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A Publication of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology Promoting and protecting the medical specialty of ophthalmology SPRING 2018 Your quarterly newsletter dedicated to strengthening your ophthalmology practice. President’s Message IN THIS ISSUE: continued on page 2. It was a busy start to 2018, with the legislative session beginning in January this year. With the help and expertise of our terrific lobbying team, we have been keeping a watchful eye on the legislative issues potentially impacting ophthalmology. Prior to the start of session, your Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) Board of Directors worked diligently to meet with legislators to discuss the importance of keeping surgical privileges in the hands of experienced Medical Doctors. We hope that you will also take time to get to know your legislators and meet with them locally. As always, patient safety is the number one priority for the FSO. We will continue to protect the patients of Florida and to guide them in the right direction. Krishna Kishor, MD President The Florida Ophthalmologist 2018 Legislative Session Review Third Party Liason Committee Update For Eye Care Foundation Update It has been six months since Hurricane Irma hit Florida and I hope that all of you are doing well and back on your feet, both personally and professionally. One would think, that living in Florida would mean we are always prepared for the worst. However, I don’t think we will ever be fully prepared for the destruction and devastation that hurricanes bring. I hope that many of you found the online Emergency Eye Care Referral list the FSO setup, helpful. We knew that many of our friends and colleagues were out of commission for a few days up to a few weeks after Hurricane Irma and we wanted to make sure that

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Page 1: Promoting and protecting the medical specialty of ... 2018 Spring_FINAL.pdfdevoted delivering the highest standard of eye care throughout the state of Florida. The For Eye Care Foundation,

A Publication of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology

Promoting and protecting the medical specialty of ophthalmology

SPRING 2018

Your quarterly newsletter

dedicated to strengthening your

ophthalmology practice.

President’s MessageIN THIS ISSUE:

continued on page 2.

It was a busy start to 2018, with the legislative session beginning in January this year. With the help and expertise of our terrific lobbying team, we have been keeping a watchful eye on the legislative issues potentially impacting ophthalmology.

Prior to the start of session, your Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) Board of Directors worked diligently to meet with legislators to discuss the importance of keeping surgical privileges in the hands of experienced Medical Doctors. We hope that you will also take time to get to know your legislators and meet with them locally. As always, patient safety is the number one priority for the FSO. We will continue to protect the patients of Florida and to guide them in the right direction.

Krishna Kishor, MDPresident

The Florida Ophthalmologist

2018 Legislative Session Review

Third Party Liason Committee Update

For Eye Care Foundation Update

It has been six months since Hurricane Irma hit Florida and I hope that all of you are doing well and back on your feet, both personally and professionally. One would think, that living in Florida would mean we are always prepared for the worst. However, I don’t think we will ever be fully prepared for the destruction and devastation that hurricanes bring. I hope that many of you found the online Emergency Eye Care Referral list the FSO setup, helpful. We knew that many of our friends and colleagues were out of commission for a few days up to a few weeks after Hurricane Irma and we wanted to make sure that

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patients who needed eye care after the storm, would have access to care in a time of need.

The FSO has been very lucky over the years to have such incredible people volunteer their time to serve on the Board of Directors. We know that all good things come to end and with that, I would like to thank Stacey Kruger, MD for being an important part of the FSO Board. Due to other commitments, she has resigned from her position on the Board. Dr. Kruger joined the Board in 2012 and has served in a variety of positions. Most recently as the Vice President of Outreach overseeing membership, third-party liaison and most notably For Eye Care Foundation, Inc (FECF). Dr. Kruger was instrumental in raising awareness for amblyopia and getting the FECF involved in amblyopia

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continued from page 1.

screenings around the state. Aside from being a mentor for trainees, she is a natural leader for Ophthalmology and is currently participating in the Leadership Development Program with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. We at the FSO want to thank Dr. Kruger for her tireless work and dedication to Ophthalmology. We wish her all the best on her next endeavor.

