October | November - Missouri Optometric Association

October | November 2009A l s oI nT h i sI s s u eProtect Yourselfand Your Staff ThisFlu SeasonColds Vs. FluChecklistFrier and HospitalJoin ForcesWhat is a ParaTrustee?Scam AlertSpecial OlympicsSpring CE Heads toMexicoIn MemoriamR e g u l a rF e a t u r e sPresident’s MessageNew MembersCalendar ofUpcoming EventsMissouri OptometricSociety ReportsMOA Hosts Successful ConferenceA wonderful location in the hills of the Ozarks and an action-packed four dayevent was had by the MOA members who participated in the MOA 2009 AnnualConference. Eye on the Future was held at the Lodge of the Four Seasons,October 1-4, 2009. From high quality continuing education to great rock ‘n rollfeaturing Dr. Tom Greene’s band “Wite Lite” and a Presidential gala, the dayswere busy and fun-filled.The activities began with a golf tournament at the beautiful Osage National GolfCourse. Golfers who participated in this event reported having a great time, and itwas chaired by Dr. Thomas Cullinane.Story continues on page 4.

October | November 2009Don’t miss the 2010 Congress to hear some of thebiggest names in Optometric education.Join the enthusiasm in the exhibit hall and don’t miss the bestexhibiting and education the Midwest has to offer. There will bedrawings for over $15,000 in prizes and gift certificates.Speakers for the 2010 CongressDr. Richard CastilloDr. A. Paul ChousMr. Richard DorerDr. Ian GaddieDr. Mindy GordonDr. Doug HerriottDr. Shane KannarrMs. Jill LuebbertMs. Valerie MansoDr. Scot MorrisDr. Kelly NicholsDr. Paul RoseMr. Kim ScheidlerDr. Leonid SkorinDr. Laurie SorrensonDr. Mary Jo StiegemeierDr. Suzanne WickumMr. Mike VitaleMr. Alex YohoFor More Information Visit Our WebsiteHOACLS.ORG249th AnnualContact Lens &Primary CareCongressHyatt Regency Crown CenterKansas City, MissouriFebruary12-14, 2010Save TimeREGISTER ONLINE!Steve L. Smith, O.D., Director of Registration918-341-8211212 E. Blue Starr Dr. • Claremore, OK 74017

October | November 2009P r e s i d e n t’s MessageThe Missouri Optometric Association has an exciting future ahead. Wehave had wonderful participation and activity among our membersover the years, and we will call for the participation and engagementof our members as we continue to move our profession forward.Thank you to all of our members who attended the 2009 MOAConvention at the Lodge of Four Seasons. Your association’s annualconvention continues to bring the best CE you can find. Dr. Brad Lewisand his education committee deserve recognition for their fantasticwork again this year. The 2010 MOA convention will be held in St.Louis at the Millennium Hotel. What a great opportunity for you to getyour CE, network with the leaders in Missouri optometry and enjoy St.Louis. The MOA will also host a CE intensive education weekend at theRyan Powell, O.D.MOA PresidentSt. Louis Union Station in the spring. I encourage you to put both events on your calendar. The CE willbe top notch, and these are both meetings that support the activities of the MOA.The 2009-2010 year will be a year of preparation and education. We will prepare ourselves tomake our legislated profession the strongest we can. This will require all of us to engage. Financialengagement can no longer be something we all talk about but only a few participate in. We needyour support. Term limits are now having their full affect on our state legislature. Our participation ingetting the story of optometry to the legislature is more critical than ever.This year will also be a year to continue the discussion about Board Certification with ourmembership. This voluntary option will keep doctors of optometry in the health care game. As youare aware, insurers (including Medicare) continue to look for ways to ensure quality in the providerstheir members are seeing. Since the AOA House of Delegates voted to support the creation ofthe American Board of Optometry, there has been additional evidence to support the need forsuch an option in our profession. All optometrists must understand that becoming board certifiedis voluntary. However, there is a strong current to support the notion that insurers will someday soonlook at certification as a way of determining their panels. We don’t want you to be left behind ifthat happens.Another priority for the 2009-2010 MOA year will be to grow our direct-to-the-public education.For the first time ever this last year, the Missouri Optometric Association has a budget line itemspecifically dedicated to public relations. Historically, we have spent much of our PR focus oneducating our legislators and less on direct-to-the-public education. As you are aware, it isexpensive to get a PR campaign to cover an entire state. We will continue to look at ways to makethis happen. Our goal is this: when you ask someone what an optometrist is we want them to knowthat an optometrist is a doctor who provides primary eye care that includes treating eye infections,diagnosing eye disease and providing the best contact lens and eyeglasses care. Our marketingcampaign will continue to focus on this education.3Thank you for participating in the Missouri Optometric Association. It is important. It is your livelihood,your career, and your profession. It is your responsibility to care for your profession — we can’t hopethat someone else will do it for us. If you have any questions or thoughts related to your association,I encourage you to contact me via email (drpowell@insighteyecarespecialties.com), and I lookforward to seeing you in Jefferson City at the legislative conference in January.

