Resources for State Societies

Executive Director Benefits

• Access to members-only parts of the Academy website (www.aao.org).
• Orientation, introductions and mentoring for new directors (coordinated by Ophthalmic Society Relations).
• Subscription to Academy member alerts and newsletters, including Academy Express, Washington Report Express and Council News.
• Print subscription to EyeNet Magazine.
• Bimonthly potential/moved-member reports from the Academy’s database.
• State legislative and regulatory information and updates, upon request.
• Help arranging presentations by the Academy president and/or members of the Secretariat for State Affairs.

Don’t have an executive director? Request a template executive director job description

Society President Benefits

• “VIP housing status” for the Academy’s annual meeting. President must have been in office by May 1 to qualify.

Society Benefits

• Database of state society leader contact information, maintained by Academy staff and released upon request – e.g., to ophthalmic companies interested in exhibiting at state society meetings. 
• Chance to participate in joint dues mailing with the Academy.
• Opportunity to co-sponsor CODEquest seminars through the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives as well as continuing medical education activities for ophthalmologists and other physicians.
• Representation on the Academy Council, which advises the Academy Board of Trustees. Council suggestions have led to several Academy initiatives.
• Free mailing labels or lists (up to two sets) of ophthalmologists in and near the society’s state for use in promoting educational meetings or for membership development. Some limits apply.
• Public listing of all state ophthalmology society annual meetings and contact information. 
• “State society member” designation for each of its members’ listing in the Academy member directory (member view only).
• “VIP housing status” for the Academy’s annual meeting for its councilor(s). 
• Member and volume discounts on Academy brochures. Use the Academy ID number assigned to your state ophthalmology society. Questions? Contact: Lisa Pinkston.
• Strategic planning support from the Secretariat for State Affairs and Ophthalmic Society Relations staff (one to two state societies chosen for this annual training retreat).

• Executive directors meetings: Twice a year, Academy staff and the Secretariat for State Affairs organize meetings for state society executive directors. Meetings provide networking opportunities and important exchange of information both among executive directors and between the Academy and the executive directors.
• President-elect meeting: During the Academy annual meeting, state society presidents-elect hear from Academy leaders on issues that they will likely encounter in their new role. The meeting covers current and past society leaders’ efforts and joint Academy/state society efforts, plus other resources available to them.
• Council of Advocates session: This portion of the fall Council meeting highlights state legislative and regulatory trends as well as notable Academy-society partnerships from the past year.

• Quality Eye Care Project for the States: Through this advocacy program, the Academy partners with state societies to pass state legislation/regulations that assure quality eye care. State societies may apply for funding from the project. Contact: Michael Levitt.
• Legislative/Regulatory Research and Strategy Support: The Secretariat for State Affairs and State Governmental Affairs are available to help research issues, develop strategy, bill/regulatory language and more. Contact: Bob Palmer.
• Medicare and Medicaid: The Academy’s Governmental Affairs division works closely with state societies to addressing reimbursement and access issues for these programs. Contact: Cathy Cohen.
• Pre-K Eye Screening Initiative: The Academy works with state societies to advocate for a Pre-K screenings with follow-up exams for those identified as needing them. The Academy worked with the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus to develop a joint policy on pre-kindergarten eye screening, supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
• Advocacy Action Center: Online resource to facilitate society member communication with officials at the state level. The tool includes elected officials' contact information and committee assignments, plus template emails, letters and/or faxes on various issues. Contact: Michael Levitt.

Through the pilot “twinning” program, state societies are matched with national Latin and European ophthalmological societies to develop joint symposia at international meetings such as the Pan American and European Society Congresses. Contact: Gail Schmidt

• Advocacy Ambassador Program: Through this annual program, the Secretariat for State Affairs collaborates with various societies and ophthalmology training programs to bring residents to the Academy’s annual Mid-Year Forum and Congressional Advocacy Day held in Washington, D.C. Participants are paired with advocacy mentors and attend key sessions on hot topics and issues facing the profession. After the trip, they are encouraged to share the trip at their respective training programs.
• Leadership Development Program: A year-long intensive program for potential leaders. Participants meet throughout the year and complete a final project in one of several areas. Societies may nominate one member per year; a selection committee chooses the final class.
• Residents’ Advocacy Program: Implemented in more than 100 ophthalmology training programs across the country, this program gives residents practical insights on the value and importance of getting involved and staying involved in advocacy for their patients and their profession. Contact: Michael Levitt.
• Resident Mentor Program: This pilot mentor program helps ensure residents’ active participation in organized medicine at the state and national levels. So far, four state societies have implemented mentor-program pilots and more plan to. Contact: Lisa Pinkston.

• EyeNet: Each issue of the Academy’s monthly magazine highlights a state society’s program/activity or a collaborative Academy/state society effort.
• YO Info: The Academy’s monthly electronic newsletter for young ophthalmologists regularly highlights society efforts, especially to sponsor participants in the Advocacy Ambassador Program. The annual YO Info – Resident Edition sent with Basic and Clinical Science Course sets includes an article that highlights the importance of state societies. Contact: Gail Schmidt
• YO Program: Designed for residents, this regular component of the Academy’s annual meeting stresses society membership and active involvement in organized medicine. The Secretariat requires that each panelist discuss the benefits of belonging to their state society while also providing tips on networking, referrals and practice management. Contact: Gail Schmidt.

• Artemis Award: Annual award given to a young ophthalmologist for exemplary care and service to his or her patients.
• Outstanding Advocate Award: Annual award given to one or two ophthalmologists for significant contributions in advocacy.
• Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award: Annual award given to two ophthalmologists for sustained service above and beyond the normal duties of an ophthalmologist.
• Secretariat Award: Annual award given to select ophthalmologists for significant contributions to a state society in one of several areas.
• State Affairs Star Award, developed to recognize state societies for outstanding efforts in membership development, public information/public service, member communications, etc.
• State Society Executive Director Recognition: Two directors are recognized annually for exceptional organizational development and political advocacy.

• Scope of Practice Partnership: National partnership led by the American Medical Association, other leading national specialty medical societies and state medical associations. The partnership works to oppose allied-health scope-of-practice expansions that threaten patients’ health and safety. Contact: Bob Palmer.
• House of Delegates: Akin to the Academy’s Council, the AMA House of Delegates includes representatives from each specialty. The Ophthalmology Section Council represents societies in the AMA House of Delegates. The Ophthalmology Caucus represents all ophthalmologists. Contact: Michael Levitt.