Conference Highlights

House of Delegates, Optometry’s Voice

To quote Article V of the AOA Bylaws, “A meeting of the House of Delegates shall be called a congress.”

The House of Delegates is the legislative and policymaking body of the AOA and is the supreme authority of the association. It is composed of delegates representing members of the affiliated associations. Entrance to the AOA House of Delegates’ Chamber is limited to delegates and other persons presenting proper credentials; however, by virtue of their membership, all members of the AOA are entitled to observe all sessions, other than non-public sessions, of the House of Delegates.

Each year, the opening session of the House begins with a colorful parade as the colors of the sovereign states of our great nation, the District of Columbia, the Armed Forces Optometric Society, and the American Optometric Student Association are presented. This is the venue in which affiliate leaders gather to discuss and vote on the business matters of the association. The Saturday afternoon session begins with a procession for the incoming president, followed by his inauguration speech. The nominations and elections for the AOA Board of Trustees conclude the annual meeting.

The AOA House of Delegates will be in session the following times:

Thursday, June 27 10:00am - 12:00pm 2:00pm - 3:45pm
Friday, June 28 9:00am - 12:30pm
Saturday, June 29 9:00am - 12:00pm 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Thursday, June 27th
Opening General Session
8:00am - 9:30am San Diego Convention Center

Optometry’s Meeting® Opening General Session is one of the most anticipated events every year. This year will be no different! Join your colleagues and Essilor for an amazing life story that promises to inspire us all!

In March of 2003, Jose (J.R.) Martinez was deployed to Iraq, and on April 5, less than a month into his deployment, he was serving as a driver of a Humvee in Karbala, when his left front tire hit a land-mine. J.R. was trapped inside the burning vehicle. He suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to more than 34 percent of his body. After which he spent 34 months in recovery undergoing 33 different surgeries.

During his time in recovery, a nurse asked him to speak to a burn patient, who had just seen his body for the first time and had become withdrawn. After an approximate 45-minute visit, the patient opened the curtain letting light in his room and his heart. J. R. then understood the impact he had on this patient and decided to use his experience to help others.

This past year has been quite something; not only did he and his dance partner, Karina Smirnoff, take ABC’s Dancing With The Stars season 13 coveted mirror ball trophy, he was also named the 2012 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal. J. R. was on the November 7 cover of People Magazine, was featured in their Sexiest Man Alive issue and one of the magazine’s 25 Most Intriguing People of 2011. Many awards and honors have been bestowed upon him including: Unsung Hero Award at the Lady in Red Gala; The American Motivation Awards Person of the Year; An Ivy Award for his work on behalf of the disabled in the entertainment community; recognized by the Los Angeles City Council for his dedication and passion to serving and inspiring those around him and the 2012 National Red Cross Spirit Award. He was the recipient of the 2012 National Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award at their national convention this past August and he also received the 2012 California DAV of the Year Award

Today, J.R. is a New York Times bestselling author of Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength, and Spirit his memoir that was released in October 2012.

While J.R.’s experience was certainly life-changing, amazingly he claims this is actually a change for the better. “I discovered it is what is inside a person that matters most and I wouldn’t change anything … absolutely anything!”

Survival is deep rooted in human nature…optimism and resilience is not. Join us to learn how J.R. Martinez turned a negative into a beautiful, life altering positive.

To learn more about J.R. Martinez, please visit his website www.jrmartinez.com.

Sponsored by Essilor

Essilor

Free Symposium with Lunch - Introducing Water Gradient Contact Lenses - A New Era in Comfort - Sponsored by Alcon
12:00pm - 1:00pm San Diego Convention Center

Lecturer: Mile Brujic, OD, and April Jasper, OD

Despite tremendous technological advances, all-day comfort remains elusive for many SCL patients. Soft lenses have been limited by use of a single homogeneous material with one water content throughout the lens - until now! Introducing the first and only water gradient contact lens, featuring an increase from 33% to over 80% water content from core to surface.