October | November 2009C o n f e r e n c e , from p.1This year’s continuing education featured 18 hoursof certified continuing education by well-knownspeakers from across the nation.Optometrists Dr. Joseph Pizzimenti and Dr. CarloPelino headlined a two-part education sessionwith “Managing Anterior Segment in SystemicDisease” and “New Technologies in AMDManagement,” concluding with “Recognizing Signs of Retinal Disease.” Dr. Pizzimenti alsolectured on “Radiology Update.”Dr. Renee Reeder presented “Contact LensManagement of Presbyopia in the 21st Century.”Dr. John McDaniel conducted a session on “TheSales Process,” and Dr. Tom Porter lectured on“Low–Vision: What They Didn’t Teach You in School.”The educational sessions concluded with a lectureon “The Top Ten Management Concepts ODs MustKnow” by Dr. John McDaniel; Dr. Tom Hobbs spokeon “Targeting Patient Types,” and a presentation on“Laitsse®” was offered by Dr. Jeffrey Weaver.The Friday Awards Luncheon included Dr. StevenLoomis, AOA Trustee, presenting AOA Years ofService Awards and Dr. Wes Kemp, outgoingMOA President, presenting MOA Years of ServiceAwards. A highlight of the luncheon was Dr.Sam Chapman receiving a 60 years of serviceaward from the AOA! Dr. Chapman delightedthe audience, which included several MOA LifeMembers, with his remarks.The MOA Young Optometrist of the Year Awardwas presented to Dr. Duane Thompson of Brookfield, Missouri for his dedicated service to theMOA, serving on several state and local optometric committees and offices and his leadershiprole in optometry.The Paraoptometric of the Year Award was presented by Steve Sutherlin to outgoing ParaPresident, Cherie Harris, Cape Girardeau, MO for her work with the Paraoptometic Board.4Story Conclusion, see Conference, p. 19.

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October | November 2009Protect Yourself and YourStaff This Flu Seasonby Jim HuntThere are many potential problems thatcan affect you and your staff this fluseason, so now is the time to start planningand preparing your office for the ongoingH1N1 flu season.There are plenty of resources you can referto gain information on how to protect youand your staff from the flu (getting the flu shot, washing hands, and covering your mouth withyour elbow--not your hands--when you cough). However, there are other practical ideas thatmay help you and your staff get through this flu season without getting sick.Step Up Infection Control in Your Office.Patients can spread the flu even before they feel sick. For some patients, the flu can be a lifethreatening disease. In the United States about 36,000 people die from the seasonal flu and itscomplications every year.To help prevent the transmission of germs follow these easy steps:• place liquid gel hand sanitizers in strategic places and encourage people to use them.• have hygiene and health information from your county health center hanging in our examrooms so that patients may become educated about the H1N1 symptoms and what theycan do to protect themselves while waiting for the doctor to enter the room.• disinfect frequently touched items and surfaces with an U.S. EPA-registered disinfectantthat is effective against the Influenza A virus.Note: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and Clorox Clean-Up Spray is effective on hardsurfaces. To read the U.S. EPA’s announcement on disinfectant products effectiveagainst the H1N1 virus, visit the U.S. EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/influenza-disinfectants.html• use alcohol wipes to disinfect instruments and occluders.Remember, your patients are hearing the same news items you are about the H1N1 fluproblem. They will have concerns about infection from the use of shared items in youroffice. Disinfect these items in front of patients to gives them increased confidencethat you really are protecting their health. have your staff educate the patients aboutyour increased measures to help insure their health and safety without making a bigproduction about it. The staff just talks about it while wiping down the equipment infront of the patient.6Continued, see Cold & Flu on page 8

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October | November 2009C o l d & Flu, from p. 6Stay In The Know.Pick an Infection Czar to help keep up with the latestinformation on the flu. Well, s/he doesn’t have to be a czarbut you need someone to help organize your efforts tomanage the H1N1 situation.Sometimes it is easier if someone from your staff volunteersor is asked to keep up with the latest information on theflu. That person also can make sure the increased infectioncontrol measures are being followed. S/he can encourageemployees to get the H1N1 flu vaccinations when theybecome available in your area.You also need to have someone reminding others to usedisinfectant wipes to clean any frequently touched itemssuch as the office computer mouse and keyboard, phones,light switches, doorknobs, and tables. This protects one ofyour most valuable resources, your staff.Plan Ahead.Think about what you might do if your staff gets sick this flu season. You decrease the chancesome of your staff will get sick and miss work with the increased infection control; however,it may still happen. The Center for Disease Control recommends everyone infected with theH1N1 stay home from work until they don’t have a fever to keep others from getting infected.They recommend that those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after theyno longer have a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. This could be up to twoweeks for some people. Are you able to lose key employees for two weeks and still functionwell? Can others step in and cover any of your staffs’ duties? If not, now would be the time tocross-train your staff members so they can cover for each other during an illness. Have a fewmeetings and talk this one through. Remember, several of your staff may have children theymay need to treat if they become sick. If they treat family members and then become sick, itmay be a month or more you will be without their help.Now is also the time to have a staff meeting to talk about what you are going to do whenpatients show up to your office, appear to be coughing, and say they only have a cold.Are you going to take their temperature? Ask them to wear a mask during the exam? Haveeveryone who deals with them wear a mask, you included? Ask them to leave and reschedule,or just see them and rush through the exam hoping you and none of your staff get sick?Different offices will handle this problem in different ways, but it’s better to take time to thinkabout what you and your staff are going to do while you have plenty of time to think aboutit than have to deal with it under pressure while it is happening. Note: Our office decided tohave some masks in each exam room for staff or patients if needed. We will evaluate eachencounter and attempt to get a feel for the threat level to us and reschedule if needed.8Cold & Flu concludes, p. 9

