One hour ABO Seminar

The Opticians Association of America State Society
January/February 2011 Newsletter
Editors: Lisa Harmon, John Cummins
Happy New Year 2011! I hope
your holidays were filled with
joyful time spent with family and friends. It’s a fresh
new year: time for reflection, renewal, and resolution.
What are your resolutions for this shiny new year?
The November meeting was sponsored by Carl Zeiss
Vision at Dave and Busters. Speaker Jeff Hopkins
delivered a two hour technical ABO seminar to a full
house. I want to thank the entire CZV team: Summer
Bouchedid, Ken Thompson, Eric Kenner, and Jeff
Hopkins for the sponsorship and support of COAT.
December delivered a one-of-a-kind, non-returnable, unexchangeable present to my door. It wasn’t wrapped in
elegant paper or embellished with colorful ribbon. There
wasn’t even a card, but I knew all too well it was for me.
The ‘gift’ held my special membership to the pentagenarian club. In simpler terms, I am now a half century old.
That’s right6nifty fifty, the big 5-O, AARP age, and so
on. It was a quiet birthday with my family and dinner at
our favorite Mexican food restaurant. As we exited the
restaurant, my family suddenly realized that they forgot
to embarrass me with the ‘wearing of the sombrero’ and
a birthday serenade. It was a narrow escape, but ole’!
sponsors a
One hour ABO Seminar
presented by
A look at the medical necessity that Eye
Care Practitioners have to present their
patients with the best visual solution
and focuses on doing this by educating,
informing and recommending multiple
pairs to all their patients.
Sponsor information on page 5
This is my last “Lisa’s Lines” as the President of the
Certified Opticians Association of Texas. It has been
an honor and privilege to serve this organization, and I
deeply appreciate the support and encouragement
received during the last three years. This experience
challenged me in ways I never imagined, and enabled
me to see things from multiple angles. In the process,
I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of great people,
and make some life long friends. I learned so many
things along the way, one of which is just how little I
do know. Education comes in many forms and is vital
to growth and knowledge, both personally and professionally. Remember “a mind is a terrible thing to waste”,
so make 2011 the year to get involved with COAT,
starting with the annual state conference.
The 2011 COAT State Education Conference and Trade
Show is February 4-5. This is the best educational
opportunity in the state, with 17 hours of ABO and NCLE
accredited courses, as well as an ABO prep course. All
the conference details are in this issue and on our website at www.coat.tv. Classes are filling up fast, so don’t
delay and get your registration in today. Check back for
updates and be sure to sign up for monthly e-blasts and
the free bimonthly newsletter on the ‘contact us’ page.
The January meeting has moved from the 18th to the
25th, and is sponsored by Vision-Ease Lens at Dave and
Busters. Ryan Rogers kicks off the first meeting of 2011
by presenting a one hour ABO seminar. I look forward
to seeing you, and encourage you to become a 2011
annual COAT member.
Sightfully Yours,
Lisa Harmon, ABOC, NCLEC
January/February 2011
Place an X in the box for each event and course selected.
Please print clearly and make additional copies for multiple registrants.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Registration Fees
Regular - rec’d by 1-15-11
Late - rec’d by 1-21-11
On Site* - lunch on your own
Trade Show - lunch on your own*
6:00 - 9:00 Wine & Cheese Reception; Past President Tribute; Early Registration
Pl a c e a n ‘ X ’ i n t h e b o x f o r e a c h e v e n t a n d c o u r s e s e l e c t e d .