Finally, preparations are well underway for the annual meeting-Masters in Ophthalmology 2018, that will be held June 8-10 at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando. We have finalized the commitments with national speakers and are planning for another very innovative and educational meeting. The planning committee, led by Clifford Salinger, MD, has put together a great panel of nationally-renowned speakers, some from academia and some from private practice. Faculty speaking at this year’s meeting include: George Papaliodis, MD (uveitis), Christopher Rapuano, MD (cornea/anterior segment/refractive surgery), Caroline Baumal, MD (retina), Brian Welcome, MD (glaucoma) and Michael Chiang, MD (pediatric/strabismus). This cross-sectional point of view of the speakers, is sure to help the audience with a more rounded perspective. We hope to see you in Orlando.

“As always, patient safety is the number one

priority for the FSO.”

In Memory of Alfred G. Smith, MDWe are saddened to announce the recent death of a Florida Society of Ophthalmology past president and retired member, Alfred G. Smith, MD. He passed away peacefully on March 25, 2018, surrounded by family and close friends. Dr. Smith established his practice in Coral Gables and was the first pediatric ophthalmologist in the state.

Dr. Smith was founder of the pediatric ophthalmology clinic at the Variety Children’s Hospital in Miami, now known as the Miami Children’s Hospital. He was also volunteer faculty for the University of Miami Medical School Ophthalmology Department, now known as Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Dr. Smith had a desire to improve vision screenings for children, which resulted in the development of the “See Red” poster designed to educate pediatricians and family practitioners on how to appropriately test the red reflex in a child. Development of this poster was just one highlight of many achievements and accomplishments.

In addition to his services as president of the FSO, he was a charter member and past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology Society. He also served with other organizations including the Society for the Prevention of Blindness and Dade County School Health Advisory Committee (vision screening).

Biographical information courtesy of the Children’s Eye Foundation

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2018 Legislative Session Review

ADVOCACY

Amy J. YoungLegislative Consultant,Ballard Partners

We officially adjourned the 2018 Legislative Session “Sine Die” on Sunday, March 11. Although we remained on high alert for any optometry legislation that would expand the scope of practice for optometrists, we were emboldened by strong leadership in both the House and Senate who pledged that no scope expansion would happen on their watch...at least for 2018!  

This Session was quite unusual. It was a long process that began in September 2017 with interim committee meetings each month until the Regular Session convened on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. So many unexpected issues intervened with the progress of passage of legislation; there was a cloud of sexual and racial harassment allegations that led to the resignation of three Senators after Session began. Furthermore, many House members abruptly tendered their resignations unexpectantly due to frustration with the system. Then came Feb. 14 and the Parkland school tragedy that could have never been predicted. The last three weeks of Session consumed all of us with how to deal with this horrific massacre.

When all was said and done, the Legislature passed only 166 bills of the 3,250 bills filed for the Session. The only bill to pass of remote interest was HB 7059, which simply explained the timing and process by which optometrists are to take licensure examinations. Because the bill did not expand the scope of optometry, the FSO took no position on the bill.

We hope you all will join us for the annual Leadership Luncheon that will be held in conjunction with the Masters in Ophthalmology 2018 meeting. Our honored speaker will be Ashley Moody, former federal prosecutor, circuit court judge and now candidate for Attorney General. Ashley has been endorsed by current Attorney General Pam Bondi, a good friend to the FSO, as well as 12 state attorneys, 37 sherriffs and more than 100 current and former elected officials in Florida.   

We have a lot of work to do in preparation for the 2019 Session and the new leadership it will bring. The 2018 elections are crucial to our success, and we look forward to discussing our future in June.

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“When all was said and done, the Legislature

passed only 166 bills of the 3,250 bills filed for

the Session.”

