moa launches public relations campaignmoa launches public relations campaign thanks in large part to...

September | October 2007

MOA Launches Public Relations Campaign Thanks in large part to a grant from the Blindness Education Fund, the Missouri Optometric Association has moved forward with a statewide radio campaign designed to enhance the perception of the profession of optometry, and make the average Missourian more aware of the services optometrists have to offer.

During the month of August, a series of thirty second radio ads reminding parents of the importance of back to school eye examinations launched this MOA public relations campaign. Listeners were advised to visit www.yourbestvision.net for more information. This brought these individuals to a MOA satellite website where they could access the MOA doctor search and find an MOA optometrist in their area who could perform back to school eye exams. (Full Story Inside)

Spring CE Set for St. MaartenThis year’s Missouri Optometric Association Spring CE will be held April 17-22, 2008 in St. Maarten. This 27 square mile island is unique because the two halves of the island are governed by two different nations, the Netherlands and France. The island features soaring hills, turquoise water, quaint West Indian houses and beautiful views of neighboring islands. It is world renowned for its beaches, shopping and restaurants.

We will be staying at the Turquoise Shell Inn owned by former Kansas City optometrist Dr. Carter Glass. The cost will be $370 per person for 5 nights lodging with breakfast included. We will have a party around the pool that is included in this price also, but since this is a small hotel, some folks may need to stay at the Azure Guesthouse. There will be a $35 supplement if you stay at Azure. These properties may be viewed at www.tshellinn.com and www.azuresxm.com. (Story Continues Inside)

Also Ins ideTh isIssue

Optometry Giving Sight World Sight Day

CMS Awards Contract for Jurisdiction 5 (J5) A/B MAC

Optometry at VFW’s National Convention

Tamper Resistant Prescription Forms Available from AOA

AOA Helps Congress Focus on Improved Eye Care for Iraq War Wounded

2008 MOA Legislative Conference Set

2008 Convention--Save The Date!

Illinois Alaska Cruise Open to MOA Members

Classifieds


President’s Message

There are only a few days left in my term as president of the MOA. When I began as president last October, I stated that I had three goals for the year. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure our Children’s Vision Bill was signed into law. I wanted to find a tenant for the MOA building in Jefferson City. And I wanted to find new and exciting ways to increase MOA membership and as well as increasing member participation. I am very proud that we have been able to meet these goals.

It has been a great team effort. I would like to thank Joyce, Linda, and Amanda at our central office for the time and effort they put in every day for our benefit. I had no idea of the amount of energy it takes to run an association like ours until I worked closely with them over the past year.

Our two optometrist/legislators, Terry Swinger and Steve Tilley, were instrumental in the passage of the Children’s Vision Bill. When you see them here at convention and beyond, don’t forget to shake their hand, slap them on the back and let them know you appreciate them. And don’t forget to support them, both financially and with all the time you can spare, in their efforts as legislators.

I’d like to thank the chairpersons and members of our standing and appointed committees for their dedication to our organization. It is within the committee structure that we get the exchange of ideas and the ways to implement these ideas. This is the engine that drives us. I strongly encourage all interested members to contact their trustees and ask to be put on a committee.

It has been a pleasure to work with our Board of Directors. I thank them for the time they spend away from their families and their practices for the betterment of our profession and our organization. I can assure all of our members that we have a great bunch of future MOA presidents on the Board.

In conclusion, I like to say if you are active in the MOA, stay active. If you are not active, get active. There are so many ways to be active that there really is no excuse not to be. Plug yourself into the committee structure. Contribute to MOA-PAC. Establish a relationship with your local Missouri Senator and Representative and help them with their campaigns. Take a non-MOA optometrist to lunch and talk them into becoming a member. Attend your local society meetings and maybe run for office in your society. You owe it to yourself and your profession. I promise that you won’t be disappointed.


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MOA Launches Public Relations Campaign

Thanks in large part to a grant from the Blindness Education Fund, the Missouri Optometric Association has moved forward with a statewide radio campaign designed to enhance the perception of the profession of optometry, and make the average Missourian more aware of the services optometrists have to offer.

During the month of August, a series of thirty second radio ads reminding parents of the importance of back to school eye examinations launched this MOA public relations campaign. Listeners were advised to visit www.yourbestvision.net for more information. This brought these individuals to a MOA satellite website where they could access the MOA doctor search and find an MOA optometrist in their area who could perform back to school eye exams.

