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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Leadership Development Program Welcomes a New Class
The Academy’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) XVIII held its graduation session during AAO 2016 in Chicago. Along with the program graduates, Aaron P. Weingeist, MD, was honored. He completed his term as LDP director; Linda M. Tsai, MD, was announced as the incoming director. LDP XIX, class of 2017, met in San Francisco Jan. 13-15 along with participants from the complementary leadership programs of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology and the European Society of Ophthalmology. In addition to visits to Academy headquarters to hear from Cynthia A. Bradford, MD, Academy President, and David W. Parke II, MD, Academy CEO, the LDP participants attended 2½ days of interactive sessions on association management and leadership topics.
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LDP XVIII GRADUATION. Back row, from left to right: Joshua D. Stein, MD, MHS; Sohail J. Hasan, MD, PhD; Aaron Y. Lee, MD; Gaurav Gupta, MD, MBA; John T. Knapp, MD; Ben J. Harvey, MD; and Hardeep S. Dhindsa, MD. Front row, from left to right: Anat Galor, MD, MSPH; Laura K. Green, MD; Marie D. Acierno, MD; Aaron P. Weingeist, MD, 2016 LDP director and LDP IV graduate; Hatice Nida Sen, MD, MHS; Audina M. Berrocol, MD; Purnima S. Patel, MD; and Yvonne M. Delaney, MBBCh. Not pictured: Sophie J. Bakri, MD; Michael R. Feilmeier, MD; and Joel H. Herring, MD.
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Academy’s CME Program Receives Highest Ranking
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) has granted the Academy’s CME program its highest ranking, Accreditation with Commendation, for the fifth time. The ACCME reserves this ranking for programs that go above and beyond to support physicians’ learning needs in providing better patient care, using education to help shape the environment in which physicians practice. Reaccreditation incorporates both self-audit and external audit of the CME program. “The ACCME through this process recognizes that the Academy is a leader in professional education for the benefit of patients and the public,” said Academy Senior Secretary for Clinical Education, Louis B. Cantor, MD.
TAKE NOTICE
Seeking Outstanding Ophthalmologists
Would you like to nominate a colleague for the 2017 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award? The Academy must receive your nomination by March 24, 2017. The award recognizes Academy fellows and members for outstanding contributions to humanitarian efforts, such as participation in charitable activities, care of the indigent, and community service. It acknowledges those who have performed above and beyond the normal duties of an ophthalmologist.
To obtain a nomination form, visit aao.org/awards.
Why Volunteer for EyeCare America?
The Academy’s EyeCare America (ECA) program has helped more than 1.8 million people since its inception in 1985. What you might not know is that approximately 2,000 of ECA’s current volunteers have been with the program since it began and will naturally be retiring, thus reducing access to care for underserved populations. To mitigate this, the Academy urges its members to participate in ECA, one of the largest public service programs in American medicine. The commitment is minimal—ECA volunteers see only 2 to 4 patients on average per year. Hear from your colleagues in a brief video found at aao.org/eyecare-america/volunteer-ophthalmologists. “Volunteering for ECA helps your community, your practice, and ophthalmology,” said John Berdahl, MD, Chair, ECA Seniors EyeCare Program committee. ECA patient, Katy Korday of Montana said, “For a low-income retired senior, this was a godsend! I have told a few people in my situation about your service. I am very, very appreciative!”
To sign up to volunteer, visit aao.org/eyecare-america/volunteer-ophthalmologists.
Your Academy’s Year in Review
Academy leadership, staff, and countless volunteers work hard to provide the best member experience. Find out what the Academy achieved in the last year on all fronts, including advocacy, education, public service, and more. The 2016 Year in Review highlights some of the Academy’s achievements:
- How we are further enhancing the ONE Network’s leading clinical education content
- How we fought for ophthalmology’s best interests in state and federal affairs
- How the IRIS Registry is tapping into the power of big data to improve eye care, while easing the reporting burden for Medicare quality programs
Read about these and more at aao.org/yearinreview.
ACADEMY STORE
The Lean Practice Master Class
Mastering the Art of Lean Ophthalmic Practice, one of the most popular master classes at AAO 2016, is now available on demand. The recording (audio with slides) and companion e-course book take you step by step through innovative lean management techniques that can unlock real value for your practice and patients.
To order the course, visit aao.org/store.
2017 Coding Update Webinar Recording
Last month, the annual ophthalmology Coding Update Webinar took place. Presented by the Academy’s health policy and coding experts, it spotlighted the most significant changes in coding and reimbursement. A recording of the webinar is now available to get you up to date, code diagnostic tests and procedures more accurately, comply with the rules and regulations of multiple auditing agencies, and avoid painful payment denials and delays. Receive 30% off when you order 2-4 practice management webinars, and 40% off 5 or more.
