NOA POST CONVENTION NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2014

EYECARE

ESSENTIALS:

“ADVANCING THE VISUAL HEALTH OF MINORITY POPULATIONS”

The National Optometric Association's Public Policy Committee met with Congressional Black Caucus members for a morning coffee and dialogue on Thursday, July 24th, in Washington, DC during the 2014 NOA convention. Lamont Bunyon, OD, NOA public policy chair, Edwin Marshall, OD, NOA executive liaison, Rosalyn Coleman, OD, Region III Trustee and Stephanie Johnson-Brown, OD, NOA president led a contingent of twenty NOA doctors, NOSA students and NOA supporters to discuss (1) the urgent need for optometric care, (2) access to optometric care in underserved communities, (3) support for legislation for optometry inclusion in Health Service Corp and (4) support for optometry in community health centers. Danny Davis (D-IL), Marcia Fudge (CBC Chair), Bobby Scott (D-VA) and other Congressional members offered their support in working to ensure success at achieving these public policy goals. The NOA public policy committee will collaborate again with CBC members at the annual CBC Healthcare Braintrust in September 2014.

Public Policy Participants: (L-R) Dr. Rosalyn Coleman, Dr. Stephanie Johnson-Brown, Dr. Sabrina Reed, Dr. Paul Harris, Dr. Edwin Marshall, and Dr. Lamont Bunyon

Top of the Line CE Provided

Dr. Cynthia Heard facilitating: Health Nutrition & the Aging Eye

The NOA remains committed to providing quality Continuing Education (CE), thus giving its members the tools to keep their skills and

knowledge honed. The CE program in Washington, D.C. consisted of 14 COPE approved courses. The panel of lecturers consisted of: Dr. Susan Gromacki, Dr. Cynthia Heard, Mr. Jay Binowitz, Mr. Michael Della Pasca and Dr. Dionne Moore-Jones. Participants may visit www.arbo.org to verify their credits. For discrepancies, contact the NOA office at 877-394-2020 or email us at mainoffice@natoptassoc.org. To complete our CE Survey go to https://natoptassoc.wufoo.com /forms/ce-evaluations-2014-noa-convention/.

Eyes on the Community!

The National Optometric Association continually strives to fulfill and expand its mission. On Wednesday, July 23, 2014, NOA and NOSA members and the VSP mobile unit teamed up to volunteer their time and skills to provide eye exams in the Capital Heights community of Washington, D.C. They provided compassionate, high quality, and necessary care to the patients who came to participate. They were able to complete 22 on-site eye exams and provide referral vouchers for 27 patients to receive comprehensive exams and glasses. They touched a total of 67 patients' lives!

The NOA Goes To Capitol Hill A Meeting of Minds on Optometry

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It has been an honor leading NOA this past year. As I review our vision for the NOA, it is clear we are moving forward in our

quest of, "Advancing the Visual Health of Minority Populations." We provided free vision exams and screenings in partnership with our sponsor, VSP to the community of Capital Heights, MD.

Our efforts to reach and involve our members have been facilitated through: our outstanding website, social media, committee participation, networking at regional events, visits with students at several of our Schools of Optometry and our first NOSA Leadership Summit. Growth with our affiliates has been expanded to include collaboration with the National Dental Association and the Optometric Extension Program Foundation. Additionally, we have rekindled our relationship with the Congressional Black Caucus and participated in a dialogue with several of their members during this past convention. Our Public Policy Committee presented concerns that included increasing access to eye and vision care in underserved and minority communities.

Thanks to all of our 2014 convention attendees for their support of the NOA and I look forward to seeing even more attendees at next year’s annual convention in Hilton Head, SC. Sincerely, Stephanie Johnson-Brown, O.D., M.Ed.