In addition to the radio ads, press releases were sent out to all Missouri media about back to school eye awareness on August 1st. The MOA also has a banner ad and link on the Missouri.net website, and a similar link on the KidsCast website, a site focused on Missouri youth.

Because of the generous grant awarded to the MOA, September radio ads will encourage listeners

to donate to Missouri’s Blindness Education Fund. In the months ahead, MOA’s radio message will cover other topics including the importance of eye exams for diabetics and glaucoma detection.

For more information visit the MOA website at www.moeyecare.org (you may listen to the radio spots on the website) or call the MOA office at 573/635-6151.


Spring CE Set for St. Maarten

This year’s Missouri Optometric Association Spring CE will be held in St. Maarten on April 17-22, 2008. This 27 square mile island is unique because the two halves of the island are governed by two different nations, the Netherlands and France.

The island features soaring hills, turquoise water, quaint West Indian houses and beautiful views of neighboring islands. It is world renowned for its beaches, shopping and restaurants.

We will be staying at the Turquoise Shell Inn owned by former Kansas City optometrist Dr. Carter Glass. The cost will be $370 per person for 5 nights lodging with breakfast included. We will have a party around the pool that is included in this price also, but since this is a small hotel, some folks may need to stay at the Azure Guesthouse. There will be a $35 supplement if you stay at Azure. These properties may be viewed at www.tshellinn.com and www.azuresxm.com.

Ten hours of continuing education will be provided by Michael Cymbor, O.D. from Tyrone, PA. He will be presenting courses on a variety of subjects including allergy, dry eye, diabetes and other systemic diseases, new technologies, refractive surgery and evidence based medicine. The cost for the CE will be $350 per doctor.

Air flights are from Kansas City and St. Louis. Robin at Midwest Travel recommends using US Air to fly to St. Maarten so that you will not have to stay

overnight in Miami. The flights are around $758 from Kansas City and $695 from St. Louis. You may contact Robin at [email protected], or 573-635-3995 if you would like her to arrange your air travel. (see Spring CE, page 6)


Spring CE, continued from p. 5

Activities ShoppingPhillipsburg, on the Dutch side, is one of the best shopping sites in the Caribbean. It is defined by its red brick sidewalks and streets, palm trees and sleek boutiques, jewelry stores, souvenir shops and outdoor restaurants.

Marigot, on the French side, is full of interesting shops and bistros. They are characterized by colorful striped awnings, wrought-iron balconies and gingerbread trim. The boutiques include those of French designers Hermes, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel.

RestaurantsThe tiny fishing village of Grand Case has earned the nickname of “Gourmet Capitol of the Caribbean”. You won’t find such an amazing concentration of top-notch eateries anywhere in the world.

RecreationThe scuba diving and snorkeling are excellent. This year we will be doing a shark feeding dive (with metal armor) and traveling one day to the island of Saba, one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world. Other dives will include wrecks and reefs around St. Maarten. Non-divers may want to go to Saba to hike through a rainforest and historic ruins, or experience the world class rock climbing.

12 meter challenge- St. Maarten is the only place in the world where you can race a genuine America’s Cup Yacht (no experience necessary). This attraction is rated the #1 shore excursion in the Caribbean. One of the yachts is Dennis Connor’s Champion Stars and Stripes.

Other activities include deep-sea fishing, golf, mountain biking, windsurfing, kite boarding, horseback riding, zip lines, kayaking, parasailing, day or sunset cruises, casinos, or riding a catamaran at 160 mph.

St. Maarten also has 39 beaches to relax on, so you can do as much or as little as you like.

Space is limited, so please contact Scott Ream at [email protected] as soon as you can if you would like to attend this event.


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Dr. Joseph Shetler • Dr Jennifer Smythe • Dr. Lori SwopesMr. Paul Tollefson • Dr. Walt West • Mr. Alex Yoho

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Features

MOA Launches Public Relations Campaign

Spring CE Set for St. Maartin

Optometry Giving Sight Invites All American Optometrists to Join the World Sight Day Challenge


Optometry Offers Eye Assessments at VFW’s National Convention



2008 MOA Legislative Conference Set

2008 MOA Convention--Save The Date!

Illinois Alaska Cruise Open to MOA Members

Classifieds


Optometry Giving Sight Invites All American Optometrists to Join the World Sight Day Challenge

Optometry Giving Sight is asking all optometrists to join the World Sight Day Challenge and help support “Our Vision for Children” by giving sight to the estimated 13 million children who are blind or vision impaired simply because they do not have a pair of glasses. World Sight Day is October 11.

