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ARBO, NBEO continue to discuss possible merger
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Discussions continue regarding a potential merger between the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) and the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO).
“The joint exploratory committee studying this issue believes that a single organization for both assessment and regulation would be more efficient and effective,” said Linda Casser, OD, president of the board of directors for NBEO and member of the joint exploratory committee. “We believe it would be positioned to meet any future needs necessary to protect the public.”
Dr. Casser said the idea for a merger was first discussed in 2000, during strategic planning sessions held separately by each group. These individual sessions resulted in the formation of a joint exploratory committee in March 2001. “In continuing the dialogue, we are addressing an issue that was put forth as part of those planning sessions,” she said.
The idea for the merger was also partially prompted by the 2001 dissolution of the American Board of Optometric Practice (ABOP), Dr. Casser said.
In June 2001, the House of Delegates of the American Optometric Association (AOA) approved a motion to dissolve the ABOP and another motion to re-examine the concept of specialization in optometric clinical practice.
“It was an issue that received a lot of debate and discussion within the profession, and during that debate, some peripheral issues emerged,” Dr. Casser said. “Some questions were raised regarding the financial agreement between the NBEO and ARBO. And so we felt that, in exploring the possibility of a merger, we were responding to issues that were raised in the profession surrounding the ABOP issue.”
Advantageous to all
Donovan Crouch, OD, president of ARBO and member of the joint exploratory committee, agreed with Dr. Casser that the exploratory committee believes that a merger between ARBO and NBEO would be advantageous to both groups.
“The committee feels there are several advantages,” he said. “For example, efficiencies of staff could be realized. Also, a new, single organization would be capable of attracting the necessary resources required to protect the public through accreditation, assessment and regulation.”
Dr. Crouch said the joint exploratory committee has scheduled an intra-professional meeting relative to this subject.
“Six national organizations will participate in an intraporfessional conference in March: The AOA, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the American Student Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry and the American Public Health Association,” he said. “They have been asked to present their reactions to the case statement prepared by the joint exploratory committee.”
After listening to the pros and cons of merging, the joint exploratory committee will render a recommendation to the boards of directors of ARBO and NBEO, Dr. Crouch said. “A report will also be presented to the ARBO House of Delegates in June.”
For Your Information:
- Linda Casser, OD, FAAO, can be reached at 3278 Hillside Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116; (503) 359-2766; fax: (503) 359-2929.
- Donovan L. Crouch, OD, FAAO, can be reached at 600 Ontario St., Storm Lake, IA 50588; (712) 732-3233; fax: (712) 732-1866.