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New president outlines goals for AOA
SEATTLE – With the United States on the cusp of a change in leadership and a possible overhaul of the health care system, the American Optometric Association’s new president told members here that the profession should stay involved to keep its role relevant.
“The outlook for optometry is strong,” Peter H. Kehoe, OD, said during his acceptance speech before the House of Delegates at Optometry’s Meeting.
 Peter H. Kehoe, OD, (left) succeeds Kevin Alexander, OD, PhD, (right) as president of the American Optmetric Association. Here, they address the media at a press conference during Optometry’s Meeting. Source: Passut J, PCON |
The National Eye Institute is projecting massive increases in the number of macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy patients by the year 2020, he said.
“Optometry is positioned to make a significant impact for these millions of patients,” Dr. Kehoe said. “Your AOA and the leaders before me have shaped optometry to be the primary health care profession that we are today. With the upcoming presidential election and talk of reforming health care, we need every optometrist to become fully engaged in the process to ensure that our patients have the opportunity to see their family eye doctor for their care.”
Dr. Kehoe promoted the AOA-backed InfantSee program and encouraged practitioners to sign up to provide the exams.
“If all 3+ million babies born in America each year saw their optometrist for that InfantSee assessment in that first year of life and then again at 3 and 5 years old before they start school, as our clinical practice guideline suggests, amblyopia could be effectively eliminated for generations of Americans in the future,” Dr. Kehoe said.
Though he did not mention it by name, Dr. Kehoe hinted that he would champion board certification.
“As a profession, we owe it to our patients to stay current in the latest in eye care delivery,” he said. “We have to remember that our patients and the payers in our health care system are increasingly demanding a process that proves our continued competence beyond initial licensure.”
In other election news, Randolph E. Brooks, OD, FAAO, of Ledgewood, N.J., was named president-elect; Joe E. Ellis, OD, of Benton, Ky., moved into the role of vice president; Dori M. Carlson, OD, of Park River, N.D., was named secretary/treasurer; and David A. Cockrell, OD, of Stillwater, Okla., and Ronald L. Hopping, OD, MPH, of Houston, were re-elected to 3-year terms. New board member Christopher J. Quinn, OD, was elected to a 1-year term. Dr. Quinn is also a member of the Primary Care Optometry News Editorial Board.