The organization, which is the only global initiative that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision due to refractive error, hopes that staff, patients and students will also support the campaign by signing up to a single or regular monthly donation of as little as $5.

Optometrists, practice staff and optometric students can participate in the World Sight Day Challenge in a number of ways:

Optometrists can sign up for a regular donation of $25, $50 or $100 per month.Practices can donate all exam fees on World Sight Day to Optometry Giving Sight and ask all patients to add $5 to their invoices through out the month of October.Staff and students can sign up for a regular donation of $5 per month.

According to Professor Brien Holden, CEO of Optometry Giving Sight, it costs just five dollars to provide an eye exam, a pair of glasses, and residual training for staff in countries that lack eye care services. This simple intervention can save someone from a life without sight—enabling children to learn, adults to work, and the elderly to preserve their dignity and independence.

To register visit the Optometry Giving Sight website, www.givingsight.org or call 1-888-OGS-GIVE. Once registered all practices will receive a World Sight Day Challenge Practice Kit. This kit includes materials to help you promote the challenge in your practice and community.

World Sight Day is an initiative of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight and is supported by the World Health Organization), the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and more than 80 non-government organizations who share the goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by the year 2020. The theme for 2007 is: VISION for Children.

Optometry Giving Sight is a joint initiative of the World Optometry Foundation, the International Centre for Eyecare Education and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. National industry sponsors include CIBA Vision, the Institute for Eye Research, Marchon, Vision Source! and Signet Armorlite. Optometry Giving Sight, a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, guarantees that a minimum of 85 cents of every dollar donated by optometrists and their patients is directed to people in need.

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of a Potentially Life-Threatening

Genetic Disorder

• Fabry disease is a progressive genetic disorder that can lead to life-threatening renal, cardiac, and cerebrovascular complications

• Up to 90% of Fabry disease patients exhibit corneal verticillata1 (whorl-like radial lines emanating from a single vortex), which are detectable by slit lamp examination and typically do not affect vision

• Other early signs and symptoms include pain in the extremities, impaired sweating, skin rash or angiokeratomas, and hearing and gastrointestinal problems

A geneticist can help establish a definitive diagnosis and provide information on intervention. Learn more at www.fabrycommunity.com and www.lysosomallearning.com or contact Genzyme Medical Information at 617-768-9000 or 800-745-4447 (option 2).

References1 Franceschetti A. Fabry’s disease: ocular manifestations. In: Bergsma D, Bron AJ, Cotlier E (eds). The Eye and Inborn Errors in Metabolism. Vol. 12, No. 3. New York: AR Liss Co., 1976: 195-208.

Photo on right used with permission. RL Abbott, MD

©2006 Genzyme Corporation. All rights reserved. Fabr/US/P320/09/06

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Corneal verticillata are commonly seen in Fabry disease, a progressive, often life-threatening genetic disorder.

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On September 5, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Wisconsin Physicians Service Health corporation (WPS) has been awarded the contract for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare fee-for-service claims in Jurisdiction 5(J5). J5 includes the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. WPS will immediately begin implementation activities and will assume full responsibility for the work no later than September 9, 2008. Currently Missouri is being served by Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (eastern Missouri) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (western Missouri).

According to CMS, the award is indicative of the efforts underway to significantly reengineer the Medicare claims administration process and change from the “business as usual” of the past 40 years.

The providers and the beneficiaries who receive service from the current fiscal intermediaries and carriers in J5 will not be adversely affected by the transition of the work to WPS.

WPS has subcontracted with EDS which will supply Part B Medicare Business Systems(MBS).

See Also:

Page 12: Medicare Administrative Contractor Award for Jurisdiction 5 Part A/Part B (J5 A/B MAC)—Wisconsin Physicians Service Health Insurance

Page 15: Jurisdiction 5 Part A/Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (J5 A/B MAC) Award—Wisconsin Physicians Services Health Insurance Corporation—Qs and As

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Medicare Administrative Contractor Award for Jurisdiction 5 Part A/Part B (J5 A/B MAC)

-- Wisconsin Physicians Service Health Insurance --September 5, 2007

•On September 5, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Wisconsin Physicians Service Health Insurance Corporation (WPS) has been awarded the contract for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare fee-for-service claims in Jurisdiction 5 (J5).

