New Membership Brochure 2022

The American Academy of Optometry

Information for New Graduates

Advancing All Optometry — One Optometrist at a Time

PRESIDENT’S LETTER Dear Doctor and New Colleague: Congratulations on achieving your doctor of optometry degree, a wonderful milestone in your professional career. The rigorous curriculum you have just completed is a significant first step in the journey to become an accomplished, successful, and caring doctor.

You soon will discover that the practice of optometry continually evolves. As innovative diagnostic equipment, therapeutic drugs, and evidence-based practice patterns become new standards of care, the progressive clinical optometrist makes a commitment to continuous learning.

Many achieve this professional pledge as an active Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, earning the right to designate FAAO after their name.

The Academy, founded in 1922, takes pride in our profession-leading continuing education and research programs. We provide an avenue for professional growth, enhanced skill development, participation in clinical research, and the incorporation of new ocular and systemic research results to support your patient care decisions. We view this as a partnership to advance your clinical skills and sustain a successful, rewarding career. Becoming a Fellow of the Academy changed my professional life profoundly and I extend a personal invitation for you to join us as a Fellow.

While the Academy is well recognized for cutting edge optometric education and research, 85% of our Fellows examine patients as practitioners in a clinical setting.

The process of becoming a Fellow is challenging yet achievable. It is an opportunity to advance your career while surrounding yourself with like-minded colleagues who aspire to excellence.

Our organization is comprised of Fellows who promote and deliver exemplary optometric care.

We network and we continue to learn and share the latest vision research and patient care information. Simply, the Academy membership embodies the vision of “Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Practice.®” Now is the ideal time to start the process of becoming a Fellow. Recent graduates are offered reduced annual dues fees, and the one-time $60 application fee is waived if you apply before the end of 2021.

The Academy would be honored to have you join our Fellowship. Please visit www.aaopt.org for more information, or call the Academy office at 321-319-4860.

Again, congratulations and welcome to our profession! I look forward to greeting you at a future Academy meeting.

Sincerely,

Timothy T. McMahon, OD, FAAO Academy President, 2021 & 2022

DID YOU KNOW?

85% of Fellows in the American Academy of Optometry examine patients.

It takes 10 years of intense preparation to become a top performer in your field. How will you get there?

Becoming a Fellow is not a test.

It is a process that allows you to hone your skills.

The Academy is not just for your professors! Only

21%

of Fellows are educators or vision scientists.

DID YOU KNOW? There are nearly 300 hours of the highest quality education offered at every annual meeting.

45%

of Fellows are in private practice.

Experience as a clinician is not associated with continued improvements in performance - you also need continued education and training.

Start the process of becoming a Fellow immediately upon graduation!

The $60 application fee is waived if you apply during your graduation year!

Visit https://candidate.aaopt.org to apply today!

FELLOWSHIP

ADVANCEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL Although a majority of Fellows of the Academy are practitioners, Fellowship is open to the following professionals who demonstrate that they meet Academy standards: •

Optometrists who are licensed or accredited to practice at the highest level permitted by law in their jurisdiction, and

•

Scientists, educators, librarians, administrators and editors who have distinguished themselves and optometry by their contributions to optometry or vision science.

In qualifying for and maintaining Fellowship, candidates are evaluated against the highest standards of professional competence. The letters “FAAO” (Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry) after a professional’s name signify to colleagues and patients that rigorous qualifications for Fellowship have been met.

A candidate has three years to successfully complete the process. The Admittance Committee works with the candidate to develop and review the materials required to demonstrate eligibility to sit for the oral examination.

The process is designed to help the candidate develop as a professional and succeed in becoming a Fellow.

IN THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTOMETRY

EARNING ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP Step 1: Application Form

Apply online at https://candidate.aaopt.org Candidates must submit an online application form and pay requisite candidate fees. Once the application has been submitted, the candidate will receive an acknowledgement email that will include information on how to submit written work.

Step 2: Written Material

A point system gives candidates options to meet the written requirements. A total of 50 points is required to complete the written work. The table on page three summarizes the combination of points that can be used to achieve 50 points. All written work must be submitted through the online candidacy for Fellowship application system.

Step 3: Oral Examination

Oral exams are given only at Academy annual meetings.

The candidate will be examined on the basis of the credentials and written work submitted to the committee.

Candidates who successfully complete the oral examination are expected to attend the annual meeting banquet to be inducted as Fellows.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES Annual Meeting

Dates

Deadline for First Case Report

Deadline for Second Deadline for Case Report Written Work

Academy 2022 San Diego

October 26-29, 2022

February 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

May 15, 2022

Academy 2023 New Orleans

October 11-14, 2023

February 1, 2023

April 1, 2023

May 15, 2023

Academy 2024 Washington DC

November 6-9, 2024

February 1, 2024

April 1, 2024

May 15, 2024

RESPONSIBILITIES OF FELLOWSHIP Each person admitted to Academy Fellowship is expected to: • Live up to the Membership Pledge and Agreement • Attend the annual meeting when possible • Contribute to the work of the Academy by serving on a committee when requested, submitting papers, posters, and/or courses to the annual meeting and other Academy sponsored educational and scientific programs, encouraging research in optometry and being active in an Academy chapter, if one is available • Sponsor additional candidates for Fellowship and serve as a mentor for candidates when invited • Fulfill the Maintenance of Fellowship (MOF) requirements every 10 years

BENEFITS OF FELLOWSHIP

Sections and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Candidates for Fellowship in the Academy may join one or more of the Sections and SIGs devoted to optometric specialties. Academy Sections and SIGs sponsor symposia and special events at the Academy annual meeting. The Sections are: • Anterior Segment • Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry • Comprehensive Eye Care • Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies • Glaucoma • Low Vision • Optometric Education • Public Health and Environmental Vision Academy SIGs include: • • • • • • •

Academic Medical Center Optometrists Fellows Doing Research Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders in Optometry Nutrition, Disease Prevention and Wellness Retina Vision in Aging Vision Science

Meetings

Each year the Academy meets in a major North American city to conduct the foremost scientific and educational meeting in optometry. The meeting consists of continuing education courses, papers, posters, section symposia, exhibits, awards, lectures, admittance of new Fellows and Diplomates and related activities. This meeting has become one of the largest national and international professional gatherings of optometrists in the United States.