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The number one goal of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is to protect our patients and our profession. We have established programs that enable the FSO leadership to educate the Florida Legislature on major issues a�ecting our profession and to help deter legislative encroachment by unquali�ed personnel. FOCUS is the FSO political committee (PC). In order to be successful in our legislative e�orts, FOCUS needs support by way of �nancial contributions. If we are not working to elect candidates who are friendly to the profession of ophthalmology, someone else will support candidates who may not be interested in protecting the integrity of our medical license.

Please consider making a one-time donation or sign up for an automatic monthly deduction on your credit card. All contributions to FOCUS are used to further the legislative agenda of the FSO. Please complete the form below to make your contribution today. Without support from the PC, the ophthalmology profession is at risk in Florida.

CONTACT INFORMATION

First ________________________ Last__________________________ Degree__________Address____________________________________________________________________City __________________________________________ State ___________ Zip_________Country _______________________________ Phone______________________________Occupation________________________________________________________________Email_____________________________________________________________________

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Visa MasterCard AMEX Check (please make checks payable to: FOCUS)

Name on Card _______________________________________ Card Number ____________________________

Exp. Date (mm/yy) _____________ Security Code______________ Zip Code____________

Contribution Pledge Card

ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT

$1,000 (suggested) $500 $365 ($1/day) Other $_______

MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT*

$84/month for 12 months $167/month for 12 months other monthly amount $______/month

Refund Policy: Contributions made to FOCUS are non-refundable. PC contributions are voluntary.Every member of the FSO is encouraged to make a contribution to FOCUS each year to solidify and strengthen our overall political strategy. A contribution at any level is welcome. Contributions to PCs are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

PLEASE RETURN FORM

Fax to: 904-998-0855Mail to: The Florida Society of Ophthalmology6816 Southpoint Parkway, Suite 1000Jacksonville, FL 32216

Some of you are not opted-in to receive emails from the FSO. If you are interested in getting emails from the FSO, please check the box below. You can opt-out at any time, by contacting the FSO o�ce at 904-998-0819. If you do not wish to opt-in, please follow the FSO on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on FSO news and events.

I would like to opt-in to receive emails from the FSO.

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Third Party Liason Committee Update

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OUTREACH

L. Neal Freeman, MD, MBA, FACSCommittee Chair

Quality Payment Program and Small Practices

Practices with 10 of fewer providers will automatically receive five bonus points toward the MIPS final scores. In addition, small practices receive full credit in the Improvement Activities performance category by completing only half as many activities as are required of larger practices.

Local Coverage Determination Update

Final versions on Local Coverage Determinations L33751 Scanning Computerized Ophthalmic Diagnostic Imaging (SCODI) and L37398 Electroretinography have been prepared by First Coast Service Options.

They can be viewed here: cms.gov.

The SCODI LCD revision goes into effect on January 25, 2018 and the Electroretinography LCD goes into effect on February 2, 2018.

2018 Medicare Payments

a. Increase in Conversion FactorsMedicare will incorporate a very slight ($0.10) increase in the physician conversion factor to $35.99 for 2018. (The 2017 physician conversion factor is $35.89.)

Ambulatory Surgery Centers receive a 1.2% increase in payment for 2018, assuming quality reporting requirments are met.

b. No net change in RVUs across ophthalmology

There were some relatively small scale changes in RVUs for several ophthalmology codes. Overall, there was essentially no net change in RVUs across the specialty.

Congressional Initiative

Congress is considering cutting the physician payment pool by $1-2 billion dollars. Efforts are being made by various physician groups, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, to derail this effort.

“Congress is considering cutting the physician payment pool by $1-2

billion dollars.”

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About For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.:

We are the charitable arm of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, an organization of ophthalmologists devoted delivering the highest standard of eye care throughout the state of Florida. The For Eye Care Foundation, Inc., formed in 2010 by the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, assists other eye care organizations with community outreach and delivers important public service messages regarding eye care and disease.

For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.