•The award of the J5 Part A/Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (A/B MAC) contract is another step in support of improved service to beneficiaries, providers, physicians and practitioners as well as greater administrative efficiency and effectiveness for fee-for-service Medicare.

•This award is indicative of the efforts underway to significantly reengineer the Medicare claims administration process and change from the “business as usual” of the past 40 years.

Background •Section 1874A of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 911 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) requires the Secretary to take needed steps by 2011 to implement Medicare Contracting Reform and thereby replace all current intermediaries and carriers with MACs.

•Implementation of the Medicare Contracting Reform portion of MMA requires that CMS apply the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) when conducting procurements for the MACs.

•The new MACs are being selected through full and open competitions and will lead to more efficiency and greater accountability of fee-for-service contractors in the new environment.

•CMS’ implementation plans intend that there will be 15 A/B MACs awarded by 2009.

•The geographical jurisdictions for the MACs were made public on February 22, 2005. The jurisdictions are distinct geographically and non-overlapping.

•When contracting reform is fully implemented, beneficiaries and providers will have separate single points of contact with the Medicare program that will allow for higher quality of services to each group.

•In accordance with section 1874A(b)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act, MAC contracts will have to be recompeted no less frequently than once every 5 years.

The J5 A/B MAC Award •CMS is awarding the J5 A/B MAC contract to WPS whose proposal offered the best overall value to the government.

•The J5 A/B MAC contract is a cost-plus-award-fee contract.

•The J5 A/B MAC will be working with other functional contractors with responsibility for specific administrative activities. (see CMS Award, p. 13)


CMS Award, continued from page 12

•As the J5 A/B MAC, WPS will immediately begin implementation activities and will assume full responsibility for the work no later than September 9, 2008.

•Neither the providers, physicians, nor the beneficiaries who receive service from the current fiscal intermediaries and carriers in this jurisdiction will be adversely affected by the transition of their work to the J5 A/B MAC.

Additional Information Concerning the J5 A/B MAC •The states included in J5 are Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

•The J5 A/B MAC contract has a total estimated value of approximately $225 million over five years.

•The following are the current fiscal intermediaries (FI) and carriers administering the program in J5 and the states they serve:

oArkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (carrier for Eastern Missouri) oBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (FI for Iowa) oBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Inc. (FI for Kansas; carrier for Kansas, Western Missouri, and Nebraska) oBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi (FI for Missouri) oBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (FI for Nebraska) oMutual of Omaha Insurance Company (FI for some providers in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska) oNoridian Mutual Insurance Company (carrier for Iowa)

•WPS will implement the J5 A/B MAC by taking over the work from the FIs and carriers on an incremental basis.

•WPS has the following subcontractors: oEDS which will supply Part B Medicare Business Systems (MBS) oCorporate Mutual of Omaha which will supply Part A print/mail services, Part A Data Center programming services, records storage and leased facility space.

•WPS’ operations will be headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin.

•As of March 31, 2007, approximately 1,897,298 Medicare beneficiaries and 524 Medicare hospitals are located in this jurisdiction.

•As of March 31, 2007, approximately 61,934 physicians and other medical professionals provided services in this area.

•Approximately 5.0% of the national Medicare claims workload is in this jurisdiction.


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Jurisdiction 5 Part A/Part B Medicare Administrative Contractor (J5 A/B MAC) Award

-- Wisconsin Physicians Services Health Insurance Corporation--Qs and As

September 5, 2007

Q: What company has been awarded the contract for the J5 A/B MAC workload? A: Wisconsin Physicians Service Health Insurance Corporation (WPS) has been awarded the contract for the J5 A/B MAC.

Q: What states are included in A/B MAC Jurisdiction 5? A: The states included in Jurisdiction 5 are Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.

Q: What are the major contractual differences of the new A/B MACs compared to the current fiscal intermediaries (FIs) and carriers? A: The workload for each new A/B MAC is being awarded through full and open competition conducted in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Based on structured evaluation criteria, the proposal with the best value for the government will be selected in each procurement. The new A/B MAC contracts are for the administration of both Medicare Part A and Part B claims in a specific geographic jurisdiction. They allow for performance incentives to be earned by the MAC. The FI and carrier contracts historically have been competed to a limited number of contractors which may or may not have been the best qualified organizations to do the work. In addition, the carriers have had to be chosen from health insurance companies. The contracts for the FIs and carriers do not allow for performance incentives; rather they pay the contractor the costs incurred in conducting their operations.

