretaries and senior secretaries can submit nominees to the Academy’s awards committee.

Nominated by the secretaries for Quality of Care & Knowledge Base Development, Ophthalmic Knowledge, and Online Education/eLearning, and Senior Secretary for Clinical Education:

Wallace L. M. Alward, MD
Hilary A. Beaver, MD
Linda M. Christmann, MD
Emmett T. Cunningham Jr., MD
David B. Glasser, MD
Hans E. Grossniklaus, MD
Warren E. Hill, MD
Mark B. Horton, MD
David A. Plager, MD
Edward J. Rockwood, MD
Debra J. Shetlar, MD
Richard G. Shugarman, MD, FACS
Kuldev Singh, MD
Fred M. Wilson II, MD

Nominated by the secretary for the Annual Meeting:

Keith D. Carter, MD, FACS
David F. Chang, MD
Louis Nichamin, MD

Nominated by the secretaries for State Affairs and Federal Affairs, and senior secretary for Advocacy:

Priscila L. Baco, MD
Bradley C. Black, MD
Ross Brechner, MD
Pravin U. Dugel, MD
Mark B. Horton, MD
Craig H. Kliger, MD
Daniel F. Martin, MD
Cynthia Mattox, MD
Timothy J. McInnis, MD
Tara A. Uhler, MD

Nominated by the secretary for Communications:

William Ehlers, MD
Tamara R. Fountain, MD
Michael J. Kutryb, MD
Steven C. Schallhorn, MD
Elmer Y. Tu, MD

Nominated by the editor of Ophthalmology:

Harry A. Quigley, MD
Debra J. Shetlar, MD
William E. Smiddy, MD
Roger F. Steinert, MD
Wei Wong, MD, PhD

Nominated by the secretary for Member Services:

Cynthia Ann Bradford, MD
Tamara R. Fountain, MD
Jennifer H. Smith, MD

Nominated by the chief medical editor of EyeNet:

J. Bronwyn Bateman, MD
Roger V. Ohanesian, MD

Nominated by the secretary for Global Alliances:

Richard L. Abbott, MD
Michael W. Belin, MD
Michael C. Knorz, MD
Yasuo Tano, MD (in memoriam)
Ahmed M. Trabelsi, MD

Help Build a Strong Academy

THE ACADEMY NEEDS YOU. Organized ophthalmology owes its ongoing success to the cooperative efforts of individual physicians. By volunteering on one of the more than 60 Academy committees, you can help the Academy serve its members more effectively. To learn more about how you can contribute, please visit www.aao.org/committee_volunteer. Read each committee’s mission statement before indicating your availability for service.

Washington Report

2009 Joint Meeting Sessions

This year in Washington, D.C., has demonstrated that “change” is more than a catchy campaign slogan. As health care reform begins to take center stage, what is in store for ophthalmology? How will ophthalmology protect patients as optometrists attempt to expand optometric scope of practice through legislation rather than education? Attend these free sessions at the 2009 Joint Meeting and discover how the Academy is working for you in Washington and in your state capital.

Surgery by Surgeons Forum. In 2009, the optometry lobby has been particularly aggressive, as it seeks surgical privileges in an unprecedented eight state legislatures. Explore how ophthalmology has responded to optometry’s scope of practice battles as a threat to patient safety. Registration for the fall Council meeting is required for this forum; attendance is strictly limited to Academy members and invited guests. (Sunday, Oct. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., InterContinental Hotel)

Medicare Reform 2009: Sustenance or Abstinence. Medicare provides medical care to 42.5 million senior and disabled Americans at a cost of more than $335 billion a year. Reforming Medicare was a top priority in the 2008 presidential campaign. This session will look at the impact on ophthalmology. (Sunday, Oct. 25, 12:15 to 1:45 p.m., Moscone North, Gateway Ballroom 104)

Discover How the FDA Impacts the Day-to-Day Operations of Ophthalmologists and Their Practices. What is the FDA working on that ophthalmologists need to know about? How can it affect your practice? During this session, experts from the FDA will provide insight on a variety of topics, including a unique program for doctors to report and share concerns about ophthalmic device safety. (Sunday, Oct. 25, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., Moscone South, Room 301)

The New Political Reality in Washington, D.C.: How Will All This Affect Me and My Patients? Physicians face numerous challenges including the possibility of comprehensive health care reform and new health information technology mandates. During this session, leaders from the AMA, the NEI, the Academy and academia will discuss how health care reform will impact delivery of eye care. (Monday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Moscone West, Room 2002)

The Changing Landscape of National Health Care: VA/DOD Leading the Way. During this session, representatives from the Association of Veterans Affairs Ophthalmologists, the Society of Military Ophthalmologists and others will discuss how the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense are leading the way in our nation’s changing health care environment. (Monday, Oct. 26, 12:15 to 1:45 p.m., Moscone West, Room 3018)