2016

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT

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2017 COA House of Delegates Meeting February 10-11, 2017

Report of the COA Board of Trustees

COA Board of Trustees: Steve Minie, OD, President Sage Hider, OD, President-Elect Ron Seger, OD, FAAO, Secretary-Treasurer Barry Weissman, OD, PhD, FAAO, Immediate Past President Amanda Dexter OD, Trustee Ranjeet Bajwa, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, Trustee Ida Chung, OD, MSHE, FCOVD, FAAO, Trustee Jan L. Cooper, OD, FAAO, Trustee Richard Hom, OD, MPA, FAAO, Dipl ABO, Trustee Jason Tu, OD, Trustee This below sets forth the activities of the COA Board of Trustees, its officers and trustees, since last reported at the 2016 COA House of Delegates meeting. November 12, 2015, Meeting The COA Board of Trustees (BOT) met at the Monterey Marriott Hotel in conjunction with the COA Monterey Symposium. The BOT discussed a number of issues and topics that included the following items and motions:

Motion adopted: To approve the 2016 budget as presented and submit it to the 2016 COA House of Delegates with a recommendation for approval.

Motion adopted: To authorize a new database purchase for COA with existing assets. Motion: To approve the 2017 budget as presented and submit it to the 2016 COA

House of Delegates with a recommendation for approval. Motion adopted: To accept the September 2015 financial statements as presented. Motion adopted: To accept the COA Finance Committee recommendation to renew

COA’s three-year contract with Grant Bennett Associates to conduct annual audits and prepare tax returns.

Item: Dr. Joseph Mallinger, president and CEO of Vision West, affirmed Vision West’s ongoing financial commitment to COA, noting that it would increase its annual contribution to COA to $187,500.

Item: Dr. Jacquie Bowen of Colorado, a 2016 candidate for AOA trustee, reviewed her experience and qualifications for election.

Motion adopted: To approve updates to the COA Strategic Plan as recommended by the COA Strategic Plan Review Group.

Motion adopted: To make the COA Strategic Plan available to members each time it is revised.

Item: A new COA-developed publication, COA Society Guide to Recruiting and Sustaining Volunteers, which was developed in response to societies’ desire for

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leadership training and materials, with a specific focus on recruiting and retaining volunteers, was presented.

Motion adopted: To authorize COA to send a letter to California State Board of Optometry and the California Medical Board stating that Opternative is allegedly engaged in the practice of optometry illegally.

Motion adopted: To recommend the select COA HOD Active Policy Resolutions that were five years or older for suggested change or deletion be accepted and forwarded to the 2016 House of Delegates as a policy resolution by the BOT with the recommendation to adopt as presented.

Motion adopted: To authorize to Drs. Weissman and Minie to vote for the GWCO endorsements of AOA trustee candidates Drs. Dennis Brtva and Jacquie Bowen.

Motion adopted: To approve the revised COA Executive Director Succession plan as presented.

Item: It was reported the COA Optometrist Resource Guide had been updated for 2015. February 25, 2016, Meeting The COA BOT met at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa in conjunction with the COA House of Delegates meeting. The BOT discussed a number of issues and topics that included the following items and motions:

Motion adopted: To approve the December 2015 end-of-year financial statements as presented.

Motion adopted: To approve the COA Strategic Plan updates as amended. Item: Received an AOA update presentation by Dr. Ron Benner, AOA trustee, that

included the following: o AOA is asking members to report documented accounts of injury or missed

diagnosis as a result of online exams. o AOA’s membership growth and retention efforts have been focused on

converting new graduates to active members. o AOA was aggressively encouraging doctors to register with the optometric

registry database AOA MORE by February 29, 2016, so that they will meet meaningful use requirements and prevent a reduction in reimbursement.

Motion adopted: To eliminate all in-person paraoptometric education effective immediately (due to a four-year cumulative loss of $60,000 for those educational programs).

Item: Reported that COA had its third consecutive year of doctor membership growth, ending 2015 with 87 more doctors in membership.

Motion adopted: To approve the BOT’s responses to the 2015 Presidents’ Council recommendations as presented.

Item: Reported COA conducted 10 Town hall meetings in 2015 and early 2016 focusing in part on grassroots advocacy for SB 622, the COA-sponsored measure that would expand the scope of optometric practice.

Item: Reported that Dr. Richard Castillo of the Oklahoma College of Optometry will present a one hour free CE class on office–based lesion removal and laser procedures before the COA HOD convenes for its Saturday session.

Item: Reported the SBO voted to look into requiring TPA certification of all ODs. Item: Reported the SBO hosted a meeting of stakeholders on the issue of mandatory

children’s eye examinations in anticipation of its sponsoring a bill on this matter in 2017. February 27, 2016, Meeting

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The COA BOT met at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa in conjunction with the COA House of Delegates meeting. The BOT discussed a number of issues and topics that included the following items and motions:

Item: Senator Janet Nguyen, R-Garden Grove, vice chair of the Senate Health Committee, attended a portion of the meeting and discussed issues with the BOT.

Dr. Steve Minie reviewed his goals as 2016 COA president: o Pass legislation to increase scope of practice and decrease limiting language in

the practice act. o Build upon the communication with the three schools of optometry begun with the

education summit in 2015. o Open a dialog with VSP to better communicate member concerns. o Put in place a modern database system for COA to enhance the member

experience and create operational efficiencies. o Explore and implement, if technologically and financially feasible, video

conferencing for COA committee meetings. Motion adopted: To approve the 2016 COA committee appointments and BOT society

liaison assignments as revised. Motion adopted: To approve the BOT resolution relative to a stipend for the COA

Legislation-Regulation Committee chair as presented. Item: Directed the COA Finance Committee to review the COA travel expense

reimbursement policy, particularly as it applies to OptoWest, and present its recommendations at the April 6, 2016, BOT meeting.

Motion adopted: To authorize Dr. Ron Seger to explore with COA staff and affected societies the feasibility of offering a lesion removal and laser procedures seminar prior to COA’s Legislative Day in April.

Item: Directed staff to research and present the background for the COA Excellence in OD Education award qualifications criteria at the next BOT meeting for review.

April 6, 2016, Meeting The COA BOT met at the COA Sacramento office to discuss a number of issues and topics that included the following items and motions:

Motion adopted: To accept the February 2016 year-to-date financial statements as presented.

Motion adopted: To accept the COA Strategic Plan updates as presented. Motion adopted: To approve a proposal from California Health Policy Strategies, LLC in

the amount of $60,000 to help develop strategy to gain OD access to managed care plans.

Item: The COA BOT supported continued discussions with VSP on the plan’s proposal to partner with COA to establish a pilot project that would help improve the HEDIS scores of its partner health plans by having ODs provide diabetic eye exams and retinal photography.

Motion adopted: To approve the appointment of Dr. Erin Swift of San Diego to fill a vacancy on the COA Communications Committee.

Item: Reported that the Public Vision League (PVL) approved the continuation of assessing PVL dues in proportion to COA membership dues classifications.

Item: Reported that PVL will file a new complaint against Stanton Optical. Motion adopted: To revise the COA Excellence in Optometric Education Award to

provide that it be given to one recipient each year.

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Motion adopted: To revise the COA Excellence in Optometric Education Award eligibility criteria to allow for any optometric educator at a California school or college of optometry to qualify with preference given to a COA member in selecting the winner.

Motion adopted: To approve follow-up steps for action items developed at the November 2015 COA-Optometric Schools and Colleges summit.

Motion adopted: To approve the list of applicants presented to serve as delegates representing COA at the 2016 AOA House of Delegates meeting, pending verification of eligibility.

June 8, 2016, Meeting The COA BOT met at the COA office in Sacramento. It discussed a number of issues and topics that included the following items and motions:

Item: Assembly Member Evan Low, D-Silicon Valley, attended a portion of the meeting and discussed issues with the BOT.

● Motion adopted: To accept the 2015 COA audit report as presented. ● Motion adopted: To accept the April 2016 year-to-date COA financial statements as

presented. ● Motion adopted: To adopt the COA Volunteer Expense Reimbursement Policy and the

COA Board of Trustees Expense Reimbursement for AOA House of Delegates and COA Educational Events Policy, each as amended.

● Motion adopted: To approve the appointment of Dr. Morgan Ruiz to the COA Membership Committee.

● Motion adopted: To instruct the COA Education and Clinical Practice Committee to develop the best program and speakers availability affords, and to select the best courses and the best speakers even if the speakers are not available for all dates.

● Motion adopted: To keep the sponsored table rate at OptoWest at $2,500 per table. ● Motion adopted: To raise OptoWest registration fees from $150 to $175 for members

and from $225 to $250 for non-members to accommodate for increased food and beverage costs.

● Motion adopted: To add a third OptoWest event in Sacramento beginning in 2017 to continue to expand the OptoWest brand and increase revenue.

● Motion adopted: To support the AOA bylaw amendments to be considered at the 2016 AOA House of Delegates meeting as presented.

● Motion adopted: To support the Optometric Association of Louisiana’s scope of practice resolution to be presented at the 2016 AOA House of Delegates meeting as presented. Note: This resolution urged states to work toward an “exclusionary” scope of practice language as opposed to an “inclusionary.”

● Motion adopted: To accept the updated COA Strategic Plan as presented. ● Item: It was reported the COA Optometrist Resource Guide has been updated for 2016.

September 7, 2016, Meeting The COA BOT, along with COA committee chairs or their representatives and COA management staff, met by webinar to review the COA Strategic Plan. A number of issues and topics were discussed that included the following items and motions:

Item: Reviewed the COA mission, vision and value statements. Motion adopted: To adopt the COA Strategic Plan as amended and forward it to the

COA BOT with the recommendation to approve.

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Motion adopted: To adopt the COA Strategic Plan Implementation Record as amended and forward it to the COA BOT with the recommendation to approve.

Motion adopted: To adopt the COA Strategic Plan Archive Record as amended and forward it to the COA BOT with the recommendation to approve.

October 4, 2016, Meeting The COA BOT met by teleconference discussed a number of issues and topics that included the following items and motions:

Item: Discussed plans for re-introducing a COA-sponsored scope of practice expansion bill in 2017. The COA Legislation-Regulation Committee was asked to prepare a conceptual draft of a bill for the BOT’s review at its November 2016 meeting.

Motion adopted: To accept the proposal by the COA Health Care Delivery Systems Committee for re-contracting with California Health Policy Services for the period of October 2016 through January 2017 to make connections with outside groups and assist in coalition building with the goal of getting doctors of optometry paid for medical eye care, as presented.

Motion adopted: To accept the proposal by the COA Education and Clinical Practice Committee to contract with CEwire for the provision of online continuing education courses in 2017 as presented with the caveat that COA staff attempt to obtain a greater amount of registration revenue, and prohibit CEwire from contacting COA members who register for the CEwire courses beyond the contracted 2017 event.

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2016 COMMITTEE REPORTS

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2017 COA House of Delegates Meeting February 10-11, 2017

COA Communications Committee Report

Committee Members: Chair: Melissa Barnett, OD John Barron, OD David McCleary, OD, FAAO Justin Kwan, OD, FAAO Melissa Moore, OD Erin Swift, OD, FAAO Cindy Wang, OD, FAAO Amanda Dexter, OD, COA Board Liaison 2016 in Review The primary focus of the committee’s efforts in 2016 was working to further the COA Strategic Plan goal to “Educate the Public on the Importance of Vision and Eye Health and the Role of Doctors of Optometry.” Those endeavors led to the below committee achievements this past year. Social Media Advances Facebook and Twitter:

“Likes” of COA’s Facebook page, which is used to educate the public on eye care and health and promote annual comprehensive eye exams, grew by more than 1,700 in 2016 to 14,184 compared to the 1,004 “likes” in its first year (2011). The top post for 2016 was “Did you know online eye tests only check 1 out of 12 things an optometrist does at an appointment? Stay informed and remember to get your annual comprehensive eye exam with a licensed optometrist”: #eyehealth #COA; the post features COA’s popular Online Eye Tests & Your Eye Health educational video.

