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IOA E-News
April | 2022
President's Perspective...
by IOA President, Dr. Jeff Neighbors

First off, I would like to thank Dr. Randy Johnson for his leadership over the past year. With his guidance and the careful deliberation of the Board of Trustees, we’ve been able to come through the last two years with flying colors and return to a version of normalcy.

Having finally recovered from the travel curse of President’s Council in Washington, D.C., I felt that it was time to sit down and discuss some of the items that we are looking to build on for the rest of 2022 and beyond. We can be proud of what the IOA and the optometrists of this state have done with the recent scope expansion including injections beyond anaphylaxis. However, as we have learned in the training for these procedures, there is more that we can do legislatively to improve the quality of care we deliver to our patients. We will be holding area meetings this fall to discuss these issues as well as a way to re-establish personal relationships with our lawmakers.

We are going to be re-evaluating the goals of the Iowa Optometric Foundation. For years the Foundation has offered low interest loans to students and young doctors that return to practice in the great state of Iowa. While the Foundation is rooted in strong concepts, we want to benefit the new wave of optometrists that are accruing more student debt than ever before. In developing a new way to help those doctors, we will also be incentivizing practicing in all areas of Iowa. We want to maintain strong presence in all 99 counties in order to provide the best access to care to all those in Iowa that need it.

The Board of Trustees is making it a top priority to reach out to the various optometry schools across the country. We want to strengthen our relationships with the students and communicate the many opportunities available to them in Iowa. It's important for the next generation of optometrists to see how valuable they are in building on our legacy. There are so many doctors that have set the bar high for Iowa optometry and the profession as a whole.

Finally, on a personal note, it is a tremendous honor for me to have this opportunity to serve as the IOA President. I have served with some wonderful individuals and have been preceded in this office by some true legends of our profession. Being an optometrist is all I’ve ever wanted to do. The profession of optometry has provided me and my family with a very blessed life. I promise to do the best that I can for Iowa optometry and to do everything in my power to uphold the legacy of this association.

Best Regards,

Jeff J. Neighbors, O.D.
A Final Note...
by Dr. Randy Johnson

Hello all. It was a pleasure seeing those of you in attendance in Des Moines for the IOA congress. It is always good to see friends. Although convenient, online meetings can never duplicate in person events. There was great education, great fellowship, and the silent auction for the PAC was well received. Be sure to mark your calendar for our summer meeting in the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, July 15 and 16. There is great food and many family activities near our new venue. Hope to see you there.

It was my pleasure to pass the President’s gavel to Dr. Jeff Neighbors on Friday morning of Congress. I wish him all the best in his leadership tenure. Jeff understands the challenges we face today in patient care and business management, and will continue to guide your Board in making decisions that benefit you, the members of the IOA, and the patients that trust you with their vision and ocular health.

I also had the honor of awarding Dr. Brian Kirschling the President's Award for being, what I would call, the MVP for the sitting President. Brian has been volunteering his time and energy to the IOA for ten years and I truly appreciate the work he has done on my, and your, behalf. If you see him, tell him thank you.

One last parting shot/appeal for PAC dollars. In a race, the boat that has ALL the occupants rowing will advance much faster than the boat with only a few rowing. At present, roughly 15 percent of the membership are contributing 100 percent of the PAC dollars raised. In other words, very few of us are “rowing the boat”, yet we all want to win the race. With elections coming and future legislation needed to advance the profession, we need full participation by the membership. Please contact Gary or Jill at the IOA office to set up a monthly gift to your profession. 

The Iowa Optometric Association has a respected and historic past and it has been my great honor to represent you this past year. As always, I wish you, your family, and staff health and prosperity. ”To the Association!”
-Randy
Board of Directors

President

President Elect

Vice President

Secretary/Treasurer

Past President

Trustees
Member Resources

For issues related to medical record keeping, coding, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. send your questions directly to OBC Billing Specialists at [email protected].
When submitting questions, identify yourself as a member of the IOA.

Additional resources:
For PQRS questions, email

For EHR questions, email

MEMBER BENEFIT
LEGAL SERVICES

The IOA has retained the firm of Skinner & Paschke, PLLC to assist with basic legal advice to members.

Skinner & Paschke, PLLC is a full-service law firm located on the west side of the Des Moines Metro area. The primary areas of practice within the firm include employment law, real estate transactions, workers’ compensation, estate planning and administration, and government affairs.

Attorney Troy Skinner received his BBA from the University of Iowa in 1992 with an emphasis in finance. He received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Creighton University in 1996. Troy is admitted to practice in the State of Iowa as well as the United States Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa.

Attorney Kellie Paschke received her B.A. from Cornell College in 1997, majoring in political science and J.D. from Drake University Law School in 2000, with a focus on corporate/business law. She is admitted to practice in the State of Iowa as well as the United States Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa.

To schedule a consultation* with Troy or Kellie, please email [email protected]. Identify yourself as a member of the IOA and explain the issue you are looking for help with.

*Services beyond an initial consultation may incur additional fees.
Meet your IOA Board Member
Don Furman

We are starting a series where we introduce you to your IOA Board Members.