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Morning Session
7:00 - 7:45 Registration Opens - East Dining
7:30 - 8:00 Welcome and Breakfast - West Dining
8:00- 10:00 Opticians Liability General Session - West Dining
$ 147
$ 177
$ 207
$ 0
Add-ons
ABO Prep Course ($70 savings)
Billing & Coding Workbook
Guest - Friday reception
Guest - Saturday dinner
Diane Drake 2 ABO/NCLE Intermediate
8:00- 11:00 ABO Prep Course - Part 1 of 2 - Additional fee - Ontario South
John Soper -“No Pass, No Pay” Guarantee
10:00 -11:00 Financials & Formulas Part 1 of 2 - Sydney North
Pamela Fritz 2 ABO at the end of Part 2
$ 120
$ 30
$ 25
$ 50
10:00 -11:00 Anatomy & Physiology - How Does the Eye Work? - Sydney South
Diane Drake - 1 ABO/NCLE
TOTAL $
10:00 - 11:00 Frames vs. Bevels - Ontario North
Karen Stotz - 1 ABO
10:30 - 3:30 Exhibit Hall - East Dining
11:00 - 1:00 Vendor Lunch - East Dining
Fri Sat
Fri Sat
Afternoon Session
1:00 - 2:00 Financials & Formulas Part 2 of 2 - Sydney North
1:00 - 2:00
Guest
Guest
Pamela Fritz - 2 ABO
Free Care - Friend or Foe? - Ontario North
Karen Stotz - 1 ABO
Check all that apply
Certification or License Number
1:00 - 5:00 ABO Prep Course - Part 2 of 2 Additional fee - Ontario South
John Soper - “Don’t Pass, Don’t Pay” Guarantee
1:00 - 3:00 Fitting the Presbyope-Multiple Fitting Options - Sidney South
Diane Drake - 2 ABO/NCLE Intermediate
2:00 - 3:00 Mirror Coatings-The Full Spectrum - Ontario North
Karen Stotz - 1 ABO
2:00 - 5:00 Increasing Revenue through Proper Billing & Coding - Sydney North
Pamela Fritz - 3 ABO - 200+ page wkbk recommended - $30
3:00 - 5:00 Hands On Dispensing - Ontario North
Karen Stotz - 2 ABO - Limited to 25
3:00 - 5:00 How to Effectively Apply Lifestyle Principles to Selling Eyewear & CL’s
Diane Drake - 2 ABO/NCLE Intermediate - Sydney South
Saturday Evening
6:00 -10:00 Dinner, Music, Dancing, and Mystery Guest - West Dining
ABO
MD
NCLE
TDH-Reg
OD
Practice Admin.
COT
Office Manager
COA
COPE
Billing Staff
Lab Tech
OA
Other
Mail to: COAT
P.O. Box 9776
The Woodlands, TX 77387
Please print clearly and remember to enclose the form and check or money order payable to COAT.
First Name
Last Name
Company
Address
Company Address
City, State, Zip
City, State, Zip
Email
Company Email
Daytime Phone
Mobile Phone
The 2011 COAT State Education courses and speakers are subject to change without notice. The Certified Opticians Association of Texas is not responsible for courses that have not received accreditation, so do not assume that the
courses you register for will be approved. You will not receive credit if you are late to a course. “Pending” courses listed are to serve as a guide to assist you with course selections. The course listings are being submitted to the specified
accrediting agencies for consideration of approval. Course approvals will be updated periodically as approvals are received from the accrediting agencies. Please check back to see if currently ‘pending’ courses have been approved.
Certified Opticians Association of Texas is a 501 (c)(6) non-profit organization
2
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January/February 2011
WHO
Opticians, Optical Assistants, Optical
Managers, Billing Staff, Lab Techs,
Practice Administrators, MD’s, OD’s,
Practice Owners
WHAT
17+ ABO and 7 NCLE hours of basic
and intermediate continuing education,
Texas-size trade show, spectacular
speakers, breakfast, lunch, Friday evening
wine & cheese reception, Saturday evening
finale, with dinner, music, dancing, and a
mystery guest.
WHERE
Lone Star College & Conference Ctr.
20515 State Highway 249
Houston, TX 77070
Free parking
WHY
To learn about new products and
technology continuing education,
networking opportunities, a Texas-size
trade show.
Hotels
HOW
Use the form on page 2 to register by mail
with check or money order.
ACCOMODATIONS
Special rate available to 1-7-11
TownePlace Suites Houston NW - $79
11040 Louetta Rd.
Houston, TX 77070
(888) 703-0392 (281) 374-6767
www.marriott.com/HOUTN
Courtyard Houston NW - $99
11050 Louetta Rd.
Houston, TX 77070
(888) 703-0392 (281) 374-6464
www.marriott.com/HOUNW
The hotels provide free shuttle service to
and from Lone Star College.
ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE
Seven hours of basic and/or intermediate
ABO and/or NCLE continuing education,
trade show, breakfast*, lunch*, Friday
evening wine and cheese reception*,
Saturday evening dinner*, music, and
dancing. And that’s not all! Price
includes:
COAT Annual Membership ($70 value)
6 Bimonthly Meetings
Membership Certificate
Name Badge
OAA Annual Membership ($65 value)
Health insurance discount
Sprint wireless discount
Disability insurance available
Complete membership details available
at www.coat.tv
*On-Site registration
does not include meals
DRESS CODE
Business casual; jacket or sweater
recommended for your comfort in conference
rooms. No shorts or flip-flops please.
713.890.2520
www.coat.tv
coatsecretary@yahoo.com
3
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January/February 2011
With over 30 years in the optical business,
Mrs. Diane Drake is an approved speaker for
American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and
National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE),
lecturing both locally and nationally. She was
president and owner of All About Eyes Vision
Center in Griffin, GA, for 19 years. A licensed
optician in Georgia, she is advanced certified
by both ABO and NCLE, and also has received her masters in
ophthalmic optics certification by ABO. Mrs. Drake is a
Fellow of the Contact Lens Society of America and Fellow of
the National Academy of Opticianry. She has previously
served on the board of directors for the National Academy of
Opticianry and the Opticians Association of Georgia. She is a
past president of the Opticians Association of Georgia and
the Southeastern Opticians Conference. She is a 1995
graduate of the OAA Refractometry program. Mrs. Drake was
named Optician of the Year for Georgia in 1992, and was
honored with the prestigious Beverly Myers Achievement
award by the National Academy of Opticianry in 1996. She is
a regular contributing writer for Vision Care Product News,
and co-authored the Advanced Certification Exam Book and
course for the National Academy of Opticianry, which was
commissioned by ABO.
mology
Pamela Fritz began specializing in the MD
dispensing segment in the early 90's as
more and more MD's began to move into
dispensing eyewear. In 1999, she was the
producer, conference director, educational
director, and faculty member for the First
Dispensing Ophthalmology Conference
held in Atlantic City, NJ. In 2000, she
produced the Second Dispensing OphthalConference
in
San
D i e g o,
CA .
In May of 2000, she and a group MD's and fellow faculty
founded the American Association of Dispensing
Ophthalmologists, Inc., a national non-profit organization
dedicated to education for dispensing ophthalmologists.
For the next 5 years, they held 10 Dispensing
Ophthalmology Conferences at both the International
Vision Expos in New York and Las Vegas. Ms. Fritz
presently serves on the AADO executive board as
Treasurer. She is also the AADO Executive Director.
Ms. Fritz has lectured on dispensing at the American
Academy of Ophthalmology meetings through the
American Association of Ophthalmic Executives, from 2004
through 2007. At the 2006 AAO meeting, the AADO
partnered with Ophthalmology Times in developing the first
“Dispensing Ophthalmology Pavilion”, a concept she
developed.
A dynamic national and international lecturer, she has
given hundreds of seminars at every major optical
conference since 1975. Her seminars have been sponsored
by Associations from all the three O's, as well as, Optical
Corporations. She has written for the optical trade press
for 25 years and has been published and quoted in Review
of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Times, Eye Care
Businesses, Vision Monday and 20/20.
4
John C. Soper, is one of the country's best
known ophthalmic professionals. Mr. Soper
has been involved in the optical industry for
over 20 years. He has specialized in the
area of ophthalmic optics, eyeglasses and
contact lenses. He has assisted with the
introduction of a NASA related optical
breakthrough to the ophthalmic industry as
well as giving continuing education credits nation-wide on
diverse topics which include the effects of colored lenses
on the human eye and brain.
Mr. Soper is both ABO and NCLE certified. He holds
opticianry and contact licenses in both the states of Virginia
and Kentucky, and is certified in the state of Texas. Mr.
Soper passed the Masters of Ophthalmic Optics exam in
1990, and is a Fellow in the National Academy of Opticianry.
He served as President of the Harris County Chapter of the
Certified Opticians Association of Texas, and the Texas
Ophthalmic Professionals Society. He was also Education
Chairman for the Texas Ophthalmic Professionals Society.
Mr. Soper comes from a family of prominent opticians,
technicians and ophthalmic instructors. He attended Texas
Tech University and graduated with honors from J. Sergeant
Reynolds College in Richmond, Virginia, holding a degree in
opticianry. He was awarded Texas Optician of the Year in
1995 and graduated first in the state of Texas first
refractometry class.