COA’s Twitter presence, @COA_Vision, which serves as an additional portal to educate the public on eye care and health and promote annual comprehensive exams, remained stable in 2016 with 5,833 followers. The most popular tweet in 2016 was “Vision impairment does not need to stop you from living a normal life - some resources”: http://bit.ly/28QuwZU via @AllAboutVision. The COA Student Section Group (COSS): The COSS group on Facebook has 483 members, up from 476 at the beginning 2016. In the closed COSS group, students can share interesting articles and facts to help them in their studies and upcoming careers, discuss issues facing the profession of optometry, as well as talk up participation in organized optometry events such as the COA Monterey Symposium and COA Legislative Day. COA Vision Blog: Another social media avenue that examines eye-related topics in more depth, page views and visitors of the COA Vision Blog increased in 2016 due to a decision by the committee to increase the number of blogs posted by having more student bloggers. Page views grew from 8,931 in 2015 to 10,035 in 2016. Visitors rose from 5,597 to 6,003. Views per

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visitor also increased from 1.60 to 1.67, meaning the people visiting the blog are spending more time. The most popular blog in 2016 was “Zika and Your Eyes.” Member Media Center: The member-only COA Member Media Center on COA’s website, which offers timely content for members to use in their newsletters and social media, was recently re-launched with dozens of members having taken advantage of its content. Topics covered in 2016 included cataracts, online eye refractions, summer eye safety and Halloween eye safety. Members are alerted to the availability of these tools through e-blasts and the e-COA Member News. The committee is working to further spread the word to members about this valuable resource. YouTube: COA’s YouTube channel yielded more than 42,037 total views through 2016, up from 36,802 in 2015, with 117 subscribers. One of the more popular COA-produced public education videos was “Children’s Vision – Back to School” that showcased the value of children receiving a comprehensive eye exam by a doctor of optometry prior to entering or returning to school. Media Outreach Competition to gain exposure in the media through online and traditional publications via article placement, quotes and interviews, is very intense. Nonetheless, COA was successful in 2016 in gaining placement of public education messages in a number of media venues, including the following:

A Place for Mom: 7 Risk Factors for Glaucoma The Weather Channel: Outdoor Lighting Can Slow or Reduce Nearsightedness, Study

Says Medical Daily: Stop Sleeping In Your Contacts: 4 Risks Associated With Sleeping With

Contact Lenses “Envision Success”: Called a “mat column,” this article focused on the importance of

scheduling a comprehensive eye exam for children. The article was picked-up by 124 online and traditional media outlets and garnered 87,789,464 impressions. The article was picked up by national and reginal outlets such as Yahoo! Business and International Business Times, as well as local California publications like the Sacramento Bee, Santa Cruz Sentinel, San Diego Union Tribune and Los Angeles Daily News.

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1/10/2017

California Optometric Association

Education and Clinical Practice Committee

Chair: Christopher Gee, OD

COA Board Liaison: Ranjeet Bajwa, OD, FAAO

COA Staff Liaison: Sarah Harbin, Education and Events Director

OptoWest – 2016 OptoWest consisted of two separate one-day events each offering six hours of continuing education. Over 350 COA members

and non-members attended OptoWest Newport Beach and OptoWest Walnut Creek. OptoWest exceeded budget expectations

with increased revenue and reduced expenses.

In 2017 COA will expand the OptoWest brand to include a third location – Sacramento.

Event Net

Revenue

(actual)

COA

Budget

2016 OptoWest – Newport Beach $20,694 $18,249

2016 OptoWest – Walnut Creek $38,843 $15,034

Total for 2016 OptoWest $59,537 $33,283

Total for 2015 OptoWest $51,951 $32,329

2014 OptoWest (four day program) $49,477 $7,730

Monterey Symposium – 2016 Over 450 doctors of optometry and students attended 2016 Monterey Symposium held at the Monterey Marriott Hotel and

Portola Hotel and Spa. Monterey Symposium exceeded budget expectations due in part to an attractive educational program and

increased sponsorships.

Event Net Revenue

(actual)

COA

Budget

2016 Monterey Symposium $312,192 $253,897

2015 Monterey Symposium $288,150 $230,335

CE OnDemand

COA now offers nearly 40 hours of COPE-approved online continuing education to COA members at a special discounted rate.

CE OnDemand is available 24/7 (until May 1, 2017) and members can select from up to 25 different courses presented from

ODs and MDs.

2017 CE events and dates:

- CE OnDemand – January 27 – May 1

- OptoWest San Francisco – February 12

- OptoWest Manhattan Beach – March 19

- OptoWest Sacramento – April 30

- Monterey Symposium - November 17-19

Sincerely,

Christopher Gee, OD

Education Committee Members:

Sarah Chiu, OD Pinakin Davey, OD, PhD, FAAO Matt Earhart, OD

Steve Ferrucci, OD, FAAO David Kirschen, OD, PhD, FAAO Anne Mika Moy, OD, FAAO

Mark Nakano, OD, FAAO David Sendrowski, OD, FAAO

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Health Care Delivery Systems Committee (HCDS) House of Delegates Report

February 10-11, 2017

HCDS Committee Members Karin Meng, MS, OD, Chair Ranjeet Bajwa, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO Jan Cooper, OD, FAAO, Board of Trustees Liaison Richard Hom, OD, MPA, FAAO Aaron Lech, OD, FAAO David Redman, OD William Rogoway, OD, DABFE Stanley Woo, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO Summary of accomplishments HCDS had a successful year raising the visibility of optometry to medical plans, public health advocates and regulators. COA contracted with the powerhouse consulting group, California Health Policy Strategies (CalHPS), to work with HCDS to help optometrists get paid for providing medical eye care services. CalHPS is made up of former directors of the major health care agencies in California, which include: Covered California, Department of Health Care Services and Department of Managed Health Care. Thus, this group has a vast network of contacts and extensive knowledge of California’s unique health care delivery system. By working hand-in-hand with CalHPS, HCDS developed a strategy for getting paid for medical eye care services and coordinated communication with health care policy decision makers. Below is a brief summary of accomplishments:

- Identified diabetes as the pain point of managed care plans where optometry can be better utilized. This also serves as the entry point for optometry to segue into the provision of medical eye care services for these plans.

- Analyzed data that garnered attention from many health care leaders centered on the inadequate delivery of diabetes care by Medicare Advantage plans, Medi-Cal managed care plans and medical groups. Data analysis was also conducted on the prevalence of patients with non-emergency eye conditions in emergency departments statewide.

- Held over 30 meetings with various groups whom HCDS did not have access to before contracting with CalHPS. HCDS met with decision makers of health plans, medical groups, public health groups, and state agencies about the critical role optometry plays. Some of these groups include: Anthem, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, California Chronic Care Coalition, Diabetes Coalition of

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California, California Association of Health Plans, and California Association of Physician Groups.

- Initiated the building of a diabetes coalition comprised of numerous other health care advocacy groups with COA serving as a leading player to drive policy changes through various partnerships.

HCDS is getting further than it ever has before in building meaningful relationships with outside groups as well as getting closer to partnerships with managed care plans. The relationships that are built with these groups will spill over to our legislative endeavors, creating a win-win for HCDS and the Legislation and Regulation Committee. Plans for 2017 HCDS has contracted with CalHPS for 2017 and will aggressively continue its efforts to get optometrists paid for medical eye care services and raise the visibility of optometry in the health care arena.

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COA Legislation and Regulation Committee

House of Delegates Report

February 10-11, 2017

Committee Members

David Redman, OD, Chair Fred Dubick, OD, MBA, FAAO, Co-Vice-Chair John Rosten, OD, Co-Vice-Chair Lee Goldstein, OD, MPA Hilary Hawthorne, OD Harue Marsden, OD, MS, FAAO Stevin Minie, OD Robert Theaker, OD Barry Weissman, OD, PhD, FAAO Sage Hider, OD, Board Liaison Summary of accomplishments

In 2016, COA tracked 156 bills and actively engaged with 32 bills this year, taking either a support or oppose position. The following is a list of bills that were signed into law that could impact optometrists or their practice. These new laws took effect January 1, unless stated otherwise: AB 72, Bonta, D, Health care coverage: out-of-network coverage.

Prohibits non-contracted providers who provide covered health services from billing more than

the same amount the enrollee would pay for the same services received from a contracting

health professional. This prohibition shall not apply if an enrollee has coverage for out-of-

network benefits provided specified conditions are met by the health care provider. Additionally,

requires health plans and health insurers to reimburse to non-contracting health professionals

the greater of the average contracted rate or 125 percent of the amount Medicare reimburses

on a fee-for-service basis for the same or similar services in the general geographic region in

which the services are rendered. These provisions take effect July 1, 2017.

AB 1244, Gray, D, Workers' compensation.

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Requires the suspension of any health care provider from participating in the workers'

compensation system if the provider has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving

fraud or abuse of the Medi-Cal program, Medicare program, or workers' compensation system;

if that provider's license, certificate or approval to provide health care has been surrendered or

revoked, or if that provider or entity has been suspended, due to fraud or abuse, from

participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.

AB 1676, Campos, D, Employers: wage discrimination.

Existing law prohibits an employer from paying an employee less than the rates paid to

employees of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs the performance of which requires equal

skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions. This

measure clarifies that a prior salary cannot, by itself, justify any disparity in wage between

employees of the opposite sex. Any employer who violates this provision is liable to the

employee affected in the amount of the wages, and interest thereon, of which the employee is

deprived, and an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.

AB 1732, Ting D, Single-user restrooms.

Requires all single-user toilet facilities in any business establishment, place of public

accommodation or government agency to be identified with signage as “all-gender toilet

facilities” and allows for inspection to ensure compliance. This bill takes effect March 1, 2017.

AB 2093, Steinorth, R, Disability access.

Requires property owners or lessors to notify prospective tenants of a commercial property's

compliance with construction-related Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility

standards. Establishes a presumption that making necessary repairs or modifications to meet

ADA standards are the responsibility of the commercial property owner or lessor unless

otherwise agreed upon by the parties to the lease or rental agreement. If the premises have not

been issued a disability access inspection certificate, the parties must mutually agree on the

arrangements for the time and manner of the inspection, the payment of the associated fee, and

the cost of making repairs, as specified.

AB 2744, Gordon, D, Licensed health care providers: advertising.

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Clarifies that online advertising through a third-party involving the purchase of vouchers for

services offered by a health care professional is allowed under the law provided specified

conditions are met.

SB 482, Lara, D, Controlled substances: CURES database.

Requires a health care practitioner authorized to prescribe controlled substances to consult the

CURES database to review a patient's controlled substance history no earlier than 24 hours, or

one business day, before prescribing the controlled substance to the patient for the first time,

and at least, once every four months thereafter if the substance remains part of the treatment of

the patient.

SB 1039, Hill, D, Optometry in retail settings: business relationship violations.

Authorizes the State Board of Optometry to issue a citation containing an order of abatement,

an order to pay an administrative fine not to exceed $50,000 per investigation, or both, for

violating the permitted relationship between an optometrist and any registered dispensing

optician or optical company.

SB 1063, Hall, D, Wage discrimination: race or ethnicity.

Prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid

to employees of another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work. Violation of this is a

misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000, or six months

imprisonment, or by both.

SB 1478, Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development, Healing

arts.

Exempts licensees from the CURES fee requirement of $6 annually if issued a retired or

inactive status license and whose retired or inactive status license does not authorize the

prescribing of controlled substances. This provision takes effect July 1, 2017.

Plans for 2017

COA will advocate for the following legislative issues:

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Scope of practice - COA is planning on reintroducing legislation to expand the optometric scope of practice in California. The bill is needed because the current practice act is very prescriptive and its limitations are becoming a problem for doctors and their patients. For example, the act limits the medications that doctors of optometry can use. If a new medication is developed, optometrists are forced to go back to the Legislature to add the new authority. The scope of practice should be allowed to grow as innovation changes the way eye care is provided. The bill language with the exact details of what is included will be available by February 17. The first committee hearing will be before April 28. With the possibility of drastic cuts to Medi-Cal and other public health programs at the federal level, the state will need to find a way to reduce costs and we think optometry can help by expanding the services we provide. For doctors, scope is important so you can diversity your practice and continue to thrive if profits from eyeglasses sales continues to diminish. COA is trying to position optometry as primary eye care providers. In addition to this legislation, COA has hired health policy consultants and they have been talking with HMOs, medical groups and IPAs about the benefits of using optometrists to provide medical eye care. With health care in flux, there are new opportunities for better optometric integration and COA is working to take advantage of this timing. Children’s vision - The State Board of Optometry has indicated it plans to reintroduce legislation to require children receive an eye exam before they enter school. This bill is important because school vision screenings have been shown to miss one out of three children with vision problems. COA will be strongly supporting this bill. If you have a personal story of diagnosing a child with an eye or vision problem who was missed in the school screening process, please contact Kara Corches. Medi-Cal - COA will be advocating for an increase in reimbursement rates for doctors of optometry under the Medi-Cal system. Provider rates in California are among the lowest in the nation and need to be increased to ensure doctors can continue to accept Medi-Cal patients. COA will also be supporting efforts to expand optometric benefits under Medi-Cal.