Serving Floridians—Protecting Vision

Donation Form

First_____________________________________________ Last________________________________ Su�x________

Address___________________________________________________________________________________________

City________________________________________________ State________________________ Zip_______________

Email____________________________________________________________ Phone____________________________

Donation Amount $1000 $750 $500 $365 $250 $100 Other: $_______________

Payment Method Check Visa MC Amex

Credit card #_________________________________ Exp. Date___________ Security Code______ Zip Code________

Name on Card____________________________________ Signature_______________________________________

My donation is in memory of in honor of _________________________________________________________

Acknowledgements to:

First_____________________________________________ Last________________________________ Su�x________

Address___________________________________________________________________________________________

City________________________________________________ State________________________ Zip_______________

For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.6816 Southpoint Pkwy, Suite 1000 • Jacksonville, FL 32216

P: 904-998-0819 F: 904-998-0855www.mdeye.org/patients

For Eye Care Foundation, Inc. plans to use your generous contributions for:

• Public Education and Media Messaging • Community Outreach and Screening • Small Grants for Public Services

The Foundation would like to collaborate with organizations around a common agenda. To �nd out more about the Foundation, to volunteer or to share your ideas, please contact us at 904-998-0819.

My donation is enclosed. Please contact me about volunteer opportunities.

The For Eye Care Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonpro�t organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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OUTREACH

For Eye Care Foundation UpdateThe Florida Society of Ophthalmology’s charitable-arm, the For Eye Care Foundation, Inc. (FECF), continues to be involved in vision screenings throughout Florida. Over the last six months, several screenings took place in Palm Beach County, with the aid of the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches. Screenings were held at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium during their Stroller Daze event on Aug. 23rd, Kidz Fest at the South Florida Fair Grounds on Aug. 26 and 27 and the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach on Nov. 18 during the Center’s Health Fair. Volunteer participants in the vision

screenings included ophthalmology residents from the Larkin Community Hospital program in Miami, the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, members of several regional Lions Clubs, FAU medical students, Caridad Center staff, local high school students and Cano & Manning Eye Center’s staff.  Several SPOT vision screening devices including one that the FECF owns as well as others on loan from the [Lions Club],made the screenings both effective and efficient for the volunteers. 

These successful events continue to help to raise awareness of preventable vision loss in children due to Amblyopia. In total, we were able to screen 436 children at these events, as well as provide them with appropriate resources when they were referred for complete eye exams by the vision screening. Seventy-one children were identified as having potential eye problems by the vision screening

process. Problems detected included bilateral high hyperopia, anisometropia, high astigmatism, gaze problems and other vision issues.

We give special thanks to Jennifer Breitinger, COMS, Children’s Services Coordinator/Orientation at the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, who gathered and analyzed the data from this vision screening. Those children who were identified of having potential visual issues were supplied information and resources for follow up including the vision clinic at the Caridad Center, the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, as well as a list of local pediatric ophthalmologists.

A high school student from Palm Beach County, Raveena Pandhare, was inspired by the vision screening needs in Florida, that she was able to obtain a grant, so that her school could start a vision screening program locally.

David Cano, MDChair

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She recently participated in one of our vision screenings and was able to obtain a Spot device for this purpose. Last June, Raveena attended our annual meeting as a guest of the FECF and hopes that the program she is devising will carry on at her school with future students, who will hopefully continue vision screenings in the future.Unfortunately, only about 20 percent of children in Florida are appropriately screened for Amblyopia, which is a preventable and completely treatable form of vision loss if detected at an early age.

The FECF was very pleased to provide one of the screening devices for the screening along with the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm

Beaches.  We hope to partner again with the various organizations to help prevent this type of preventable blindness in these children again in the future.

In addition to the screening events, the FECF is once again planning to sponsor the Young Ophthalmologists Seminar that will be held on Saturday, June 9 conjunction with the Masters in Ophthalmology 2018 meeting. We hope that more these important activities will bring out more residents and young ophthalmologists to the meeting.

