AOA forms diversity, inclusion task force
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The American Optometric Association announced the development of a task force to create opportunities for doctors of racial and ethnic groups that are historically underrepresented in optometry practice.
The task force was created in late June, following “the national dialogue that erupted on the nation’s streets following the death of George Floyd,” the group said in a press release.
“Through the work of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, our AOA is listening closely to colleagues from across our profession and throughout health care in order to make absolutely certain that optometry leads and serves as an example for our focus on a better future,” Jacqueline M. Bowen, OD, AOA trustee and task force chair, said in the release. “We recognize upfront that ours must be a sustained commitment, and that’s been at the heart of everything we’ve been working on since day one. “
According to the release, the AOA board of trustees determined that the task force’s initial actions will include:
- Gaining the perspectives of member doctors of color;
- Building diversity in its volunteer structure, including improving recruitment and leadership development of non-white doctors of optometry;
- Encouraging the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry to attract more enrollment diversity by expanding its “Optometry Gives Me Life” campaign messaging; and
- Arranging for additional diversity and inclusiveness training for staff.
The AOA is also encouraging optometry schools to participate in Impact HBCU [Historically Black Colleges and Universities], a virtual event on Oct. 6 that will showcase the industry and build a pipeline to the profession. Impact HBCU is hosted by Black Eyecare Perspective, an organization that “facilitate[es] open and authentic dialogue surrounding implicit bias, organizational structure and policies which lead to a lack of diversity and exclusion in eye care,” according to the release.
“Much of what needs to be done to reach underserved populations in this country is rooted in our advocacy efforts. We all want to take care of our patients in the best way possible. That means we all need to be good clinicians, able to practice to the full extent of the scope allowed by our education and training,” Bowen said. “And we all need to work to increase access to optometric care through inclusion in major medical plans and government-funded programs including the Veterans Administration system, and we need to make the public aware of our services.”
References:
- Black Eyecare Perspective. About Us. Available at: https://blackeyecareperspective.com/about. Accessed Sept. 17, 2020.
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