Q: What is the effect of Medicare Contracting Reform on beneficiaries and providers?

A: Beneficiaries will have a single point-of-contact, connecting them to a seamless operations network for meeting their information needs. A beneficiary’s first point of entry for resolution of questions about Medicare coverage will be 1-800-MEDICARE. The A/B MAC will handle only complex inquiries from beneficiaries. The A/B MAC will serve as the point of contact for providers, physicians and practitioners for all claims-related business. Medicare contracting reform also will benefit providers with improved provider education and training by the A/B MACs.

Q: What type of contract has been awarded for the J5 A/B MAC workload? A: The J5 A/B MAC was awarded under a cost-plus-award-fee contract. The period of performance for the contract is a base period with four 1-year options. The total value of the contract for the five year period is approximately $225 million.

Q: When will the new J5 A/B MAC begin operations? A: The implementation activities of the A/B MAC that are needed to move the Part A/Part B workload for the states included in Jurisdiction 5 will begin immediately. The MAC will complete the transfer of the claims and information from FIs and carriers and be fully operational no later than September 9, 2008. (see Qs and As, p. 16)


Qs and As, continued from page 15

Q: What FIs and carriers are currently processing claims for the states in J5?

o Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (carrier for Eastern Missouri) o Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (FI for Iowa) o Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Inc. (FI for Kansas; carrier for Kansas, Western Missouri, and Nebraska) o Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi (FI for Missouri) o Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (FI for Nebraska) o Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company (FI for some providers in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska) o Noridian Mutual Insurance Company (carrier for Iowa)

Q: How will staffing be affected as work moves from the current FIs and carriers to the J5 A/B MAC? A: With the award and implementation of the new contract, one contractor will be performing the work that had been distributed among seven. Fewer staff will be required. For more specific questions regarding staffing please contact the Contracting Officer, Darrell Bachman at [email protected] or 410-786-8167.

Q: How many beneficiaries and providers are there in J5? What percent of the national claims workload is accounted for in this Jurisdiction? A: As of March 31, 2007, approximately 1,897,298 Medicare beneficiaries and 524 Medicare hospitals are located in the four states comprising this jurisdiction. Also, as of March 31, 2007, approximately 61,934 physicians and practitioners provided services in this area. With respect to the workload, approximately 5.0% of Medicare fee-for-service claims nationwide is in this jurisdiction.

Q: Did the winning contractor have any subcontracts? If so, what services will the subcontractor provide? A: As the J5 A/B MAC, WPS is subcontracting with the following companies:

o EDS which will supply Part B Medicare Business Systems (MBS) o Corporate Mutual of Omaha which will supply Part A print/mail services, Part A Data Center programming services, records storage and leased facility space.


Optometry Offers Eye Assessments at VFW’s National Convention

Members of the Missouri and Kansas Optometric Associations offered vision health assessments to attendees of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 108th National Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri, August 18-23.

Thousands of delegates to the national meeting of the nation’s largest veteran’s organization also had the opportunity to learn firsthand about eye and vision care.

In all, 283 patients were seen in a special AOA examining room staffed by volunteer optometrists, optometric interns, and AOA staff during the five day event. The vision health assessments were offered as part of a veteran’s health fair that is a featured part of the annual convention.

The Kansas City VFW Convention marked the fourth year in which volunteer optometrists have offered complimentary vision health assessments.

The VFW convention represents the largest gathering of veterans in the nation each year. “In addition to assessing hundreds of veterans for eye health care and vision problems, the effort at the annual meeting of the 1.8 million member organization represents an important outreach effort, demonstrating the importance of regular comprehensive eye care to generations of aging veterans and other segments of the aging population,” according to John Gelvin, O.D., F.A.A.O. of the MOA. This forum also provides an opportunity to reinforce with the veteran community optometry’s role as primary eye care providers.



The American Optometric Association Order Department now carries tamper resistant prescription forms that comply with all three Federal regulations for Medicaid. The new tamper resistant prescription forms are available for purchase from AOA by calling (800) 262-2210.

For prescriptions for MEDICAID beneficiaries, CMS has informed State Medicaid Directors that, to be considered tamper-resistant, a prescription pad must contain at least one of the following three characteristics below. AOA tamper resistant forms meet all three Federal requirements.

One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form; One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; One or more industry-recognized features designed to prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.

These forms are available in single sheet or two-part NCR.

