The Mid-Year Forum is one of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s most significant yearly meetings, bringing the ophthalmology community together to instigate change and shape our profession’s future.
Commercial support provided in part by 
and 
- Platinum Level.
Wednesday, April 26
Congressional Advocacy Day dinner briefing*
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Moderator: Jeff S. Maltzman, MD – Associate Secretary for Federal Affairs, Chair OPHTHPAC Committee, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
This year’s Congressional Advocacy Day will be especially important as it’s our first our first opportunity to educate freshman members of Congress on issues important to ophthalmology. Join the ophthalmology community as we descend on Washington to lobby Congress on key issues that protect sight and are important to our profession. Before you make your way to Capitol Hill, you will be fully trained on how to best represent our profession in front of members of Congress and their staff. All Academy members are urged to take part in this critical event to bring your voice to these important issues. Only you can protect your patients, practice and profession.
*Appointment pick-up desk hours: 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m..
Thursday, April 27
Congressional Advocacy Day Visits with Members of Congress and Staff
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Scheduled visits with members of Congress and staff
The Academy will make appointments with your members of Congress based on the zip code we have on file for you. For questions or concerns about your appointments, contact Sage Bauer at sbauer@aao.org or call 202.737.6662
Luncheon - 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Reserve Officers Association, One Constitution Ave., NE. The Academy provides a boxed lunch for members visiting Capitol Hill during these hours. Program to follow.
Leadership Development Program Luncheon and Meeting
12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
121 Cannon House Office Building
Participants in the Academy’s Leadership Development Program XVIX, class of 2017, who have been selected through a competitive nomination process, meet in a leadership session which addresses a variety of leadership, advocacy and association management topics.
Mid-Year Forum Welcome and Introductions
3:30-3:40 p.m.
David W. Parke, II, MD, Academy CEO; and Cynthia A. Bradford, MD, Academy president
Health Policy Direction of the New Administration
3:40 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Moderator: Michael X. Repka, MD, MBA, Academy medical director for governmental affairs
From repeal of Obamacare, to regulatory relief for physicians, the new Administration has an opportunity to be transformational. What do ophthalmologists and their patients need and what is possible? Can the new Trump administration truly impact spiking drug costs? Lots of work ahead but could have a big payback for ophthalmic care.
Council Regional Chair and Co-Chair Orientation – by invitation only
5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Moderators: Mathew W. MacCumber, MD, PhD, Council chair; Lynn K. Gordon, MD, PhD, Council vice chair
Council Regional Meeting chairs and co-chairs are invited to attend a special orientation including a review of the agenda for the regional meetings and responsibilities of facilitating the meetings.
Mid-Year Forum Welcome Reception and Awards Banquet
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Keynote speaker: Michelle Bernard, MSNBC political analyst and founder, The Bernard Center for Women, Politics & Public Policy
Topic: The View from Washington
Surgical Scope Fund Reception
9:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.
Old Post Office, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
In appreciation for your support of Surgery by Surgeons in 2017, we invite you to join us to attend this special event. If you have any questions or need to check your giving history, contact Megan Vijiarungam at mvijiarungam@aao.org or call 202.737.6662.
Friday, April 28
Commercial support provided in part by 
- Gold Level.
New-Councilor Orientation – by invitation only
7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Moderators: Mathew W. MacCumber, MD, PhD, Council chair; Lynn K. Gordon, MD, PhD, Council vice chair
New Councilors are invited to attend a special orientation including an overview of Council operational procedures and responsibilities of Councilors.
Advocacy Ambassador Program - L.E.A.P. Forward
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Moderators: Jeff H. Pettey, MD, and Janice C. Law, MD, members of the Academy Young Ophthalmologist Committee
Panelists will inspire and engage advocacy ambassadors to be successful leaders in their practice setting, community, state and subspecialty society as well as national and international organizations. Young members will network and interact with active leaders in ophthalmology. Session covers four major areas: leadership, engagement, advocacy and practice management.