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MEMBER CONNECTION

12

REGIONAL SOCIETY MEETINGS

CLASSIFIEDS

STATE AND NATIONAL MEETINGS

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 18–21, 2018 AAO 2018 Mid-Year ForumRenaissance DowntownWashington, DC aao.org/mid-year-forum

June 8–10, 2018Masters in Ophthalmology 2018The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande LakesOrlando, FL ophmasters.com

August 4–6, 2018Florida Medical Association Annual MeetingLoews Sapphire Falls Orlando, FL celebratemedicine.com

October 27–30, 2018AAO 2018 Annual Meeting McCormick PlaceChicago, IL aao.org/annual-meeting

Visit mdeye.org/advocacy/regional-societies for up-to-date information on regional societies and upcoming events.

Florida Ophthalmology Practice For Sale

35 years established in Tampa Bay Area.

Revenues $512K. 3,000 patients. Ask $360K. Bldg. $225K.

Contact Rita Barbato (813) 833-0487

[email protected] www.alistgroup.com

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April 18–21, 2018 AAO 2018 Mid-Year ForumRenaissance DowntownWashington, DC aao.org/mid-year-forum

June 8–10, 2018Masters in Ophthalmology 2018The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande LakesOrlando, FL ophmasters.com

August 4–6, 2018Florida Medical Association Annual MeetingLoews Sapphire Falls Orlando, FL celebratemedicine.com

October 27–30, 2018AAO 2018 Annual Meeting McCormick PlaceChicago, IL aao.org/annual-meeting

Questions regarding the recruit a member program, please contact [email protected].

Recruit a New FSO Member and Save $100 or more on Your FSO Annual Dues! A s a F l o r i d a S o c i e t y o f O p h t h a l m o l o g y m e m b e r , y o u a l r e a d y k n o w t h e v a l u e t h a t m e m b e r s h i p b r i n g s t o y o u , y o u r c a r e e r , a n d y o u r p a t i e n t s . F r o m t o p - n o t c h e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r a m s t o l e g i s l a t i v e a d v o c a c y i n F l o r i d a ’ s c a p i t o l , m e m b e r s h i p i n t h e F S O s u p p o r t s y o u i n p r o v i d i n g t h e b e s t p o s s i b l e p a t i e n t c a r e .

To encourage recruitment

efforts, we are offering members $100 off annual

dues for every

new member that joins based

on YOUR referral! How to refer a new member: 1 . C ont act you r col l eagu es an d fel low opht halmologi st s a nd sha re how you have be n efi ted fro m F SO mem bershi p

3 . Whe n t hey su bmi t thei r a ppli c at i on, have t hem fi l l i n you r na me in the f i e ld , “Recomm endi ng M e mbe r”

2 . Sha re wi th the m t he be ne fi t s o f me mb e rship and enc ourage t he m t o comp lete a me mb e rshi p ap pl icat io n

4 . We wi l l t ake ca re of the rest a nd you wi l l SAV E on your next due s renewal !

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MEMBER CONNECTION

Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Group (OMIC) - Up to 10% Discount

OMIC insured’s can earn a risk management premium discount by registering

for the annual FSO meeting and attending this cosponsored program.

Participants must also turn in an attendance form at the OMIC seminar along

with their email address. Participants no longer have to complete the online part after the meeting as OMIC

has concluded that they can contact you to survey and determine the effectiveness of the risk management

education. OMIC insured’s who are current FSO members can receive a 10% discount for attending live OMIC

course at the Masters in Ophthalmology meeting. Non-FSO members earn a 5% discount. These insurance

premium discounts are applied upon renewal with OMIC. For further information call (800) 562-6642.

Benefits of Membership

Member Discount Benefit Program

• Professional development and networking opportunities

• Discounted registration to the annual meeting — Masters in Ophthalmology

• Subscription to society newsletter, The Florida Ophthalmologist

• Active voice in the Florida Legislature to advocate against scope of practice expansion and for important patient safety issues

• Representation at the Florida Medical Association Specialty Society Section and House of Delegates

• Advocate for reimbursement policy issues affecting ophthalmology

• Annual membership directory facilitates correspondence with your peers

• Complimentary membership for In-Training Fellows

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Benefits of Membership

Member Discount Benefit Program

Stay Connected with Your FSO!