Please note that participants will not receive CE credit for attending lunch symposiums. In addition, please be aware of your state laws and possible restrictions that may prevent you from attending PhRMA-sponsored food and beverage events at Optometry's Meeting(r).

Free Symposium with Lunch - Therapeutic Considerations for Management of Patients with Chronic Dry Eye and Patients with Elevated Intraocular Pressure - Sponsored by Allergan
12:00pm - 1:00pm San Diego Convention Center

Lecturer: Paul Karpecki, OD, and Eric Schmidt, OD

Don't miss this Allergan-sponsored event featuring Paul Karpecki, OD, and Eric Schmidt, OD. These leading experts in the field of optometry will guide you through Allergan Eye Care therapeutic options for these ocular conditions.

Please note that participants will not receive CE credit for attending lunch symposiums. In addition, please be aware of your state laws and possible restrictions that may prevent you from attending PhRMA-sponsored food and beverage events at Optometry's Meeting(r).

Free Symposium with Lunch - The Art and Science of Practice Growth - Sponsored by Vistakon®
12:00pm - 1:00pm San Diego Convention Center

Lecturer: W. Lee Ball, OD

Join us for a unique deep dive into the art and science of practice growth. You'll gain insight into where practice growth comes from and learn how to implement these findings to keep your practice growing. Plus, you'll hear first-hand Dr. Jeremy's formula for building his own enduring practice.

Please note that participants will not receive CE credit for attending lunch symposiums. In addition, please be aware of your state laws and possible restrictions that may prevent you from attending PhRMA-sponsored food and beverage events at Optometry's Meeting(r).

A Blast From the Past (Reminisce-In)
3:00pm - 4:30pm San Diego Convention Center

Access Hollywood comes to Optometry's Meeting®. Optometry Cares® and the Optometric Historical Society's "Blast from the Past" presentation will feature Morton Greenspoon, O.D., optometrist to the stars. His presentation will be: "Lights, Camera, Contacts. A history of contact lenses in the movies". Since 1951, Dr. Greenspoon has been providing special effect contact lenses to the film and TV industry. He changed Elvis Presley's eyes from blue to brown for his third movie, Flaming Star. He provided Michael Jackson with wolf eyes for his transformation in the bestselling video "Thriller". He received an Academy Award Nomination for his work on Bram Stokers Dracula. His most recent work has been on the Twilight Saga. He will discuss his experiences as well as show a video of his most famous special effects.

Energy Management: Bringing Your Full and Best Self to Your Patients, Family, Friends and Colleagues
(Program content intended for women)
3:00pm - 4:30pm San Diego Convention Center

Juggling a busy practice with other life commitments can leave you feeling overwhelmed if you haven’t committed to practicing effective energy management. Join your colleagues in an interactive discussion to learn why managing energy, not time, plays a critical role in greater engagement and higher performance across all facets of your life.

Presenter: Marty Babbington, Certified Trainer, Human Performance Institute

Panel discussion: Strategies for “Managing it All”

Sponsored by:

Allergan

Exhibit Hall Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting
4:00pm - 8:00pm San Diego Convention Center

Don’t miss the opening of the Exhibit Hall. It’s a great time to network with your peers and see the latest and greatest the industry has to offer.

National Optometry Hall of Fame
7:00pm - 8:30pm Location TBD

Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation will induct the Class of 2013 into the National Optometry Hall of Fame during an hors d’oeuvres reception! Come congratulate the luminaries of the optometric profession, celebrate their accomplishments, and listen to their stories. Visit the display near AOA Central.

Varilux® Optometry Student Bowl™ XXII and Reception
7:30pm - 11:00pm San Diego Convention Center

The excitement and tradition of the ever-popular Varilux® Optometry Student Bowl™ continues in San Diego. Contestants, who are students from all the schools and colleges of optometry, answer optometryrelated questions while their fellow classmates energetically cheer for them. Don’t miss this fierce optometric competition, generously sponsored by Essilor. The stakes are high — in addition to bragging rights, the winner will take home $1,000 and the coveted crystal trophy; second- and third-place winners receive $750 and $500, respectively.