October | November 2009Cold & Flu, from p. 8Symptom Cold H1N1 FluFever Rare. Present in up to 80% of all cases, a temperatureof 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days.CoughHacking, productive(mucus- producing) cough.Non-productive (non-mucus producing)cough (sometimes called dry cough)Aches Slight body aches and pains are possible. Severe aches and pains are common.Stuffy NoseCommonly present and typically resolvesspontaneously within a week.Not commonly present.Chills Uncommon. 60% of flu sufferers experience chills.Tiredness Fairly mild Moderate to severeSneezing Commonly present. Not common.Onset Symptoms develop over a few days. Rapid onset within 3-6 hours.Headache Uncommon. Very common, present in 80% of cases.Sore Throat Common. Not commonly present.Chest Discomfort Mild to moderate. Often severe.You may use the chart to educate your staff and patients, helping them tell the differencebetween a cold and the more severe flu.Hopefully, this flu season will be mild and no worse than in the past. However, with twodifferent Influenza A virus strains this season, it could be much worse for us. With a littleforethought and planning you and your staff will get through this season without getting ill.Download a stand-alone of the Cold & Flu Symptons chart online at:www.moeyecare.org/vision_november/cold_flu_symptoms.pdf9

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October | November 2009Frier and Hospital Join Forcesto Prevent Eye InjuriesEye safety can be an issue in rural areas likeCedar County, Missouri. Farmers are subjectto a variety of eye hazards from machinerymishaps and foreign bodies to simple allergiesand ultraviolet ray exposure. So are workers inthe small factories that are often the economicbase of small towns.However, few farms or small manufacturershave the type of formal eye safety programsthat are common among large employers. Andrural residents, likely anyone, can be subject a variety of eye hazards in the course of day-todayliving or recreational activities, notes Michael Frier, O.D.He and his wife, Cathy Frier, O.D., maintain the Family Vision Center, Cedar County’s only eyecare practice, which sees a number of eye injury cases.“People are unaware of the need for eye protection,” Dr. Frier observers. “Once you have aneye injury, then you become a believer in eye protection.”Concerned about the number of eye injuries occurring in his Ozark Mountain community, Dr.Frier, early this year, began developing Be Kind to Your Eyes, an eye safety public educationprogram.It turns out he was not alone in his thinking.At about the same he began work on his project, Dr. Frier was contacted for technicaladvice by Cedar County Memorial Hospital (CCMH), which was developing its Eye SafetyCampaign 2009, to reduce blindness and visual impairment in children and adolescents age17 and younger by increasing use of appropriate personal protective eyewear in recreationalactivities and in hazardous situations around the home.The hospital was seeking a grant from the National Eye Institute’s (NEI) Healthy VisionCommunity Award program for the outreach project.At almost the same time, Dr. Frier received a call from LeeAnn Barrett, O.D., the executivedirector of the Missouri Optometric Association, suggesting he pursue an AOA Healthy EyesHealthy People TM (HEHP) grant for his public education effort.Both the NEI Healthy Vision and AOA HEHP program offer grants to facilitate communityawareness projects in support of the vision-related objectives outlined in Healthy People 2010,the nation’s official public health agenda.11Continued, next page.

October | November 2009Frier and Hospital, continued from page 11Among those are the prevention of eye injury (Objective 28-8) and promoting the use ofprotective eyewear (Objective 28-9).Both programs encourage collaborative efforts among health care entities and agencies,and both awarded grants this year to the Cedar County initiatives. As a result, awareness ofeye safety is being raised in Cedar County this year through public events, media coverageand a variety of local institutions, under a pair of cooperatively developed public educationprograms.The Family Vision Center optometrists serve as expert eye safety advisers for both campaigns,providing information on not only how to prevent eye injuries but what to do when an eyeinjury occurs.“Paramount to the success of the project has been the collaborative relationship withDrs. Mike and Cathy Frier. They have provided expert insight. They are very active in ourcommunity and were more than willing to work with us,” added Jana Witt, the hospital’sadministrative project coordinator.Both the Friers’ Family Vision Center and the hospital are located in Cedar County’s largesttown, El Dorado Springs.“CCMH is unique in that we not only operate the hospital, but we also manage two RuralHealth Clinics and the Cedar County Health Department. We were able to disseminateproject materials through all of these facilities,” said Witt.“Knowing that individuals learn in various ways, we selected multiple routes of communityoutreach to spread our vision safety message,” Witt added.Launched in March to coincide with the AOA’s annual observance of “Save Your VisionMonth,” the joint eye safety campaign began with a well-attended, free public eye safetypresentation by the optometrists in the hospital’s community classroom.“Newspaper and radio advertisements invited area residents to this informative event thatincluded a complimentary lunch provided by the hospital,” Witt said. Press releases on botheye safety in the home and sports vision safety were prepared for use by local media duringMarch.The NEI’s annual May celebration of “Healthy Vision Month” was similarly observed in thehospital, its two rural health clinics, the county department and the Family Vision Center. Aportable eye safety exhibit, developed by the hospital (complete with take-home informationand a model eye), was on display in each location for a week.12Adolescent patients seen at these facilities during May were given a drawstring sportsbag developed by the hospital and filled with vision safety materials. The bags carried themessage, “Don’t play games with your eyes. Use protective eyewear.”Continued, Frier and Hospital, p. 18

