One of the hallmarks of an UMSL College of Optometry student is involvement in the profession. They go - en masse - to Optometry’s Meeting every year and their presence at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry is both significant and growing. With the student leadership that defines the College of Optometry, it would make sense that there would be a large contingent of students who took time out of their busy schedules – not to mention the expense as well – to participate in the annual American Optometric Association Congressional Advocacy Conference, held April 17-19 in Washington DC.
This meeting allowed our student leaders to observe all that the AOA does legislatively to both preserve our current scope of practice while also trying to helping us progress as a profession. And they found it be extremely beneficial as Kelsey Haugen (’17) relates: “The AOA Congressional Advocacy Conference was a great opportunity to learn and engage with other students and future optometric colleagues! Attending such conferences makes you appreciate the tremendous effort by other optometrists to maintain and expand our rights through legislative action. I was extremely proud of the student representation from UMSL and am certain there is a solid foundation for the future of optometry.” Kanesha McBee (’17) agrees: “It was an awesome experience learning about Optometry from a non-clinical perspective. Being able to express our concerns face to face with the Senates and Congressman is more reason for me to return and hopefully get more bills passed.”
The College of Optometry has a history of leaders in the American Optometric Student Association – to include Drs. Tonia Batts (’11), Jennifer Sidun (’13), and Devin Sasser (15) – who have participated in this conference, have been active in the profession politically, and who all could be President of the AOA someday. That history makes it especially important for first year students to experience this conference and several did including Class Representative Kate Hamm (’19) who found it to be a very inspiring and motivational meeting. “Advocating for Optometry in Washington DC was an incredible experience! I met so many people passionate about Optometry and the patient experience. Now I plan on being very active in more states advocacy, and I know I will be heading back to Washington DC next year to continue advancing our profession!”