| Greensheet – Fall 1996
IAB CELEBRATES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MEETING The International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry (IAB) hosted its 77th Annual Meeting at the Portland Hilton Hotel, Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21, 1996. A special workshop was held off-site at Pacific University College of Optometry on Wednesday, June 19. The meeting, scheduled over three days, brought together 54 representatives from 36 boards of optometry, as well as other invited speakers and guests. Total attendance at the Annual Meeting was 74 individuals representing 40 various organizations. The three-day meeting featured two unique workshops on the opening day, both of which were held at the Pacific University College of Optometry at Forest Grove, Oregon. Pacific University's generous offer to host the IAB delegates for the day achieved its aim of enhancing communications between state board members and the faculty and staff of an accredited institution. Both groups had a unique opportunity to exchange dialogue on issues of mutual concern in an attractive setting. The first workshop on Internet Communications was held in the computer labs of Pacific University; the first-class technology enabled the delegates to enjoy a unique 'hands-on' tour of some major web sites on the Internet. Led by Michael Cohen, O.D., Director of Distributed Education at Pacific University, the delegates visited the world wide web site for the university and experienced the advanced on-line CE services available at that site. At the conclusion of Dr. Cohen's presentation, Howard Flippin, O.D., chair of the Data Collection Committee, and Mr. Ernie Patterson, consultant to the committee, guided the delegates through a visit to the IAB World Wide Web site, and its linked page, the COPE site. The afternoon session saw the repeat of the popular National Board Workshop, presented by the staff of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. This interactive presentation allowed the delegates to gain a first hand look at the workings behind the organization that administers the primary licensing exam for optometrists in the U.S. The NB Workshop gave attendees a chance to question NB staff on the 'mechanics' of exam construction and testing techniques while also engaging in a Patient Management Problem (PMP's) test item writing session that many described as a "real learning experience." National Board staff in attendance included: Executive Director Norman E. Wallis, Ph.D., O.D.; NB Director of Psychometrics and Research Leon J. Gross, Ph.D.; and NB Coordinator of Clinical Examinations, Charles L. Haine, O.D. The IAB House of Delegates convened on Thursday, June 20, and began two days of discussions and presentations that addressed the issues that currently impact licensing jurisdictions, and the laws and regulations that govern the scope of optometric practice. In addition to the business of the association, the House of Delegates considered or reviewed the following key issues: progress on the work of the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE); the presentation of a new Mission Statement; a Bylaws amendment; a panel discussion on the Pew Health Professions Commission, Taskforce on Healthcare Workforce Regulation Report, "Reforming Health Care Workforce Regulation: Policy Considerations for the 21st Century;" a panel discussion on endorsement/reciprocity; and reports from several allied organizations, including the Association for Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), the American Optometric Association (AOA) State Government Legislation Office and the AOA's Licensure & Regulation Committee. Finally, the House of Delegates also reviewed the work of the IAB's Data Collection Committee and conducted an on-line tour of the IAB's new World Wide Web site. According to the delegates in attendance, the two hottest topics of the meeting were the panel discussions on the Pew Health Professions Commission, Taskforce on Healthcare Workforce Regulation Report, "Reforming Health Care Workforce Regulation: Policy Considerations for the 21st Century," and Endorsement/Reciprocity. Special guest speaker David Swankin, JD, a member of the Taskforce on Healthcare Workforce Regulation, presented a compelling argument for the validity of the report's recommendations, and provided some background on the purpose of some of the more controversial aspects of the report. IAB representative Thomas A. Lawless, O.D., presented the delegates with an analysis of the IAB's interpretation of the Taskforce on Healthcare Workforce Regulation report's recommendations, and reminded the delegates in attendance of the potential far-reaching effects of the recommendations as presented. Dr. Lawless noted, "It is our opinion that the importance of the effect of the recommendations outlined in the Pew Health Professions Commission, Taskforce on Healthcare Workforce Regulation Report on IAB member boards cannot, in any way, be understated." The panel discussion on Endorsement/Reciprocity proved to be equally informative, and the active participation of the panel speakers made for a lively and engaging discussion. Guest speakers for this discussion included, Michael H. Mittelman, O.D., (AFOS); Ray Myers, O.D., (Review of Optometry); John Potter, O.D. (Review of Optometry), Robin Rinearson, O.D., (Virginia Board of Optometry), and John Robinson, O.D., (North Carolina State