Volume 40 Number 2 2014
prospectus
Letter from the President By Christopher Colburn, OD, FAAO NYSOA President Several experiences over the past months have given me an opportunity to reflect upon being an optometrist. I enjoyed the enthusiasm of SUNY Optometry graduates walking out of graduation as our colleagues. As they join our ranks, I am confident that they will find optometry both Christopher Colburn, demanding and rewardOD, FAAO ing. Sadly, in contrast, my business partner and personal optometrist since the age of 4, Dr. Terry Schultz passed away recently. Contemplating these experiences individually and collectively make me grateful for the opportunity to serve the patients in my community and proud to do it as an optometrist. I find the direction of our profession encouraging and the opportunities and challenges engaging on a daily basis. Dr. Schultz was a visionary who consistently and successfully implemented new ideas. Challenges came and went during his career, and he always took an aggressive and patient centered approach to resolving them. If something is right for patients, he would say, it will be right for the practice. He, of course, was correct. We are a noble profession, generally taking a similar approach in our legal, legislative and
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
regulatory efforts in New York and Washington D.C. Most of us also give generously of our resources to our local communities. As you read through this issue of prospectus, I hope you feel satisfied with your profession’s approach to advocacy. You will find an overview and invitation by Remote Access Medical (RAM) regarding a mission to care for the underserved in the New York City Area. I participated in a RAM mission in Eastern Tennessee many years ago and found it to be both challenging and gratifying; a unique experience that I encourage to you to consider. The NYSOA represents member doctors of optometry individually and collectively to ensure our right to practice our profession as we see fit, a challenge that your elected representatives work diligently to accomplish on a daily basis. Whether refracting, prescribing medication, providing rehabilitative services, or practicing optometry in countless other ways, NYSOA will address any issue that may arise. NYSOA also advocates for the expansion of our profession to take advantage of new technology and research. We must be successful in order to sustain our profession for optometrists practicing today and to ensure a viable profession for our future colleagues. Success is dependent on an individual commitment by optometrists to be members of the association and a collective commitment to advocate for the advancement of the profession. Continued on page 2
Letter from the President.................................1
ADA Compliance................................................8
Seeking Volunteers: RAM Clinic......................2
CE-NY Dates......................................................8
AOA Advocacy Overview....................................3
2014 CVC Contributors....................................10
Congressional Photos........................................5
2014 PAC Contributors....................................13
Dr. Chivers Article..............................................7
NYSOA Business Partners...............................16
Dr. Lagana at the AOA’s national conference in Philadelphia
Left to right: Dr. Dawn Chivers, Dr. Andrea Thau, Congresswoamn Yvette Clarke, Dr. Fran Reinstein, SUNY Students Maegan Sauer and Tanya Ayzikovich More Photos from AOA’s 2014 Congressional Meeting on page 5!
Prospectus (ISSN 1055-7407) is published by the New York State Optometric Association, Inc., 119 Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12210. All issues are electronic. Yearly subscriptions $25.00, single copies $5.50. The views and opinions expressed are those of the signed author and in no way should be construed to reflect the opinions or position of the editorial staff of Prospectus, or the New York State Optometric Association, its officers, local affiliate societies, or administrative staff. All submissions are subject to editorial change with regard to clarity or length. Final decision regarding acceptance or rejection of any submission lies with the editor.