Concurrent Hearings, 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Telemedicine and Patient Focused Digital Applications
Moderator: Paul Sternberg Jr., MD, Academy past president
Rapid innovation in healthcare technology and the growing utilization of applications and platforms by patients and clinicians alike has fundamentally altered our healthcare landscape. From patient use of digital health applications to monitor their personal health, to the use of telemedicine to electronically connect physicians with their patients, innovation is driving change in our healthcare delivery system. The speed of innovation has left policymakers struggling to identify how best to harness this technology to improve patient access to care and curb growing health care costs. Participate in a discussion on the latest developments with digital applications and telemedicine, as well as assess their impact on ophthalmology practices and patients. Panelists will review efforts at the federal level to alter policy in this arena, as well as outline regulatory issues relating to the utilization and development of healthcare technologies.
Thriving in a Solo or Small Practice Group
Moderator: Robert E. Wiggins, MD, MHA, Academy senior secretary for ophthalmic practice
A large percentage of Academy members work in a solo or small group practice. However, there is a trend for consolidation in the field of ophthalmology and health care in general. In an era of reimbursement challenges, rising office expenditures, a more complex regulatory environment, and high costs of new technology, ophthalmologists are trading the independence of solo and small group practice for the stability a larger practice setting can offer. Does this trend mean the end of the solo practitioner or small group practice? Join our expert panel as they debate the future of the small practice and offers valuable insights for those practicing in small and large practices alike.
Concurrent Hearings, 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Physician Well-Being
Moderators: Lynn K. Gordon, MD, PhD, Council vice chair; Brad Feldman, MD, Academy secretary for member services
While we, as ophthalmologists, report a high level of satisfaction with our profession, many forces outside of our control contribute to increased stress and reduced time caring for our patients. This hearing will focus on resources available, and practical ways to promote physician well-being so that we re-connect with the passion that brought us into medicine in the first place.
Protecting Your Practice from Ransomware and other Cyberthreats
Moderator: Michael F. Chiang, MD, trustee-at-large, Academy Board of Trustees
In today’s environment, no one can afford to take cyber security lightly. With the advent of cyber ransomware, hacking of computers and medical devices and the loss of productivity, action must be taken to protect your practice. Learn about multiple perspectives on the seriousness of the threat and actions you can take to protect yourself, your patients and your practice.
Public Health Approaches to Reduce Vision Impairment and Promote Eye Health
Noon to 2 p.m.
Moderator: Anne Louise Coleman, MD, PhD; director, Hoskins Center for Quality Eye Care
In 2016, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine published a seminal report titled Making Eye Health a Public Health Imperative. This report seeks to elevate the importance of eye health by proposing a population health framework to guide action among various – and sometimes competing – stakeholders in pursuit of improved eye and vision health equity in the United States. Panelists will examine the nine recommendations of the report, provide insight on the anticipated impact to the profession of ophthalmology and outline how the Academy can be involved in elevating vision eye health and disease as a priority.
Council Meeting
Members of the Academy’s Council, an advisory body to the Board of Trustees, and also leaders of ophthalmic state, subspecialty and specialized interest societies meet to discuss issues specific to ophthalmic societies. The meeting also covers various Academy activities and strategic issues affecting the profession, including key advocacy issues related to state and federal affairs.
Opening Session
2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Unite with your colleagues from ophthalmic subspecialty and state societies to discuss key issues facing our profession.
Council Regional Meetings
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Council will also meet by region to discuss issues common to certain areas of the country.
OPHTHPAC Reception - by invitation only
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Newseum, Knight Conference Center, 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC, 20001
OPHTHPAC members who contribute to OPHTHPAC in 2017 are invited to attend this lively cocktail reception with a full open bar and hors d’oeuvres. To check your giving history or to make an investment, contact Desta Wallace at dwallace@aao.org or call 202.737.6662.
Saturday, April 29
Council Meeting
Concurrent Meetings: State Section and Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Section
8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
The State Section of the Council will meet to discuss issues specific to state societies. The Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Section of the Council will meet to discuss issues specific to subspecialty societies.
Hearing on Council Elections and Council Advisory Recommendations
9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Luncheon and Closing Session Entertainment: “The Capitol Steps”
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.