October | November 2009What is a Para Trustee?At the 2009 October MOA Convention, TamaraUrias, the KCOS Trustee for the ParaoptometricSection gave a great presentation on what itmeans to be involved with the Para Board andpart a group of professionals giving excellenteye care. Ms. Urias has been with AdvancedEyecare in Raytown, MO, for the last five yearsand working in the eye care profession for morethan 15 years. She currently holds certification asa CPOA and is halfway through the process ofattaining her CPOT certificate. Hers was such amoving presentation that we wanted to share itwith others who were not able to hear it at theLake of the Ozarks this fall.I was asked to give 15 minutes on the benefits of being a trustee. As a mid-season replacementfor another para member who went on maternity leave over the summer and declined toreturn to her position, I was at a loss for what I could possibly tell you, since I have only held thisposition for a couple of months. I have not been involved with the work that the para board isresponsible for outside of preparing for convention, which I will tell you, is a job, in and of itself.So what could I possibly say that would make you want to become involved with your paraboard?Then last week I had a patient that inspired a moment of clarity for me, and it became clearthat this does not begin with being on the board. There is a bigger picture that all of us as parasneed to see, to get us to the place where we want to become more involved. It begins themoment we walk in the first day on our new jobs in optometry. For some of you, it may be amonth ago and for some it may be 20 years ago, but we all had that first day. Many paras arestill working at the job. They come in, punch the clock, do what’s expected, and go home.They don’t read the newsletters and go to convention and want to learn as much as possibleabout optometry. However, for most of you sitting in this room, you know that you had that onemoment, that one patient, which changed your perspective from this being a job to this beinga career.We all have our days we don’t want to go to work. It’s no secret. We have a sick infant at homeor a broken foot or gardening to do, whatever the reason. We may get to the door of thebuilding and think, “I wish it was 5:00,” but we go in, maybe a little distracted, and we put on asmile and face the day. Then we have that patient cross our path that makes it all worthwhile,that makes us feel fulfilled by the job we do and all of our own issues are set aside.Last week mine was a nine-year-old girl.13Continued, see Para Trustee, p. 14.

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October | November 2009Para Trustee, continued from p. 13She came in for a routine exam, wearing solid color sweats, blonde hair in a clip, arms crossedand sat silently in the corner seat in the waiting room. Her glasses were a +8.00 in a big darkcolored plastic frame. Mom pulled me aside before her exam and said her daughter was newto her school and sad that she could not make any friends. She had issues about her looks andher coke bottle glasses did not help. Mom wanted to try contacts on her in hopes her selfesteemwould get a little boost, so she would be more confident at school.Having been nine with braces once, I understood and let the doctor know. After her exam, Iwas asked to do her training. She was nervous, but determined and had them in her eyes in notime at all. When I checked them out, her mother and I watched as the little girl went to themirror in the dispensary and looked at herself. She took down the clip and fluffed her hair andsmiled as she posed in front of the mirror. Her mother had tears. She knew this was a differentlittle girl that had walked in the office only an hour earlier.The doctors are the foundation of the practice, without them, we would not be paras, but it ispatients like this one that show us the importance of our jobs. We are the first and last impressionthat the patients have of our practice--from the first phone call, the patient makes to our office,to dispensing their materials. We hear the back story, we get the special requests, and we areremembered for making someone’s day from working out insurance issues to fitting the perfectframe.Once you have had that perfect moment and see yourself making optometry your career, thefirst step is joining the MOA, which we all have done. The MOA has been around since 1901.Among the goals of the MOA are to improve the quality, availability and accessibility of eyeand vision care. Paras have been recognized by the MOA for some time now. The board of theMOA realized that their paras provide an important tool in their practices. Paras were invitedin and soon had their own place in the MOA. As you know, the benefits of joining are many.CE opportunities and discounts, networking, a dedicated newsletter to keep you informed onissues that we face day to day, as well as issues facing optometry as a whole, and recognitionof our dedication to our chosen field.The para board members are the people you see before you today. They are your peers. Mostimportantly, they are your voice. They report to the MOA board and help mold the directionof all of our futures within the profession and each of our practices. They work side by side withthe MOA board year-round in an effort to give a different perspective on the issues facingoptometry and to help find solutions. We as paras see a different side of the practice than thedoctors do. We are paid to put out fires and think outside the box. Our insight is a valuable toolin making our practices and profession the strongest it can be.The para board is made up of a President, Vice-President, Immediate Past-President, andseveral Trustees. Each section of the state is represented by one of those Trustees. You shouldknow who your trustee is for your area, and as thoughts, questions, or problems related to theparas arise, feel completely comfortable taking it to your Trustee, who can then relay it on tothe board and help you to find an answer or solution.15Concludes, Para Trustee, p. 20