Optometry and Vision Science

For more than 75 years the Academy has published a monthly online journal containing papers on the clinical and basic science aspects of optometry and vision science. Optometry and Vision Science is recognized today as one of the most prestigious optometric journals worldwide and stands as a chronicle of the scientific and professional advancement in the field.

Online Resources

The American Academy of Optometry website, www.aaopt.org, is a significant resource for candidates. On the website you will find: • Complimentary access to Academy Online • A thorough explanation of the point system • A guide to writing case reports and sample case reports • Access to an online community and discussion boards • An online library of optometric journals • An online directory of Fellows and Diplomates • Meeting information and more

Research

Fostering vision research is a major Academy activity.

The Academy’s affiliate, the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF), is actively involved in funding research fellowships and scholarships. The Academy’s Research Committee works with other optometric organizations, including the American Optometric Association, to sponsor specific research opportunities.

CANDIDACY FOR FELLOWSHIP IN THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTOMETRY Point System Summary Table

A point system has been established to give candidates several options to meet the written requirements. A total of 50 points is required to complete the written work. The following table summarizes the combination of points each type of candidate can use to achieve 50 points:

Written Requirement Options

Clinical Candidates

Scientific Candidates

Special Category Candidates

Case Reports (10 points each)

Yes*

No

No

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications (10 points each)

Yes

Yes**

Yes

Posters and Papers (10 points each)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Academy Lecture (10 points each)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Residency or other graduate degree (20 points maximum)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Leadership Contribution (10 points maximum)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Professionally Related Book (20 points maximum)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Original 6,000 word paper (50 points)

Yes***

Original 1,200 word paper (10 points)

Yes***

Synopsis of five consultative service provided to practitioners (10 points each)

Yes

Synopsis of educational course work the candidate has given related to the profession of optometry (10 points each)

Yes

Clinical Candidates are optometrists who are

llicensed or accredited to practice at the highest level permitted by law in their jurisdiction and are engaged in active clinical practice. Of the 50 points required from clinical candidates, *at least one case report (10 points) is required.

Scientific Candidates are primarily involved

in research relating to the vision sciences. They have published articles in peer reviewed journals, and generally have an advanced degree in a vision science area of discipline. Of the 50 points required from scientific candidates, **at least three scientific publications (10 points per publication) are required.

For additional information about candidacy:

Special Category Candidates may include

administrators, executive directors, clinical consultants, librarians, editors, educators or others who have distinguished themselves and optometry by their contribution to optometry or vision science. This category is reserved for those candidates who are NOT in active clinical practice or participating in publishable scientific research. Of the 50 points required from special category candidates, ***at least one original paper (either 1,200 word paper for 10 points or a 6,000 word paper for 50 points) is required.

Candidates who do not clearly fall into one category or another will have their candidacy reviewed by the Admittance Subcommittee Chairs involved to determine which category best fits the candidate.

American Academy of Optometry 622 East Washington Street Suite 300 Orlando, FL 32801 membership@aaoptom.org 321-319-4860 www.aaopt.org Apply online at https://candidate.aaopt.org

Candidate Dues and Application Fee Candidates for Fellowship are considered members of the Academy and are required to pay annual dues. Recent graduates pay a lesser amount on a sliding scale based on your OD graduation date. Applications and dues received after October 1st will be credited through the following calendar year.

One Time Candidate Application Fee: $60* *Current student and resident members are not required to pay the application fee.

Annual Candidate Dues: Graduated from OD school during current calendar year: $0 Graduated from OD school during the previous calendar year: $180 Graduated from OD school two calendar years ago: $275 Graduated from OD school three or more calendar years ago: $370

QUOTES FROM FELLOWS What were the specific reasons that you decided to become a Fellow in the Academy?

“The Academy is the center of professional excellence where the profession of optometry can be seen at its highest standard of eyecare.”

“To hold myself to a higher standard and distinguish myself from other optometrists.”

“To actively contribute to the profession on a scholarly level; to collaborate with others who have similar interests and professional values; to challenge myself to remain on the cutting edge.”

“I was impressed with the quality of lectures, seminars, poster presentations, etc, that were offered at the Academy meetings and wanted to become more involved in a professional organization that was active in advancing the science of optometry.”

“To become a leader in the optometric profession and to be recognized as continuing the highest quality care and dedication to the profession that each individual patient deserves and expects. To be associated with a more research oriented part of the profession.”

In what ways has the attainment of your FAAO distinguished you in your own career and/or practice?

“It tells my colleagues and patients that I am

committed to achieving the most current, advanced education and training.”

“With regard to clinical procedures, I am more confident in handling eye diseases and referring more appropriately cases involving systemic disease. I have improved a lot in my knowledge and skills with regard to the use of diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents. I see more patients and receive referrals from other eyecare professionals in the region where I live and work.”

“I earned more respect from my peers and students. The

process increased communications with other educators outside my subject area. The Fellow process is a volunteer endeavor that is challenging and requires self scrutiny.

Electing to tackle this process and succeeding was a boost in my professional confidence.”

“It has allowed me to expand my knowledge, open new doors, and meet others who are interested in the same subject matter, thus allowing me to be able to collaborate with them in scholarship and research.”