Ophthalmology’s must-attend meeting is a month away, and the Academy is thrilled to return to a live and in-person audience.
This year’s festivities are jam-packed with courses and events designed with young ophthalmologists in mind. From practice pearls to surgical skills, AAO 2021 in New Orleans will give you everything you need to succeed in all aspects of your career.
Welcome back and enjoy the YO show!
Opening Session
First things first — during the Opening Session on Friday, Nov. 12, be sure to join the Academy in celebrating the YO Committee, who will be honored with the Academy’s 2021 Special Recognition Award by this year’s president, Tamara R. Fountain, MD.
YO Program
The Academy’s annual YO Program (Sunday, Nov. 14; Room 252-254, Morial Convention Center) is a MUST for all YOs. It’s an essential live three-part course (also available on demand) and the pinnacle event for all residents, fellowship trainees and physicians in their first five years of practice.
- Part 1: Carving Your Path as a Resident and Beyond (9:45 to 11 a.m.). For help in your career choices after residency, listen to talks on practice types, negotiating contracts, your online reputation, expanding your surgical experience and much more.
- Part 2: Wellness: A Practical Guide to Your Rights and Resources (11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.). Join the conversation on balancing parenthood, protecting patients, discovering your side gig and financial wellness.
- Part 3: Why Representation Matters — A New Era of Equity (2 to 3:15 p.m.). Be inspired and meet two YOs being recognized as the Academy’s 2020 and 2021 Artemis award recipients selected for their outstanding service. Learn from your colleagues discussing the LGBTQ community, health care disparities and increasing diversity in clinical trials. Also hear from the NEI leader, Michael Chiang, MD.
YO Symposia
You can also use AAO 2021 to learn about real-world aspects of practicing medicine, such as getting paid, contract negotiation and choosing the right type of practice setting. YO-specific content includes:
- Mentoring in Ophthalmology (Saturday, Nov. 13, 3:45 to 5 p.m.): It’s a known fact that behind every successful professional is a team of mentors. This symposium will compare the roles and benefits of mentoring, coaching, advising and sponsoring. Ophthalmology has always depended on the products of mentoring and especially having diversity among mentors and mentees. You’ll dive deep into best practices for successful relationships and the entity of reverse mentoring to benefit mentors of all career stages.
- Self-Reflection at Any Stage of Your Career — Things I Would Tell My Younger Self (Monday, Nov. 15, 8 to 9:15 a.m.): Pairs of senior and young ophthalmologists will discuss a variety of challenges and opportunities faced in medicine, including obtaining work-life balance, ensuring wellness, making efforts to break through the glass ceiling, diversifying the leadership ranks and developing successful relationships with mentors.
- Welcome to the Real World of Ophthalmology: Reality 101 for Residents and Fellows (Monday, Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.): Join an interactive YO panel discussion around practice management pearls and how active participation in organized medicine can be a unique benefit for your career.
Learning Lounge Events Just for YOs
Be sure to also visit the Learning Lounge (Hall C, Booth 600) to participate in informal, small-group discussions led by experts in the field. With up to three discussions taking place at once, you can float among groups to explore different topics. YO highlights include:
- Contract Negotiation and Getting What You Want (Sunday, Nov. 14, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.): Learn pearls and pitfalls from YO peers regarding their experience in contracts and finances as well as aiming for what you really want as you launch your career.
- Building Global Ophthalmology Into Your Career (Monday, Nov. 15, 2 to 3 p.m.): International ophthalmology continues to grow and become a full-time focus for many physicians. Learn from YOs who have incorporated global ophthalmology into their careers and how you can also take your career to this next level.
YO Lounge and Daily EmPower Hours
Take advantage of the YO Lounge (Room: 222) open Saturday through Monday, Nov. 13 to 15, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participate in daily “EmPower Hours” from 1 to 2 p.m. covering topics such as risk and practice management; engagement at the state and federal levels and taking advantage of Academy resources at every stage of YOur career. Take a break and enjoy the YO lounge during your busy meeting schedule.
2021 Global YO Reception
For those of you who are ready to mingle, make sure you attend the Global YO Reception. All Academy YO members are invited to this annual event, held on Sunday, Nov. 14 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
AAO 2021 Virtual
If you’re unable to attend the annual meeting in person, the Academy has your back with AAO 2021 Virtual. Registration includes:
- Annual meeting sessions — highlights streamed live from New Orleans and available later to view online
- On-demand-only content developed specifically for the online platform
- Videos and posters
- Virtual expo
- Virtual industry showcases
- CME credits available
However you do AAO 2021, make sure to check aao.org/programsearch for the most up-to-date course information and use the filter option to view AAO 2021 events endorsed by the Young Ophthalmologist Committee.