Board of Examiners in Optometry). The panel was moderated by Ronald E. Serfoss, O.D., IAB Director. The panel's primary focus was the issue of 'horizontal mobility,' or the ability for a practitioner in one state to take up residence in another state and obtain a license to practice quickly and easily. Given the myriad differences in state board rules and regulations, the complexities of even achieving a standardized process that could be recognized by all state boards was immediately apparent. However, the discussion did serve to highlight the issue for the delegates present as one of great concern for the profession. The IAB plans to continue to research the issue in efforts to reach a satisfactory solution for member state boards. The House of Delegates also passed three resolutions (summaries follow below) which are currently being reviewed by the Judicial Council. The full text of all three resolutions will be reproduced in the next issue of the Greensheet:
Resolution 2 commemorated James A. Boucher, O.D., upon his rotation from service with the Council on Optometric Education (COE), for his contributions to the profession; Resolution 3 accepted the report of the COE regarding the accredited status of the 17 schools and colleges of optometry. This Annual Meeting also saw the appointment of Howard F. Flippin, O.D., as President for the 1996-97 term, and the appointments of Steven H. Eyler, O.D., and Ronald E. Serfoss, O.D., as Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively (see related story this issue). The House of Delegates chose this occasion to recognize Linda M. Dejmek, O.D., who passed the gavel to incoming President, Howard F. Flippin, O.D. Dr. Dejmek was presented with a handsome wall plaque recognizing her contributions to the IAB and commemorating two continuous years of service as President, an accomplishment only matched by three previous individuals. IAB ELECTS LEADERSHIP FOR 1996-97 Howard F. Flippin, O.D., was elected President of the IAB for the 1996-97 term at the 77th Annual Meeting, held in Portland, Oregon, June 19-21, 1996. Dr. Flippin was elected to the IAB Board of Directors in 1993 and is currently Secretary-Treasurer of the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Optometry. New IAB officers are: Steven H. Eyler, O.D., of Charlotte, North Carolina, as Vice-President, and Ronald E. Serfoss, O.D., of Danville, Illinois, as Secretary-Treasurer. Dr. Eyler is currently President of the North Carolina State Board of Examiners in Optometry, and Dr. Serfoss recently completed a term of service on the Illinois Optometric Licensing & Disciplinary Committee. The remaining members of the Board of Directors are: Linda M. Dejmek, O.D., of Appleton, Wisconsin, serving as Immediate Past President, and Board Directors: Phillip L. Ernzen, O.D., of Wichita, Kansas; Mary L. Freitag, O.D., of Greeley, Colorado; D.R. Gordon, O.D., of Clinton, Illinois; James W. Hartzell, O.D., of Des Moines, Iowa; and Frank L. Salimeno, O.D., of Ogden, Utah. In an interview held shortly after the IAB Annual Meeting concluded, Dr. Flippin noted the beginning of a new administrative year for the IAB and stated his goals for the coming year. The full text of the interview is as follows:
A: In 1978, I was asked to serve on the Arkansas State Board of Optometry and later appointed by then Governor Bill Clinton. In 1979, I was elected Secretary of the Board and have served in that office ever since. In 1991, I attended the IAB annual meeting in Dallas and filled out the volunteer sheet, stating that I would like to serve on the Data Collection Committee. Soon after, Dr. D.R. Gordon, IAB president at the time, appointed me to the Data Collection Committee. The Data Collection Committee became very active and put together a database containing all the licensed optometrists in the US. With the untimely death of Dr. Bill Pittman in December 1992, a board position opened and I ran, and was successfully elected as an IAB Board Director, in June 1993. Q: How has the IAB changed over the years since you joined the Board? A: The main change is the formation of the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (C.O.P.E.) This project, and the Data Collection project, has really made the IAB visible to the profession. Q: What do you see as the primary role for the IAB and how does it relate to your main goals for your year as President? A: The primary role of the IAB is to serve its member Boards. This is the main reason C.O.P.E. was formed: To assist the individual boards in approving C.E. My goals for the coming year are to: (1) Have C.O.P.E accepted by the Schools and Colleges of Optometry; (2) Update the database of all licensed optometrists and make it accessible via the Internet; and, (3) Create an interactive NEWS GROUP on the Internet made up of ALL Boards of Optometry, and to encourage all Boards to 'get connected.' The NEWS GROUP will allow the free exchange of information between Boards on a daily basis. It would be like having state board reports on a continual format. Q: How can IAB ensure that it stays relevant to its member Boards? A: The IAB will know if it is staying relevant to its member boards if we establish the NEWS GROUP and listen to the information exchanged. Q: What do you think your biggest challenge will be? A: Correcting the misinformation circulating about C.O.P.E. The correct information is available on the Home Page of the IAB, yet we know it will be some time