Be Aware of a Phishing Scam Purporting to be from the Board of Optometry

The Alabama Board of Optometry has been made aware of an email that purports to be from the Board and says that the doctor's license has been suspended. This email is false and is a phishing scam. Do not click on any links or respond to the email with any personal information.

These malicious phishing emails fraudulently appear to originate from a known or trusted sender to elicit confidential information, such as passwords, account numbers or other sensitive data. These schemers go to great lengths to trick users and target victims ranging from individuals and small businesses to large corporations.

These kinds of advanced spear-phishing scams are a very real, commonplace threat and unfortunately easy to overlook.

Click HERE for more information about recognizing and avoiding phishing scams.

Legislative Update

There are 12 legislative days left in the 2025 legislative session. Here are some of the topics of interest to optometry:

SALES TAX ON OPHTHALMIC GOODS: Optometry's own Rep. Mark Shirey has introduced HB176 which would remove the state sales tax on prescription ophthalmic goods. Alabama is one of only six states which taxes prescription eyeglasses and contacts. The bill passed out of the Ways and Means Education committee last week and could be heard on the floor of the House of Representatives at any time. Please contact your legislators and let them know that you support the removal of the state sales tax on opthalmic materials.

Alabama House

Don't know who your legislator is? Find out HERE



SUNSET: Every four years, each occupational licensing board must go through a "sunset" process. This includes a comprehensive audit and review of their activities. We are pleased to report that the Alabama Board of Optometry had a clean audit and the Sunset bill associated with this process has passed the legislature and is waiting for the Governor's signature. This year there has been increased scrutiny on the activities of occupational licensing boards and many boards have only been allowed to continue operations for one year and will have to undergo the Sunset process again. We are grateful to the Alabama Board of Optometry members and Executive Director, Dr. Fred Wallace, for their diligence and professionalism in running the board.

CONSOLIDATED BOARD BILL: There has been a movement for the last two years to create a state agency that all occupational licensing boards would fall under. This would diminish the autonomy of the Alabama Board of Optometry and their ability to be responsive to the public and to the licensees. We are pleased to report that the ALOA was successful in having the Alabama Board of Optometry removed from the board consolidation legislation.

Join the ALOA Leadership Optometry Class of 2025

The Leadership Optometry program is a statewide program to select, develop and educate optometrists who have demonstrated an interest in local or statewide issues. The program is designed to be a series of issue-oriented experiences, which are based on the belief that knowledge is a prime motivator of leadership. Leadership Optometry is open to ALOA members that have been in practice 10 years or less. Participants are selected on ability, interest in their community or profession and insight for effective leadership.

The course consists of 4 sessions. As with all worthwhile endeavors, this program requires a definite commitment of time on the part of each participant. Attendance is mandatory for successful completion of the program. There is no tuition for the Leadership Program. The ALOA will pay the program costs and meals. ALOA will pay for lodging for the April 30—May 1 meeting. Participants must pay the remainder of expenses including transportation and any other lodging expenses. Apply HERE to join the 2025 ALOA Leadership Optometry Class. Submit the form to Amanda Buttenshaw at optometry@alaopt.com.

2025 Dates

April 30 - May 1 Day at the Legislature

(Be in Montgomery by 7:00 p.m. on the 13th for dinner with Leadership Class)

Orientation / Legislative and Grassroots

Montgomery, AL (Meeting with Legislators and the ALOA Contract Lobbyist)

July 22 (Zoom) Current Issues / ABC’s of Optometry and What it Takes to Be a Leader

Work on Class Project / Learn about the Alabama Board of Optometry

August 11 (Zoom) Structure of an Association / Running a Successful Meeting / Work on Class Project

October 2 Dinner with the ALOA Board

7:00 pm - Birmingham, AL (in conjunction with the ALOA Convention)

October 3 Present Leadership project to the Board

9:00 am - Birmingham, AL (in conjunction with the ALOA Convention)

THANK YOU TO OUR MARCH ALOPAC CONTRIBUTORS!

Lauren Albert, O.D.

Tim Ansley, O.D.

Jodi Baker, O.D.

Paul Batson, O.D.

James Bedsole, O.D.

Charles Bell, O.D.

John Bender, O.D.

Birmingham Area Optometric Society

Bryan Boozer, O.D.

Spencer Boozer, O.D.

Jessica Boyd, O.D.

Gussie Branch, O.D.

