Industry

AOA Closes Largest-Ever Optometry’s Meeting With Installation of New President, Board of Trustees

Vision Monday22h ago1 min read

PHOENIX—The American Optometric Association (AOA) closed out a landmark Optometry’s Meeting in Phoenix with the election of its 2026-2027 board of trustees and the installation of Teri K. Geist, OD, of Nebraska, as the 106th president of the AOA. Click here to view an exclusive video interview with Dr. Geist where she discusses advocacy, reimbursement and her top priorities as she takes the helm as AOA president. The profession’s premier annual event, which ran from June 17–20, was a record-setting event that brought together more than 6,000 attendees, including more than 3,000 students, residents, new doctors and faculty, the AOA said in an announcement.

Read full article on Vision Monday

AI Summary

Quick Take

The American Optometric Association (AOA) concluded its largest-ever Optometry’s Meeting in Phoenix, drawing over 6,000 attendees and installing Dr. Teri K. Geist as its 106th president. The event saw record participation from the next generation of the profession, with more than 3,000 students, residents, and new doctors in attendance.

Why It Matters

This record-breaking attendance, particularly among students and early-career doctors, signals a robust engagement with the profession's primary advocacy body at a critical time. Dr. Geist’s focus on reimbursement and advocacy addresses the most pressing economic challenges facing independent and corporate practices today. As the AOA transitions its leadership, the emphasis remains on securing the legislative and financial future of optometry against evolving healthcare landscapes.

Key Details

Dr. Teri K. Geist of Nebraska was installed as the 106th president of the AOA.
The meeting set an attendance record with more than 6,000 total participants in Phoenix from June 17–20.
Over 50% of attendees (3,000+) were students, residents, new doctors, or faculty, highlighting a significant youth movement in the organization.
The 2026-2027 board of trustees was officially elected during the event.
Key priorities for the new administration include advocacy efforts and addressing practitioner reimbursement issues.

Who's Affected

OptometristsPractice OwnersOptometry StudentsResidentsNew Practitioners

What's Next

Under Dr. Geist's leadership, the AOA is expected to intensify its focus on legislative advocacy and reimbursement reform. Practitioners should watch for updates regarding the 2026-2027 board's strategic initiatives as they begin their terms.

AI-generated summary — always read the original source for full context

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.