New AOA president defines goals

BOSTON -- American Optometric Association President-Elect Kevin L. Alexander, OD, PhD, defined the goals for the organization at a press conference here during Optometry’s Meeting.

“We’re going to focus on three things next year,” Dr. Alexander said.

First, he plans to continue the federal advocacy program that outgoing president C. Thomas Crooks, OD, put in place, making sure optometry is well represented in Washington. “We need to be alert and present and have our voice heard in Washington,” Dr. Alexander said.

Next, Dr. Alexander plans to help create a national commission on vision and health, the concept of which has been approved by the AOA’s Board of Trustees. That commission will be chaired by Barry Barresi, OD, PhD, and include representatives from outside optometry. “They’ll be asked to provide expert testimony and high-level white papers,” Dr. Alexander said. “We think this will be a powerful tool to help the public see what we can do.”

Third, the board will continue to explore board certification for optometrists. To that end, a Joint Board Certification Project Team, comprising the AOA, the American Academy of Optometry, the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and the American Optometric Student Association has been formed. That committee will come up with ideas about how to certify optometrists, Dr. Alexander said. Its recommendation will then come before the AOA House of Delegates for a vote.

“I think, in the end, if good heads prevail, that the profession will see the need for some sort of credible system of demonstrating ongoing continued competence,” he said. “There is a way to do this. I know the need is out there.”