Please join us for a fun evening of beer tastings from local breweries in OKC and Tulsa! The OAOP will be hosting two happy hours on September 22, one in Walker Terrace (1300 N Walker Ave #300, Oklahoma City, OK 73103) and the other at Cabin Boys Brewery (1717 E 7th St, Tulsa, OK 74104). Both events run from 6-8 PM. We'd like to offer a special thanks to our sponsor. Evergreen Financial Alliances (MassMutual OK). Please RSVP below.
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A Message from Dr. Swanson Re: Giving Sight Day |
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Dear Friends,
I wanted to share with you a guaranteed triple win for you and your practice. I have participated in the OAOP Giving Sight Day the last two years, providing a streamlined exam and a pair of glasses (through a partnership with Essilor for needy patients).
Each year I am amazed at the need. Many of the patients are well-served with a free exam and glasses, but other patients need important medical help. Each time that we generously provide these services in kindness I have witnessed three wins. First, the under-served people in our community win. These are individuals who fall through the cracks and this is an easy way to help these very nice people. Second, our staff are all so encouraged and morale boosts immediately. Do good, feel good! Many of our team members want to be a part of giving back, and they feel proud of the generous work they are providing. Third, I personally gain something genuinely invaluable in helping these patients. I know that one of the reasons we all joined this profession was to help people, and this day of service is purely about that mission.
I get excited just thinking about all the good this great event provides. It's not too late to join us and make a lasting impact in your own community!
The event this year is on Saturday, October 1, but many practices choose to participate in the week immediately preceding or following 10/1. The OAOP can help you with promotional materials, questions regarding logistics, and other issues you may have. Please get started by clicking here to sign up and join us in another successful Giving Sight Day.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Swanson
President
OAOP
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9/20: Subscribe Live Explores "AMD and AMD Imposters" |
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The next Subscribe Live session will take place on Tuesday, 9/20, from 6-7 pm CST. The course is titled "AMD and AMD Imposters. Optometrists encounter patients with a variety of degenerative and non-degenerative macular conditions. There are a number of risk factors associated with these diseases including patient’s demography, genetics and life-style choices. Many of these patients suffer specifically from “age related macular degeneration” (AMD) while others mimic AMD. From standpoint of clinical course and proper management of patients suffering with these conditions, differential diagnosis is very important. This lecture demonstrates the clinical and diagnostic findings associated AMD as compared to other mimicking clinical entities. More information is available here.
More on Subscribe Live:
Subscribe Live CE offers live virtual education for optometric physicians that are available on the first and third Tuesday of each month starting September 2022 and ending May 2023. The sessions are hosted from 6-7pm CST.
A subscription will allow access to up to 18 sessions that can count as either live virtual or remote learning hours for Oklahoma licensees.
If you're looking to take part in virtual optometric education, then Subscribe Live is the place for YOU! Based on survey results from last year's program attendees 100% of them were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall program. Don't miss out - register today!
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September is Paraoptometric Appreciation Month |
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September is Paraoptometric Appreciation Month, and a great time to show your staff how valuable they are. Download Paraoptometric Appreciation Month resources here, via the AOA.
The AOA also recommends 3 ways to honor your paraoptometrics this month:
- Enroll Staff as AOA Associate Members
- Encourage Paraoptometric Certification
- Engage in EyeLearn Professional Development Hub.
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Update Re: Electronic Health Records Survey |
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OAOP offers thanks all of our members that have submitted survey responses regarding their use of electronic health records (EHRs).
After receiving initial feedback, there are a few changes that have been made so that all members can more easily and accurately respond. After completing name and practice name, you are no longer required to fill in the address and other information since we have this in our database. If you do not use EHRs, after answering “no”, you’ll not need to complete any more sections.
As further explanation of the reason for this survey, we had three priorities:
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To inform you of the new section of health information exchange law that will be implemented on July 1, 2023. The changes are currently in a comment period that will end on September 15, 2022. Click on the link to take you to the comment section on the Statewide HIE: APA WF 22-16 Statewide HIE (oklahoma.gov)
- To collect more accurate information on the use of EHRs and which of these programs are most popular.
- To utilize experts (members) with these programs to work with the IT professionals to create and implement an interactive connection with MyHealth (HIE).
In order to clarify the list of EHRs included in the survey, it should be noted that these were taken directly from the CMS certified list of programs. We may have missed some as the names in the list are not clearly designated as “eye” specific programs. Also, please note, that you may be part of a group that uses a module under the larger umbrella program for the clinic or organization. As an example, Eyefinity has 9 certified products and OfficeMate is at least one of the programs.
In closing, we respectfully request your EHR information so that we can assist you in the major change (mandatory submission of EHR data to the state's new health information exchange program) required by law. Some of you are already members of MyHealth and many find it burdensome. This survey and volunteerism will make it possible to reduce or eliminate that burden.
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Upcoming HHS Security Risk Tool Assessment Webinars |
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Is your organization using the SRA Tool to help conduct a security risk assessment (SRA)? The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are hosting a webinar in September about the Security Risk Assessment Tool. In this webinar, we will focus on how to review and update an assessment from a previous session. We will also cover a basic overview of the tool and highlight some new enhancements in version 3.3. There will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions and give feedback during the session.
There are two dates available for this webinar. Registration is limited to 3,000 participants for each presentation. The presentation will be the same for both sessions. A recording will be made available after the final webinar session.
Register for a session:
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Apollo Award Nominations are Open |
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Nominate a colleague for an Apollo Award!
The Apollo Award is the highest award presented to the general public by the OAOP. It honors persons or organizations for distinguished service to the visual welfare of the public. The Apollo recognizes:
- Individuals who have performed a significant public service for the visual welfare of others;
- Educational institutions and organizations;
- Research programs;
- Civic and community groups.
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September Social Media Assets |
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In order to help your practices boost your presence on social media, we will be sending monthly social media cards and suggested text-copy for use on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Use social media to promote your involvement with Giving Sight Day in early October! |
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Click above to view or place classified ads on OAOP.org! |
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Download the MyOAOP Mobile App
My OAOP is a year-round engagement and event app designed to deliver personal and relevant content, facilitate networking and action, enable a direct line of communication, and amplify your member experience.
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Support OOPAC
The Oklahoma Optometry Political Action Committee (OOPAC) is the tool we use to ensure support for optometry at the State Capitol. Our goal in 2022 is to raise $100,000 for this mission. Please donate generously and help us to elect and reelect lawmakers who value and understand quality vision care and the regulatory and legal framework needed to sustain it.
Click here to make a one-time donation and here to set up a recurring donation.
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In the Know: Important News for Vision Health Professionals |
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A career choice
During September's Paraoptometric Appreciation Month, flowers and lunches are great ways for doctors of optometry to show gratitude for the technical skill and care their staff bring to a practice. So is the gift of investing in their future...
Read more
www.aoa.org
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The eyes, the brain and learning
Once a concussion has occurred, a child may report sensitivity to lights, blurred vision, dizziness, fatigue when reading, headaches and difficulty concentrating. A primary care doctor of optometry may have such a child visit their office with...
Read more
www.aoa.org
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Doctors can click here to submit a classified ad online.
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Bronze Partners:
Allergan
Lumenis Vision
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