October | November 2009Spring CE Heads to MexicoMark your 2010 calendars for March 10-15 when the MOA heads south of the border to thenewly redesigned and redefined The Royal Playa del Carmen for its annual Spring CE.You’ll discover an explosion of luxury around every corner, all provided in an atmosphereof casual elegance boasting a perfect beachfront location, mere steps from Playa delCarmen’s famed Fifth Avenue.Plus you’ll enjoy fabulous continuing education...just as you’ve come to expect from theMOA.Watch for further details in the Holiday 2009 issue of VISION!In Memoriam:Rex Ghormley, O.D.The MOA mourns the passing of ourfriend and colleague Dr. Rex Ghormley,who fought a courageous battle andmaintained an incredibly positive attitudeduring a very difficult and protracted illness.Dr. Ghormley was a giant in the contactlens field, and his many contributions to theeye care community are widely recognized,appreciated, and respected. We areblessed to have known and worked with him.16Our deepest condolences, prayers, and sympathy go to his wife, Sandy, and the rest ofthe Ghormley family.

October | November 2009Scam AlertThe following information was issued bythe Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices (CMS) and AOA wants members toknow about this scam.CMS has become aware of a scam whereperpetrators are sending faxes to physicianoffices posing as the Medicare carrier orMedicare administrative contractor (MAC).The fax instructs physician staff to respondto a questionnaire to provide an account information update within 48 hours in order toprevent a gap in Medicare payments. The fax may have the CMS logo and/or the contractorlogo to enhance the appearance of authenticity.Medicare FFS providers, including physicians, nonphysician practitioners, should be wary of thistype of request. If you receive a request for information in the manner described above, pleasecheck with your contractor before submitting any information. Medicare providers should onlysend information to a Medicare contractor using the address found in the download section ofthe CMS.gov Web site found at:http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.There’s Still Timeto VolunteerThere’s still plenty of time to volunteer for the Special Olympics Lions Club International OpeningEyes vision screening scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2009, in Joplin, Missouri.The vision screening is always a welcome addition to the festivities, and we anticipate seeingaround 300 athletes. Given the nature of this completion (bowling!), we expect to see quite afew older athletes in the mix.MOA volunteers will set up the morning of the 21st, with the screening taking place betweennoon and 7:00pm at the Holiday Inn.If you’re an interested volunteers (optometrist, ophthalmologist, optician, para, Lion, and oranyone else who would enjoy helping out), please contact Dr. LeeAnn Barrett at lbarrettod@sbcglobal.net or call the MOA office at 573.635.6151.17In addition to volunteers, we will also need equipment. We will need some lensometers, a saltpan, and a good autorefractor or two! We ask that all volunteers bring their own occluders,fixation targets, opthalmoscopes, reitnoscopes, and dispensing tools.

October | November 2009Frier and Hospital, continued from page 12With the celebration of Independence Day in July, advertising on fireworks safety was placed,public service announcements were sent to area radio stations, and a press release wasdistributed to the county’s newspapers.Over the course of the summer, Dr. Frier arranged presentations before the local chamber ofcommerce and Optimist Club.With school resuming in August, both Dr. Frier and the hospital turned their focus to areastudent athletes. Packets with eye safety publications and instructional CDs about visionsafety were distributed by the hospital to coaches at area public and private schools. Dr. Frieris contacting coaches and school administrators to schedule in-school presentations.During October, Dr. Frier plans to place additional newspaper advertising to emphasize theneed for proper visibility in Halloween costumes.The hospital plans to formally measure the success of the campaign by tracking the numberof visits by eye care patients to its emergency room as compared to previous years.“We are the main health care provider for the residents of our county,” said Jackie Boyles,the hospital’s chief executive officer. “We want to keep our local residents healthy, so we areconstantly seeking ways to educate residents on health and safety.”“We are just hoping to get out the message that people need to be cautious. Eye injuries canoccur at the most unexpected times,” Witt added. “We want to teach our community how toprotect their vision.”After 31 years as part of the sole optometric practice in Cedar County, Dr. Frier views the eyesafety project as more a matter of public service rather than securing a reputation in thecommunity.“Although medical eye care can be a good aspect of an optometric practice to remindpeople of, it helps to remind people that eye care is available through the local optometricpractice,” Dr. Frier acknowledges. “A lot of people still think optometrists just fit eyeglasses.”The NEI Healthy Vision Community Awards Program provides grants of up to $10,000. TheCedar County hospital’s effort is among 36 projects to receive Healthy Vision CommunityAwards this year. The AOA Healthy Eyes Healthy PeopleTM program provides grants of up to$3,000. Dr. Frier’s project is among 57 that received Healthy Eyes Healthy PeopleTM fundingthis year.The HEHP program is underwritten by Luxottica and Vision Service Plan, which have given $1million to more than 200 projects in 46 states since the program’s inception in 2004.18

