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WHAT’S HAPPENING
Dr. Truhlsen, Past President of the Academy, Dies at 101
Stanley M. Truhlsen, MD, president of the Academy in 1983 and namesake of the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, died on Dec. 23. He was 101.
After receiving a medical degree from the University of Nebraska, Dr. Truhlsen served in the U.S. Air Force and then completed a residency in ophthalmology at Washington University/Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. He was a member of the clinical faculty of the University of Nebraska Department of Ophthalmology and retired as emeritus clinical professor.
Dr. Truhlsen also served as editor-in-chief of Ophthalmology from 1976 to 1979. Under his leadership, the journal received its current name (it had been called Transactions of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology) and transitioned from a bimonthly to a monthly schedule.
He was a major philanthropic force in his hometown of Omaha as well as at the Academy. His name lives on through the Academy’s Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye in San Francisco, to which he was a major donor. In 2001, Dr. Truhlsen was awarded the Lucien Howe Medal, one of the most prestigious awards in ophthalmology, given in recognition of his service to the field.
“He was an intelligent, kind, and gracious man,” said former Academy CEO David W. Parke II, MD. “His support of ophthalmic education and service both at the Academy and throughout the ophthalmic community was transformative. One measure of his dedication was attendance at more than 70 consecutive Academy annual meetings.”
Dr. Truhlsen was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Haney Truhlsen; son, Stanely M. Truhlsen Jr.; and his second wife, Dorothy Johnson. He is survived by his three children, William Truhlsen, Nancy Brager, and Barbara Mitchell; five grandchildren, Yancy Brager Baker, Alison Brager Keller, Erin Brager Zanotti, Jennifer Mitchell, and Jon Brager; step grandson, Matt Winingham; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Academy Leader Appointed to the Kansas State Legislature
Academy Board of Trustees’ member William S. Clifford, MD, was appointed Nov. 17 by local precinct leaders to fill a vacant seat in the Kansas State House of Representatives. On Nov. 22, he replaced Russ Jennings, who died in October, and will serve the remaining year of Mr. Jennings’ term.
Dr. Clifford’s appointment is timely for the safety of patients in Kansas, one of 24 states threatened by optometry’s push for surgical privileges in 2022. The Kansas legislature introduced optometric surgery legislation in 2020 and is likely to do so again.
“We enthusiastically congratulate our friend and colleague Bill Clifford on his appointment to fill a vacant seat in the Kansas Legislature,” said Academy Secretary for State Affairs John D. Peters, MD. “As a Kansas state representative, Dr. Clifford will be an expert decision-maker on a host of important health care policy issues, including those that impact the future of eye care delivery and surgical standards in Kansas. His constituents could not have a better advocate for patient safety and quality of care within the ranks of their state legislature.”
Dr. Clifford has been an exemplary advocate for ophthalmology and ophthalmic patients. He previously served as a member on the Academy’s OphthPAC Committee and was president of the Kansas Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. He also represented Kansas on the Academy Council and is a graduate of the Academy’s inaugural Leadership Development Program class in 1999.
No stranger to Kansas politics, Dr. Clifford already serves in elected office as a county commissioner in Finney County, Kansas, a role he’s held since 2014. He is also Finney County’s Republican Party chair. In the 2020 election, Dr. Clifford ran a competitive race for Kansas’ open 1st District seat, but he came in second in the Republican primary to Tracey Mann, who went on to win in the general election.
Listen to the Academy’s Recently Released Podcast, Experts InSight
Launched in October 2021, the Academy’s new Experts InSight podcast provides a conversational digest of essential updates from subspecialists across ophthalmology.
Join Jay Sridhar, MD, every other Thursday afternoon for conversations with experts who focus on practical pearls that will improve your practice and patient care. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes and covers major research from the literature, surgical and medical pearls and pitfalls, and issues impacting the practice of medicine.
You can earn up to 0.5 hours of CME credit for each episode. In its initial episodes, the show covered corneal transplantation, medical management of glaucoma, prevention of myopia progression, same-day bilateral cataract surgery, how to approach the uveitis patient, and more.
“Experts InSight is such a pleasure to host,” said Dr. Sridhar. “With each episode, I learn so much about how our colleagues throughout ophthalmology manage subspecialty-specific diseases with cutting-edge therapies. Ophthalmology keeps evolving so quickly, and this podcast has allowed me the chance to try to keep up with all the wonderful advances and share them with the global ophthalmology community. I encourage you to tune in!”
Subscribe now at aao.org/podcasts or find the show wherever you prefer to access your podcasts.
TAKE NOTICE
Kantar Notice: A Request From EyeNet
In the next month, some of you may be invited to participate in a magazine readership survey conducted by Kantar Media. If you are a fan of EyeNet, please participate. Being ranked among the most widely and thoroughly read ophthalmic publications enables the magazine to secure funding for projects that help you in the clinical realm and in your practice, like EyeNet’s MIPS 2022: A Primer and Reference.