Congressman Danny Davis (IL) addresses guests at NOA’s opening reception

NOA Executive Board 2014-2015

Dr. C. Clayton Powell Co-Founder

Dr. Stephanie Johnson Brown President

Dr. Philip Aitsebaomo President-Elect

Dr. Ollie Powe III Vice-President

Dr. Lamont Bunyon Treasurer

Dr. Michael Howlette Secretary

Dr. Parres M. Wright Assistant Secretary

Dr. Sherrol Reynolds Trustee-At Large I

Dr. Dionne Moore-Jones Trustee-At Large II

Dr. Vicki L. Hughes Immediate Past President

Dr. Mescheca Bunyon Region I Trustee

Dr. Joyce Ramsue-Thompson Region II Trustee

Dr. Rosalyn Coleman Region III Trustee

Dr. Valenta L. Carter Region IV Trustee

Dr. Edward Larry Jones Region V Trustee

Dr. Edwin Marshall Executive Liaison

Ms. Brittany Tounsel NOSA President

Mr. Terendius David Associates President

Dr. Melantha Nephew Meeting Planner

Greetings From the

President

Dr. Vera Burns, OD of the Year

Congratulations to Dr. Vera Burns for being chosen as the NOA's 2014 Optometrist of the Year. She is the first African-American woman optometrist in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Burns was the first woman appointed to the Georgia State Board of Optometry, serving for eleven years and was a member of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games Eye Care Team. Dr. Burns, an '82 IU School of Optometry graduate, continues to be an advocate for diversity in optometry.

Founders’ Award Recipient!

VSP was in the spotlight as the recipient of the National Optometric Association's 2014 Founders' Award. VSP's commitment to the NOA is unparalleled. From providing the mobile unit to assist in our community service projects, generously sponsoring the first NOSA Leadership Summit, and providing scholarships, VSP has been an outstanding partner with the NOA. Since 1955, VSP has provided high quality, cost-effective eye care benefits, designed to support and expand the scope of optometry. The NOA is looking forward to a continued partnership and growth with VSP.

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NOSA National Executive Board - 2014-2015 President, Brittany Tounsel Southern College of Optometry, 2015 Vice President, Nathalie Findlater Nova Southeastern University, 2015 Treasurer, Lidia Tekie Western University School of Optometry, 2016 Recording Secretary, Stefanie Hwang Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, 2016 Corresponding Secretary, Breanne McGhee College of Optometry at Pacific University, 2016 Student Resource Liaison, Brittany Adams Indiana University School of Optometry, 2015 Parliamentarian, Devin Sasser University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Optometry, 2015 Historian, Lovelee Sayomac University of Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry, 2015

An Evening of Recognition

Dr. Robert Wright (center) received NOA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and was the Keynote speaker at the convention. Dr. Stephanie Johnson-Brown and NOA Co-founder, Dr. C. Clayton Powell are pictured.

(L-R), Drs. Vicki L. Hughes, Ollie Powe III and Stephanie Johnson-Brown present, Dr. Jackie Davis (2nd from the right) of OSU with the NOA School of The Year Award.

Danielle A. Richardson (Student of the Year)

Dr. Dionne Moore-Jones with NOSA 2014 Awardees

Congratulations to the New Graduate members!

Alcon Academic Scholarship Erika Johnson Alcon Leadership Scholarship Janis James Alcon Financial Support Award Carey Dillard HOYA Poster Contest Winners Dr. Michael-Vu Do, Feyisayo Aworunse & Amie Marsh VSP Marvin Poston Leadership Award Alexis Broussard Walmart and Sam Club Academic Scholarship Courtney Goode Walmart and Sam Club Leadership Scholarship Feyisayo Aworunse and Erika Johnson Cave Memorial Award Farouk Bruce Drs. John L. Howlette & C. Clayton Powell Award Sadia Kalsoom Dr. Robert Johnson Pediatric Award Breanne McGhee

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Fun Run/Walk Winners

First Place: Farouk Bruce (12min)

Second Place: Frances Watkins

Third Place: Derrick Forney

Youngest Runner: Colby Woodberry

Fastest Walkers: Drs. LaSheta David, Sabrina Reed & Vicki L. Hughes

Most Generous Contributors: Dr. & Mrs. Michael Howlette

Breakfast & Fellowship

Sunday Fellowship, July 27, 2014, during NOA’s Prayer Breakfast

NOSA Makes a BIG Impression

The National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) was well represented at the 46th annual NOA convention. Members had the opportunity to meet and network with doctors in several diverse forums. They participated in CE lectures, board prep courses, corporate partner presentations and the very first Student Recognition Luncheon and social event! NOSA also recognized the charter of three new chapters at this year's convention. In all, 15 schools and colleges of optometry were represented at the convention. With so many stellar and committed shining stars in NOSA, the future of the NOA is exceptionally bright!

National Optometric Association 5009 Beatties Ford Rd., Box. 107-278 Charlotte, NC 28216

See you at the

2015 NOA Convention & CE Program in Hilton Head, SC “Advancing the Visual Health of Minority Populations”

Thanks to all Our Sponsors!