Please specify “new tamper resistant” prescription forms when ordering at (800) 262-2210.

Contact:Kevin J. DoylePrint, Mail and Building Operations ManagerAmerican Optometric Association243 North Lindbergh Blvd.St. Louis, MO314/983-4120

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AOA — ST. LOUIS After Congress’ month-long summer recess, lawmakers have returned to Washington for what will be an especially intense fall legislative session. Congress and the president will focus on progress in Iraq as General David Petraeus delivers a much-anticipated status report and outlook for the year ahead.

At the same time, the AOA Washington Office will be educating senators and congressmen on new legislation being supported by Rep. John Boozman, O.D. (R-AR) and others seeking to ensure that servicemen and women that have been grievously wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere and who are facing the debilitating effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) get the eye and vision care services they need.

With health care continuing to be the leading domestic policy issue on the minds of voters, there will be more activity in this area as well. In July, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives considered separate plans to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The different versions will need to be merged into one through negotiations between the two chambers. In addition to ensuring that eye and vision care services remain a priority under SCHIP, the AOA Washington Office is intensifying efforts to support the inclusion of a plan to block new Medicare physician payments cuts in 2008 and 2009.

If you have any questions or comments concerning federal legislative or regulatory matters, please do not hesitate to contact John Hymes: [email protected].

General David Petrus and Rep. John Boozman, O.D. (R-AR).


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2008 Legislative Conference Dates Set

Every winter doctors of optometry meet face-to-face with members of the Missouri General Assembly to educate them about optometry’s top legislative priorities for the coming year.

This Conference is the premier opportunity for optometrists to get their voices heard by members of the legislature and their staffs....so make sure you mark this date on your calendar and attend the 2008 MOA Legislative Conference.

The 2008 MOA Legislative Conference dates are January 13 – 14, 2008 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, Missouri. More details about the continuing education program and other activities will follow in the next issue of VISION.


2008 Convention Dates Changed

The dates of the 2008 MOA Convention have been changed from October 1 – 4 to October 9 – 11, 2008.

Vision Expo West is scheduled for October 2-4, 2008 in Las Vegas and would have conflicted with the MOA Annual Convention dates. The 2008 MOA Annual Convention is at Chateau on the Lake Resort & Convention Center, in Branson, Missouri, October 9 – 11, 2008.


IOA Cruise Open to MOA Members

The Illinois Optometric Cruise Seminar, sponsored by the Illinois Optometric Association, will depart from Seattle immediately following the 2008 AOA Congress, which is also held in Seattle. IOA has extended an invitation to Missouri OD’s, their staffs, family, and friends, asking us to join them on this exciting cruise.

Ten - twelve hours of COPE approved lectures are available, depending upon the cruise option you select.

For complete details, download the IOA Application Form from this page of the Vision online.


Welcome New Members

The Missouri Optometric Association is pleased to announce the following new members. Please introduce yourself the next time you see them at an MOA sponsored event!

Diane P. Hamill, O.D. Andrea R. Keele, O.D. David R. Smith, O.D.

We also welcome these new paraoptometrics into the MOA’s Para Section:

Cortney L. Begley Cody S. Bergschneider Haley L. Braker Melanie D. Crockett Krissy M. Davenport Audrey L. Davis Kelly A. Faubion Maria Faulkner Alyssa Maus Amanda R. Nicholson Carrie M. Ogden Delores Reuter Dana Sheat Kimberley D. Stephens Barbara J. Steward Lisa L. Stoller Guyla J. Voyles

The MOA is also proud to announce a new member of our Industry Alliance at the Supporting Level:

Wisconsin Vision AssociatesContact: Jeff Erickson139 W. ChestnutBurlington, WI 53105Ph: 262/763-0100Fax: 262/763-0109


Society Reports

Central Missouri Optometric SocietyTrustee: Debbie Hettler-Arbeitman, O.D., MPH, FAAO

The August CMOS meeting was well attended with about 30 optometrists present to learn about Fabry’s disease. The meeting was held at D. Rowes and sponsored by Genzyme. Actual patients were present for the optometrists to examine with slit lamps.

September, October and November meetings are planned for the Fourth Tuesday of the month. Generally, e mails about the meetings are sent to CMOS members. If you are not receiving these e mails and would like to be notified, please contact Rob Bernskoetter at [email protected].

Kansas City Optometric SocietyTrustee: John Gelvin, O.D., F.A.A.O.

