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ODs encourage students to become leaders
ATLANTA – Optometrists who have “been there, done that” in the world of legislation spoke to a younger generation of soon-to-be practitioners at SECO 2008 about the future battles they may face in their state legislatures.
 Image: Robb Cohen |
They encouraged the students to get to know the issues in their states and to work for reform, if needed.
“If you are not actively involved in your profession, then you’re going to have no control over where it goes,” Glen T. Steele, OD, chief of pediatrics at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, told the audience.
Dr. Steele gave the students a history of prescribing privileges. “All the privileges you will have when you graduate came out of a generation before,” he said. “Before this, there was nothing. There are threats every day that can take these privileges away from you.”
Dr. Steele was joined by Louisiana optometrist James D. Sandefur, OD, who recounted the challenges his state faced passing laws that favored optometry, as well as state representative Gary L. Odom (D-Tenn.).
Dr. Sandefur said Louisiana optometrists’ fight for prescribing rights came down to the wire, with ODs watching the vote count closely. “You have to be prepared for everything, and you don’t believe anything until the votes are on the board,” he said.
 Jerald F. Combs |  James D. Sandefur |  Glen T. Steele |  Gary L. Odom |
Despite winning that battle, he said there is much more work to be done in his state and others, and he charged the students to take on the cause. “This journey is still not complete,” Dr. Sandefur said. “The more you do to help your profession, the more successful your practice is going to be.”
Dr. Steele agreed and said communication on that front is key, as well. “Scope of practice is disparate across the country,” he said. “Uniformity must be reached to serve our patients.”
During the session, a few optometrists stepped in to offer their remarks, including Jerald F. Combs, OD, of Kentucky. “In 1976, when I graduated from optometry school, we couldn’t dilate an eye, let alone treat one,” Dr. Combs said. “Your goal is to practice what you have been taught. Your goal is to be reimbursed for what you’ve been taught. Each optometrist has a duty to play their part in the political process to secure our own future.”
Mr. Odom offered some tips on how to work with congressional leaders.
For one, he said, optometrists must register to vote. Politicians keep close track of their constituents, he said.
“When someone calls my office, the person who answers my phone knows in about 8 seconds if you are a constituent and whether you are registered to vote,” Mr. Odom said. They will also know how a caller has voted in the past, he said.
Mr. Odom also encouraged the students to learn about the legislative process, get to know their lawmakers and become involved in their campaigns and in their associations’ political action committees.
“You have no choice but to be a leader for optometry,” Mr. Odom said.
For more information:
- Glen T. Steele, OD, is a professor and chief of pediatrics and vision therapy at the Southern College of Optometry. He can be reached at 1245 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104; (901) 722-3284; fax: (901) 722-3281; e-mail: gsteele@sco.edu.
- James D. Sandefur, OD, is executive director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana. He can be reached at 115 B North 13th Street, Oakdale, LA 71463; (888) 388-0675 or (318) 335-0675; fax (318) 335-0677; e-mail: optla@bellsouth.net.
- Gary L. Odom is a state representative and executive director of the Tennessee Optometric Association. He can be reached at 2727 Branford Ave., Nashville, TN 37204; (615) 327-2001; fax: (615) 269-5986; e-mail: garylodom@aol.com.
- Jerald F. Combs, OD, can be reached at PO Box 848, 386 Ky Route 122, Martin, KY 41649-0848; (606) 285-3139; fax: (606) 285-9110; e-mail: jeraldcombs@hotmail.com.