October | November 2009Conference, continued from p. 4Dr. Mark Curtis, of Warrensburg, MO was honoredas the 2009 Missouri Optometrist of the Year. Hehas been an active member of the MOA servingas chairman of several committees and activelysupporting the profession of optometry andpromoting the welfare of the citizens of Missouri.Dr. Curtis was recently elected to the Warrensburgschool board and has lectured to the schoolnurse association regarding the importanceof the mandatory eye exams for kids enteringkindergarten.The Friend of Optometry Award was presented to Patti White, RN, the school nurse administratorfor the Warrensburg school district. Patti White has been vital to the development of therelationship between the MOA and the Missouri Association of School Nurses. Patti is also the“star” of the vision screening video recently produced by the MOA.The MOA Auxiliary gave away a $3000 student scholarship to Alicia Triplett. The MissouriOptometric Foundation gave a $1000 scholarship to Alicia Triplett for her leadership at theUniversity of Missouri—St. Louis College of Optometry.The MOA business session was highlighted by a Children’s Vision Commission Report by Dr.Mike Frier and Dr. Tim Wingert, as well as Missouri State Representative Dr. Terry Swinger talkingabout our legislative future. There were reports from the AOA Trustee, Dr. Steve Loomis; NorthCentral States Optometric Council Past-President, Dr. Scott Ream; UMSL—College of OptometryDean, Dr. Larry Davis; Missouri State Board of Optometry President, Dr. James Bureman; MissouriOptometric Foundation President, Dr. Rex Newcomb; Paraoptometric President, Cherie Harris;MOPAC Chair, Dr. Larry Snider; and governmental affairs consultants, Scott Marrs and JerryBurch.The Exhibit Hall was a success and several prizeswere given away to MOA optometrists during thetwo days the exhibit hall was open. A big thanksto the work of Dr. Scott Burks and Dr. Jeff Gamble,Exhibit Hall Co-Chairs.Saturday night’s festivities featured the installationof the new MOA officers and trustees and thetraditional passing of the gavel to the new MOAPresident, Dr. Ryan Powell.19A complete slide show from the conference is online at:www.moeyecare.org/events/conference.html

October | November 2009Para Trustee, continued from p. 15Throughout the year, the para board communicates with the MOA board and assists them inworking to implement those changes and ideas that are in the best interest of the field. Thelegislative conference is a great example of this. Optometry is a legislated profession, definedby and existing at the pleasure of the Missouri legislature. It is our responsibility as members ofthat profession to be involved with the process, know how it affects us, and help change thelaw when necessary. So many great things have come from optometry’s involvement with nationallegislators, including our battle to be allowed to write pharmaceutical prescriptions andco-manage glaucoma to the InfantSEE program and most recently the Children’s Vision Law.Imagine the pride of those directly responsible for making those things happen.This is the bigger picture. In the current market, we can be grateful we have jobs and punchthe clock and do what’s expected and go home. I don’t believe anyone in this room who isattending convention and going to classes and possibly working towards or have already attainedcertification is one of those paras. You are already involved in your field, or you wouldnot be here. This is your career. Optometry is one of the few medical fields that can say that weare, in essence, employee-owned. We, as valuable members of this profession, are given theopportunity to have a hand in our career path and the direction of optometry as a whole.The little girl was back in the office for a checkup only a couple of days ago. Her hair was flowingand she was wearing jeans and a school spirit t-shirt and bounced in the door with her newfriend in tow. This was a different girl indeed, and I knew this change was due in part to herexperience within our practice last week, and that I was a part of that experience. It is patientslike her who remind me why I set aside all of my traumas and put on that smile when I walk inthe door each morning.I am blessed to be a part of a practice where we feel like a family. We share our personalhappy times and sad times, and most importantly, we share the professional responsibility foreach patient that walks through our doors. All our patients are treated as though they are partof our extended family from start to finish, and we work together as a team to ensure that theirexperience with our practice is a positive one. I am especially blessed to have doctors who, beinginvolved with the MOA themselves, not only recognize the importance of the Para’s involvement,but they encourage it. They are 100% supportive of MOA para business, CE opportunities,and certification, so much so as to consider those things parts of our everyday job duties. Theyknow that the more involved we are with our careers, the better we will be equipped to takecare of their patients. I proudly wear my nametag and display my credentials and know that Ihave a career, within a practice, where I, as well as my colleagues, cause a positive change.We touch the lives of each of our patients every day, and we have the unique chance tochange the course of our profession. This is the benefit of being a Para Board Member. Becominga Trustee is the first step you should take to becoming part of that board. You can bethat voice for your peers and your community to help cause a change in our field, and in turn,cause a change in the lives of all those we both work with and work for, our patients.20

October | November 2009O p t o m e t r i c Society ReportsCentral Missouri Optometric SocietyTrustee: Jeffrey M. Gamble, O.D.No Report AvailableGreater Ozark Optometric SocietyTrustee: Scott M. Burks, O.D.On October 20th, GOOS will be having a thank you reception for our area legislators. Wehave had a very good response to this over the last few years, and it looks like it will be asuccess again this year.Our next regular meeting is scheduled for November 17th. We hope to have a representativefrom MoPEB there to talk about what they can offer MOA members in regard to healthinsurance coverage for themselves and their office staff.Kansas City Optometric SocietyTrustee: Melanie Linderer, O.D.During our last meeting, the Optometric Society of Greater Kansas City had an excellentpresentation by Mr. Greg Raeman on “Market Trends in Optometry 2009” at the M & S Grill.On December 7, 2009, the MOA President, Dr. Ryan Powell; MOA Executive Director, Dr.LeeAnn Barrett; and the KOA Executive Director, Gary Robbins; are scheduled to speak. TheDecember meeting will be joint meeting with the Optometric Society of Greater Kansas Cityand the Northwest Optometric Society.Northeast Optometric SocietyTrustee: Mindy Blackford, O.D.The Northeast Optometric Society met on Wednesday, Oct. 30 2009 at The Pear Tree inBevier, MO. Kerry Kisslinger with MoPEB Insurance Trust and Al Hoppert with Vision Care Directwere the featured speakers. There were 17 members and guests in attendance for thepresentation. Our next meeting will be in January 2010.Northwest Optometric SocietyTrustee: Jeffrey H. Powell, O.D.No Report AvailableSociety Reports, continued page 22.21

