Dr. Layman

“The AOA has the opportunity to become a leaner, more efficient organization, developing new, member-focused priorities,” says new AOA President Robert C. Layman, O.D., during an exclusive interview with Optometric Management.

Here, Dr. Layman outlines his goals for the organization and the profession:

• Focus on member support. “Our advocacy programs will continue to work tirelessly to ensure optometry is included in all COVID-19 relief programs, including student loan deferrals,” says Dr. Layman.
• Jumpstart vision plan reimbursement. The AOA will continue its efforts to educate payers on the increasing costs of providing high-quality eye care:
  “Thanks to the work of affiliates and the AOA State Government Relations Committee, 24 states have enacted some form of statutory protection, which helps level the playing field for practices,” Dr. Layman explains.

 

 

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• Also Notable

• Highlight medical optometry. “To survive as a profession, we must expand beyond annual exams by providing more medical and specialty care,” Dr. Layman points out. “Updating the way we bill and learning to delegate non-medical tasks to appropriately trained staff is key.”
  He adds that the AOA will continue to support state scope-of-practice efforts to update state laws and enable O.D.s to deliver the advanced care they are educated and trained to provide.
• Launch the “See and Be Seen” program. “The intent [of the program] is to maximize the opportunity for every American to receive in-person comprehensive care from an AOA optometrist as part of their eye health and overall wellbeing,” explains Dr. Layman.

The 2021 theme is “Eye Deserve More,” a multi-faceted, national campaign. The year-long initiative is in partnership with USA Surfing and Olympic-bound pro surfer Caroline Marks. OM