Letter from the NYSOA President

By David N. Ciccone, OD

Welcome NYSOA members. I hope this month’s letter finds you warm and well. As I sat down to compose this, it was with a sense of satisfaction, pride and little bit of sadness. The first two for all that we’ve recently accomplished the last because my term as President is winding down.

As you read this, the first Orals Pharmaceutical course has been administered and those who attended are completing the self-study component and preparing for their competency examination on March 5. The next course will be at IVC in Saratoga Springs, April 27 – 30. If you plan on taking the course and test, and have not yet registered, this is the place! Great location, evening socials, 24 hours over 4 days instead of 3 and Awards Banquet included in registration. Best of luck to all in the program and congratulations on being the first ODs who will be able to prescribe orals in our State come this fall.

To get from a bill in October of 2021 to a top notch in-person and synchronous remote program in 16 very short months is a truly amazing feat. Not only did this course and the upcoming test need to be designed. It had to be done under the constraints of getting the course, and the test, approved by the appropriate State agencies. This while also dealing with the simultaneous implementation of regulatory and reporting guidelines by these agencies. No small feat!

It would be impossible to recognize everyone involved in this process, but I would be remiss not to mention two individuals, whom without them, this achievement could not, and would not have occurred. Dr. Dawn Chivers, our previous President, and forever legislative guru, and Mr. Jim Walsh, our Legislative Counsel. The innumerable late nights (often into the early morning) that they put in to make this happen is beyond comprehension. With every brick wall that we hit, they persevered. Ultimately, we won. I give my heartfelt thanks to Dawn and Jim.

Instrumental in developing the class, test, and getting it ushered through the halls of Albany were Drs. David Heath, Rich

Madonna, Richard Soden, Mitchell Dul, Diane Adamczyk and Ms. Betsy Torres from the College, Drs. Saysha Blazier, Viola Kanevsky and Mr. Tom Cote from the NYSOA. Again, truly a remarkable feat! Kudos to all!

The Out of State Externship bill, which will allow optometric students attending accredited institutions outside of New York to participate in externships within the State, has made great headway. Our Title VIII bill, which would allow optometrists, and other allied health care professionals to be business partners with a physician, is also getting active. Read more on these in Jim Walsh’s Legislative Update.

The next time you read this article it will be from Dr. Marina Su, our current President-Elect. She has great leadership skills, many great ideas on how to continue to advance the success of our organization, and a LOT of energy to make it happen. I look forward to her upcoming tenure. Please wish her well.

It has been an honor, and a pleasure to serve the NYSOA and its membership this past year. It has certainly been a busy one. We have continued, and expanded upon, the momentum begun by our previous leadership and are set up to protect our hard earned gains to ensure that Optometry continues to be the Primary Eye Care Providers in New York State.

My best wishes for health, happiness and prosperity to all.

Sincerely,

David N. Ciccone, OD President – New York State Optometric Association