To order, visit aao.org/store.
MEETING MATTERS
Join the Academy in New Orleans for AAO 2017
Come to New Orleans for AAO 2017 (Nov. 11-14) and Subspecialty Day (Nov. 10-11) to learn about game-changing research, techniques, and technologies.
While there, enjoy the city, which earned the following accolades in 2016:
- TripAdvisor named the National World War II Museum the number 4 museum in the United States, and number 11 in the world.
- Travel + Leisure named New Orleans the “Number 1 City for Food” in the United States.
- Bon Appétit named N7 one of the “Top 10 Best New Restaurants in America.”
For more information on New Orleans, visit aao.org/neworleans.
2017 Abstract Deadlines: Papers/Posters and Videos
To present at AAO 2017, you must submit abstracts online. The abstract submitter for papers/posters and videos opens March 9 and closes April 11.
To learn more, visit aao.org/presentercentral.
AAO 2016 Archives
Visit the Meeting Archives to download course handouts, find scientific poster abstracts, watch Videos on Demand, view syllabi from Subspecialty Day, download a list of companies that participated in the exhibition, and more. You can also find listings of Best Original Papers and Fan Favorite Video winners.
Go to aao.org/aao-archives.
Visit the Academy Booth at the APAO Congress in March
The Academy will be exhibiting at the 32nd Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress, March 1-5, in Singapore. Visit our booth to learn about membership, Academy products, and more.
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Cornea Society Honors Dr. Lass
Jonathan H. Lass, MD, has been awarded the Cornea Society’s highest honor: the 2017 Castroviejo Medal. The medal is awarded annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of cornea and anterior segment surgery. It is named for Ramon Castroviejo, known as the father of modern corneal transplant surgery. Dr. Lass is the Charles I. Thomas Professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio, a member of the Center for Anterior Segment Diseases and Surgery in the University Hospitals (UH) Eye Institute, medical director of Eversight Ohio, and medical director of the Cornea Image Analysis Reading Center at CWRU and UH.
2016 Heed-Gutman Award
On Oct. 15 at AAO 2016 in Chicago, the Academy’s 2015 president Russell N. Van Gelder, MD, PhD, received the 2016 Heed-Gutman Award at the Heed Luncheon. Dr. Van Gelder holds the Boyd K. Bucey Memorial Chair and is professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at University of Washington in Seattle. His laboratory research has focused on nonvisual photoreception and pathogen detection in uveitis. The award is given annually to an individual who has contributed to ophthalmology as an educator, clinician, and/or investigator; made outstanding discoveries or investigations that produced major advancements; and shows distinguished leadership service.
D.C. REPORT
Be Heard! Attend Mid-Year Forum 2017
The Mid-Year Forum is one of the Academy’s most significant yearly meetings, bringing the ophthalmology community together to implement the highest quality of care for patients through politics, policy, and practice management. Mid-Year Forum 2017 takes place April 26-29 in Washington, D.C., and is an ideal opportunity to directly advocate for your profession, learn about health care policy changes that will impact how you practice, and develop strategies to implement new programs in your patient-care approach.
Congressional Advocacy Day—meet legislators at their place of business. On April 27, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., attend Academy-facilitated meetings with your members of Congress and their staff to advocate for your patients and the profession of ophthalmology. The Academy will brief you on talking points during a dinner briefing on April 26.
Regulatory relief. Don’t miss the opening session on April 27 at 3:30 p.m. Michael X. Repka, MD, MBA, the Academy’s medical director for Governmental Affairs, will moderate a panel on the country’s new administration and the opportunities for ophthalmologists, including regulatory relief. In this new political environment, ophthalmologists and their legislators could make fixes to a host of Medicare-related issues that may improve reimbursements and the ability to provide quality patient care.
Politics. Policy. Practice Management. On April 28 and 29, attend hearings on digital applications and telemedicine; the future for the solo practitioner; physician well-being; cybersecurity; and public health approaches to reduce vision impairment.
Academy Council meeting. Beginning the afternoon of April 28 and continuing through the next day, unite with your colleagues from ophthalmic subspecialty and state societies to discuss issues facing our profession. This is also an opportunity to advise the Board of Trustees on what you view as the highest priorities for the organization.
Register. Mid-Year Forum 2017 is open to all Academy members, and preregistration is available until April 11 at aao.org/myf_registration. The registration fee is $200 until March 15 and $250 after March 15 and onsite—the fee includes Mid-Year Forum materials and event-specific meals. There is an option to register to participate only in Congressional Advocacy Day for free.