Academy Year in Review
For many Academy members, 2021 was a year of learning how to conquer coronavirus obstacles to envision a new future. It was also a year to reconnect with colleagues, friends, and family. Read the 2021 Year in Review to learn about the Academy’s many achievements, including the following:
- celebrating the Academy’s 125th anniversary,
- opening the Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye to the public,
- returning to a live, reimagined annual meeting,
- launching the Academy’s gold open access online journal, Ophthalmology Science, and
- doubling the cohort size of the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program for the second year in a row.
Learn about these and other successes at aao.org/yearinreview.
This Valentine’s Day, Show Love for Academy Programs
Chocolate doesn’t last long. Put your money toward something impactful instead. Many Academy programs need your support this year. Donate to the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program, EyeCare America, Global Outreach, and the Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye. Or, if you’ve benefited from the ONE Network, IRIS Registry research, or the Academy-OMIC joint risk management programs, make a donation to ensure the continued production of those invaluable resources.
Give a gift in honor of someone you love at aao.org/donate.
Nominate a Colleague
The Academy would like your help in nominating recipients for the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award. This award recognizes Academy members for contributions in charitable activities, care of the indigent, and community service performed above and beyond the typical duties of an ophthalmologist. The Academy is accepting nominations through March 11 for the 2022 award.
Nomination forms are available at aao.org/about/awards/humanitarian#nominations.
Volunteer: Interactive Case Authoring
Want to contribute to the Academy’s ONE Network? If so, consider authoring an interactive case. All cases are physician-written, drawn from clinical experience, and intended to intrigue and challenge ONE Network visitors. Cases introduce patients (using fictitious names) and their personal stories, relevant clinical and/or family history, and symptoms.
To get started, find the case submission template by navigating to aao.org/volunteering, then choose “Develop Interactive Content.” (This is just one of many Academy volunteer opportunities.)
ACADEMY RESOURCES
Now Shipping: 2022 Coding Books
Protect your practice’s reimbursements with the trusted tools coding professionals use every day. Order your newly updated edition of Ophthalmic Coding Coach, Fundamentals of Ophthalmic Coding, Coding Assistant, and the ICD-10, CPT coding, and Academy-developed references for retina coding.
Save 10% when you order four or more books at aao.org/codingtools.
Don’t Miss This Uveitis Webinar
On Feb. 10, from 8:00-9:30 p.m. EST, join Christopher R. Henry, MD, and Kareem Moussa, MD, for a webinar titled “Can’t Miss Uveitis Cases for All Ophthalmologists” (1.5 CME). This free Academy program will cover common mistakes in uveitis, lymphoma/birdshot, and more.
Learn more at aao.org/clinical-webinar.
MEETING MATTERS
Accessing AAO 2021 Virtual
Whether you attended AAO 2021 in New Orleans or online, you have access to sessions, the virtual Expo, posters, and videos in AAO 2021 Virtual. Visit the virtual meeting platform as many times as you’d like through Feb. 14. Log in at aao.org/virtual-meeting.
Starting Feb. 15, you may still view content online. Go to aao.org/myonlineproducts, log in, and choose the virtual product you registered for: AAO 2021 and/or Subspecialty Day. You will be able to access sessions on demand and claim CME credit (professional attendees only) through Aug. 1.
Plan to Attend AAO 2022
Save the date: AAO 2022 will take place in Chicago, Friday, Sept. 30 through Monday, Oct. 3 at McCormick Place. Experience the redesigned meeting schedule, attend exciting Opening and Closing Sessions, and enjoy the flexibility to attend any instruction course without need for a separate ticket or pass. Hear from ophthalmology’s giants and gather with colleagues to share pearls, debate the merits of various techniques, and get hands-on practice in Skills Transfer labs.
Learn more at aao.org/2022.
Be Part of AAO 2022
Shape the world’s most comprehensive ophthalmology meeting by submitting a paper/poster or video abstract for AAO 2022. If your abstract is accepted, your paper/poster or video will benefit from exposure both in Chicago and on the AAO 2022 virtual meeting platform, where it will continue to be available for months after the live meeting. In addition, there are presentation and discussion opportunities—both in-person and recorded—for selected posters and papers.
The online abstract submitter opens March 10 and closes April 5.
Learn more at aao.org/presentercentral.
Visas for International AAO 2022 Attendees
To attend AAO 2022 in Chicago, international attendees may need a visitor visa. There are several steps to apply for a visa, so it is important to get started early. To help you obtain travel documents, the Academy has created an online tool that will create a personalized letter of invitation. Enter your information into the form and then print out or save the letter to your computer.
Learn more at aao.org/visa.