The FSO has an interactive website at mdeye.org that incorporates many members-only resources such as latest news and updates, annual meeting highlights, member directory, and much more. You can also view your membership account and keep your contact information up-to-date. Please feel free to email [email protected] for assistance, or [email protected] for login information.

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on important news and upcoming events.

Be sure to “share” and “retweet” our posts that you would like to share with your friends, colleagues, and patients!

facebook.com/FloridaOphthalmology

@EyeOnFL

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For Florida Society of Ophthalmology member Jeffrey H. Levenson, M.D., the opportunity to bring sight to the blind and help people who would not otherwise be helped brings him a moment of clarity.

Dr. Levenson, the medical director for Levenson Eye Associates in Jacksonville, spends countless hours performing cataract surgeries traveling all over Central and South America as a volunteer and Chief Medical Officer for SEE International (seeintl.org), a nonprofit based in Santa Barbara, Calif., dedicated to helping restore sight to underserved populations in developing countries. SEE does approximately 200 trips per year to 50 different countries. Last year, SEE performed 25,000 cataract surgeries and over time has performed more than 500,000 cataract surgeries.

“When I’m overseas performing cataract surgery and literally bringing sight to the blind, I feel that moment of clarity where I am exactly where I am supposed to be and doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing,” Dr. Levenson said. “It is a very wonderful and fulfilling moment.”

In December, Dr. Levenson gave a TEDx talk in Santa Barbara (TEDxSantaBarbara.com) about the advent of low-cost, low-tech manual cataract surgery, a technique that makes surgery faster, much less expensive and finally accessible to the world’s poor and blind. Since 2009, it has been his passion to spread his knowledge and expertise in helping end preventable blindness across the world.

His most recent trip took him to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Many of the people he saw in the clinic had been blind for years, and

when he was able to perform cataract surgery, something routine in developed countries, it transformed the lives of many in the community.

“It’s frustrating to me how close we are to the prospect of eliminating needless blindness from the world and yet how far we are,” he said. “If there were a dedicated effort on the part of the world’s powers to end the problem of blindness, we could see it end within the decade. I am dedicated to doing what I can to see that come to pass.”

Dr. Levenson said for physicians in their day-to-day practice, it can be easy to get burnt out with the many administrative burdens involved and “you forget just how extraordinary a privilege it is to be a doctor.” Performing surgeries for the underserved is a restorative feeling for him.

“When you’re a doctor in the purest sense with no money [considerations], no electronic medical records, no staff to worry about – when you’re just there doing your thing, it reminds you of what it’s like in its most primal form to be a doctor,” Dr. Levenson said. “You come back refreshed and less burnt out and ready to face another challenge here at home. It’s restorative to the doctor as well as to the patient.”

In addition to his international work, Dr. Levenson has been a prominent figure in the Northeast Florida community, serving in active volunteer leadership roles with several charitable medical organizations including Volunteers in Medicine, Vision Is Priceless and We Care Jacksonville.

For the last 24 years, he has coordinated the Gift of Sight program in Jacksonville, which provides free cataract surgery to blind and medically indigent patients. Every year the program finds between 20 and 50 people who have exhausted all their resources, and with a fund through Vision Is Priceless (visionispriceless.org), it provides the care they need.

“Our goal with Gift of Sight is to make sure there is nobody in our region who is needlessly blind from cataracts,” he said. “We live in one of the richest countries in the world, and there shouldn’t ever be anybody who is blind or visually limited because they can’t afford cataract surgery.”

After receiving his bachelor’s degree with honors from Princeton University, Dr. Levenson received his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine and served his residency training in ophthalmology at Emory University, where he served as chief resident. The father of three children with his wife, Ilene, Dr. Levenson enjoys traveling, running, mountain biking and other outdoors activities when he is not restoring sight.