Changes to COA’s Legislative Day

We wanted to try something different with COA’s annual Legislative Day. COA will not

be doing its traditional Legislative Day in Sacramento - instead, COA will bring advocacy day to our members. We will provide several advocacy meetings throughout

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California, allowing more attendance per society. These regional events will also allow our members to spend some one-on-one informal time with their legislators, thereby building more significant relationships with them. In addition, we will be able to tailor the meetings to meet the needs of each society. We encourage doctors and students who have not been able to travel to Sacramento to come to one of these regional legislative events and find out how easy it is for you to make a difference for your profession.

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2017 COA House of Delegates Meeting February 10-11, 2017

Report of the COA Membership Committee

Committee Members: Chair: Brandon Friedman, OD Pinakin Davey, OD, PhD, FAAO Adam Shupe, OD Garrett Milner, OD Meredith Whiteside, OD, FAAO Candi Kimura, OD Morgan A. Ruiz, OD

COA Board of Trustees’ Liaison: Richard Hom OD, MPA, FAAO Staff Liaisons: Jodi Haas, Development Manager Jenny Peterson, Membership Coordinator

Membership Committee Goals:

Grow, engage and retain member doctors while improving overall member satisfaction Grow membership 2.0%

2016 in Review

For the third consecutive year, COA membership has achieved a net increase. The 2016 membership growth is detailed below:

A total of 376 new members joined in 2016; 231 members dropped, resulting in a net gain of 145 ODs

118 of the 376 new joins in 2016 were dues-paying members (not new grads or life members)

105 members of the 2015 graduating class have retained AOA-COA membership. This number is flat year-over-year, and represents a 35% increase over the 2013 graduating class

Dues-paying membership grew 2.04% year-over-year

COA continued to add tangible membership benefits in 2016 to give members an immediate return on their dues investment:

COA’s Legal Services Resource Program offers members an exclusive member benefit that allows for up to one-half hour (30 minutes) of telephone and research work per month with an attorney at no cost.

CE OnDemand was launched, offering 35+ classes and 50 hours of COPE-approved online continuing education to at a COA member-reduced rate.

CE Online was restructured to offer members 12 complimentary CE articles annually. AOA MORE, a secure database that systematically integrates patient data from multiple

electronic health record (“EHR”) systems, continues to be a valuable member benefit that helps fulfill the meaningful use requirements for members that will lead to higher Medicare reimbursement (non-members pay $1,800 a year).

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YEAR-OVER-YEAR COMPARISON

Total Membership

1/6/2014

1/5/2015

1/5/2016

1/3/2017

Total OD Members:

2,293

2,478

2,515

2,559

Educator/Faculty

63

81

88

82 Assoc. Non OD

2

2

0

0

Clinic Practice

66

60

50

47 Distinguished COA Member

25

23

17

18

Distinguished AOA Member

2

2

2

2 Distinguished AOA Retired

1

1

1

1

Distinguished Member Life

3

3

8

8 Distinguished COA Retired

7

2

2

2

Full Member

1,615

1,719

1,657

1,673 Level 2 – 10%

138

276

262

260

Level 3 – 20%

57

78

105

105 Level 4 – 50%

51

35

56

71

Level 5 – 75%

29

38

26

45 Level 6 – 100%

1,340

1,291

1,208

1,201

Honorary Member

1

1

1

1 Indiv. Non-Resident

2

2

2

3

Life Member

105

153

237

239 Military/Government Service

9

11

12

8

Project Keep

95

104

121

127 Partial Practice

184

197

201

211

Retired

109

67

98

89 Retired without benefits

0

47

15

36

Special Achievement

4

3

3

3

Total Student Members:

965

1,384

1,409

1,280

Optometry school students

910

1,332

1,347

1,209 Post-graduates / Residents

54

52

62

71

MEMBERSHIP SNAPSHOT

Conclusion

of 2016 Conclusion

of 2015 Conclusion

of 2014 Conclusion

of 2013 Conclusion

of 2012 Conclusion

of 2011 Conclusion

of 2010

COA Members 2,559 2,515 2,475 2,338 2,295 2,447 2,532

New Members 376 283 313 238 125 158 160

Drops (suspended, resigned and deceased) 231 196 186 241 309 286 266

Net Gain/Loss 145 87 127 (3) (184) (128) (106)

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2017 COA House of Delegates Meeting February 10-11, 2017

Report of the COA Sponsored Services Committee

Committee Members: Brent Chinn, OD, Chair Bruce Abramson, OD Keith Chow, OD W. Joe Garvin, OD Eileen Linder, OD Clifford Silverman, OD Matthew Wang, OD Jan Cooper, OD, FAAO, Board Liaison The charge of the COA Sponsored Services Committee is to manage and perform any necessary due diligence with respect to products, services or vendors sponsored or endorsed by the association for its members’ benefit. Put simply, the committee seeks to leverage the combined economic and intellectual power of COA membership to make available to members only products and services useful for doctors and their practices on terms that individuals otherwise cannot obtain on their own. New COA Program COA Legal Services Resource Program - COA launched in July a new membership service – the COA Legal Services Resource Program. This exclusive service offers COA member optometrists up to one-half hour (30 minutes) of telephone and research work per month with an attorney at COA’s longtime law firm, Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt, Gould & Birney, LLP, at no cost. The program assists members in areas of the law related the practice of optometry, including:

• Business tax issues • Business owner succession planning Cal-OSHA/Prop 65 issues • Contract issues • Employment law • Licensure issues • Practice ownership and organizational structure • Regulatory and administrative law • California State Board of Optometry rules and enforcement issues

To take advantage of this service, simply:

1. Call Wilke Fleury at 916-441-2430 2. Provide your COA member number. 3. Ask for the attorney who best meets your issue:

Employment and practice succession: Stephen Marmaduke All other matters: Bill Gould or Dan Baxter

Note: COA legal counsel Bill Gould will present a short overview of the program at the COA House of Delegates meeting.

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Existing COA Affinity Programs

Below is a review of COA’s existing affinity programs for 2016. COA Sponsored Insurance Programs:

Commercial Insurance - Mercer Health & Benefits Insurance Services LLC. COA’s longtime broker for commercial insurance needs of member doctors of optometry has saved participating members untold thousands of dollars in premiums and provided unparalleled service when questions or claims have arisen. Since 2011, COA has received more than $4.9 million in royalties from the various Mercer-brokered COA-sponsored insurance programs. As of this writing, COA has earned $234,453 in additional royalties for 2016 which are used to fund member services. Below is a summary of the insurance program performance through the third quarter of 2016 (latest figures available).

Workers’ Compensation Program – Zenith Insurance Company

The number of policyholders for this exceptional insurance program decreased by 24 in 2016 to 927, representing $1.678 million in premium, a slight decrease of 4.7 percent from 2015. Notes: 1) For the third consecutive year, the plan will pay dividends to COA member policyholders. The plan will distribute more than $133,613 in dividends to 687 COA member policyholders only. 2) For the 2017 policy year, COA members only will continue the receive an exclusive 15 percent premium discount.

Business Owners Packages – Hartford and Travelers Insurance Companies

At 606 policyholders, this program gained four new policyholders in 2016, a meaningful turnaround from the 10.7 percent loss in 2015. Premiums for 2016 were down 1 percent to $1,042,265. COA has taken initial steps to move to a one-carrier program with Berkshire Hathaway Guard in either 2017 or 2018 (see below).

Professional Liability Insurance Program – Liberty Insurance Underwriters

This important and necessary coverage program grew by three policyholders in 2016 to 1,857 policyholders, producing a small premium increase over 2015 to $1.188 million. COA’s program

represents one of the largest market penetrations of Mercer’s association-backed liability programs.

Health Insurance - Anthem, Blue Shield, Kaiser, Health Net, UHP, Aetna

This program has remained essentially the same as 2015, with 21 groups and 66 individual policyholders representing $1.27 million in premium. Participation in this program has sharply declined since the onset of ACA as individuals and small employers can obtain coverage through Covered California and receive tax benefits not available outside the exchange.

Long Term Disability – New York Life

This program essentially maintained 2015 policyholder and premium levels with 98 policyholders and $120,707 in premium.

2017 Opportunities and Challenges

Professional Liability Insurance Program: Currently there is not a part-time employment rate available. Mercer is working to have the carrier to revise the underwriting criteria.

Business Owners Packages (BOP): The carrier COA is exploring to offer this coverage, Berkshire Hathaway Guard, also has a professional liability policy that can be written with the

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BOP or offered separately. Mercer believes there is a potential cross-market opportunity for both once Berkshire is made a carrier for the COA program.

Dental: This program has remained relatively stable over the last four years, with 91 current policyholders generating $76,245 in 2016 premium. Mercer will focus in 2017 on determining what improvements can be made to increase participation.

Employment Practices Liability: California is widely known as a very litigious state relative to employment practices. The carrier for this coverage has pulled out of the California market. Mercer is looking for another insurance company with which to work in offering COA members a competitive policy.

Cyber Liability: Whether it is the national Democratic Party or the small business with customer credit card accounts on its laptop, the exposure to identity theft is on the rise and no one is immune. COA expects to be able to offer members cyber liability coverage beginning in 2017 to cover this horrific exposure.

Marketing: In 2017, Mercer will undertake several initiatives to bolster its marketing of COA-sponsored insurance programs. These include employing digital marketing; cross-selling policies, for example the successful workers’ compensation coverage with medical; and

revamping marketing pieces. Additional Programs/Services Available Merchant Card Processing and Payroll Services – Heartland Payment Systems. COA brings this program to members that offers proven savings for the processing of patient credit cards. Backed by more than 250 state and national professional and trade associations, in 2016 the merchant card processing program had 43 practices participating and four enrolled in the payroll program collectively generating more than $5,000 in royalties to COA. IC Systems Debt Collection Service – Bad debt collected is new revenue to the practice. This service saves member staff time and money to collect monies owed to the optometric practice. Discontinued Programs For the reasons stated below, the following programs have been discontinued. Required California and Federal Employment Law Posters – COA made available at a discount the 17 posters required to be placed in every California business location, including the practices of doctors of optometry. Due to low volume of interest, the program was discontinued beginning in 2017. Discount Student Loan Refinancing – It was with great disappointment that this valuable program providing discount student loan refinancing was discontinued in 2016 due to administrative difficulties with the vendor offering the program.

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2016

ENTITY REPORTS

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2017 COA House of Delegates Meeting February 10-11, 2017

Report of the California Vision Foundation

Board of Directors

Page Yarwood, OD, MS, FAAO John Larcabal, OD Rebecca Kammer, OD Candi Kimura, OD Jennifer Ong, OD David Turetsky, OD Maureen Powers, PhD Barry Weissman, OD, PhD, FAAO, COA Board Liaison

The California Vision Foundation (CVF) is the charitable arm of the California Optometric Association (COA). Its mission, to prevent vison loss and enhance eye health through public education and the provision of services to medically underserved Californians, has garnered tremendous results during its more than 20 years of existence through administration of the California Vision Project (CVP). At the end of 2016, nearly 49,000 patients will have been assigned to CVP volunteer ODs through CVF. That is an impressive impact that reflects well on the optometric profession and changes lives dramatically for the better for those using our services.

2016 was a different year that the past for CVP. Though the number of requests for care did not significantly diminish, the number of those eligible shrunk. With the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the more recent expansion of Medi-Cal eligibility, the number of persons with no insurance seen under CVP dropped to 702, with roughly 30 who were qualified but unable to be examined due to a lack of available doctors of optometry. Of those examined by CVP doctors, 580, or nearly 83 percent, needed corrective lenses. At time of this report’s writing, and not to be political in tone, it is unknown what the new Trump administration will proposed relative to the ACA, what will be enacted and the resulting impact on CVP and its service to the uninsured.

Despite the above, this school year CVF has partnered with Kids Vision for Life in Orange County in providing optometrists to assist in providing vision screenings, eye exams and free glasses to thousands of children in the Santa Ana and Garden Grove School Districts.

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CVF is pleased to acknowledge the valued partnership with Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) established in 2015 to provide CVP patients lenses at no charge. CVF is incredibly grateful for the generosity of EVF.

In 2016, a new CVF Board of Directors was approved by the COA Board of Trustees. This board, listed below, includes experienced, returning doctors as well as doctors new to this charitable foundation governing body. CVF is appreciative of them all:

Directors Term Ending

Page Yarwood, OD, MS, FAAO (reappointed) 2018 John Larcabal, OD (reappointed) 2018 Rebecca Kammer, OD (reappointed) 2017 Candi Kimura, OD (reappointed) 2017 Jennifer Ong, OD (appointed) 2017 Maureen Powers, PhD (appointed) 2018 David Turetsky, OD* (appointed) 2018 *Member of California State Board of Optometry Despite the uncertainty of 2017, CVF needs you, as leaders of your societies, to participate with us in propelling our mission forward. You can do this in three ways:

First, by developing avenues of communication between community organizations in your area and CVF. This effort will help to close the communication gaps between our state-based administration and the local delivery of services in your society area. Partnerships with community agencies will also foster public awareness of our profession.