The KCOS had its summer free. There were no planned activities in the month of July. Things got busy again for the National VFW Convention that took place at Bartle Hall from August 18th to August 22nd. Optometrists and staff from both Kansas and Missouri helped to screen the eyes of hundreds of veterans and family members. The screening was cut short a half day in order to allow more room for President Bush to come in to the building.

After a nice summer break in Kansas City, the first meeting of the year took place in the second week of September at the Bristol. The meeting was sponsored by CooperVision. We had Dr. Harvard Sylvan speak to a maximum room crowd. Many issues were discussed including the upcoming KOA and MOA conferences in October. Dr. Karpecki will be back in town speaking at the October meeting and will be addressing issues related to the anterior segment of the eye.


Society Reports, continued from page 26

Southeast Optometric Society ReportTrustee: James Hunt, O.D.

Our most recent southeast society meeting was held in Dexter, MO at the Hickory Log restaurant. This meeting was well attended with members who had not been to some of our more recent meetings in attendance. The meeting was hosted by Joyce Patterson, territory manager with Allergan pharmaceuticals.

The business meeting included an election of the new society officers for the upcoming year. Ken Detring will be our new president, Eugene McDonald is our vice-president. Dan Obermark is our secretary-treasurer and James Hunt will be the MOA trustee from the southeast society.

Our next meeting will be sponsored by Vistakon and hosted by John Missey of St. Louis. Anyone interested in attending may contact any southeast society member for details on the meeting.

Saint Louis Optometric SocietyTrustee: Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD; Associate Trustee: Thomas J. Cullinane, OD

July MeetingThe July 10th meeting of SLOS was sponsored by Genzyme Corporation, featuring Dr. Scott Brodie, Chief of Ophthalmology of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in Bronx, NY. Dr. Scott Brodie gave a presentation on Fabry disease, an inherited disorder caused by a lysosomal enzyme deficiency. Because of its ocular manifestations, eye care professionals are the first to diagnose this condition in 28% of the cases reported. The presentation included interviews with patients diagnosed with the condition, as well as the opportunity to examine these patients with a slit lamp.

2nd Annual Sen. Jeff Smith 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Community Fair

SLOS Docs, UMSL Interns and Senator Smith: Fannie Coleman, Rebecca Lehr, Antione Barnett, Dr. Eric Polk, Brett Sobieralski, Dr. Tom Cullinane, Ryan Read and Dane Peterson pose with Senator Jeff Smith in front of the UM-St. Louis College of Optometry’s Mobile Eye Center. (continued page xx)

Joyce Patterson


Society Reports, continued from page 27

On July 28th, the Saint Louis Optometric Society and UM-St. Louis College of Optometry volunteers participated in the Community Fair in North St. Louis, organized by Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith of the Fourth District. This involvement was a resounding two-fold success for optometry, outreaching to the community while providing support to a friendly legislator. Special thanks to SLOS Board member Dr. Eric Polk, MOA Trustee Dr. Tom Cullinane, MOA Board student member Ryan Read and five other UMSL students who took part in the vision screening. The following is an excerpt related to the event from Senator Smith’s e-newsletter that also featured a link to the MOA web site.

The Optometric Association was busy from the moment they opened up their van doors providing vision screenings. One optometrist told me it was the busiest they had been at any fair - they were still screening people after we cleaned up the park late that afternoon! Fittingly, there was a petition circulated to reinstate the 2005 Medicaid cuts that many people happily signed.

August MeetingOn August 14, Sue Gromacki, OD, MS, of the Kellogg Eye Institute of the University of Michigan, presented continuing education on “Satisfying Baby Boomers with Soft Bifocal Contact Lenses.” This meeting was generously sponsored by CooperVision.

MOA ConventionThe Saint Louis Optometric Society is looking forward to being the host society for this year’s Missouri Optometric Association Annual Convention, October 4-7, 2007 at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis. We hope that all of our friends from across the state can join us at the best MOA Convention ever!