October | November 2009S o c i e t y Reports, from page 21Southeast Optometric SocietyTrustee: James Hunt, O.D.Our special guest, at our last meeting, was Sandra Bollinger. She is the Provider OutreachCoordinator for CyberAccess. She provided information about how to make the CyberAccesswork better in our offices. She took the time to go over the program and show us shortcuts toinputting information into the system. Thanks to Dr. Robert Felkers, who arranged her visit andprovided a very nice introduction to her presentation.There is a new service that members of the SEOS may use to communicate with others in thegroup. It is a SEOS list-serve. How it works is anyone interested signs up and becomes part ofthe group. When someone has something to share with the group they simply send an emailto the group and then everyone in the group receives the email. There is also the possibility toshare files with each other.To learn more contact, Dr. Scott McDougal atdrmcdougal@swbell.net. We think it could bea useful way of communicating with membersof the Society, and it can be anything wewant it to be-- strictly optometry or anythingmembers want to post.A reminder was given to all SEOS membersthat it is extremely important that all of usinput data for the Missouri Children’s Law.The referenced data can be found oneach Official Missouri Eye Exam form, this isthe same form the MOA has been advisingdoctors to hold on to until further notice.Inputting the data from your practice canbe done by simply logging on the followingaddress: www.yourbestvision.net. Optometristsmay get the username and password bycalling the MOA office in Jefferson City AT573.635.6151. Absolutely no information will berequested that could violate HIPPA guidelines.If you have any questions or issues, pleasecontact the MOA Office.Southwest Optometric SocietyTrustee: Erica Burton, O.D.No Report Available22

October | November 2009S o c i e t y Reports, from page 22St. Louis Optometric SocietyTrustee: Thomas J. Cullinane, O.D. | Trustee: Robert Goerss, O.D.August 11, 2009: Allergan Eye Care Business Advisory Group sponsored Mr. Greg Raeman for1 hour CE, who discussed how to effectively hire employees, develop a job description forthem, create effective ways to interview and assess their qualifications, schedule performancereviews and training programs as well as create a comfortable work environment for all staffmembers.September 8, 2009: Ciba Vision sponsored Wilson Movic, who presented “The Elephant in theRoom—Noncompliance With Replacement Frequency of Soft Lenses” and “Maximizing Safetyand Success with SiHY CW Lenses” for a total of 2 hours of CE.October 13, 2009: Cooper Vision sponsored Mile Brujic, O.D., who presented “UncomplicatingContact Lens Complications” for 1 hour of CE.The Industry Alliance and the UMSL College of Optometry hosted their annual Question andAnswer event which included an afternoon at the College where optometrists and MOAAlliance representatives addressed questions about modes of practice from the student body.The evening concluded with dinner and networking at Amistar Casino in St. Charles.On Saturday September 19th the students of the UMSL College of Optometry hosted anetworking day at Six Flags to offer an opportunity for local ODs to meet current students in arelaxed environment.Governor Jay Nixon recently visited the UMSL College of Optometry as part of his “Caring ForMissourians” program. This program will allow an additional 4 optometry class seats for eachyear.To read the entire article, visit:http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/37906/West Central Optometric SocietyTrustee: Jason Lake, O.D.The WCOS met in August in Sedalia for our summer meeting. Inspire Pharmaceuticals gave aneducational presentation on Azasite and its many uses.23We had our annual elections and voted Dr. Jason Lake as trustee, Dr. Suzy Lake as societyPresident and Dr. Brett Leisemeyer as the society Treasurer. Spirited discussion regarding Boardcertification and MOA issues was enjoyed by all in attendance. Dr. Jason Lake gave a smallpresentation on the value of MOPAC.

October | November 2009Welcome New MembersThe Missouri Optometric Association is pleased to announce the following new members.Please introduce yourself at an MOA sponsored event!•••••Alison M. Burd, O.D.Kathryn A. Howard, O.D.Susan Nixon, O.D.Burt D. Schreiber, O.D.Nathan M. Tuttle, O.D.The Missouri Optometric Association Paraoptometric Section is pleased to announcethe following new members. We would also like to thank all the paraoptometric whocontinue to renew their membership each year!••Heather A. MillerChristina M. ZacherThe Missouri Optometric Association Auxiliary is pleased to announce the following newmembers. We would also like to thank all the auxiliary who continue to support thephilanthropic work of the MOAA!• Evelyn J. Hunt24