Practice: Family Eye Care Center, Garner and Forest City
Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry 1992
IOA Member since 1992

Why did you decide to become an optometrist?
My older cousin announced that she was going to be an optometrist so I decided "Me too!". I never wavered. Meanwhile, my cousin decided she hated biology and became a theatre major.

Why did you join the IOA?
Because it is what you do if you care about your profession.

What do you enjoy the most about volunteering?
I like knowing that I am giving something back and helping future ODs.

Did you or do you have a mentor?
Dr. Warren Waltman, my first practice partner. From him I learned a lot about business and how people should be treated.

What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I am a licensed sommelier. I lead wine tastings and classes.

What's the last book you read?
Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir. Highly recommend!

What's the first concert you ever attended?
Van Halen - 1982.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would say spaghetti bolognese, but it could be almost anything classic Italian. With plenty of wine, of course.
AOA on Capitol Hill

Drs. John Weihe and Jeff Manternach and Executive Director Gary Ellis attended the AOA on Capitol Hill event (pictured right with Senator Chuck Grassley). They had the opportunity to meet with the Iowa Congressional Delegation to discuss the Doc Access Act along with several other issues that relate to optometry.
IOA Congress 2022

This was our first in-person Congress since 2019!!! We had 213 ODs and 35 exhibitors in attendance. 14 hours of CE + the Assistants joining us on Friday night in the Exhibit Hall for the PAC Auction and massages for a donation to PAC = a great time!

Mark your calendars for July 15th - 16th and join us at our new venue in Omaha for the start of the new biennium. Registration information coming soon!
Dr. Randy Johnson passing the gavel to incoming IOA President, Dr. Jeff Neighbors.
Dr. Brian Kirschling swearing in the 2022-2023 IOA Board of Directors at the House of Delegates meeting.
New IOA President, Dr. Jeff Neighbors addressing the House of Delegates.
There were 14 hours of CE for attendees.
Doctors enjoy the networking opportunities in the Exhibit Hall.
Bidding gets competitive at the end of the night for the IOA PAC Auction!
Dr. Brian Kirschling presented Dr. Don Crouch of Storm Lake with the Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Randy Johnson presented Dr. Brian Kirschling with the President's Award.
From Dr. Don Crouch
THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
What a great honor. I have been in the right place at the right time and had the support of so many people. Optometry has been so good to me and my family, volunteering my time and energy is just a small way of giving back to the profession.

I intend to be involved as long as I am able. Optometry has been my passion. I do not consider myself retired, just not seeing patients anymore. I truly appreciate the recognition. This is the highlight of my career.

God Bless,

Dr. Don Crouch
New Email for 3rd Party Questions

For issues related to medical record keeping, coding, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. send your questions directly to OBC Billing Specialists at [email protected]

When submitting questions, identify yourself as a member of the IOA.
Will you be in Chicago for Optometry’s Meeting?

Join ICO in celebrating our 150th Anniversary!

We will be hosting an open house on ICO’s campus on Friday, June 17th from 5-9 PM
  • The celebration will include a menu of tasty samplings from local restaurants and open bar featuring wine, local beers and signature cocktails.
  • Mingle with students, staff, and faculty and take a tour of our campus.
  • Shuttles will run every 30 minutes from McCormick Place to ICO’s Campus.
New IOA Members
Samer Arafat, Cedar Rapids
Jake Haberman, Webster City
Kathy Hotsenpiller, Cedar Rapids
Kacie Monroe, Marshalltown
Lesley Olswing, Ames
Eyad Yehyawi, Cedar Rapids
Important dates

2022
June 15 - 19 - Optometry's Meeting, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
July 15 - 16 - IOA Summer CE 2022, Omaha Marriott at the Capital District, Omaha, NE
October 20 - 21 - Hawkeye Institute, Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel and Conference Center, Coralville
December 2 - 3 - Advanced Procedures Course + Botox III, Marriott West Des Moines, West Des Moines

2023
March 24 - 26 - Annual Congress, Des Moines Marriott Downtown
July 14 - 15 - IOA Summer CE 2023, Omaha Marriott at the Capital District, Omaha, NE
October 19 - 20 - Hawkeye Institute, Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel and Conference Center, Coralville

2024
March 15 - 17 - Annual Congress, Des Moines Marriott Downtown
October 17 - 18 - Hawkeye Institute, Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel and Conference
Thank you to our Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors!
 
 
 
 
GOLD:
GSRx
 
 
 
 
SILVER:
Wolfe Eye Clinic
BRONZE:
Doctors Exchange
of Iowa
BRONZE:
Essilor Laboratories
BRONZE:
Optometric Architects
BRONZE:
Principal Financial
BRONZE:
VSP Vision.
BRONZE:
Walman Optical
GET TO KNOW VSP VISION CARE PRESIDENT
KATE RENWICK-ESPINOSA
Click below for the article

Royalty Products

The mission of the Iowa Optometric Association (IOA) is to improve the quality, availability and accessibility of eye/vision care in Iowa, to represent the optometric profession to government, third parties and the public, and to assist members in conducting their practices successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care and efficiency. 

The IOA encourages high ethical standards and continued post-graduate level professional education and research. The IOA will utilize its resources to promote and maintain high professional standards of eye care in Iowa.
See Your Optometrist For That