Optometry’s Meeting offers diverse CE opportunities

The American Optometric Association and the American Optometric Student Association are partnering to present Optometry’s Meeting 2010, their combined annual meeting and comprehensive continuing education event, to be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, just outside Orlando.

Optometry’s Meeting 2010 marks the 113th American Optometric Association (AOA) Congress and the 40th American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) meeting. The 5-day event will be held Wednesday, June 16, to Sunday, June 20, and will feature more than 250 hours of continuing education (CE), including 30 free CE hours for optometrists.

Education

Meeting attendees from all optometric backgrounds will have access to a diverse range of CE programs.

Joint CE courses for optometrists and paraoptometrics will build upon the team effort required to run a successful optometry practice. Topics will focus on providing the best in patient care, including enhancing patient experience through technology and products, caring for infant patients and implementing an electronic health record (EHR) system.

On Wednesday, the course “EHR: Deadlines Have Been Set” will kick off the series, explaining government incentives and how health care reform is changing the face of EHRs. Companies will be available to help participants select, implement and maintain a successful EHR system.

Optometry’s Meeting will also offer three new paraoptometric education tracks that will cover clinical, optical and practice management from Thursday to Saturday. The courses are designed to keep optometric staff informed on the latest developments in patient care, eye health, career advancement and more.

The new Rapid-fire Education Track, a succinct and fast-paced panel program, will feature 10 to 12 presentations by key opinion leaders on Friday and Saturday. Open to all meeting attendees, the program will cover topics such as anterior segment, intermediate vision and laser vision correction.

Primary Care Optometry News will also sponsor Clinical Grand Rounds presented by PCON Editorial Board members Ron Melton, OD, FAAO, and Randall Thomas, OD, FAAO, on Saturday, which will feature 2 hours of COPE-approved CE. The interactive, case-based presentations will discuss the challenges in treating a wide variety of anterior and posterior segment diseases.

Career programs

Although Optometry’s Meeting emphasizes CE, the event will also focus on career advancement.

Back by popular demand, the New-in-Practice Series is designed for optometrists just starting their careers or preparing to change practice settings. On Thursday and Friday, experienced optometrists and world-class lecturers will cover a comprehensive range of practice management topics including staff management and training, financial management and marketing, and networking for practice growth.

Career Central, a new addition to this year’s AOSA education program, will be open to all meeting attendees but is designed to guide students in starting and building a successful career in optometry. From Thursday to Saturday, students will learn how to identify career goals, build a financial profile and more during the Career Central Theater sessions. On Friday, students are also invited to participate in the Career Central Career Fair, a networking event where students can exchange information with companies and practices.

Business

The AOA House of Delegates will be in session from Thursday to Saturday to discuss and vote on business matters of the association. Meeting attendees are invited to observe affiliate leaders discussing major issues and deciding new policies. The House of Delegates will also hold a procession for the incoming president and nominate and elect the 2010-2011 AOA Board of Trustees.

The AOA will also honor inductees into the National Optometry Hall of Fame during a Friday evening reception. Since its inception, 51 optometric professionals have been inducted into the hall of fame for their inspiring accomplishments in optometry.

Frank W. Abagnale

Entertainment

Optometry’s Meeting is not all about business, however.

The AOA Foundation will present the acclaimed annual fundraiser, Optometry’s Got Talent, on Wednesday evening. The expanded lineup will feature karaoke and the best amateur talent in the optometric profession as well as silent and live auctions.

Frank Caliendo

John Pinette

On Thursday morning, the opening general session will feature keynote speaker Frank W. Abagnale, one of the world’s most respected authorities on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. His best-selling book, Catch Me If You Can, was made into a movie by Stephen Spielberg in 2002.

On Thursday evening, meeting attendees will be able to witness a fierce battle of optometric knowledge during the 19th annual Varilux Optometry Student Bowl.

After the new AOA Board of Trustees is introduced on Saturday evening, meeting attendees will be entertained by comedians Frank Caliendo and John Pinette during the Presidential Celebration.

For more information:

• For more information on Optometry’s Meeting, visit www.optometrysmeeting.com.