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Optometry Association of Louisiana
419 H ighway 165 Nor th , Oakda le , LA 71463 (318) 335-0675 (888) 388-0675 op ta l@be l lsou th .ne t
Volume 20 | Number 1 | Spring 2017
OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresidentKevin Kasovich, OD4324 Veterans Memorial Blvd.Metairie, LA 70006Office: (504) 455 - 9825Cell: (985) 227 - [email protected]
President-ElectScott Taylor, OD1645 E Bert Kouns Industrial LoopShreveport, LA 71105Office: (318) 797 - 8397Cell: (318) 423 - [email protected]
Secretary/TreasurerCory Boudreaux, OD2308 S BurnsideGonzales, LA 70737Office: (225) 644 - 7525Cell: (225) 270 - [email protected]
Past PresidentCynthia Baker, OD1330 S. Range Ave.Denham Springs, LA 70726Office: (225) 664 - 2189Cell: (225) [email protected]
Executive DirectorJames Sandefur, OD419 Hwy 165 NOakdale, LA 71463Office: (318) 335 - 0677Fax: (318) 335 - 0677Cell: (318) 613 - [email protected]
Public RelationsDoug WilkinsonThe Wilkinson Group(SBA Certified HUBZone)P.O. Box 763Port Allen, LA 70767Office: (225) 337-6101
After spend-ing a week-end in St. Louis for Presidents’ Council, it has become obvious that other state
associations interested in passing scope-related legislation are looking to Louisiana as the “how-to” model. Of course, we wouldn’t be in this spotlight if it were not for our strong leadership within the OAL. Some of the same leadership that has made us so successful has been recog-nized by the AOA for positions within their commit-tees. Most recently, Dr. Cynthia Baker and Dr. Chris Wroten have been tapped as director of the AOA-PAC and mem-ber of the newly formed Surgical Curriculum Project Team, respec-tively. Dr. Wroten also serves on the AOA’s Federal Relations Committee. They join Dr. Jim Sandefur, who cur-rently serves on the State Government
Relations Committee as well as Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief Committee and Dr. David Heitmeier, who serves on the Meetings Center Executive Committee.
These AOA appointments show a recognition of the hard work and dedication displayed by current lead-ership within our own association. From organizing grass root efforts to establish relationships with legisla-tors, to planning and passing a bill that allows Louisiana optometrists to practice at the highest level in the nation, all while raising the necessary funds to compete with the well-funded medical lobby. The AOA has recog-
nized a unique ability from our leaders and this is why they have been tapped to contribute at the national level.
We are fortunate to be guided by the best in the business!
Kevin Kasovich, O.D.OAL President 2016-2017
President’s Column
“It has become obvious that other state associations interested in
passing scope-related legislation are looking to Louisiana...”
DUES PAYMENT OPTIONS: The OAL is obligated to submit the AOA portion of your dues to them on a quarterly basis. Therefore, it would help us tremendously if you would be able to pay your 2017 dues promptly. Many of you pay the lump sum at one time, which is greatly appreciated.
However, did you know that you can also make installment payments right from the OAL website? Once you login with your user-name and password, simply look under “My
Membership Information” > “Billing Info” > “Pay Membership Dues/Fees”.
The monthly charge for a full-time member in 2017, is only $142.50 which includes OAL & AOA dues plus a LA-OPAC contribution. Without the LA-OPAC contribution the month-ly charge would be $125.83.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER THIS AS IT WILL BE MOST HELPFUL TO YOUR ASSOCIATION.
Pay Your Dues Online... Pay Your Dues Monthly
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 30-year-old man who admitted illegally importing and selling counterfeit contact lenses across the U.S. without a prescrip-tion has been sentenced in Las Vegas to nearly four years in federal prison. Prosecutors said former Candy Color Lenses owner Dmitriy Melnik was sen-tenced Wednesday to 46 months for his guilty plea in September to conspira-cy to traffic counterfeit goods. U.S. District Judge James Mahan also ordered Melnik to pay $200,000 in restitution and forfeit $1.2 million in proceeds derived from the sales. Melnik admitted importing lenses from China and South Korea and selling them under labels such as Ciba Vision FreshLook COLORBLENDS, which are manufactured by Novartis International AG, and others had labels of brands of contact lenses produced and sold in Asia.
C O U N T E R F E I T L E N S E SF I R M O W N E R G E T S P R I S O N I N F E D E R A L CAS E
In an article from the American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (asoa.org) newsletter, Paul Larson, a consultant for Corcoran Consulting Group, stated that instead of hiring an additional OD or MD for your staff you should consider a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, collectively called non-physician practitioner (NPP).
NPPs are not technicians, they are licensed by Louisiana and take a national board exam. Typically, NPPs are accustomed to providing collaborative care and have trained in just such a setting. It should be noted that Louisiana has its own specific scope of practice regulations that impact what a NP or PA can and can’t do.
Typically, a PA’s exact duties and limitations are defined by the optometric physician that supervises the PA; however, that should be confirmed through their scope of practice legislation. According to Larson, an eyecare practice might consider utilizing NPPs in pre-operative history and physical; triage and walk-in care; surgical assistance; and, minor surgeries.