Everyone is invited — students, ODs, optometric staff, and guests. Attend the reception that immediately follows with great food, drinks, and warm camaraderie. Students and students’ guests will automatically be registered for this event. All other attendees register for function 0195.

Sponsored by Essilor

Essilor

Friday, June 28th
CLCS State of the Industry Luncheon
12:00pm - 1:00pm San Diego Convention Center

Join the Contact Lens and Cornea Section (CLCS) at its State of the Industry Luncheon. Participants will enjoy a light lunch while observing the presentations of the prestigious 2013 CLCS awards and a State of the Industry presentation.0205

CLCS Awards Reception
6:30pm - 8:00pm Marriott Marquis Hotel & Marina

Join the CLCS Friday evening for the reception honoring the recipient of the prestigious Dr. Donald R. Korb Award of Excellence, Desmond Fonn, OD. This event provides fellowship of practitioners, educators, and leaders – past and present – in the field of contact lens and cornea. Attendees can meet the legends, reconnect with colleagues, and enjoy culinary delights and beverages at this reception.0220

Saturday, June 29th
Optometry Cares® 5K Run/Walk
6:30am See Downtown Race Map below

Come stretch your legs and lungs at the official Optometry Cares® 5K Run/Walk. Be sure to sign up early - space is limited! Race entry fee of $25 includes race packet, chip timed bib, a technical runners t-shirt, awards to top 3 finishers male & female and a donation to Optometry Cares®; the AOA Foundation. Download Race Flyer | Download Race Map

Every Step Counts in Optometry Cares® 5K Run/Walk as we change lives one mile at a time. Optometry Cares® strives to expand eye health and vision care access to everyone in the U.S. in order to enhance human performance and quality of life. This 5K event is sponsored by The Vision Council and will be held during the American Optometric Association’s Optometry’s Meeting®, June 26-30, 2013. Your $25 entry fee will include a runners’ packet with a technical tee shirt, an opportunity for exercise and to network and have fun with your colleagues! For additional information about the event and the AOA Foundation, please visit their web site.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs): The Basics and Beyond
8:00am - 12:00pm San Diego Convention Center

This course is designed for optometric professionals and staff who have adopted, or are planning to adopt EHRs in their practice. You’ll learn the stage two and three meaningful use objectives, including requirements, clinical implications, exemptions, and compliance in a practical ‘how to’ format. Attendees of AOA’s 2012 EHR Preparedness Program for Optometry are encouraged to attend to learn what’s new in 2013. In addition, an EHR systems demonstration will take place in conjunction with the course. Companies will be available to answer questions and help you find the product that will best fit your practice needs, so you can select, implement and maintain a successful EHR system.0305

Celebration of Optometry (Presidential Celebration) – USS Midway
7:00pm - 10:00pm USS Midway

Enjoy the final night of Optometry’s Meeting® with a Celebration of Optometry, aboard the USS Midway Museum! Join us in recognizing the AOA and AOSA Board of Trustees, while exploring and reliving nearly 50 years of world history aboard the longestserving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Look for additional details in the on-site Program Book on how to pick up your wristband rquired for entrance to the ship. Space is limited and pre-registration is required (included in your inclusive registration fee) .0310

To learn more about the USS Midway, please visit their web site http://www.midway.org/

Click Here to view the short video for a glimpse of what you be experiencing from HOYA aboard the USS Midway

Sponsored by HOYA

HOYA

AOAAOSA

AOA Website  |   AOSA Website
©2013 American Optometric Association : The 116th
Annual AOA Congress & 43nd Annual AOSA Conference

AOA

Optometry’s Meeting® is the official annual meeting of
the American Optometric Association and the American
Optometric Student Association.

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