When asked what he does in his free time, Steven T. Reed, OD, responds, “What’s that?” and laughs. The native of Vicksburg, Miss., owns and operates three private practices and is co-owner of four additional practices, all in Mississippi. He is working to preserve a historic landmark. And, at last year’s American Optometric Association (AOA) annual conference, he was named president-elect of the AOA.
Optometric Management recently spoke with Dr. Reed on his goals as AOA president for the coming year. He also discussed upcoming challenges, the advice that made an impact on him, and what he does in his elusive free time.
Incorporating goals into the strategic plan
Dr. Reed said he and the AOA board have incorporated several goals into their strategic plan for 2024.
First, the AOA will continue to push for reimbursement and fairness coverage. Many doctors are concerned that the “quality of their patient care is not mirrored in reimbursement rates,” and it’s something he and the board would like to see rectified.
In addition, many vision plans require doctors to use their labs or be signed onto a vision plan to be part of a separate medical plan. Dr. Reed says such regulations limit opportunities for practices, as small businesses, as well as limit options to care for patients, and the AOA would like changes to such requirements.
“Optometrists must focus on making the critical decisions in patient care and practicing at the highest level of our scope.”
Dr. Reed and the AOA also want to ensure that the role of the paraoptometric continues to advance. “I want to see it continue to grow,” he says, adding that the AOA wants to make sure more paraoptometrics are certified and able to help ODs in their clinics.
The AOA will also continue to work with its affiliates to protect and promote scope expansion. “We must be allowed to practice at the highest level of our training,” says Dr. Reed. “In addition, we will continue to provide educational resources that encourage doctors to incorporate this care into their practices, a concept we call practicing contemporary optometry.”
The workforce challenge
For 2024 and beyond, Dr. Reed sees manpower as being one of the main issues facing optometry. “There is a gap between the number of graduates and the increasing demand for patient care. Optometrists must focus on making the critical decisions in patient care and practicing at the highest level of our scope.”
He sees increasing the number of paraoptometrics as a key way to address this issue. “Doctors have to be empowered to see more patients without decreasing the quality of care,” says Dr. Reed.
It’s “who you know”
When asked about the best advice he received, Dr. Reed is quick to answer.
“It’s not about what you know but who you know,” he replies. “There’s a quote from John Maxwell [best-selling author of books on leadership] that goes, ‘Who do you know that I need to know?’ It’s amazing how valuable networking can be.”
Fishing and historic restoration
When Dr. Reed finds time away from his work and active schedule, he likes to fish, and recently returned from saltwater fishing with his son.
In addition, he and his wife Kendra own the McRaven Tour Home, built in 1797, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been called the “Time Capsule of the South” by National Geographic magazine. It also has the title of being “the most haunted house in Mississippi.”
They also are in the process of restoring The Inn at Cedar Grove, an antebellum home built in 1840. “We currently have 15 rooms online, but will have 26 when we’re finished. OM