Second, we need you to make your members aware of the need for additional volunteer doctors to handle the patients, particularly in the impacted areas of Los Angeles, Orange County and the Central Valley. A form for you to complete to volunteer follows.

Finally, and most importantly, CVF NEEDS YOUR HELP IN RAISING FUNDS. We are once again asking each society to make a yearly donation to CVF. We are also asking you, as leaders of this association, to consider making a monthly individual, tax deductible donation of $10, $15, $20 or $25 per month. A contribution form follows. Your support will go a long way toward the ability of the official charity of COA to care for those less fortunate.

In closing, CVF gratefully acknowledges the value of the chair time each volunteer doctor contributes in the care of our CVP patients. In-kind contributions of literally hundreds of hours of chair time each year allow CVF to fulfill its mission through CVP. For that, we thank the dedication of our member doctors and their staff. CVF expresses its gratitude to all of its generous contributors; VSP, Marchon, Essilor Vision Foundation, Modern Optical and COA.

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Doctor Participation Form Please complete and return this form to the COA office at your earliest possible convenience.

Your help is needed to provide eye care services for California families who have no insurance that covers eye examinations and cannot afford eye care. If you would be willing to donate your services for as many patient examinations as you are able to provide per calendar year, please complete and return this form at your earliest possible convenience. YES, I WILL PARTICIPATE in the California Vision Project program by donating as many patient examinations as are possible for me. Please print legibly or type: Doctor’s Name: License # Office Street Address (where you will give the exams): City, State and Zip Code: Office Phone: Office Fax: E-mail:______________________________ # of patients you are willing to examine at this site:___________________________________ □ Check here if this office can accommodate Spanish speaking patients ADDITIONAL OFFICE LOCATION WHERE YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO EXAMINE PATIENTS: Office Street Address (where you will give the exams): City, State and Zip Code: Office Phone: Office Fax: # of patients you are willing to examine at this site:____________________ □ Check here if this office can accommodate Spanish speaking patients

PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED FORM TO:

California Vision Project 2415 K Street Sacramento, CA 95816

Fax: (916) 448-1423 e-mail: tduncan@coavision.org

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California Vision Foundation A 501 (c)(3) Tax-Exempt Charitable Organization

Federal Tax ID Number 68-0198414

“Dedicated to preventing vision loss and enhancing eye health through public education and the provision of services to medically underserved Californians.”

Donation Form

Donor Name: License #:

Mailing Address:

Postal Code:

Phone Number: Fax Number:

E-mail Address:

1. What is the amount of your gift? $50 $100 $250 $500 Other (please specify):

(Please make your check payable to the California Vision Foundation and attach to this form.)

Check #

Credit Card:

Visa Master Card American Express

Name as it appears on card: Card Number: Expiration

I would like to donate to the California Vision Foundation (CVF) through my monthly California Optometric Association dues. Please bill me a monthly amount of:

$10 $20 other $_____ $15 $25

2. Do you require a charitable donation receipt?

Yes No

3. Do you wish to remain anonymous?

Yes No

Donor Signature Date

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO: California Vision Foundation

2415 K Street Sacramento, CA 95816

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COA Political Action Committee House of Delegates Report

February 10-11, 2017

Cal-OPAC Board of Directors

Gregory Hom, OD, Chair Daniel Kimura, OD, Secretary-Treasurer Richard Baker, OD Movses D’Janbatian, OD Paul Dobies, OD, FAAO Rod Lum, OD Steve Langsford, OD Jason Tu, OD, FAAO, Board Liaison Accomplishments in 2016 1. Cal-OPAC arranged several local fundraisers for key lawmakers Doctors of optometry generously opened their offices in June to host fundraisers for key lawmakers. The profession was strongly represented with numerous doctors of optometry in attendance at the events. Many opened up their checkbooks and contributed to the candidates’ campaigns, as well.

Assembly Member Rudy Salas - COA's Tulare-Kings Counties Optometric Society organized an event benefiting Assembly Member Rudy Salas at Dr. Jeffrey Garcia's office in Lemoore. Salas is the new chair of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee.

Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez - COA's San Diego Optometric Society hosted an event for Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez that was held at Dr. Henry Kikunaga's office. Gonzalez is the new chair of Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Jointly, these events raised over $30,000 total. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed!

2. Cal-OPAC supported several high profile, pro-optometry candidates Senator Ed Hernandez - It is part of COA’s strategic plan to protect and promote optometry by electing doctors of optometry to positions of power. COA is dedicated to supporting doctors of optometry who are willing to commit the time and raise the money necessary to become a candidate for local and state elective office. No one has been more successful than Senator Ed Hernandez, who currently is chair of the California Senate Health Committee. His term is up in 2018 and Senator Hernandez is ready to

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move up to higher office. Lt. Governor is a strategic position that Hernandez can ultimately use as a platform to run for governor of California.

Senator Hernandez needs your early financial support to clear the field. Please consider making a campaign donation to Senator Ed Hernandez for Lt. Governor. Assembly Member Evan Low - COA also supported Assembly Member Evan Low, (son of Dr. Art Low, LSCOA-PAC Board member and COA Key Person Coordinator). Cal-OPAC will continue to strongly support Assembly Member Low and we urge you to support him as well. It is important for legislators to build and maintain a strong “war chest” to demonstrate to leadership their political strength. 3. Cal-OPAC held a Sacramento brewery tour fundraiser In November, Cal-OPAC hosted a fundraising brewery tour. The tour included stops at Yolo Brewing Company, Rubicon Brewing Company and Track 7 Brewing Company. The tour guides provided participants with a wonderful history of beer, how it came into existence, and why there are now so many varieties. Thanks to those who came out to support Cal-OPAC and to those who weren't able to attend but made contributions. 4. Cal-OPAC continued to encourage COA members to contribute on a monthly basis Cal-OPAC’s mission is to support the re-election of lawmakers who are not afraid to take on powerful special interest groups with an anti-optometry agenda. These include organized medicine and ophthalmology; health care and managed care insurers; and third-party optical companies - all of whom want to take us out of the eye care equation. To remain competitive and to win, Cal-OPAC needs the support of every doctor of optometry in California who cares about his or her professional future. Attached is a table that portrays monthly Cal-OPAC receipts by society and total contributions, for your information. If you have any questions regarding Cal-OPAC’s activities, or to find out how you can get involved, please feel free to contact a Cal-OPAC Board member or COA staff. Plans for 2017

In 2017, Cal-OPAC is planning to hold several more local fundraisers for key lawmakers. These are important events that help elect lawmakers that value the current and potential role of doctors of optometry in California. If you are willing to hold a fundraising event in your office or home, please contact Julie Andrade at jandrade@coavision.org.

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Cal-OPAC 2017 CONTRIBUTIONS

Society Name G

av

e

Did Not Give

Total Annual Amount

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

$90.01 $36.67 $16.67 $16.67 $20.00

ACCCOS 161 73 $20,862.21 $4,390.85 $1,852.79 $2,056.49 $1,550.31 $1,236.02 $1,547.06 $1,576.96 $1,176.65 $1,166.36 $1,540.51 $1,130.95 $1,637.26

CCOS 35 13 $6,422.06 $1,785.63 $804.06 $526.75 $376.77 $327.04 $326.76 $394.28 $367.16 $291.71 $403.97 $326.76 $491.17

COS 13 7 $2,290.00 $836.69 $100.02 $283.35 $150.02 $100.02 $100.02 $150.02 $100.02 $100.02 $150.02 $100.02 $119.78

GEOS 24 10 $3,309.91 $810.38 $200.91 $267.16 $383.37 $218.44 $235.12 $183.37 $274.63 $166.70 $194.72 $166.70 $208.41

HDNOS 8 4 $1,420.56 $516.68 $66.68 $66.68 $116.68 $75.59 $66.68 $116.68 $66.68 $78.33 $116.68 $66.68 $66.52

ICOS 4 – $500.00 $200.00 $18.10 $18.10 $9.05 $9.05 $45.70 $200.00

IEOS 81 48 $9,656.70 $3,304.22 $507.54 $725.85 $565.04 $606.69 $491.69 $505.91 $491.67 $472.56 $566.70 $481.71 $937.12

KCOS 22 3 $4,313.35 $2,165.84 $399.18 $183.33 $181.68 $182.50 $182.50 $182.50 $182.50 $165.83 $199.13 $149.16 $139.20

LACOS 80 33 $10,479.00 $4,064.75 $562.20 $625.06 $742.58 $390.90 $375.90 $606.72 $608.46 $458.40 $663.90 $416.66 $963.47

MBOS 40 11 $6,148.36 $2,099.20 $333.37 $616.73 $262.55 $255.88 $405.88 $255.88 $239.21 $272.54 $405.88 $263.26 $737.98

MDOS 22 5 $3,194.25 $520.15 $228.64 $264.58 $361.05 $212.09 $229.50 $276.83 $159.24 $247.14 $261.93 $254.05 $179.05

OCOS 183 48 $18,866.01 $3,758.04 $2,494.67 $1,438.06 $1,465.78 $1,050.81 $1,020.92 $1,515.33 $959.32 $1,074.46 $1,284.32 $1,011.79 $1,792.51

REOS 43 16 $6,833.35 $2,561.01 $554.33 $399.61 $378.14 $392.66 $356.52 $351.45 $313.13 $369.30 $321.71 $344.32 $491.17

RHOS 43 21 $6,805.89 $1,339.70 $853.35 $572.82 $415.72 $450.63 $383.82 $349.06 $432.46 $435.55 $415.71 $349.05 $808.02

SBOS 51 22 $8,734.71 $2,155.04 $557.76 $702.60 $847.31 $560.08 $525.90 $655.26 $544.26 $509.24 $627.22 $542.54 $507.50

SCCOS 165 51 $21,270.95 $5,592.23 $1,581.89 $1,526.77 $1,482.89 $1,306.83 $1,149.98 $1,528.68 $1,286.10 $1,122.99 $1,428.31 $1,104.68 $2,159.60

SDCOS 149 51 $20,203.02 $6,191.43 $1,459.03 $1,430.38 $1,306.52 $1,087.77 $1,316.34 $1,227.14 $1,261.70 $1,123.91 $1,296.41 $1,049.42 $1,452.97

SFOS 55 22 $7,886.47 $2,494.02 $553.55 $710.85 $431.71 $458.20 $439.12 $414.10 $416.38 $364.12 $452.08 $300.25 $852.09

SFVOS 67 22 $9,268.57 $1,892.15 $360.10 $586.52 $715.75 $916.93 $529.70 $718.91 $629.15 $637.81 $705.50 $569.67 $1,006.38

SGOS 74 18 $9,364.98 $4,438.40 $798.37 $513.69 $371.70 $236.36 $271.70 $355.04 $255.04 $238.37 $323.34 $221.70 $1,341.27

SJOS 70 25 $12,328.86 $2,511.19 $1,080.13 $1,298.96 $796.91 $575.74 $648.87 $818.98 $630.76 $579.07 $858.19 $558.88 $1,971.18

SMOS 54 14 $7,366.65 $1,958.61 $611.30 $848.39 $421.48 $412.73 $445.76 $446.26 $532.64 $377.33 $402.33 $395.49 $514.33

SVOS 114 45 $18,413.25 $4,959.51 $1,233.47 $1,297.05 $1,535.31 $1,103.02 $987.73 $1,151.66 $901.35 $1,045.89 $1,170.33 $944.47 $2,083.46

TCOS 63 19 $11,494.70 $3,382.57 $536.33 $989.89 $939.40 $512.22 $702.87 $796.95 $525.04 $464.13 $797.97 $465.88 $1,381.45

TKOS 22 9 $3,401.84 $1,053.64 $180.61 $188.73 $277.63 $208.64 $241.07 $205.01 $204.55 $246.06 $202.69 $190.57 $202.64 Grand Total

1639 572 $230,925.66 $65,018.60 $17,945.05 $18,136.97 $16,094.40 $12,886.84 $12,990.46 $14,828.68 $12,558.10 $12,007.82 $14,789.55 $11,404.66 $22,264.53

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Local Societies of the California Optometric Association Political Action Committee (LSCOA-PAC)

House of Delegates Report February 10-11, 2017

LSCOA-PAC Board of Directors Bruce Mebine, OD, Chair Arthur Low, OD, Vice Chair Dave Ardaya, OD, Secretary -Treasurer Amy Jo Calder, OD Trevor Fogg, OD Corey Hodes, OD Christopher Kavanagh, OD Paul Lin, OD Philip Smith, OD Richard Hom, OD, MPA, FAAO, Board Liaison Summary of accomplishments COA and its local societies interviewed over one hundred candidates in 2016. LSCOA’s purpose is to identify and help elect candidates who support optometry issues. Candidates running for office will often approach COA lobbyists or staff about their candidacy. When COA staff or lobbyists meet with candidates in Sacramento, they use the opportunity to educate the candidate about COA issues and encourage the candidate to reach out to their local Key Doctor to build a relationship. Sometimes, doctors of optometry or optometric societies will be contacted independently by candidates, seeking financial support. COA encourages societies to meet with viable candidates and provide feedback to COA’s staff and lobbyists. If a doctor or society believes that LSCOA-PAC should support a candidate, they can make a request to COA staff, who will forward the request to the LSCOA-PAC Board. The main goal is to develop early, strong local relationships between candidates and COA societies. To continue to do this vital work, we need your faithful contributions to LSCOA-PAC and encourage you to urge your colleagues to contribute as well. Plans for 2017 LSCOA-PAC’s staff and lobbyists will interview candidates running in 2018 to educate them about optometry issues and develop candidate contribution recommendations based on local society recommendations.