Along with being an ABO/NCLE approved lecturer, he has
assisted in the training of many students with limited optical
backgrounds. His method of teaching is explaining difficult
optical theories in easy to understand terms and examples
through association. His ABO preparatory course is the
only one of its kind in the country to offer a money back
guarantee if the student does not pass.
Mr. Soper is President of Soper Enterprises, Houston,
Texas, provider of ophthalmic consultant and management
services. He has served as a consultant to Soper
International Ophthalmics, Vista Optical, Museum District
Opticians, the Houston Rockets, Astros, Comets and Aeros,
EyeCare Express Labs and San Jacinto College.
Karen Stotz, ABOC, NCLEC has 30 years
of experience in all aspects of the optical
industry, with ten years of managing
multiple ophthalmic and optometric
dispensaries.
She is an accredited
speaker for both general and technical
American Board of Opticianry courses.
Ms. Stotz was instrumental in developing Pech Optical's
internal education program, such as training for surface,
finish, office, and customer service department. She
developed and contributed to the development of
multiple programs for the Pech education curriculum,
and helped develop the Quality Assurance department
for Pech Optical, including implementation of auditing
procedures.
www.coat.tv
January/February 2011
When you love what you do, you tend to do it better than anyone else. Every lens we make is a combination of passion,
technology and common sense. We don’t just make lenses
that work better on paper. We make lenses that work better
on people. A company of real people making lenses for real
people. Isn’t that the way your lens company should work?
Founded in 1930, Vision-Ease Lens has become a recognized
leading manufacturer of quality ophthalmic lenses through
its superior technological ingenuity. The sole objective of
Vision-Ease Lens is to develop and manufacture products
that are both innovative and unmatched in quality.
George Carter
Sales Representative
832-814-3652
geroge.carter@vision-ease.com
A new year and new beginnings!
Last March I was offered the position
of COAT Vice President, and nine
months later, I’ve been promoted to
the Presidency! I remember attending my first COAT meeting in the
early nineties. At that time the group
was quite a bit smaller in size; however, what they
lacked in size, they made up for in volume. It was
hard to hear the speaker over the attendees talking
amongst themselves. In my mind, it seemed that
COAT was a group of “old” opticians who gathered
together to drink, reminisce about the old days, and
complain how the chains were going to be the death
of the optician. Now flash forward a decade and a half,
and COAT has become the Opticians Association of
America’s state organization, with members all around
the Lone Star State, and soon a second chapter.
One of my primary goals is to grow the sponsorship:
for the organization, as well as the annual conference.
Secondly, I’d like all the bimonthly meetings scheduled
for the next two years. And last but not least, I want to
reach as many Texas opticians as I can. By extending
educational opportunities to help expand their knowledge of optics, we can all can reap the rewards of our
chosen profession.
The first opportunity to do this is with the 2011 COAT
State Education Conference and Trade Show. The
Board of Directors has searched to find speakers who
are not only interesting, but provide a variety of topics.
Diane Drake joins us for the first time, and offers 7
hours of dual ABO/NCLE accredited courses. Pamela
Fritz will present 2 outstanding ABO courses, and updating us on all the changes in Medicare. A recent and
exciting addition is a “Don’t Pass, Don’t Pay” guaranteed ABO Prep Course, presented by John Soper.
Additionally, there will be a mix of EMR/EHR companies
representing their products. On top of all that, there will
be a phenomenal trade show, with a long and prestigious exhibitors showcasing the newest and best in the
optical industry.
Please join us on Friday, February 4, for the wine and
cheese reception and early registration. A special tribute to Past Presidents is the highlight of the evening,
so don’t miss it. It is by honoring and knowing our past,
that we can grow in the future. Saturday night’s dinner
is an event not to be missed, so I hope you will attend
and make this annual event a whopping success!
Doug Yepez, ABOC
COAT Vice President
5
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January/February 2011
When you visit your local supermarket, you see aisles of
products and selections for you to choose from. The
different choices of the same products are there to satisfy
diverse tastes and various budgets. A trade show is also
much like a supermarket for the industry that is being
showcased. It offers numerous opportunities for you to see
new and current products and suppliers and come away
with great ideas to build your business. I always wonder
before I register to attend our industry trade show if I should
spend the time and money. But after I come back, I realize
that it would have been foolish not to. If I didn’t go, my
competition could have an edge on my business.
eye. Many times the company name doesn’t match their
products and I might have missed them otherwise.
