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Your practice – and patients – will benefit from AOA membership
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Have you ever had one of those moments? When something very mundane – something that we often take for granted daily – becomes a revelation? I recently had one of these moments while managing my son’s little league baseball team. As the season ended, I realized that something really special had happened. We hadn’t merely spent 3 months herding a bunch of 6-year olds. Rather, we watched a group of kids develop friendships, learn a little about baseball and teamwork and, most importantly, have fun. All of this was the result of volunteerism. Indeed, without the scores of parents scheduling, managing, coaching, umpiring and attending games, none of this would have transpired.
More recently I witnessed volunteerism on a much grander scale. It was the American Optometric Association’s 104th Annual Congress in Boston. In addition to providing contemporary and comprehensive continuing education, the AOA Congress afforded attendees the opportunity to socialize with colleagues as well as witness our leadership in action. But, most importantly, it’s only at the congress that one gets a true appreciation of what the AOA does for us as practicing optometrists.
AOA brought practice privileges
The reality is that it’s largely due to the efforts of the AOA – and its legions of volunteers on a state and local level – that we enjoy today’s practice privileges. Regardless of our mode of practice, we all benefit from the diligence of the AOA.
Without the AOA, it’s very likely we would not have the therapeutic prescribing privileges we do today. Without the AOA, it’s doubtful that we would have ever achieved Medicare (and other health care plans) parity. In fact, without the AOA, there is no concerted voice representing our profession’s interests and concerns on a state or national level.
The good news is that many of our colleagues recognize the benefits of this association. The AOA does enjoy a higher percentage membership than many other health care professional organizations. The bad news is that we’re a small group and we’re not at 100% membership.
Do not be complacent
Unfortunately, success breeds complacency. Apparently, some of our colleagues feel as though we’ve met all of our objectives and that AOA membership is no longer critical. Sadly, nothing is further from the truth. Consider the recent legislative efforts to strike down patient comanagement. Or the opposition we’ve encountered when introducing pre-school eye examination initiatives. These examples should serve as a sobering reminder that optometry’s status within health care is anything but guaranteed.
I fully recognize that the spirit of volunteerism goes well beyond our profession – and the AOA. For many of us it’s donating what little time we have available to other worthy efforts, be it our place of worship, scouts, classrooms or elsewhere in the community. So it’s understandable that not everyone can volunteer for an AOA committee. However, it’s incomprehensible that all of us are not AOA members.
If you’re not already an AOA member, please join the ranks. In the final analysis, it’s likely to be the best investment you’ll ever make for your practice – and your patients.