First, I would like to ask you to please check the GOA COVID-19 Resource Center daily as we continue to post updates pertinent to your practice. The GOA staff and I are monitoring information as it becomes available on both a national and state level. After updates are shared via email, they will be posted to this page for your convenience. Consider bookmarking the page for faster reference.

Out of an abundance of caution and care for our members and staff, I have approved the GOA will temporarily close its headquarters in Atlanta until further notice. The GOA staff will continue their work remotely, and all usual modes of communication are still active. Please feel free to contact them at 770-961-9866 or via email with any questions that you may have.

The GOA executive board realizes that these are difficult and unique times and have met regularly. In regards to payment of dues, AOA has waived two months of their dues. This will be immediately applied to your AOA dues balance. If you have already paid your AOA dues, this will be applied to your 2021 dues invoice.

The GOA always has and will take the cost of our dues very seriously. We have not raised dues over the past five years and have agreed not to do so again in the next year. We are happy to work with you in regards to your GOA membership, so please notify the GOA office if you are having difficulty in making your GOA portion of payment.

We are also monitoring federal and state guidelines for large events. The GOA annual meeting scheduled for June 11-14 at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC, is proceeding as planned. In the case we have to cancel, we will refund all who have registered. We will update our members as the situation develops.

Finally, please feel free to share your stories with us. Whether they be COVID-19 stories, best practices or anything that you believe will be helpful or interesting for your colleagues. We hope you will join us in making sure that this moment in our history, despite the circumstances, brings Georgia Optometry united together more than ever before.

Providing you with the education, information, and resources you need to serve your patients remains our number one priority. The GOA staff joins me in our commitment to providing you with vital information during this time of uncertainty.

Thank you for all that you are doing for your patients, for your community, and for our profession during this public health emergency. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please let me know.

Please protect yourselves, your family and your loved ones in these difficult times.