SLOS Docs, UMSL Interns and Senator Smith: Fannie Coleman, Rebecca Lehr, Antione Barnett, Dr. Eric Polk, Brett Sobieralski, Dr. Tom Cullinane, Ryan Read and Dane Peterson pose with Senator Jeff Smith in front of the UM-St. Louis College of Optometry’s Mobile Eye Center

Classifieds

Looking for part time/full time optometrist for locally owned optical store, in Southwest Missouri. Ideal position for a retired optometrist looking for supplimental income. Please send your resume to:

Attn: Bruce, 102 S. Main St., Joplin, Mo 64801


Calendar of Upcoming Events

2007October 4-7MOA Annual ConventionRitz Carlton HotelSt. Louis

2008January 13-14MOA Legislative ConferenceCapitol Plaza HotelJefferson City, MO

February 14-16Heart of AmericaKansas City, MO

April 17 - 22MOA Spring CESt. Maarten

May 8-10Midwest EyeCare ConferenceChicago, Illinois

June 25-29Optometry’s Meeting™Seattle, Washington

October 9-11MOA Annual ConventionChateau on the LakeBranson, MO

2009October 1-4MOA Annual ConventionLodge of the Four SeasonsLake Ozark, MO


Leadership & Staff StaffExecutive DirectorJoyce Baker([email protected])

Finance ManagerLinda McDowell([email protected])

Administrative AssistantAmanda Berendzen([email protected])

Governmental Relations ConsultantsJ. Scott Marrs (P: 573/636-5873 | [email protected])Jerry W. Burch (P: 573/636-4599 | [email protected])

Legal CounselMarc H. Ellinger (P: 573/634-2500 | [email protected])

OfficersPresident: Thomas F. Greene, O.D. (P: 573/659-5560 | [email protected])President-Elect: Gregory J. Goetzinger, O.D. (P: 417/359-0600 | [email protected])Treasurer: Wesley D. Kemp, O.D. (P: 417/777-9000 | [email protected])Secretary: Ryan H. Powell, O.D. (P: 816/476-4017 | [email protected])Immediate Past President: Thomas W. Hobbs, O.D. (P: 660/747-7300 | [email protected])


TrusteesCentral Society: Debbie Hettler-Arbeitman, O.D. (P: 573/814-6575 | [email protected])Greater Ozark Society: Michael C. Frier, O.D (P: 417/876-6052 | [email protected])Kansas City Society: John B. Gelvin, O.D (P: 816/525-3937 | [email protected])Northeast Society: Duane A. Thompson, O.D. (P: 660/258-7409 | [email protected])Northwest Society: Matthew Honson, O.D. (P: 816/390-8644 | [email protected])Southeast Society: James M. Hunt, O.D. (P: 573/996-3937 | [email protected])Southwest Society: Lorry W. Lazenby, O.D. (P: 417/782-9151 | [email protected])St. Louis Society: Jeffrey L. Weaver, O.D. (P: 314/991-4100 | [email protected])St. Louis Society (Associate Trustee): Thomas J. Cullinane, O.D. (P: 314/579-0909 | [email protected])West Central Society: Mark D. Curtis, O.D. (P: 660/747-8196 | [email protected])CommitteesAdministrative Services: Rob Bernskoetter, O.D. (P: 573/874-2030 | [email protected])Affiliated Organizations: Lori Ehlers Swopes, O.D. (P: 816/884-5212 | [email protected])Clinical/Educational: Erica Burton, O.D. (P: 417/682-3301 | [email protected])Coordinating Committee: Thomas W. Hobbs, O.D. (P: 660/747-7300 | [email protected])Governmental Affairs: Lee Ann Barrett, O.D. & Mark Curtis, O.D. (P: 573/445-8636 | [email protected]) (P: 660/747-8196 | [email protected]) Membership Services: Scott Ream, O.D. (P: 417/264-7418 | [email protected])Public Relations: Kyle Brost, O.D. (P: 573/334-8595 | [email protected])Affiliated OrganizationsParaoptometric Chair: Tina Heafner (P: 816/524-8900 | [email protected])MOAA President: Amy Powell (P: 816/476-4017 | [email protected])MOF President: Rex Newcomb, O.D. (P: 417/468-6682 | [email protected])State Board President: Christy Fowler, O.D. (P: 573/335-3937 | [email protected] | www.regional.optometry.net)


About VISION

VISION is published bimonthly by the Missouri Optometric Association.100 East High Street, Suite 301Jefferson City, Missouri 65101P: 573/635-6151

Editor of Publications: Lee Ann Barrett, O.D.1201 West BroadwayColumbia, Missouri 65203P: 573/445-8636F: 573/[email protected]

Send all unsolicited articles, news, and advertising to the MOA Central Office. All opinions and statements of supposed fact in signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Missouri Optometric Association.

Deadlines are the first of January, March, May, July, September, and November.

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