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LSCOA-PAC 2017 CONTRIBUTIONS

Society Name G

av

e Did

Not Give

Total Annual Amount

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

ACCCOSP 194 40 $4,733.12 $1,133.97 $455.33 $483.86 $340.08 $277.47 $255.88 $323.66 $262.10 $242.93 $334.78 $241.28 $381.78

CCOSP 37 11 $2,106.62 $600.69 $246.21 $163.02 $118.00 $103.10 $103.01 $123.27 $115.13 $92.50 $126.18 $103.01 $212.50

COSP 14 6 $161.40 $52.20 $8.00 $19.00 $11.00 $8.00 $8.00 $11.00 $8.00 $8.00 $11.00 $8.00 $9.20

GEOSP 28 6 $529.00 $137.22 $30.30 $36.06 $56.57 $32.40 $34.40 $26.00 $39.14 $26.19 $29.55 $26.19 $54.98

HDNOSP 9 3 $825.87 $271.42 $40.00 $40.00 $79.42 $44.28 $40.00 $79.42 $40.00 $45.59 $65.74 $40.00 $40.00

ICOSP 4 – $36.00 $14.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $13.00

IEOSP 89 40 $1,983.52 $648.57 $103.92 $218.76 $123.59 $120.30 $117.60 $85.94 $104.62 $91.68 $105.47 $97.73 $165.34

KCOSP 22 3 $1,354.03 $649.75 $129.75 $65.00 $59.50 $54.75 $59.75 $59.75 $59.75 $54.75 $64.75 $49.75 $46.78

LACOSP 90 23 $1,538.24 $554.35 $83.58 $94.32 $102.10 $59.90 $59.68 $94.23 $86.00 $66.32 $92.66 $67.10 $178.00

MBOSP 44 7 $1,911.50 $664.25 $107.50 $185.01 $100.39 $81.75 $126.75 $81.75 $87.85 $97.85 $126.75 $90.15 $161.50

MDOSP 23 4 $407.30 $64.41 $29.44 $33.75 $45.33 $27.45 $29.54 $35.22 $21.11 $31.66 $33.43 $32.48 $23.48

OCOSP 199 32 $2,772.29 $569.12 $350.45 $185.14 $215.41 $140.33 $133.20 $221.74 $129.31 $155.06 $196.96 $157.42 $318.15

REOSP 45 14 $1,355.69 $532.68 $100.59 $73.99 $70.12 $72.74 $66.23 $65.32 $58.44 $68.54 $59.97 $62.27 $124.80

RHOSP 48 16 $3,053.06 $740.44 $270.18 $272.44 $197.30 $192.04 $163.98 $170.38 $184.42 $185.71 $198.38 $142.38 $335.41

SBOSP 59 14 $1,447.85 $335.37 $92.31 $113.59 $127.07 $119.38 $87.84 $106.60 $88.09 $83.01 $107.37 $92.61 $94.61

SCCOSP 177 39 $7,245.88 $2,026.59 $510.46 $508.14 $468.99 $426.16 $379.12 $474.18 $419.96 $395.04 $514.87 $370.51 $751.86

SDCOSP 163 37 $5,433.90 $1,550.69 $453.99 $385.00 $363.44 $299.53 $356.74 $337.19 $341.29 $299.73 $351.92 $298.71 $395.67

SFOSP 55 22 $3,335.69 $1,077.78 $239.47 $268.68 $188.33 $199.43 $191.42 $180.92 $164.10 $159.92 $181.26 $133.04 $351.34

SFVOSP 70 19 $2,506.65 $541.87 $108.82 $165.43 $197.74 $231.37 $151.22 $198.55 $176.10 $161.60 $195.18 $161.22 $217.55

SGOSP 78 14 $1,217.58 $552.98 $101.80 $67.64 $48.60 $32.36 $36.60 $46.60 $34.60 $32.60 $42.80 $34.60 $186.40

SJOSP 63 32 $3,391.50 $717.40 $299.54 $368.68 $218.51 $152.15 $163.58 $219.86 $163.40 $142.89 $226.65 $151.95 $566.89

SMOSP 59 9 $480.39 $146.91 $36.68 $50.90 $28.29 $24.77 $26.75 $29.78 $31.94 $22.64 $27.14 $23.73 $30.86

SVOSP 128 31 $2,482.01 $744.14 $155.73 $188.19 $194.59 $142.73 $127.09 $146.76 $120.32 $134.05 $148.21 $118.74 $261.46

TCOSP 67 15 $1,500.70 $422.58 $78.07 $134.58 $121.11 $71.59 $104.34 $103.76 $67.00 $61.81 $103.99 $62.03 $169.84

TKOSP 27 4 $1,104.43 $360.87 $55.34 $57.31 $78.63 $62.08 $69.86 $61.20 $61.10 $71.05 $60.65 $57.74 $108.60 Grand Total

1794 441 $52,914.22 $15,110.25 $4,087.46 $4,179.49 $3,555.11 $2,977.06 $2,893.58 $3,284.08 $2,864.77 $2,732.12 $3,406.66 $2,623.64 $5,200.00

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Report of the COA Low Vision Rehabilitation Section 2016

It is often said that there is “strength in numbers”. Our Section is so much an

example of this in abundance. The number of low vision practitioners in the

Section grew more than 80% during the year to 85 OD Members, the largest such

state group in the country.

Our numbers swelled most notably among new graduates, and at least some of that

has to be due to the presentations that the Council has done at UC Berkeley and

Western U. We completed that cycle this spring at SCCO/MBKU through their

Private Practice Club with more than 40 in attendance. This made for an

impressive attendance total of almost 250 counting those at the other colleges of

optometry the previous years. We plan on again speaking at the colleges this year.

We had 2 luncheon meetings in Southern California in 2016 with a total of 6

diverse companies presenting and sponsoring.

At the largest national low vision meeting, the Envision Conference, the number of

our Members lecturing there doubled this year. Next year the conference comes

closer yet to California, being in Glendale, AZ in late July. The proximity to 3

colleges of optometry has raised the excitement level of the conference organizers

in potential attendees, and their knowing about our Section’s unparalleled growth.

Two of our members are on the Council of the AOA Vision Rehabilitation Section

and are actively promoting student interests, knowing our source of growth.

By the time of the Eighth Annual Meeting, there will two of our Members who

have had an article or CE in California Optometry.

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Proposed Activities of Low Vision Rehabilitation Section for 2017

“Low Vision Devices and Technology Updated” Low Vision CE @ Home article approved to be published

in COA’s California Optometry. Rachelle Lin, O.D., M.S., FAAO. Publication date TBD.

Participation and Attendance of Members at the California State Northridge Disability Conference in San

Diego at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Feb. 27-March 4th

April/May Luncheon Meeting in So. CA

TBD presentation of LVRS to WUHSCO students in early Spring

TBD presentation of LVRS to SCCO/MBKU students in late Spring

Participation by Members at AOA Optometry’s Meeting in Washington, DC. June 21-25th.

Participation and Lectures by Members at 12th Annual Envision Conference, Glendale, AZ July 26-29th

Participation by Members at America Academy of Optometry, Chicago, IL Oct. 11-14th

Fall Luncheon Meeting

TBD presentation of LVRS to UCBSO students in the Fall

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COA Public Vision League

House of Delegates Report

February 10-11, 2017

PVL Board Members

Fred Dubick, OD, MBA, FAAO, President Hilary Hawthorne, OD, Vice-President John Rosten, OD, Secretary-Treasurer Scott Daly, OD Movses D'Janbatian. OD Sage Hider, OD Stevin Minie, OD Summary of accomplishments

In 2016, PVL has been focused on two main issues: disruptive technologies and corporate practice of optometry. 1. Disruptive technologies

PVL is extremely concerned about opticians offering to fill lens prescriptions based on auto refraction technology. On the advice of legal counsel, PVL has taken the following steps to prevent companies from issuing prescriptions based primarily on auto refraction:

Filed complaints against Opternative, Simple Contacts, Jins Optical, 2020 Now, Smart Vision Labs and Devlyn Optical with the appropriate state agency.

AOA has filed complaints with the Fair Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration

Collected examples of harm Testified at SBO hearings to encourage the SBO to take action against online

refraction Met privately with regulators about our concerns Encouraged other organizations to oppose prescriptions based on auto refraction Reached out to reporters to bring attention to the issue Developed a video and published other messages aimed at the public about

online exams via social media

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You can help succeed in this legal battle. If you have a patient between 18 and 40 who came to you asymptomatic, but had a life- or sight-threatening condition that you were able to detect during your exam, please report the case to COA. We need your help to collect these patient examples to aid COA in demonstrating the risks to consumers, the media and elected officials. 2. Corporate practice of optometry

COA has learned that at least one retail optical store is continuing to break the law and interfering with the practice of optometry in a leased setting. Allegedly, the retail store is forcing doctors to give all prescriptions to the optical store in order to increase eyeglasses sales. PVL has been advising the doctor(s) involved. PVL was forced to refile its complaint against Stanton Optical for illegally operating without a license. We had filed a complaint two years ago for violation of B&P 655 and 2556. These laws prohibited the corporate practice of optometry. The state board had begun an investigation but after AB 684 passed and these laws were amended, the board decided it could no longer investigate complaints based on the old law. COA was forced to revise its complaint against Stanton Optical and focus on the fact that it does not have a license to operate as an optician in California.

Plans for 2017

PVL will seek to press regulators including the State Board of Optometry and the Medical Board to enforce the law and prevent online refraction from being available in California. PVL will also advocate that regulators enforce the law against telehealth services that allow office technicians perform subjective refraction illegally. PVL will provide legal advice and assistance to COA members who feel their leaseholder is violating the law that prevents interference in the practice of optometry.

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2016

CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS OF OPTOMETRY

REPORTS

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Office of the Dean

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California Optometric Association

House of Delegates Report

February 2017

Stanley Woo, OD, MS, MBA, FAAO Dean and Professor Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University

Another exciting year at SCCO and Marshall B. Ketchum University has seen significant expansion

in buildings, facilities, and people to support our mission to expand interprofessional education

and collaborative practice opportunities for optometry.

Ketchum Health, an 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art health facility, opened for business in the

summer of 2016. Encompassing the full spectrum of the University Eye Center services along with

future space for a medical clinic and dispensing pharmacy, the facility has wowed students, faculty,

patients, and visitors alike. Work is now beginning to transform the old University Eye Center into

the Health Professions Building, which will house multi-media classrooms; simulation technology

rooms; laboratories; and faculty offices.

Other notable highlights include the welcoming of the inaugural class of 2020 to the College of

Pharmacy as well as the first commencement for the School of Physician Assistant Studies. Classes

with all 3 professional programs are evolving to create an interprofessional educational experience

that brings greater understanding, mutual respect, and teamwork to healthcare education. Joining

the Class of 2016 at Commencement this year was the Class of ’66 from the Los Angeles College of

Optometry.

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SCCO’s commitment to excellence in teaching is best exemplified by our dedicated faculty in the

classrooms, laboratories, and clinics. Some faculty award winners were celebrated at the State

of the College address in Fall 2016. Teachers of the Year reflect student appreciation for the faculty

that have made the biggest impact on their academic careers to date.

Other award winners were recognized by a committee of faculty peers for exemplary commitment

to teaching and research. New, mid-career and established faculty are all recognized, and reflect

the diversity and ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching.

