March Madness

Every year in March I spend much of my time in New York.  This year I attended the Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden for my 25th consecutive year.  Twenty-five years ago my Georgetown Hoyas were NCAA champions as they defeated the University of Houston, Akeem "The Dream" Olajuwon, and Phi Slamma Jamma.  It seems like yesterday as the crowds converged on the Hilltop, and John Thompson gave his famous speech to the HoyaNation.  This year was a much different year as the Hoyas struggled only two years after reaching the Final Four.  It reminds me of the point I constantly make to all of my OD's at Kaiser Permanente: "It is how you behave in adversity that defines you."  

Indeed the profession of optometry is reaching a crossroads as we tackle the issues of continued competency, and Board certification.  It is important that we all educate ourselves on the issues as we go forward.  Please read the material in the AOA website as well as Pete Kehoe's blog.  I would also recommend Ken Myers piece on ODwire.org, and the Optometric Physician article by Art Epstein.  The MOA will have Town Halls to discuss the issue on May 12th at the Far East Restaurant in Rockville, and on May 19th at Snyders in Baltimore.  I will also meet with the AAOS on April 28th.  I will get updates this weekend at Vision Expo East and in late April at the AOA Spring Planning meeting in April.

As we approach the summer, and the AOA Annual Congress coming to Maryland I am very pleased to have worked with some wonderful people.  I want to thank Lauren Gormley for organizing a trip to PCO/Salus and the upcoming Young OD event on April 2nd.  I really look forward to meeting the students at PCO every year.  I met some very engaging students this year.  I look forward to meeting some SUNY students this year at Vision Expo.  I will be part of a group of NYSOA members meeting with SUNY students.  I also met many of the SUNY residents the week of the Big East Tn as I attended their Grand Rounds Major Presentations.  Indeed Optometry has come a long way over the last few years.

This past weekend I enjoyed seeing many of you at our MOA/Wilmer JHU CE event.  It is the second year that we held the meeting and it was a great success.  Elliott Myrowitz, and William Davis deserve much credit for organizing the education.  I will see everyone soon.  Enjoy the rest of March Madness!  We have a saying at Georgetown--We will live to fight another day!

Thomas A. Wong, O.D.

President Maryland Optometric Association

Georgetown University Board of Governors

Proud Member of Generation Ewing