Also, it’s a good time to tell exhibitors what’s not yet available
in the market but is needed. This is where they pick up ideas
for future products or enhancements. They would be foolish
not to listen to the people who are their customers. You deal
directly with the end users and hear the requests first hand.
You might even find that some of them are already working
on them and will be available soon. And some may even
surprise you and have what your customers are looking for
in their booth right now.
You will learn what’s new and what’s happening in your
industry so you won’t be caught off guard. For new
products and ideas that will surely be in the market in the
future, you can react faster. The bigger companies may still
introduce them but you, as a smaller business, can move
quicker into your market and capture customers right away.
The big guys have to bring the ideas back, have meetings,
do planning, get multi-level approval and study their own
distribution methods. Long before they are ready, you can
be profitable and just because you saw it at the same trade
show.
Here’s some ideas for getting the most out of attending a
trade show:
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⇒
⇒
If you want to attend a show that is for members and guests
only (and you’re not a member), find out which one of your
suppliers or vendors is a member. They usually have or can
get a free pass for you to be a guest. Sometimes, you can
even learn more at these closed shows than the open ones.
The companies that exhibit at trade shows definitely want
you there if you buy or resell their products. You can pick
up an abundance of ideas, information and ask questions
about your industry. If you have customers asking you for
specific products you can’t find, this is where you can get
some answers. Carry a list of questions with you so you
won’t forget any of them. And “what’s new” should be at
the top of the list.
Many small business people, like you, have very limited time
available to attend these shows but want to squeeze it in
anyway. Since you have to sign-up well in advance, you can
pre-plan your day, even if you only have one. Request the
exhibit directory or list of exhibitors as soon as you can get
it. Look through and try to mark all the must see and like to
see booths you can fit into the time you have available.
Some shows have a couple hundred booths and others like
the Restaurant Show have over 8,000. There is no way to
stop by all of them even if you have a few days, which you
probably don’t. You are there to find new things so put your
current suppliers at the end of your list and stop at their
booth only if you have time left.
Try to plan your trip at least three months in advance when
you will get better rates on airfare and hotel rooms. Ask
some of your current suppliers if they will be there and
arrange to stop by their booth if you have time or meet them
for meals. In most cases, the cost of your meal will be
covered. Get an advance list of exhibitors and scan it for
new names of suppliers that you don’t recognize. Decide if
some of these are worth visiting for new ideas or better
deals on pricing and delivery. If there is time left and your
feet are still holding up, wander around and look at
exhibitors who are unfamiliar to you for more ideas. For
smaller shows, I just start at one end and walk every aisle
looking right and left at the displays to see what catches my
6
⇒
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⇒
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⇒
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Study the show floor plan in advance so you can easily
find the booths you want to see, or walk the aisles briskly.
Sign up early for any seminars you want to attend, some
sell out early.
Always pre-register so you won’t have to stand in long
lines when you arrive, and a badge will be waiting for you.
Try to stay at one of the hotels that have a special rate for
show attendees.
Booths are less crowded when the show first opens and
at the end of the day.
Have a lot of your business cards and hand them out
freely to everyone.
Bring comfortable rubber soled shoes for walking all the
exhibit aisles.
Have a pen handy to make notes on literature and
business cards. There’s no way you can remember
everything.
If you stop at a booth and find you have no interest, move
along quickly, there’s a lot to see.
If you see in advance there is just too many booths you
want to visit and not enough time, consider bringing a
staff member with you.
Get a good night’s sleep before the show so you have a
lot of energy.
You will be absorbing a lot of new information from visiting
booths and it’s impossible to remember it all. Rather than
carry all the literature you want and try to stuff it in your
suitcase, ask them to send it to your company after the show
is over. Have plenty of your business cards with you and ask
some of the suppliers to call you a week later to follow up on
what you may have discovered at their booth. Most shows will
also have some type of card or badge that can be scanned by
booth personnel for future information. If you can get even
two or three great new products plus ideas for many others,
the show will be a success for you and your business. Don’t
pass up this chance to be at the forefront of your industry’s
changes.