Teachers of the Year

Dr. Corina van de Pol – Class of 2019

Dr. Martin Torres – Class of 2018

Dr. Mark Sawamura – Class of 2017

Dr. Dr. Raman Bhakhri – Staff Doctor of the Year, Class of 2017

Faculty Awards

Dr. Dawn Lam – Dr. Walter Chase Faculty Teaching Excellence Endowment

Dr. Susan Cotter – Dr. Richard Hemenger Faculty Research Endowment

Dr. Michael W. Rouse POVT Endowment Awards

Dr. Desireh Akhamzadeh

Dr. Heather Mironas

Donald W. Reynolds Grant in the amount of $750,000 was awarded to SCCO. The largest

single grant award will support a number of initiatives in the didactic and clinical education

program as well as the clinical enterprise. Led by Dean Woo and Ms. Erika Bernal, and supported

by Drs. Nakano and Chu, we were able to mobilize quickly and present a compelling case for our

mission. Student awards make up $150,000 of the request including 5 new $10K recruitment

scholarships. Special thanks and appreciation to Dr. Jonathan Smith, Class of ’90 who serves on

the foundation board.

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Dr. Troy Allred assumed his new role as the Chief of the Pediatric Vision Service and

Studt Center for Vision Therapy in August 2016. Dr. Kristine Huang who was serving as chief

will focus her efforts now to develop our brain injury and rehabilitation therapy services and will

continue to coordinate the Children’s Vision Program.

We completed successful searches for open faculty positions and staff that enhanced our

capabilities to meet specific needs and enhance our teaching capabilities.

Dr. Elaine Chen to Cornea and Contact Lens Department,

Dr. Benedicte Gonzalez to primary care and ocular disease departments and Serve the

People,

Dr. Tina Zheng to primary care and ocular disease departments.

Ms. Crisanta Serrano, staff for Academic Affairs and Support Services.

Ms. Sofi Raigoza, executive assistant for the Office of the Dean

Retirements

After long and illustrious careers at SCCO a number of key figures were granted Emeritus status at

Marshall B. Ketchum University, and honored at the May 2016 Commencement Ceremony.

Morris S. Berman, OD, MS; Provost Emeritus with Pres. Alexander

Dr. Morris Berman has served Marshall B. Ketchum University for more than 30 years, joining the administrative team in 1985 as the dean of academic affairs, then as vice president and dean of academic affairs, followed by serving as senior vice president, before becoming the university’s first provost in June 2014. In his role as Provost, Dr. Berman has been responsible for the academic quality of all programs, and his leadership has been instrumental in making the transition to a university. Postponing full retirement just a bit longer, Dr. Berman has assumed duties as Dean of the School of Optometry at the MCPHS.

This year, ASCO honored Dr. Morris Berman with their Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership, outstanding contributions and exemplary commitment and dedication to ASCO and optometric education.

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Lorraine S. Voorhees, OD, MS; Vice President Emeritus

Lorraine I. Voorhees, OD, MS, was the only woman in the graduating class of 1971from the Los Angeles College of Optometry. Dr. Voorhees served as a member of the faculty for eight years before accepting a full time administrative appointment in 1980. Her leadership, accomplishments, and contributions as VP of Student Affairs have been recognized far and wide. In 2015, Dr. Voorhees was recognized among the Most Influential Women in Optical by Vision Monday.

Kenneth E. Brookman, OD, PhD, MPH; Professor Emeritus

Dr. Kenneth E. Brookman has been a full-time faculty member at SCCO for 38 years. Dr. Brookman’s class was the first to graduate on the Fullerton campus. He has taught courses in clinical methods, low vision rehabilitation and professional ethics for many years. In addition, he served in a number of administrative positions including the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Special Assistant to the Provost. Dr. Brookman is a retired optometry officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, and retired in 2002 at the rank of Colonel following 26 years of military service.

Ketchum Health

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L. Entrance to Ketchum Health, and R. conference room for team meetings and case conferencing

L. Multi-purpose room with flexible configurations, and R. spacious patient waiting area.

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L. Atrium located in the center of Ketchum Health, and R. University Eye Center Optical Services.

More information on Ketchum University can be found in Ketchum Magazine: http://magazine.ketchum.edu/ Student Engagement and COA/AOA SCCO students continue to be actively engaged in supporting our collective profession. Whether it’s Legislative Day at the Capitol or in DC, the future holds great promise given the passion of our future leaders.

Optometry students on a special visit to the Senate floor with State Senator Ed Hernandez during the COA Capitol Day. In case you were worried that students are all work and no play, rest assured that like us back in the day they do find downtime to enjoy.

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L. SCCO students take in a ball game at historic Fenway Park in Boston, and R. Stephen Ridder represents SCCO at Optometry Student Bowl.

National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Results for Class of 2016 Table 1. SCCO and national pass rates in percent

Passage of the NBEO is required for licensure in every state. The examination consists of three parts: Part I applied basic science (ABS), Part II patient assessment and management (PAM), and Part III clinical skills examination (CSE). SCCO students continue to excel in Parts II and III in both initial and ultimate pass rate as demonstrated by results from the most recent graduating class. Part I results have seen a steady improvement year over year with increased student support, peer mentoring, and academic support.

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Research Faculty research reached remained active and represents a combination of contract

research, NIH/NEI-funded studies, and graduate program investigations. A brief

overview of recently completed and a sample of current activities.

Recently completed studies:

1. PEDIG ATS 18: Study of Binocular Computer Activities for Treatment of Amblyopia: The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of binocular game play on an iPad with patching in children with unilateral amblyopia. Susan Cotter, PI and co-investigators Chen, Chu, Retnasothie, Huang, Han, Heyman, and Patel. Completed. Results presented at AAO and soon to be published.

2. Intermittent Exotropia Study 3, Angela Chen, PI. Completed and publication listed below. Co-investigators Chen, Chu, Retnasothie, Huang, Han, Heyman, and Patel.

Active Studies: 1. CLAY Score: Dawn Lam, PI; multi-center study of education to promote safe CL

wear in youth; SCCO as coordinating center; start-up. 2. Complications Observed in Routine Soft Lens Replacement, B Weissman, J

Kwan, Co-PIs. Just starting. 3. Tear Exchange with Scleral Lenses, Barry Weissman, Tim Edrington, Co-PIs 4. Toxicity of Topical Betadine, William Ridder, PI 5. Dry Eye Correlation to Meibomian Composition, UCI, SCCO, Jerry Paugh, PI 6. Efficacy of Diagnostic Tests in MGD, (Master’s Project), Jerry Paugh, Advisor 7. The Effect of Swimming Goggle Use on Meibomian Glands, (Masters’ Project;

Melinda Thomas), Jerry Paugh, Advisor (ongoing) 8. Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial - Attention and Reading Study: The

purpose of this NEI-funded multicenter randomized clinical trial is to determine if office-based vision therapy for convergence insufficiency (CI) improves reading ability and attention in children with symptomatic CI. CITT-ART: Susan Cotter, PI and co-investigators Angela Chen, Eric Borsting, Ray Chu, Kristine Huang, and Dashaini Retnasothie

9. Childhood Esotropia Partial Plus Study 1 (ChEAPP-1): Drs. Chen, Huang, and Patel continue recruitment for a study on the effectiveness of partial hyperopic (farsightedness) correction with full hyperopic correction in reducing the size of esotropia, Angela Chen, PI (ongoing)

10. Effects of D-Serine in Adult Amblyopia Treatment, Adult Amblyopia Treatment, William Ridder, PI; Dr. Reena Patel co-investigator; ongoing)

11. Accommodative Performance in Children, Susan Cotter, Angela Chen, Co-PIs (ongoing)

12. Anisometropia and Accommodation: Patterns of Accommodation with Conflicting Stimuli (Masters’ Project), Lawrence Stark, Advisor (thesis defended)

13. Treatment Response in Accommodative Insufficiency (TRAin) Study: Reena Patel, PI. Study looking at the ability of a modified CISS survey to differentiate patients with symptomatic accommodative dysfunction from those with normal binocular vision.

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14. ROAA: Drs. Chen and Huang continue recruitment for a study investigating the repeatability of accommodation in children with amblyopia.

15. Contrast Sensitivity in ARMD, William Ridder, PI 16. The Association of Retinal Neural and Vascular Function in Diabetes, Jason Ng,

PI (ongoing)

17. Investigation of Multi-notch Filtering for the Management of Inherited Color Vision Deficiencies (Master’s project; Hannah Mikes, Jason Ng, Advisor)

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Annual Update

January 9, 2017

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Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry Annual Update to the COA Submitted January 9, 2017 Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry (WUCO) is grateful for this opportunity to provide its annual update to the California Optometric Association (COA). Class of 2020 The College welcomed 88 members of the Class of 2020 on August 1, 2016. A summary of the class profile is as follows: Gender:

Female – 66 (75%) Male – 22 (25%)

Ethnicity: Asian – 35 (40%) White/Non-Hispanic – 22 (25%) Race Not Specified – 2 (2%) Hispanic –12 (14%) Black –2 (2%) Two or More Races – 15 (17%)

Among the matriculated students, 7, (8%) were international students from Canada. Twenty-one different U.S states and territories were represented including 6 western states with the majority of students (49 or 56%) from California.

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New Faculty Members Two new faculty members have recently joined the College as Clinical Assistant Professors.

Tiffany Chuang, OD

Tiffany Chuang, OD is a WUCO alumna, who graduated in with our inaugural Class in 2013. She completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Jack C. Montgomery VAMC in Oklahoma, where she became certified in laser and surgical procedures. Most recently, she has served as the Clinic Director at LaserVue Eye Center, Mountain View, CA. Tina MacDonald, OD is a graduate of Southern California College of Optometry. Since 1993 she has provided low vision and vision rehabilitation care for patients at the Center for the Partially Sighted, where she completed her residency. She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator and brings this knowledge to further enhance the care for patients who have developed vision impairments secondary to diabetes mellitus. She has worked closely with her community in developing programs that provide education and assistance for those with specific systemic and vision conditions. Raymond Maeda, OD was promoted to the role of Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs to succeed the prior Associate Dean, Dr. Robert Gordon. Dr. Gordon has transitioned to the role of a part-time consultant and will assist both the College and the University in a variety of new health care ventures. Continuing Education During the 2016 calendar year, the College offered a total of 850 hours of Live CEs, 723 hours of monthly webinars and 919 hours of online course to optometrists in the community. In February, 30 attendees participated in a comprehensive glaucoma management course covering topics in optic nerve evaluation, visual field analysis, OCT interpretation, pharmacology in glaucoma and glaucoma case analysis. In September the College offered the Glaucoma Grand Rounds course with a total of 40 attendees and 37 live patients. The College introduced a new series of free monthly webinars throughout the year and included: Child abuse recognition and reporting, ocular findings in children with abusive head trauma, hospital based consults the ins and outs, essential traits to be an effective preceptor, treatment of diabetic

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retinopathy, anterior segment disease in infants, geriatric medicine, myopia, and ophthalmic therapeutic agent review. In the 2017 calendar year the College will be offering a 6-hr CE course, Spring Into Action for Glaucoma Continuing Education on March 12 by renowned speakers Mitchell Dul, OD and Richard Madonna,OD, from the SUNY College of Optometry. Topics will include myths, misconceptions and controversies in glaucoma, glaucoma grand rounds and diagnostic and treatment dilemmas in primary eye care. Register at www.westernuglaucomace.eventbrite.com. On May 6 & 7 the College will be hosting a 2 day, 13-hr CE course on Ocular Disease and will include renowned speaker Diana Shechtman, OD, FAAO from Nova Southeastern University, Pinakin Davey, OD, PhD and Naida Jakirlic, OD faculty members at Western University of Health Sciences. Topics include optical coherence tomographic angiography a dye-less venture through retinal vasculature, retinal consultation, (OCT/OCTA), case analysis going beyond the macula, age related macular degeneration, considerations in cataracts surgery, visual acuity to VEP, neuro-optometry grand rounds and more. Register at https://ce-optometry.westernu.edu/ On September 9 &10 the college with be offering the Glaucoma Grand Rounds course with live patients. The goal of this program is to assist California optometrists in becoming glaucoma certified pursuant to CCR section 1571. Completion of the 16-hour Grand Rounds Program is equivalent to prospectively treating 15 individual patients for 12 consecutive months. The 16-hour Grand Rounds Program will count for part of the 25 patient Case Management Requirement. This is a 2 day program. The College offers free webinars the first Wednesday of each month from 6-7 pm. Please go to the link below for more information and to register. www.westernu.edu/optometry/academics1/optometry-continuing-education For more information on our continuing education program or to register for a course please click on the link below: www.westernu.edu/optometry/academics1/optometry-continuing-education Grants and Research The College of Optometry provides comprehensive support to faculty members to develop professional expertise in the various practices of teaching and learning. In the past academic year faculty members produced a number of noteworthy publications, presentations and research projects. Funding for research projects was received from an industry partners and a governmental agency as such: Dr. Pinakin Davey has Topcon sponsored grants entitled “Topcon 3D Maestro Agreement & Precision Study” and “Topcon 3D Maestro Reference Database Study”. The grants were initially awarded in February 2015 and were renewed in the year 2016 with an end date July 31st, 2018. The studies have led to the FDA 510K approval of the Topcon 3D Maestro Optical coherence tomograph, five conference presentations and three full length publications that are under review.