Medicare allows for a wide number of PA services to be covered, including minor surgery, physical examinations, and other activities that involve an inde-pendent evaluation.
Have You Considered Hiring a Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant?
photos from members
Dr. Baker attends State Day at SCO and provides information about practicing in Louisiana for the students. As always, a good time was had by the Louisiana students at the dinner that evening.
AOA President Dr. Andrea Thau, OAL Immediate Past President Dr. Cynthia Baker and Student Doctor Celeste Baker attending SCO State Day reception on Jan. 10,2017.
Senator Regina Barrow, District 15, receives her Statesperson Award from the OAL. Presenting her with the award are Drs. Heitmeier, Sandefur and Baker.
aoa office suite dedication
AOA Office Suite Dedication The board of the Optometry Association of Louisiana is proud to announce the recent sponsorship of an office suite in the AOA’s newly renovated St. Louis headquarters in honor of our executive director, Dr. James Sandefur. The office of AOA exec-utive director Jon Hymes was cho-sen due to the close working rela-tionship between Dr. Sandefur and Mr. Hymes. While Dr. Sandefur knew of the decision to sponsor an office within the AOA headquar-
ters, he was not aware of the OAL board’s decision to honor him by naming the suite after him. Drs. Cyndie Baker, Chris Wroten, and David Heitmeier were with Dr. Sandefur in St Louis as Dr. Sandefur saw the plaque for the first time. The OAL is grateful to Dr. Sandefur for his dedication to optometry at both the state and national levels.
Dr. Wroten, Sandefur, Baker and Heitmeier attended the dedication at the AOA St. Louis headquarters.
Louisiana State Representative John Schroder held a Sporting Clay fun-draiser at Covey Rise located near Husser, LA (about 25 miles northwest of Covington, LA). Drs. Jeff Anastasio, James Sandefur, Don Mizelle and Cary Vincent participated in the event. In the photo are Anastasio, Sandefur and Mizelle.
Jeff Anastasio takes dead aim on a clay pigeon and drops it in its tracks. We understand that clay pigeon is good in a sauce picante.
Central Louisiana, Known as Cenla, honored its health care providers during an event in Alexandria, called Cenla’s Health Care Heroes. Nominations and winners were selected by the public through an on-line balloting conducted by the Town Talk, Alexandria’s local newspaper.
Dr. Phillip L. Carney, Jr., a 1992 SCO graduate, was awarded the “Best Optometrist” in Cenla Health Care Heroes’ inaugural event.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWSCONGRATULATIONS DR. CARNEY
If you have any news about a colleague such as a recent birth, business and/or personal award or special recognition, please send it to dwilkinson3833@gmail.
com so that it can be included in the next newsletter.
2017 OAL Mid-Winter Meeting March 25, 2017 Revised 1/30/17
Hilton Shreveport 104 Market Street
Shreveport, Louisiana, 71101 Alternate Hotels (within 4 blocks of Hilton): Sam’s Town, Eldorado
8 hours CE for Optometrists Friday, March 24 6:00pm OAL Board of Directors Meeting (Ernest’s Restaurant) Saturday, March 25 7:00-8:00am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:00-8:50am Anterior Segment Surgery Update 1 hr OD TPA CE This multimedia course takes an in-depth look at several newly-approved anterior ophthalmic segment surgical procedures: Raindrop corneal inlay, SMILE - small incision lenticule extraction, and a new minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) implant. Indications for surgery, surgical outcomes, surgical techniques, and post-operative management will be reviewed for each by an optometrist directly involved with these procedures. Stephen Lewis, O.D., Willis-Knighton Eye Institute NON COPE
8:50-9:40am Clinical Grand Rounds: Posterior Segment 1 hr OD TPA CE This course will discuss several posterior segment pathologies in-depth in a case-based format, including a review of relevant anatomy, various etiologies, differential diagnoses, clinical characteristics & presentations, associated findings, diagnostic testing technologies, treatment & management options, and other recent advances. Breanne McGhee, O.D. & Danyetta Thomas, O.D. NON COPE
10:00-11:40am Update on AMD 2 hrs OD TPA CE New treatments in the fight against macular degeneration are currently under investigation. This course will review current treatments, highlight some of the new treatment modalities, as well as new technology in the treatment of AMD.
Steven Ferrucci, O.D. COPE ID: 45362-PS
NOON-1:00pm Luncheon for ODs and Spouses/Guests (if registered) 1:00-2:40pm Retina and OCT Grand Rounds 2 hrs OD TPA CE This course reviews some of the basic principles of retinal OCTs as well as uses examples to help illustrate OCT findings associated with certain clinical entities. Clinical pearls for the various diseases are stressed, as well as new treatment options and recommended management.
Steven Ferrucci, O.D. COPE ID: 50027-PS
3:00-4:40pm A Closer Look at Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease 2hr OD TPA CE This course highlights some of the important retinal findings we may encounter that are associated with systemic diseases. Topics include vascular occlusions, plaques, and hypertensive retinopathy. Management tips, both ocular and systemic, are provided to help the primary care optometrist co-manage these patients with other health care providers. Steven Ferrucci, O.D. COPE ID: 42133-SD