David Britton, O.D.

Jeremy Campbell, O.D.

Mason Childers, O.D.

Giselle Childers, O.D.

Raymond Cobb, O.D.

Jacquelyn Collins, O.D.

James Crockett, O.D.

Melissa Curl, O.D.

Howard Day, O.D.

Sharon Day, O.D.

Stephen Downey, O.D.

Joshua Driver, O.D.

Kimberly Dunagan, O.D.

George Eischens, O.D.

Robert Ellis, O.D.

Gary Few, O.D.

Patricia Fulmer, O.D.

Caleb Gardner, O.D.

Theresa Glass, O.D.

Adam Gordon, O.D.

G. Chad Green, O.D.

Michael Griffin, O.D.

Lynn Hammonds, O.D.

Gene Harrison, O.D.

Robbie Hayes, O.D.

Jimm Helton, O.D.

Amy Herrington, O.D.

Jeffrey Hicks, O.D.

Christi Hill, O.D.

Jeffrey Hill, O.D.

Bryan Holman, O.D.

John Hornsby, O.D.

Neena James, O.D.

Norman Johnson, O.D.

Sheila Kirk, O.D.

Michael Kwarcinski, O.D.

John Laurent, O.D.

Melanie Lawrence, O.D.

Jan Lenz, O.D.

Whitney Lowe, O.D.

Maurice Lyn, O.D.

Marston Martin, O.D.

Duane Mohon, O.D.

Hamp Moore, O.D.

Robert Moore, O.D.

Kathryn Mowrer, O.D.

Paris Mullins, O.D.

Danny Murray, O.D.

David O'Leary, O.D.

Jessica Palmer, O.D.

Rob Pate, O.D.

Alan Peaslee, O.D.

Sam Pierce, O.D.

Patrick Pyron, O.D.

Mazen Sahawneh, O.D.

Abnous Samford, O.D.

Bonnie-Kim Schwertz, O.D.

Mark Shirey, O.D.

Gerald Simon, O.D.

Wayne Stevens, O.D.

Gregory Stewart, O.D.

Lauren Stirling, O.D.

Kristin Sullins, O.D.

Robert Svensen, O.D.

Chris Teichmiller, O.D.

Kathryn Thigpen, O.D.

James Tillman, O.D.

Molly Tipton, O.D.

Candice Turner, O.D.

Megan Walker, O.D.

Kennedy Walker, O.D.

Valencia Wells, O.D.

Leanne Whitaker, O.D.

Clare Wilder, O.D.

PeytonYarbrough, O.D.

Following Up After an Interview Without Bugging the Hiring Manager

You wrote the perfect application and aced the interview. But there’s one more opportunity to make a good impression—the follow-up. You want to show enthusiasm, but you don’t want to seem overeager or annoying. AOAExcel talked with optometry recruiters and practice owners to get their perspective on when, how, and why to follow up after an interview:

·      “Regular communication often sets you apart and shows your willingness to contribute to a team,” says Chelsea Page, senior physician recruiter at Access TeleCare. "Sending a quick thank you message within 24 hours speaks volumes.”

·      “Doctors are busy, and it may take them a while to get back to you, but they’ll notice if you keep showing interest,” says practice owner Jason Wilson, O.D., of Mississippi.

·      “It’s always a great idea to follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter after an interview,” says Caitlin Covey, physician recruiting manager at Eyecare Partners. “Follow-up through email anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks is expected and shows you have real interest.”

·      “Applicants should follow up with interviewers about a week after the interview,” says practice owner Mason Smith, O.D., of South Carolina.

·      “Be consistent with your communication, and be sure to respond in a timely fashion—I recommend sending a thank you email within 24 to 48 hours after an interview,” says Jill Maher of Maher Medical Consulting. “Optometry is a small world. Those you are communicating with today may be someone you work with in the future.”

No matter when and how you reach out after an interview, the key is to show gratitude and interest. Email is the popular choice when it comes to communicating, but social media like LinkedIn could also be an option if used tactfully. Overall, make sure to be respectful and appreciative, and you’ll be sure to make a good impression for current and future opportunities.

AOAExcel is an AOA member benefit that provides doctors of optometry with the resources and education they need to practice with confidence. Visit the AOAExcel Career Center to view job listings from across the country. For more advice on interviewing, networking, and other topics, visit the AOAExcel Career Center’s Career Resources.