Academy Associate Secretary for State Affairs Laura K. Green, MD (2nd from left) and Academy CEO Stephen D. McLeod, MD (2nd from right) present the 2022 Commitment to Advocacy award to the University of Utah Health, John A. Moran Eye Center during AUPO’s annual meeting in San Diego, Calif. Accepting the award on behalf of Moran were (left to right): Chandler Thompson, Medical Student Coordinator; Jeff Pettey, MD, MBA, Vice Chair of Education; Rachel G. Simpson, MD, Associate Program Director; Randall J. Olson, MD, Chair, Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; and, Meghan Johnson, Residency Administrator.
The Commitment to Advocacy Award annually recognizes an ophthalmology training department and its leadership for outstanding support of the Academy's Ambassador Program. The Advocacy Ambassador Program is a collaboration with state, subspecialty and specialized interest societies, along with training programs, to support attendance by residents and fellowship trainees at the Mid-Year Forum.
The University of Utah Health, John A. Moran Eye Center is the recipient of the Academy's 2022 Commitment to Advocacy award. The award was presented to Moran Eye Center by the Academy and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) leaders on January 26, 2023 during AUPO's annual meeting.
The Academy’s Secretariat for State Affairs created the award to recognize a training program and its leadership for demonstrating a commitment to the Academy’s Advocacy Ambassador Program. The Advocacy Ambassador Program gives residents and fellowship trainees hands-on training in advocacy and policy development and supports their attendance at the Academy’s annual Mid-Year Forum and Congressional Advocacy Day. The Department of Ophthalmology at the Moran Eye Center has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to engaging and educating members in training about the importance of advocating for their patients and their profession, fostering Advocacy Ambassadors' engagement with the Utah Ophthalmology Society (UOS), and collaborating closely with the UOS.