(PRESS RELEASE) ST. LOUIS, MO — The American Optometric Association (AOA) and American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) will host AOA+ programming at this year’s Optometry’s Meeting, taking place June 19-22, under the banner of “Harmonizing Our Vision” in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Music City Center.
AOA+ is a year-round program intended to help optometry students and new graduates find career-development and skill-building resources, as well as professional networking and advocacy opportunities, with Optometry’s Meeting delivering an intensive, immersive four-day program. The annual meeting of both the AOA and AOSA, Optometry’s Meeting is where new careers are launched—and new leaders are made. Optometry’s Meeting brings students together, alongside doctors, paraoptometrics and industry professionals, for four days of progressive continuing education (CE) and professional development, impactful networking and career-building opportunities, an expansive exhibit hall with business solutions and practice resources, as well as leadership opportunities to advance optometry.
Learn more about this year’s Optometry’s Meeting in the digital 2024 Conference Preview, and visit the registration page to secure your spot in Nashville. Registration is open to both AOA/AOSA members and nonmembers with special members-only pricing available.
AOAExcel Career Center Fair
The AOAExcel Career Center Fair on Friday, June 21, during Optometry’s Meeting, offers optometry young professionals the chance to take the next step toward a successful optometric career. The AOAExcel Career Center Fair will deliver an unprecedented opportunity for optometry students and new doctors to meet prospective employers and organizations, as well as learn about the countless career opportunities that exist throughout optometry.
Hundreds of students and new doctors can network with prospective employers or optometric organizations to learn what career paths are available beyond optometry school. The event is open to all attendees.
Participating companies can leverage cost-effective recruiting with real-time evaluation among a large, diverse candidate pool. To learn more or sign up to participate, interested employers can visit here.
AOA+ Leadership Society
The AOA+ Leadership Society is a program for students who want to build leadership skills, advance careers through networking, personal and professional development and gain specialized education outside of the classroom.
Upon completing the 2024 Leadership Society Requirements, outlined here, students earn a certificate of completion for its resume, a special lapel pin and national recognition from the AOA.
Click here to learn more about how to enhance your resume with AOA+ Leadership Society.
AOA+ Pop-Ups
AOA+ Pop-Ups are fast-paced, diverse and engaging educational sessions that take place throughout Optometry’s Meeting for optometry students and new doctors. Topics span from becoming an advocate for your profession to practice management, conquering student debt and interactive workshops.
On Thursday, June 20, the Squirming Patients 101 Pop-Up, sponsored by Johnson and Johnson Vision, will kick off with a presentation on the InfantSEE program as well as tips and tricks for pediatric eye exams. Then, students will break out into groups and watch a doctor do a live exam demonstration on an infant. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions and become more comfortable doing pediatric vision exams.
The afternoon block of AOA+ Pop-Ups on June 20 are powered by the AOA Center for Independent Practice (CIP). The CIP Pop-Ups at Optometry’s Meeting will feature information and opportunities to learn from experts and practicing doctors about getting started and becoming highly successful in independent practice.
Check out this year’s full schedule of Pop-Ups. Attendees participating in the AOA+ Leadership Society can count each pop-up as one educational event.
AOA+ Leadership Link
A networking program designed to help students and new doctors make the transition from optometry student or recent graduate to doctor of optometry, the Leadership Link offers young professionals the exclusive opportunity to connect with the profession’s leaders. Multiple sessions will be offered, but advanced registration is required.
Affiliate Connections
Students can meet with representatives from each state during the Affiliate Connections event. After graduation, students’ affiliation switches from AOSA to state affiliate. From scope of practice and advocacy to opportunities for young optometrists to get involved, the event reflects another opportunity for young professionals to grow its network and to advance knowledge of the profession.
Residency and Graduate Education Summit
Since 2018, The Residency and Graduate Education Summit has brought together hundreds of students, new doctors, and faculty to meet and network while learning about residency options at the different schools and colleges of optometry. Representatives from different residency and graduate programs will be onsite to give students insight into the options available for the next step in the journey.
American Board of Optometry: “Learning Through Clinical Care” Student Case Challenge
The American Board of Optometry’s (ABO) first annual “Learning Through Clinical Care” student case challenge offers third- and fourth-year students who are involved in patient care the chance to win a cash prize and develop the case into a learning module for ABO diplomates.
Submit a case study based on a clinical case, including diagnosis and/or management of the patient. Top consideration will be given to cases that: 1) provide new information about a treatment modality or management approach, or 2) provide a good review of current practice guidelines. The quality of writing will also be considered.
Submissions must be completed and emailed by May 31. Winners will be announced at Optometry’s Meeting 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.
For more information on how to apply, click here.