“I feel grateful every day to be an ophthalmologist,” he said. “[It’s a great feeling] to have the necessary skill and knowledge to bring sight to people and make their lives better.”

Jeffrey H. Levenson, MD

Member Spotlight: Jeffrey H. Levenson, MD

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REPRESENTATION OF PHYSICIANSRepresenting physicians and medical practices.

WebsiteContact us

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Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

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Practitioner Data Bank

• Hospital Credentials Hearings

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• Disciplinary Proceedings

• Substance Abuse (PRN/lPN)

• Appellate Practice

• Nursing Board Cases

• Corporate Law• Insurance Audit

Defense• Search Warrant

Representation• Medicaid Fraud

Control Unit (MFCU) Defense

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• Corporations, LLC’s, Partnership and other Business Entities

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Darby Miller, MD, Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) president-elect has been accepted into the AAO Leadership Development Program XX, Class of 2018.

Dr. Miller was recognized at AAO 2017 in New Orleans for his selection to the Academy’s 20th Leadership Development Program class. Dr. Miller was nominated by the FSO and joins 19 other ophthalmologists in the LDP XX, class of 2018 chosen via a competitive selection process. In addition to participants nominated by state, subspecialty and specialized interest societies, the LDP XX class also includes one international from Singapore who is representing the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO). The incoming LDP class had an Orientation Session in New Orleans where they were introduced to their classmates, met Academy leaders as well as heard project presentations from the graduating LDP XIX, class of 2017.

In January, Dr. Miller took part in a 2-day interactive session in San Francisco that included a visit to AAO headquarters to hear from AAO physician leadership. The LDP participants had the opportunity to meet with 2018 Academy President Keith Carter, MD on a wide variety of leadership topics. Next will be a trip in April to attend the Academy’s Mid-Year Forum 2018 in Washington D.C. where Dr. Miller will have scheduled visits on Capitol Hill with Senators, Representatives and healthcare staff to discuss issues important to the medical profession. During an advocacy session dedicated to LDP XX participants, Dr. Miller will also hear from a member of the US Congress about building effective relationships with legislators and how best to advocate on behalf of patients. The final LDP session for the class of 2018 will take place in conjunction with AAO 2018 in Chicago. Participants in LDP XX, Class of 20181. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology

and Strabismus Scott A. Larson, MD

2. American College of Surgeons – Advisory Council for Ophthalmic Surgery Kimberly D. Davis, MD

3. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD

4. Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Marcus Ang, MBBS

5. California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Armin R. Afshar, MD, MBA

6. Canadian Ophthalmological Society Kenneth F. Roberts, MD

7. Cornea Society Peter B. Veldman, MD

8. Florida Society of OphthalmologyDarby D. Miller, MD

9. Hawaii Ophthalmololgical Society Brandon W. Lee, MD

10. Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Renee C. Bovelle, MD

11. Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Jeremy Z. Kieval, MD

12. Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology Jill S. Melicher, MD

13. Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Denise A. Hug, MD

14. New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology Albert S. Khouri, MD

15. New York State Ophthalmological Society Gareth M. Lema, MD, PhD

16. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology SocietyCourtney E. Francis, MD

17. Retina Society Ninel Z. Gregori, MD

18. Society of Military Ophthalmologists Gary L. Legault, MD

19. Virginia Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Michael R. Keverline, MD

20. Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Rebecca C. Dale, MD

Darby Miller, MD Accepted into Leadership Development Program (LDP) XX, Class of 2018

Page 20: Promoting and protecting the medical specialty of ... 2018 Spring_FINAL.pdfdevoted delivering the highest standard of eye care throughout the state of Florida. The For Eye Care Foundation,

Florida Society of Ophthalmology 6816 Southpoint Pkwy, Ste 1000Jacksonville, FL 32216

June 8–10, 2018The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

Orlando, FL

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