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Troutman Prizes
Richard C. Troutman, MD, DSc (Hon) Prize—Min Li, MD, from the Refractive Surgery Centre of Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital in Shanghai was recognized for her paper, “Metabolomic Analysis in Corneal Lenticules From Contact Lens Wearers.” Dr. Li received a $5,000 honorarium from the Troutman Endowment and presented an honorary lecture during Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day 2021.
Dr. Li said, “Receiving the Troutman Award is a great honor for both myself and our team in the ophthalmology department of Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital. I hope we can continue to explore improved techniques in refractive surgery in order to improve visual quality.”
This annual International Society of Refractive Surgery award is given to a young author publishing in the Journal of Refractive Surgery.
Troutman Cornea Prize for Young Clinician Investigators—Maria Henriquez, MD, MSc, PhD, from OftalmoSalud Instituto de Ojos in Lima, Peru, was recognized for her paper, “Accelerated Epi-On Versus Standard Epi-Off Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking for Progressive Keratoconus in Pediatric Patients: Five Years of Follow-Up.” Dr. Henriquez was awarded a $5,000 honorarium from the Troutman Endowment and presented her work at the Cornea and Eye Banking Forum, which took place on Nov. 12 in New Orleans, prior to AAO 2021. Dr. Henriquez commented, “It is a tremendous honor and a dream come true to be the 2021 recipient of the Troutman Cornea Prize.”
This award, established by a Castroviejo Cornea Society Founder, Richard C. Troutman, MD, DSc (Hon), is given annually to the investigator under 41 years of age who authored the best paper published in Cornea the year before.
WIO Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman Award—Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, from John A. Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City, was honored for her work in advancing the position of women in ophthalmology. Dr. Hartnett was recognized at the Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) Awards Ceremony and Networking Reception held during AAO 2021.
Dr. Hartnett is professor of ophthalmology, director of pediatric retina, and director of Women’s Eye Health at the John A. Moran Eye Center. She is also codirector of the MD-PhD program and cochair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women at the University of Utah. Dr. Hartnett holds leadership positions across several organizations, including WIO, of which she was an inaugural member. She devotes much of her time to promoting the careers of women and diversifying leadership.
The WIO Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman Award, established by Suzanne Véronneau-Troutman, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, is awarded annually by WIO.
D.C. REPORT
Attend Mid-Year Forum 2022
The Academy’s Mid-Year Forum brings the ophthalmology community together to discuss politics, policy, and practice management. Members from near and far will convene in Washington, D.C., from April 6-9 to get the latest information on the critical issues that affect ophthalmology. Mid-Year Forum includes Congressional Advocacy Day, an opening session, breakout hearings, and the spring Council meeting.
Congressional Advocacy Day. As part of the Mid-Year Forum, Academy members will have an opportunity to meet face-to-face with lawmakers and their staff in Washington during Congressional Advocacy Day 2022 on April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST. The Academy will provide talking points during a dinner briefing on April 6. For more information and to register, visit aao.org/cad. Registration closes March 26.
Opening session. During the Mid-Year Forum opening session on April 7, Academy leaders and Governmental Affairs staff will take you behind the scenes to learn how the Academy’s advocacy efforts work in Washington and in states throughout the country.
Breakout hearings. During the breakout hearings on April 8, learn more about two Academy priorities: 1) innovation’s effect on physician reimbursement and 2) medical waste.
Reimbursement. In the physician reimbursement hearing, speakers will explain how MIGS devices and biosimilars affect payments to physicians and facilities, with a focus on bundling and pass-through payment for drugs. “While we welcome breakthrough technology that helps us care for our patients, one side effect of current reimbursement policy is that these new procedures often put physician payment at risk,” said David B. Glasser, MD, Academy Secretary for Federal Affairs.
Waste. In the medical waste hearing, speakers will explain how medical waste affects patients’ costs and drug shortages and consider solutions for long-term change. In addition, they will discuss the American Medical Association’s (AMA) new policy that aims to slash drug costs for patients and reduce drug waste. The policy, enacted by the AMA’s legislative and policy-making body and cosponsored by the Academy, calls on the AMA to advocate for legislative and regulatory language that would allow for 1) offering patients unused, stock-item medication upon discharge when it is required for continuing treatment, rather than discarding it; and 2) using multidose medications, such as eyedrops, injectables, and topical medications, for multiple patients instead of for single-patient use. The AMA’s resolution follows an Illinois medical waste law enacted in July.
Spring Council meeting. Unite with your colleagues from ophthalmic subspecialty and state societies on April 8 and 9 to discuss issues facing ophthalmology during the spring Council meeting, which takes place in parallel with the Mid-Year Forum.
Register today. Mid-Year Forum 2022 is open to all Academy members. The registration fee is $225 through March 1 and $325 beginning March 2. Registration opened Jan. 26 and will close March 22. (There is an option to register only in Congressional Advocacy Day for free.)
For more information and to reserve your spot at Mid-Year Forum 2022, visit aao.org/myf.