Bansari Mehta, MHA, is Director of Operations for Eye Associates of Southern Indiana, which has multispecialty locations across Indiana and Kentucky for 20 doctors and 200 staff. She serves on the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) Content Committee and completed the AAOE’s Ophthalmic Practice Administrators Leadership Program (OPAL) in 2020. Below, she shares her top tips for the AAOE program at AAO 2021.
First annual meeting—2014."I first attended AAO 2014 in Chicago. Academy meetings are personally hectic for me because I love to make the most of my time by absorbing as much as I can to bring back to our clinics. This keeps me on the go all day, but by the end of the meeting I feel accomplished."
Top tip for getting the most out of the annual meeting—step out of your comfort zone. "Don’t be shy. I have realized that as administrators we can be extremely confident and comfortable within our area of expertise, but some people get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the meeting and keep to themselves. I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone, introduce themselves to strangers, and connect. You will end up making a lot of friends, who will in no time become your professional life support system."
How the AAOE program helps keep you current—it is my annual boot camp. "The meeting has evolved meaningfully over the last few years. The AAOE’s grand opening session, master classes, and regular courses keep me updated on trending topics. I personally enjoy the leadership classes and look at the annual meeting to be a boot camp for my educational needs. The plethora of courses offered makes me want to be in two places at the same time! But by scrutinizing the schedule in the Mobile Meeting Guide and flagging schedules that will leverage my knowledge base, I can stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed." [See some of this year's AAOE program highlights.]
How your meeting strategy has evolved—the speakers at the podium aren’t the only ones with practice management pearls. "Early on, I was focused on speaker courses. But with time, I realized that it also is extremely valuable to make sure you talk and exchange notes with your fellow attendees. The wisdom and knowledge that they have to impart will also help you to address some of your own practice issues. It’s like we almost have the same practice management–related stories and experiences. I now make some time to connect with people on a much deeper level while hanging out in the AAOE Lounge—I look at it as investing in my growth as a professional."
Your favorite way to spend an evening at the annual meeting—the AAOE Reception. "AAOE Reception night is one of my favorite after-hours sessions of the meeting. This is the night that practice administrators from all over the country come together under one roof and network. I love being able to connect with old and new administrator friends, listening and sharing tips and tricks to handle anything that is thrown our way daily. The strength, expertise, and energy under that roof, on that night, are tremendous."
Attend the AAOE Member Reception
If you are an AAOE Member, come and put some faces to the names that you see on AAOE-Talk.
When: Saturday, Nov. 13, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Where: New Orleans Marriott, Mardi Gras Ballroom Salons, 3rd floor
No reservation needed.
Visit the AAOE Lounge
If you are an AAOE Member, you are invited to come network with your colleagues.
When: Friday, Nov. 12 to Monday, Nov. 15, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Where: Room 201-202