Ophthalmology’s must-attend meeting is less than two months away – and the schedule has a lot to offer young ophthalmologists. From practice pearls to surgical skills, AAO 2019 in San Francisco will give you everything you need to succeed in all aspects of your career.
Here are five reasons to attend the biggest meeting in ophthalmology, Oct. 11 to 15.
- Get educated
With more than 350 instruction courses and labs, AAO 2019 is the place for young ophthalmologists to learn new surgical techniques or start transitioning to independent surgery.
Use the YO brochure, coming out this Fall, as your one-stop shopping guide to learn about courses endorsed by the Academy’s YO Committee as well as other educational and social events planned just for YOs over the duration of the meeting.
If you can’t join us in San Francisco, the Academy offers the AAO 2019 Virtual Meeting, a free online venue that allows you to participate in sessions live. For a second year in a row, the YO Program will be included in the approximately 25 hours of educational content streamed over five days.
In addition, the YO Symposium, The Millennial Movement: How Gender Equality, Big Data and Technology Will Be Embraced by the Young Ophthalmologist (SYM52, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 8:30 to 10 a.m.) has also been added to the Virtual Meeting. After the meeting, you’ll be able to access archived sessions until Jan. 31, 2020.
- Stay connected
AAO 2019 also offers many opportunities to network with Academy leaders and peers and make new friends from around the world.
- YO Lounge (South, Room 102): The YO Lounge is our home base during the meeting. It provides a casual space for YOs to take a break during the annual meeting and also offers meeting assistance and daily networking “Power Hours” with expert consultants. Be sure to join other YOs in sessions dedicated to wellness as well as opportunities to participate in “stretches for the OR” while in your business suit!
- YO Reception: Held Sunday evening, Oct. 13, the most entertaining event at the meeting is always packed to capacity. Come and meet and dance with other YOs from around the world. Free for YOs.
- YO Learning Lounge Event: On Saturday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 5 p.m., gather in the Learning Lounge for “Wise Ways to Spend Your Money and Time When Starting a Practice,” an interactive panel discussion on how to get your practice started. Participants will examine a number of different financial strategies.
- Stay up to date
Subspecialty Day provides the single best way to stay current with the most recent advances in your subspecialty.
This year, the Academy offers seven meetings from Oct. 11 to 12. Members-in-training save up to $350 on registration:
- Give your career a solid foundation
You can also use AAO 2019 to learn about real-world aspects of practicing medicine, such as getting paid, contract negotiation and choosing the right type of practice setting.
- YO Program (SPE41, Sunday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.): Get the inside scoop on how to set up your career from our experts. This free, three-part program includes interactive panels covering everything from transitioning out of training and finding your dream job to growing your practice and maintaining a healthy work/life balance. You’ll also discover the latest technology and medical advances that have been incorporated into ophthalmic practices in different regions of the world.
- YOs in International Outreach and Training Opportunities (415, Monday, Oct. 14, 9 to 10 a.m.): To successfully address global eye care needs, today’s young ophthalmologists must become involved in global efforts. Included with an Academy Plus pass, the course will address examples of different training pathways and discuss possibilities for how to make these efforts sustainable.
- YO Symposium: The Millennial Movement: How Gender Equality, Big Data and Technology Will Be Embraced by the Young Ophthalmologist (SYM52, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 8:30 to 10 a.m.): During this dynamic symposium, speakers will discuss how millennials are positioned as the driving force to change future treatment paradigms and create new norms for workplace solutions.
- Welcome to the Real World of Ophthalmology: Reality 101 for Residents and Fellows (SPE56, Monday, Oct. 14, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.): This free, interactive forum covers the nonmedical aspects of practicing ophthalmology, including various practice options, networking and referrals and the advantages/disadvantages of fellowship training. You’ll also learn how membership and active involvement with the Academy and state ophthalmology societies can benefit your career.
- Join others in advocating for ophthalmology
Find AAO 2019 events that involve the Academy’s advocacy for our profession, including:
- Giving a Voice to Your Patients: Best Practices for Grassroots Advocacy in Your Local Community (South 204, Saturday, Oct. 12, 3 to 4 p.m.): During this training session, you will learn best practices for advocating at home and nationally to elected officials. This hands-on, skills-building experience covers all aspects of the Academy’s advocacy efforts.
- Q&A With the FDA (South 312-313, Sunday, Oct. 13, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.): Leaders from the Food and Drug Administration will engage directly with you during this popular, annual opportunity. Get your drug-and-device questions answered and hear the latest regulatory breakthroughs that affect ophthalmologists.
Bonus: Explore a world-class tourist destination
Be inspired by the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, the majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower and the convergence of ophthalmologists from around the world at AAO 2019. From top-notch museums and Michelin star restaurants to Alcatraz tours and a world-famous music scene, there’s always something to do, see or experience in San Francisco.
Whatever your reason to attend, don’t wait too long to register and book your hotel. Registration for AAO 2019 is free for all Academy members-in-training, but rooms in the most desirable locations book up fast!