Optometry’s Meeting® – Washington, DC - 2009
By Bhavika Patidar, UAB Trustee
Optometry took over Capitol Hill this year for the AOA/AOSA Conference. Washington, D.C. provided an educational and entertaining backdrop to this year’s Optometry’s Meeting® that was held in conjunction with AOA-PAC. It was truly a place where students had the opportunity to network with fellow students and optometrists from around the country; all the while, being in a place where one was able to experience the country’s national landmarks.
The meeting commenced with the AOA General Session, sponsored by Essilor, where former ABC World News Tonight co-anchor, Mr. Bob Woodruff, inspired everyone by sharing his life threatening experience in Iraq. The Student Planning Committee organized great events for the student attendees as well. Sponsored by VSP, the AOSA Awards and General Session was hosted by comedian Karyn Ruth White. First, several awards were distributed, and then came Ms. White’s motivational humor. Her words encouraged everyone to always look at the silver lining in every aspect of life. Students were advised to focus on the funny side of every situation, including those trying times we go through with “bad responder patients.”
This year’s AOSA educational course topic was “Career Options Expo 2009: How to Market Yourself.” In this event sponsored by The Vision Care Institute™ LLC, students were given tips to market themselves and their practices. Dr. Gerber was able to answer many student questions about building a practice and becoming a successful optometrist.
One of the best events of the conference was the Varilux® Optometry Student Bowl™. The Essilor sponsored event was attended by all students from every school in an effort to outdo each other for the coveted Spirit Award. In the end, it was OSU who took the win, which now gives them the opportunity to create the rules video for next year’s Student Bowl™. This year’s rules video was created by last year’s Spirit Award winner, PUCO. The star of Pacific’s creative election year rules video was President Obama himself! Third time was the charm for NECO’s Aarlan Aceto, the 2009 Student Bowl™ winner. At the reception alongside the Potomac River students enjoyed listening to the live band and mingling with fellow classmates.
TLC Laser Eye Center sponsored another excellent student lecture, “Eye Want the Hook Up!” This year’s lecture was especially interesting as it was interactive. The discussion helped students polish their networking abilities and improve their relationship building skills. Given the increasing number of optometrists entering the field, it is important to build lasting relationships that can assist in obtaining the job that’s the right fit to allow professional growth. The student party on Friday night was also sponsored by TLC where everyone had a great time mingling and dancing to the sounds of the dueling pianos.
The highlight of the conference was on Saturday night, the HOYA-sponsored Presidential Celebration. The event was hosted by none other than the “redneck” comedian himself, Mr. Jeff Foxworthy. He had the audience engaged for the entire show with his act about everyday life and family; in fact, some were laughing so hard, they were brought to tears. Later, everyone was invited outdoors to enjoy a magnificent fireworks spectacle over the Potomac River.
The 2009 Optometry’s Meeting® was one for the history books, especially since the motion for Board Certification was passed this year. Get your sunscreen and Mickey Mouse ears ready for the 2010 Optometry’s Meeting® in Orlando.