The Mid-Year Forum brings the ophthalmology community together to instigate change and shape our profession’s future.
For young ophthalmologists, in particular, it’s the best way to learn firsthand about policy, politics and practice management — straight from the experts.
Here are the top groups you can expect to meet at one of the Academy’s most important events — April 22 to 25 in Washington, D.C.
1. Your State Advocacy Team
Each year, the Academy partners with state ophthalmology societies to turn back aggressive optometric attempts at expanding surgical privileges — a dangerous threat to your profession and the safety of your patients.
During the Mid-Year Forum, be sure to connect with your society representatives to stay updated about local scope-of-practice legislation and learn how you can make your own impact in the next battleground. Your reps are also a good resource for mentoring and leadership opportunities!
2. The U.S. Surgeon General
At the Mid-Year Forum welcome reception and awards banquet, you’ll have the opportunity to hear the keynote speaker, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, address the need to elevate eye health as a national health priority.
Dr. Adams holds the rank of vice admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. As part of his public service, he oversees the operations of more than 6,000 uniformed health officers who serve in hundreds of locations around the world, promoting, protecting and advancing the country’s health and safety.
3. Members of Congress and Their Staffs
Congressional Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity to lobby on the issues that affect your practice and your patients. You’ll get the chance to meet one-on-one with health care staff to present the concerns and positions of your patients and your community.
You’ll also hear from Academy leadership on current advocacy issues affecting all of medicine.
The Academy does everything you need to make your meetings on Capitol Hill successful: coordinating your appointments, preparing you with a full issue briefing and talking points and providing tips on effective lobbying.
Once you leave D.C., be sure to follow up with your legislators to continue the dialogue and establish yourself as a future resource for legislative issues regarding eye care!
4. Academy Leadership
YOs participating in the Advocacy Ambassador Program will engage and interact firsthand with Academy and society leaders to learn what it takes to advocate for the profession and gain exposure to some of the strategic issues affecting the practice of ophthalmology.
Special events include the L.E.A.P. Forward session (covering leadership, engagement, advocacy, practice management), an Advocacy Ambassador Program briefing/reception and a Capitol Hill wrap-up session.
5. Ophthalmologists Running for Congress
It’s an important election year — the outcomes from the 2020 elections are likely to have a profound impact on ophthalmology and the practice of medicine for years to come. During the Mid-Year Forum closing session, “The 20/20 on 2020: Our Profession and the Election,” you’ll learn about the big trends likely to impact the November elections and what policy shifts ophthalmologists might see in 2021 as a result.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the newest ophthalmologists running for Congress: Bill Clifford, MD (Kansas, 1st Congressional District), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD (Iowa, 2nd Congressional District).
Come witness why ophthalmology is among the most prepared profession in medicine. Join your colleagues in Washington, D.C., April 22 to 25. Early-bird pricing ends March 12.