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Dr. Pinakin Davey along with Dr. Mainsh Issar, a faculty member from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona received an intramural grant entitled “Nanoparticle delivery system for Zeaxanthin”. The College was awarded an Allergan Foundation 2016 Community Grant entitled "Strengthening Community Eye Health Education and Awareness" designed to promote eye care within the community. Dr. Kristy Remick-Waltman along with an optometry student researcher Mr. Fayiz Mahgoub, OD 2018, were awarded a Tri-City Mental Health Community Wellbeing Grant to evaluate Pomona High School Athletic Programs. Extracurricular Participation and Student Engagement All WesternU College of Optometry students have the opportunity to take on various roles of leadership and service beginning in year one of their education. Students participate in community service projects, serve as class officers, and as liaisons to various optometric professional organizations and associations. Their involvement spans a broad array of activities within the College, the University and the community. Most recently, students established a Contact Lens Club and a Sports Vision Club resulting in a total of twelve optometry-related student clubs on the WesternU campus. These clubs have often collaborated with other WesternU health-professions student groups to sponsor educational events, lectures and various community service projects. WesternU Optometry students have established a prominent role within the university through their leadership in several interprofessional university clubs such as the Council of Business Management clubs, the Council of Service Clubs, the Armenian Student Association, the Islamic Medical Student Association, and the Lions Club. In addition, College of Optometry students continually demonstrate a willingness to serve, support and engage in all aspects of their educational experience. Many volunteer to serve as peer tutors while others partner with College faculty members as research assistants. This year, forty-five students successfully completed the requirements for the 2016 AOA Student Fellowship program.

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Service Missions WUCO students play a vital role in Outreach and engagement, from leading community service projects to participating in faculty-led engagement programs. Students are provided a range of opportunities to get involved in community service during each of the 3 years they are on the Pomona campus. This past year, WUCO students and faculty members provided vision screenings to 2700 children in the Pomona Unified school District. The optometry students also participated in different weekend health fairs around the community totaling 22 vision screenings and 1127 patients from July to December. Service mission trips were conducted in Mexico during the academic year, and another took place in the summer of 2016 when students and faculty travelled to Fiji. During their time there, WUCO provided comprehensive vision screenings for 188 patients, giving out spectacle prescriptions, readers, and sunglasses. They also screened 110 students and teachers in one afternoon at a primary school nearby. Patients were referred for cataract, pterygium, and corneal transplant surgeries. The WUCO VOSH Club plans to continue to send a team every year to provide vision care for the many Fijians that are unable to afford or access such care. Professional Meetings WUCO optometry students hosted a COVD Board Member for the Annual Tour de Optometry interactive presentation, and some members attended the annual College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) meeting from April 12-15, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri. Students were able to network with faculty, alumni, students from other optometry schools, and other professionals. They attended numerous lectures and workshops about specialized care for special needs patients and optometric vision therapy. In addition, student participants were able to earn COVD Student Associate Certification for their involvement and dedication in participating in the COVD Annual Meeting. Students also attended the COA House of Delegates, Optometry’s Meeting, and the American Academy of Optometry along with various local society meetings.

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WesternU Alumni On May 19, 2016, the College of optometry students participated in the fourth Commencement Ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The College graduated 73 new doctors of optometry.

OD 2016 Graduates Eleven graduates matched to post-doctoral residency programs across the country. Their areas of residency emphasis include primary care, ocular disease, pediatric optometry and low vision rehabilitation. Residency settings include the Department of Veterans Affairs, Indian Health Service, Surgical Centers, and private practice. The California Optometric Association hosted an information and membership support session for the new graduates during their capstone program in the days immediately prior to commencement. Over 35 different honors and awards were conferred upon the graduates during the annual Commencement Dinner Dance. Additionally, 30 graduates received recognition from the Best Sigma Kappa Honor Society, 9 graduates were inducted into the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society, and 8 graduates received recognition and listing in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Leaders within the California Optometric Association are invited to visit our website www.westernu.edu/optometry to learn more about our program. We are also happy to host visitors or groups to tour our campus facilities.

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 ANNUAL REPORT

University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry

FOR THE YEAR 2016  

Full  Report  is  avaiable  @  https://optometry.berkeley.edu      

 

   

             

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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: FACULTY/STUDENTS Administration at the School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley: John Flanagan is Dean of the School of Optometry, for a five-year term that began June 1, 2014. Chris Wilmer is Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Rick Van Sluyters remains as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Gunilla Haegerstrom- Portnoy remains as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Eric Leal is the Assistant Dean for Administration and Finance and Sharon Joyce remains as Assistant Dean for Admissions, Student Affairs and Career Services. Kristen Williams is now Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations. Eric Craypo is the Director of Communications. Faculty and Alumni: No long time faculty members have retired this last year. Two new faculty members joined us officially in July 2016: Assistant Professor Teresa Puthussery, OD, PhD and Professor Rowland Taylor, PhD. We are currently searching for more full time tenure track faculty and expect to make an appointment in the spring/summer of 2017. The School now has 31 full time clinical faculty with a total faculty FTE count of 67. Optometry Faculty Research From July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, optometry faculty members generated $11.1 million in direct annual funding for 54 different projects. Most projects are 3-5 years and funding was received from various federal agencies (NIH, NSF, DOD) as well as private foundations and industry. This is an outstanding performance given the difficulty of receiving research funding these days. The NEI Training Grant has been continuously funded for 39 years, and the Core Grant has been funded for 37 years. The School of Optometry has one other research training grant for optometry students (T35) which is now in year 23. Professional Student Performance:

NBEO Part UC Berkeley Pass Rate

National Pass Rate

I: Applied Basic Science March 2016 (3rd year students) Class of 2017 88.5% 68.8%

II: Patient Assessment and ManagementDecember 2015 (4th year students) Class of 2016 100% 84.9%

III: Clinical Skills Fall 2015-Spring 2016 (4th year students) Class of 2016 92.2 %

79.6%

Ultimate Pass Rate Passed all 3 parts before graduation(graduating class)Class of 2016

93.3% 83.8%

Residents: A high proportion of graduating students apply for and receive a match for further residency training. For 2016, 94% of 32 applicants from the graduating class matched in the ORMS round and 2 found positions post-match for a total of 53% of the 2016 graduating class placed into residency positions. Vision Science Graduates: Over the last 5 years, the Vision Science program has graduated 26 PhD’s and 2 MS students. Six of the PhD’s had prior health science training (OD or MD). In 2016, 4 students received PhDs and one student received a MS degree ADMISSIONS AND STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE (ASAO) Staff: The academic year 2016-2017 has been positive and productive. The office is staffed by Assistant Dean Sharon Joyce, Director Heather Iwata, Assistant Director Kait Guthrie, and our newest staff member, Carissa Caloud, the Coordinator of Admissions and Student Affairs position. Recruitment - Admissions Statistics: We collected 243 applications for Fall 2017 entry. Our Interview Day is on Saturday, January 28, and we are slated to interview 118 candidates. With the introduction of Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMIs) two years ago, we have the most holistic file review of all optometric programs. Our quality remains high, as reflected by the first year Class of 2020, average OAT AA = 352; Biology/Chemistry/ Physics (BCP) GPA = 3.43, respectively. Diversity Outreach: Our National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) was selected as the School of the Year at the NOA national meeting in July of this year. NOSA members at Berkeley Optometry continue to host instructional workshops to teach optometric Spanish and assist with vision screenings in underserved communities. National Student Leadership Conference: For the seventh consecutive year, the School of Optometry hosted four groups of 150 high school students from the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) in July and August of 2016. The conference aims to broaden the horizons of top-notch high school students, from rising

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sophomores to seniors, who are interested in careers in health and medicine. Opto-Camp: In 2006, the Admissions and Student Affairs Office launched "Opto-Camp." This past summer, we celebrated Opto-Camp's ELEVENTH year! The goal of Berkeley Optometry's Opto-Camp is to introduce first generation, underrepresented pre-health science majors to optometry as a potential future career track and to prepare them to be successful applicants to optometry school. The objective of Opto-Camp is to present an "in residence" experience that will provide participants with opportunities to learn about the profession of optometry and the process of becoming an optometrist. Historically, at least half of the attendees are first-generation college students and students from income households. Career Services - Career Management Conference: All first-year students take 4ProsOptos, a graduate course in professional development offered by the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean and ASAO staff members. 4ProsOptos includes a one-day Career Management Conference. This year, students heard from subject matter experts from the Haas School of Business. David Riemer, Haas Executive-in-Residence, gave a talk on “Personal Branding Through Storytelling,” followed by Katy Crawford, from the University’s Career Services Center, who walked the students through “Unlocking the Power of Linkedin.” The Class of 2020 also participated in talks about resume writing, networking, interviewing tips and “The First Lady's Guide to Good Graces -- Professional Etiquette & Dress for Success,” a lively lecture presented by Dr. Kathy Dumbleton. Financial Aid - Scholarships and Awards: In 2016-2017, the School of Optometry offered its students a wide range of both external scholarships and internal awards to help make the cost of an optometric education more affordable and accessible, and to recognize student accomplishments. Professional Student Support Funds: Thanks to the generous support of faculty and alumni, 75 Professional Student Support Funds (PSSF's) were awarded to current students in the Spring of 2017. Departmental Aid: In order to offset some of the recent fee increases, it is the goal of Berkeley Optometry to award its current students, in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, departmental aid as available. Students are awarded a flat amount depending on their class year, ranging from $4,000 to $10,000. Awards are applied solely towards tuition and fees, and are posted directly on students’ accounts for the subsequent fall and spring semester. Spring Events - The White Coat Ceremony: To celebrate the achievements of the second-year class and their transition into the third year, Berkeley Optometry hosts the "White Coat Ceremony" at the end of Summer Clinic. This year’s White Coat Ceremony will be on August 21, 2017, to celebrate the Class of 2019. Starting in the Fall of 2016, all entering Berkeley Optometry students will be given their White Coats as an acknowledgment of their formal entrance into the field of optometry, and to set the tone of professionalism for the next four years and beyond. The decision to move the White Coat Ceremony into the first year was made after much reflection, based upon feedback gathered from students, faculty and staff, and it is a decision that is philosophically and logistically sound for our optometry student participants. The move will also align our program with most other health science programs, and the original intent of the ceremony, as a celebration of the incoming class. The Class of 2021 will also be celebrated and given their White Coats on August 21, at a separate ceremony. Graduation: Graduation for the Class of 2017 will be on Saturday, May 20, from 10am to 12noon at Zellerbach Hall, followed by a hosted reception on Minor Hall Plaza, from 12pm-3pm. CONTINUING EDUCATION Administration: The Continuing Education Office has transitioned to being called Continuing Education & Events. Dr. Patsy Harvey has stepped back from her role as Director. Danni Peck has assumed the role of Director, Continuing Education & Events and has been joined by Program Coordinator, Quelani Penland. A CE Committee meets monthly is now responsible for developing the speaker roster for each CE event. The committee is chaired by Dean Flanagan and includes faculty members Patsy Harvey, Harry Green, Pam Satjawatcharaphong, and Anne Tasaki. The office continues to provide a variety of high-quality courses for optometrists to expand their knowledge as well as fulfill the requirements of licensure renewal by the California State Board of Optometry. Accreditation for Participants: In 2016, the UC Berkeley Optometry CE Office oversaw and accredited over 28,000 hours of continuing education for which it issued over 2,200 accreditation letters and certificates, making it the largest CE program at an optometry school in North America. CE Programs: The CE Programs are continually expanding to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s optometrists and the modified certification requirements. Programs include: Annual Berkeley Practicum, the Morgan-Sarver Symposium, Alumni Weekend including the Golden Conference, Annual Berkeley Glaucoma Day, Glaucoma Grand Rounds, and the Berkeley Optometry 16-hour Grand Rounds Course. Additional CE Courses and Events: In addition to their primary “live programs,” the CE office also participated in accrediting, administering, marketing, and facilitating other UC Berkeley Optometry CE courses, including Oxyopia, b-Talks, and Resident Days.