before all interested parties will read the Internet, so the IAB will have to continue to educate the profession at the regional and state meeting level. Q: How would you like to be remembered after your term is over? A: The IAB President who connected ALL the Boards via the Internet!! Q: Tell the members a little about yourself. What do you do to relax? A: I like to golf, fly airplanes, work on computer programs, and explore the Internet. Q: Is there anything you'd like to say to the members? A: With the rapid increase in local Internet providers, anyone with a recently purchased computer can be on the Internet very easily and without much cost. I would like the individual board members to become more involved in board activities, and to do some studying about the IAB and the National Board. This is one area badly misunderstood by the profession and even our member boards. Of course, the IAB is always looking for good people to volunteer. Note that there will be an IAB Regional Meeting of Boards of Optometry held in conjunction with the Great Western Council of Optometry Annual Congress, which will be held on October 10-12, 1996. The IAB Regional Meeting will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, at the Red Lion Hotel, Bellevue, Washington. A report on current activities of the Board of Directors of the IAB will be presented by Dr. Linda Dejmek, Board Director. Please call the IAB at (301) 718-6506 if you would like to register to attend. There is no registration fee. For further information on the Great Western Council Meeting itself, please call (800) 771-4926. ANNUAL MEETING 1997 - IN THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA The IAB Annual Meeting will be held on June 9-11, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri. The IAB Annual Meeting will be held immediately PRIOR to the AOA Annual Congress. The AOA Congress is scheduled to begin in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 11. The IAB Annual Meeting House of Delegates will be in session on Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10. The National Board Workshop will be held on the morning of Wednesday, June 11. The National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NB) workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 11. This special workshop is free and open to anyone who is interested; boards' who designate a representative (one individual only) to attend the workshop will receive a $500 stipend to offset travel expenses. The stipend is possible through a cooperative effort by the IAB and NBEO, however, the representative MUST register for the IAB meeting as well in order to receive funding. Registration rates for the meeting are:
*Early-Bird rate cutoff date is March 31, 1997, received in the IAB office. NOW is the time to make your plans to attend and, if appropriate, to seek the necessary funding from your state board. Additional details on the Annual Meeting will be mailed to you early in the New Year. Hotel reservation information will be announced in the next issue of the Greensheet. COPE UPDATE The following text is a portion of the COPE Report presented to the House of Delegates at the IAB Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon. The remaining text of the report was printed in the Spring 1996 Greensheet. The following 39 optometry boards have notified the IAB office that they will accept COPE Approved Courses. As this is a new program, it is advisable to check with each optometry board office to clarify any special conditions attached to the acceptance:
The COPE Committee will be contacting all non-participating boards during the next year to inform them of the benefits of the program and to urge their participation. Courses Reviewed by COPE COPE has received 341 applications for course review since July 1, 1995 (a total of 448 applications for course review have been received since COPE'S inception on January 1, 1995). The breakdown of the courses are as follows: 317 courses have been qualified; 8 courses have been rejected as not meeting the COPE criteria for course qualification; 16 courses are currently in the COPE review process at the time of this report. COPE Qualified Administrators COPE has granted the COPE Qualified Administrator designation to 80 organizations/individuals. COPE Approved Courses To date, COPE has approved a total of 102 programs. COPE Reviewers COPE presently has 49 reviewers who have volunteered, and met the criteria, to participate in the program to review courses. COPE is always happy to welcome additional volunteers. Please contact your optometry licensing board office, or COPE, if you would like to become a COPE Reviewer. You MUST be endorsed by your optometry board to be accepted as a COPE Reviewer. Appointments for COPE Reviewers are for a period of one year; your optometry board will be contacted to renew its endorsement of your appointment at the end of your 12 month service period. THE GREENSHEET - Summer Issue 1996 The Greensheet is published quarterly by the IAB, 4340 East West Highway, Suite 401, Bethesda, MD 20814-4411. Copyright 1996, International Association of Boards of Examiners in Optometry, Inc. All rights reserved. Information/address changes: Write to IAB at address above. Subscriptions: Free upon request; send subscription request to IAB at address above (optometry board members automatically receive a free subscription).
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