October | November 2009C a l e n d a r of Upcoming Events2010January 9-10MOA Legislative ConferenceCapitol Plaza HotelJefferson City, MissouriFebruary 12-14Heart of AmericaHyatt RegencyKansas City, MOMarch 2-4AOA Congressional MeetingWashington, DCMarch 10-15Spring CEThe RoyalPlaya del Carmen, MexicoApril 30-May 2Midwest Eyecare CongressMarriott at Union StationSt. Louis, MO2011January 8-9MOA Legislative ConferenceCapitol Plaza HotelJefferson City, MissouriJune 3-5MOA Leadership RetreatCountry Club Hotel & SpaLake Ozark, MissouriJune 15-19Optometry’s MeetingSalt Lake City, UtahOptometry’s Meeting — 2012-2014Chicago, Illinois • June 27-July 1, 2012San Diego, California • June 26-30, 2013Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • June 25-29, 2014May 14-15North Central Board MeetingAllegroChicago, ILJune 4-6MOA Leadership RetreatCountry Club Hotel & SpaLake Ozark, MissouriJune 16-20Optometry’s MeetingOrlando, Florida25Oct 14-17MOA Annual ConventionMillennium HotelSt. Louis, MO

October | November 2009Hannibal800-325-4676Lenexa800-397-202026

October | November 2009L e a d e r s h i p & StaffStaffExecutive DirectorLeeAnn Barrett, O.D.moaed@moeyecare.orgFinance ManagerLinda McDowelllinda@moeyecare.orgExecutive AssistantJay Hahnjay@moeyecare.orgOfficersPresidentRyan H. Powell, O.D.P: 816/476-4017drpowell@insighteyecarespecialties.comPresident-ElectDuane ThompsonP: 660/258-7409datbat@cebridge.netTreasurerJeffrey L. Weaver, O.D.P: 314/983-4244jlweaver@aoa.orgGovernmental RelationsConsultantsJerry W. BurchP: 573/636-4599jburch@embarqmail.comJ. Scott MarrsP: 573/636-5873smarrs@embarqmail.comLegal CounselMarc H. EllingerP: 573/634-2500mellinger@blitzbardgett.comSecretaryJohn B. Gelvin, O.D., F.A.A.O.P: 816/525-3937jgelvin@omnikc.com27Immediate Past PresidentWesley D. Kemp, O.D.P: 417/777-9000weskemp@windstream.net

October | November 2009T r u s t e e s28Central Society (5)Jeffrey M. Gamble, O.D.P: 573/874-2030jmgamble@socket.netGreater Ozark Society (8)Scott M. Burks, O.DP: 417/345-2901smbod1@gmail.comKansas City Society (3)Melanie L. Linderer, O.D.P: 816/781-2100jmlinderer@sbcglobal.netNortheast Society (2)Mindy M. Blackford, O.D.P: 660/665-6262mindymblackford@hotmail.comNorthwest Society (1)Jeffrey H. Powell, O.D.P: 660/582-4022jpowell@unitedsky.netSoutheast Society (9)James M. Hunt, O.D.P: 573/996-3937drhunt204@yahoo.comSouthwest Society (7)Erica S. Burton, O.D.P: 417/682-3301sbeyecare@sbcglobal.netSt. Louis Society (6)Thomas J. Cullinane, O.D.P: 314/579-0909seeingme@sbcglobal.netRobert Goerss, O.D.P: 636/272-1444drgoerss@yahoo.comWest Central Society (4)Jason S. Lake, O.D.P: 660/747-2000lake.od@juno.com

October | November 2009C o m m i t t e e sAdministrative ServicesSally Bodenhamer, O.D.P: 573/635-2020sallyandben@aol.comAffiliated OrganizationsKory P Thoma, O.D.P: 573/334-2020kthomaod@leeteyecare.comClinical/EducationalJoni K LaFerla, O.D.P: 816/741-6737jlaferla@kk.rr.comCoordinating CommitteeRyan H. Powell, O.D.P: 816/476-4017drpowell@insighteyecarespecialties.comGovernmental AffairsTom CulllinaneP: 314/579-0909seeingme@sbcglobal.netMembership ServicesKayce A Strohmeyer, O.D.P: 573/334-8595kstrohmeyer74@sbcglobal.netPublic RelationsTimothy A Wingert, O.D.P: 314/516-6058wingo@umsl.eduThird Party PaymentsRich Wilson, O.D.P: 816/353-1872rwilson@bso-ae.comConvention PlanningJohn B. Gelvin, O.D., F.A.A.O.P: 816/525-3937jgelvin@omnikc.comA f f i l i a t e d OrganizationsParaoptometric ChairCody BergschneiderP: P:816/353-1872eyecareforyou2002@yahoo.comMOAA PresidentBeth ThompsonP:660/258-7409datbat@cebridge.netMOF PresidentRex Newcomb, O.D.P: 417/468-6682rands289@msn.comState Board PresidentJames Bureman, O.D.P: 417/887-3900jbureman@missourieyecare.com29

30October | November 2009

October | November 2009A b o u t VISIONVISION is published bimonthly by the Missouri Optometric Association.100 East High Street, Suite 301Jefferson City, Missouri 65101P: 573/635-6151Editors of Publications:Lee Ann Barrett, O.D.1201 West BroadwayColumbia, Missouri 65203P: 573/445-8636F: 573/446-9122lbarrettod@sbcglobal.netJames M. Hunt, O.D.204 Washington StDoniphan, Missouri 63935P: 573/996-3937F: 573/996-3937drhunt204@yahoo.comSend all unsolicited articles, news, and advertising to the MOA Central Office. All opinionsand statements of supposed fact in signed articles do not necessarily reflect theviews and policies of the Missouri Optometric Association.Deadlines are the first of January, March, May, July, September, and November.31