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CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER  Mission  Statement:  The mission of the Berkeley Clinical Research Center (CRC) is two fold: (1) to explore new models and strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ocular anomalies by conducting patient-based clinical studies/trials as well as translational research and, (2) to provide training for young professionals who are interested in, or want to pursue careers in, clinical research. Research:    In 2016, the major industry sponsors continue to be Cooper Vision Inc, JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE, INC and Essilor. In addition to industry sponsored clinical trials, CRC collaborates with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York and University of Pennylvania Center for Preventive Ophthalmology and Biostatistics to conduct a longitudinal clinical trial examining the effects of omega-3 fish oil on dry eye symptoms in a multi-site clinical trial Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM supported by NIH NEI). In 2016, the CRC successfully secured research funding of nearly one million dollars. We have also filed a patent for our innovative ophthalmic topical formulation (U.S. Patent App. No. 62/300,245 (BF&F Ref. BERK-322PRV; UCB Ref. BK-2016-089); "Bicontinuous microemulsions") for optimizing stability of the tear-lipid layer. DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Donors: Fiscal Year 2016 saw both an increase in donors and friends as well as the expansion of areas of investment of philanthropic dollars. Alumni and friends made new gifts and pledges adding up to over $1.4 million. The total number of donors increased by 10% and helped to make 2016 a historic one for philanthropic support. Alumni donations are at an all-time high. Growth: This year’s support for the Dean’s Initiatives and Annual Fund is near 100% growth over 2015. Camaraderie: In 2016, Berkeley Optometry’s Development and Alumni Team hosted 11 events in 6 different cities and 3 states. This year, over 1,700 people attended these events, which made for a very successful year. Communication – Website: A total overhaul of the school website has been completed. Changes include a new design, simplified navigation structure, and a new content management system that is accessible by all key program areas. To make our website more streamlined – and to further protect the privacy of our students – we’ve created an intranet site that is only accessible to our campus community. The intranet is where we now store class schedules, clinic schedules, policies, and administrative forms. Magazine: The 2nd edition of our award-winning magazine features articles on our groundbreaking neuro-optometry clinic; the innovative work of Dr. Dennis Levi, whose lab is using 3D virtual reality devices to open new frontiers in stereo vision recovery; an interview with alumnus of the year, Mike Patella; and a report on successes in the fight against Riverblindness, a disease that once blinded half of the adult men in 11 West African countries. Volunteers: The Board of the Berkeley Alumni Association (BOAA) continues to drive alumni events, design student/alumni interaction, advise Dean Flanagan on top priorities for the school and the profession and serve as Berkeley Optometry Ambassadors beyond the walls of Minor Hall. . FONG OPTOMETRY & HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY The Pamela and Kenneth Fong Library is one of three science-specialty libraries that form the Life and Health Sciences (LHS) Division of Berkeley’s University Library system. The LHS Division fosters shared services, expertise, and operations among the Optometry, Bioscience & Natural Resources, and Public Health libraries. Our division structure extends the information resources and services available to the School of Optometry and the Vision Science program. The Fong Library reports administratively to UC Berkeley Library’s Head of the Life and Health Sciences Division. The library also supports the interdisciplinary UCB-UCSF Joint Medical Program. Library staff includes 1 full-time librarian, 1 full-time paraprofessional, and 1.5 FTE student employees. AWARDS AND HONORS Many faculty were the recipients of prestigious awards: Marty Banks, Otto Schade Prize and Prentice Medal; Dennis Levi, Appointed to National Advisory Eye Council and Tillyer Award; Austin Roorda , Alcon Award; John Flanaga, Honorary DSc, Aston University and Life Fellow, UK College of Optometrists; Michael Harris, Berkeley Founders Award; Anthony Adams, Life Fellowship Award, American Academy of Optometry; John Corzine, Excellence in Optometric Education Award (COA). OPTOMETRY CLINICS  Leadership:  After 15 years of service to the on-campus residency program, Dr. Mika Moy has stepped down and has taken over the third year anterior segment course. Dr. Kuni Kanai has been appointed as the incoming Residency Director for On-Campus Programs as of July 1, 2016. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley Optometry and completed a residency in the Primary Care/Contact Lenses here at the school. The clinical faculty continues to expand and are providing much needed patient care and clinical teaching for our busy clinics.  

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Faculty Development and Support:  There was a strong showing at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Anaheim, CA in November 2016 with 50 in-house and external faculty attending our clinical faculty meeting. Several clinical faculty members presented lectures, symposia, papers and workshops at the annual meeting.  Continuing Education: The Glaucoma Grand Rounds course was offered in March 2016 with 34 attendees. The next offering, the eighteenth one, will be held on March 29-30, 2017. Depending on interest, it may be the last grand rounds program that we will offer. For more information, visit:  https://optometry.berkeley.edu/continuing-education/glaucoma-certification-courses In June 2016, we partnered with CEP America to offer a slit lamp laboratory course to physician assistants throughout the bay area. This was the second year the course was offered. The course provided hands on mentored practice on slit lamp skills, diagnostic eye procedures, and a lecture course on the diagnosis and management of frequently encountered eye conditions in the emergency room. Twenty-eight participants attended this four-hour course.  Clinical Curriculum:  In summer 2016, a case seminar series was added to the 430 Clinics Course for entering third year optometry clinicians. This series featured guest lecturers from our clinical faculty, each sharing their clinical insights with students and encouraging active clinical thinking.  An additional 12 hours of online glaucoma curriculum was added to the 430 clinic course for the third year clinicians. Four hours of glaucoma foundation material were added for the summer clinic session. An additional four hours will be added and completed prior to the start of spring semester of the third year. The advanced cornea and contact lens clinic was added to the fourth year curriculum as of May 2016.  Clinical Operations:   2016 has been filled with many smaller, but significant changes.   In the broad area of compliance there have been many goals achieved. March 2017 will mark the end of our three-year engagement with HIPAA consultant CynergisTek. CynergisTek’s last evaluation of our HIPAA compliance program show the clinic scoring 115 out of 117 items (98%). With an action plan in place to address the remaining 2% we are ready to face the end of the CynergisTek contract with confidence.  Great progress was also made in the structuring and implementation of a formal compliance program for our billing practices. Formal billing policies have been written along with the beginnings of written procedures to insure the policies are met. Systems of audit have been put in place to record and monitor ledger write-offs, refunds and provider credentialing. A program for adhering to CMS guidelines for PQRS (Physicians Quality Reporting System) was put into action in April of 2015 and despite our late start we have achieved the levels needed to shield the clinic from CMS reimbursement penalties. In addition our system of chart review has been restructured and is being piloted to ensure every chart supports the codes billed, leaves no services unbilled for, and is signed by a provider who is credentialed for the patient’s insurance plan.  The have been many behind the scenes changes in the area of clinic computing. A test environment was implemented in the campus data center that allows for the thorough testing of new versions of Eyecare Advantage updates before they reach the general populous in the live environment. As a result, the version of Eyecare we use every day in the clinic was seamlessly updated three times in 2016. Other changes include an update to the 2016 version of ICD-10, the change to Noridian as our portal for billing Medicare, a system in Eyecare to keep track of what plans our faculty are credentialed with, and the implementation of a system to electronically bill Anthem Blue Cross for SHIP. In addition, we implemented a server to house images and review software that allows clinicians to compare OCT results. This, along with many security enhancements, helped us achieve the HIPAA scores listed above.  For the faculty and students in the pre-clinic, Wyse terminals replaced the antiquated PCs to access Precare, a practice version of Eyecare used to train the student clinicians. The Wyse terminals provides a low cost, fast and reliable way for the pre-clinic to access a student practice version of our clinic software.  Equipment and Facilities Improvements:   In July 2016, we started overhauling and redesigning our clinic space. Utilizing the new Berkeley Optometry logo and font guidelines, we created new exam room and module hallway signage. The new designs incorporate an interchangeable plates system allowing us to make changes and updates to signs in-house without the need for new installations. As of 2016 all exam rooms have been completed and the eyewear center will be completed in 2017.  Using a grant we received from the office of Risk Management, we were able to replace all of our patient waiting area chairs. In early 2016 we sent a request out to our community to submit their photos to be displayed in clinic. We received well over 200 photo submissions and selected more than 75 for our hallways, waiting areas, and general lobby. As of December 2016, every exam room is utilizing LED lighting Special Events:   The clinic hosted the ASCO Clinic Directors/Administrators SIG and the ASCO Externship Directors SIG annual meetings in September 2016. There were 43 Clinic Directors/Administrators and 36 sponsor representatives (representing 22 company sponsors) who attended the Clinic Directors/Administrators SIG meeting. There were 28 representatives in attendance at the Externship Directors SIG meeting. These annual meetings bring together leadership from all of the North American Optometry schools to further optometric

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education, discuss critical issues common to all schools, and to collaborate on new projects and initiatives for the benefit of our collective patients, students, educators, and institutions.   RESIDENCIES Mission Statement: The Optometry Residency Program at Berkeley Optometry seeks to recruit and admit the best-qualified post-graduate optometrists and provide them with advanced clinical education and concentrated clinical experience in specialty areas of optometry. This mentored educational and clinical experience will prepare optometrists for life-long scholarship in patient care, education, and optometric leadership. Administration: There was a change in the leadership position for the On-Campus Residency Program. Mika Moy, OD, FAAO, who served as the Director of On-Campus Residency Programs for the last fifteen years, stepped down. The position was filled by Kuni Kanai, OD, FAAO, as of July 1st, 2016. Christina Wilmer, OD, FAAO, continues as the Director of Affiliated Residency Programs. Current Programs: The on-campus and affiliated residency programs include the following areas of emphasis and residency training positions.

UC Berkeley Optometry (1 position in each of the following areas) Program Emphasis Chief Mentor Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Deborah Lee, OD, FAAO Cornea and Contact Lenses Pam Satjawatcharaphong, OD, FAAO Ocular Disease Carl Jacobsen, OD, FAAO Low Vision / Ocular Disease Marlena Chu, OD, FAAO Pediatrics / Primary Care Deborah Orel-Bixler, PhD, OD, FAAO Primary Care / Contact Lenses Christina Wilmer, OD, FAAO Primary Care / Community Health Meredith Whiteside, OD, FAAO

Current Residents: The residency application process is very competitive. All residents match through the ORMatch process found at the following link https://natmatch.com/ormatch/index.html. Shared Educational Components: In addition to patient care, all residents participate in the following educational program components. These are required for successful completion of the program and the awarding of the residency program certificate. New Initiatives:

1. Webinar recruitment: For the first time, webinar information sessions were offered to potential applicants who are interested in Berkeley Optometry on-campus residency programs. The session duration was 1-hour, and the Director of On-Campus Residency Programs, Kuni Kanai OD, explained features of the seven on-campus residency programs, general curriculum, and its application process.

2. Journal Club: Journal Club is a collection of clinically-useful journal articles. T35 NEI Summer Research Program Berkeley Optometry runs a short-term (10 weeks) summer research-training program for OD students — the T35 training program — whose goal is to introduce talented students to clinical and/or translational research by way of developing their interest, awareness, and enthusiasm for a career in biomedical or behavioral research. Training is provided within the laboratories of 23 faculty mentors in the School of Optometry, who are also involved in the training of pre-doctoral research students and postdoctoral fellows from the Graduate Program in Vision Science. Some mentors also train graduate students in other disciplines (e.g., neuroscience, computer science, molecular and cell biology, psychology and infectious disease), and many have faculty collaborators from other disciplines, providing our trainees with a window into the cross-disciplinary research environment. A wide range of basic science as well as clinical research projects are on-going in the laboratories of the mentors, offering numerous opportunities for involvement by the short-term trainees. Optometry schools from across the country are targets of our recruitment efforts aimed at attracting a diverse pool of talented health professional students to our short-term training program. The long-term goal is to encourage clinicians to pursue advanced research training and/or continue involvement in research after completion of their professional training. As a stepping-stone to research careers, we encourage UC Berkeley trainees to enroll in research honors after completing this summer training program. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OPTOMETRIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION (UCOSA) Comprised of student representatives from each class, the University of California Optometric Student Association (UCOSA) represents the interests of students to the faculty. UCOSA also organizes vision care

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services through student-sponsored activities, student activities, textbook sales, and publication of the Berkeley Study Guide for national board exams. VISION SCIENCE As of December 31, 2016, there were 39 graduate students enrolled in the Vision Science Graduate Group. A rich diversity of academic backgrounds -- including neuroscience, biology, engineering, computer science, psychology, optometry, and others -- is a hallmark of the group. There are currently 47 faculty appointments. Vision Science students authored 19 papers and gave 29 conference presentations in 2016. There were 4 PhD and 1 MSc graduates in 2016.

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