By Barry Thomsen—Speaker and author of The Jelly Bean Principle:
105 Ways to Stand out from Competitors. Contact Barry at 877-7001322 or visit website www.idealetter.com.
www.coat.tv
January/February 2011
(l-r) Carl Zeiss’s Ken Thompson, Speaker Jeff
Hopkins, Summer Bouchedid, and Eric Kenner.
Speaker Jeff Hopkins presented an
energetic two hour technical ABO
seminar on Wavefront Technology!
Tonya
Former Secretary Laura
Johnson and Annual Member
Soo Jung strike a pose!
Speaker Jeff Hopkins receives a
Certificate of Appreciation from
COAT President Lisa Harmon
Shawna
Michelle
Marianna
713-663-3000
Ereka
Your Customer Care Team
A focused
and
captivated
crowd.
A good size crowd turned out for Jeff’s seminar
“Clinical Applications of Wavefront Technology.”
7
Jennifer
Tanya
www.coat.tv
January/February 2011
VisionWeb's OAA Royalty Program provides royalties
to the OAA and state associations for the orders that
Opticians Association of America (OAA) members
place on VisionWeb. COAT represents Texas as the
OAA state society, and is eligible for this program.
Shamir’s newly revamped Freeform® Certification Program
provides the information you need to successfully promote and
dispense Shamir Freeform® products. To schedule an in-practice
presentation or to learn more, contact us at 877-514-8330.
Register in 5 easy steps!
The Shamir Freeform® Family:
STEP 1:
STEP 2:
STEP 3:
STEP 4:
Log in on your VisionWeb account
Click the OAA Royalty Program
Fill in the required fields
Select Certified Opticians Association
of Texas from the state association list
STEP 5: Enter OAA Member # 734620 and submit
Pierson Ball, Regional Manager, 858-357-7763
Nikki Clark, Account Executive, 858-740-6404
Shamir Freeform®
Certification Program
Royalties will be used to help support various
programs and defray membership costs. If you use
VisionWeb, please register today. It costs nothing, but
accrues royalties every time you use VisionWeb. Once
you register, all orders placed by your staff count
toward your practice’s order for the annual earning
period, which runs from April–March.
ReCreating Perfect Vision™
Thank you for supporting Texas opticianry!
Angelica Lay
Angelica was the first person to locate Little Eyeglass
Guy in the last newsletter. Angelica is the proud
winner of a Starbucks gift card. Thanks for playing!
“We Won’t Send It To You Unless
We Would Wear It Ourselves”
(800) 324-5221
3255 Executive Blvd. Ste. 100
Beaumont, Texas 77705
www.omnioptical.com
8
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January/February 2011
All ABO and NCLE certifications are for three (3) years.
Continuing education credits (CECs) must be earned within
the three year certification period and may not be accumulated
and carried over from one period to another. All CECs and
renewal fees are due on or before your expiration date. If you
fail to complete the requirements on time, you have a 4th year
to complete them. During that year, your certification is
suspended. This suspension year is not an extension, but
will overlap into your next certification period. Renewing in
the suspension year requires the payment of an additional
$15 late penalty.
Don’t miss the last chance to become a 2011 annual COAT
member at the current price of $70. This price is only available until January 31, 2011. This streamlines the entire
membership process, and results in all 2011 annual members being on the same calendar year.
We encourage you to join COAT; however, if that’s not
feasible, you are always welcome to attend bimonthly
meetings when possible. The non-member meeting price
is $20.
Continuing Education Renewal Requirements:
•
ABO Certified: Send in 12 ABO approved CECs (up to 3
may be NCLE approved) and the $85 fee.
•
NCLE Certified: Send in 18 NCLE approved CECs (up to 6
may be ABO approved) and the $85 fee.
•
ABO and NCLE Certified: Send in 21 CECs (9 ABO
approved and 12 NCLE approved) plus the $170 fee.
Acceptable Continuing Education Credit:
For ABO:
•
Spectacle related courses approved by ABO with an
assigned course number.
•
Advanced certification prerequisite courses (ABO or
NCLE).
For NCLE:
•
Contact lens related courses approved by NCLE with an
assigned course number.
•
Advanced certification prerequisite courses (ABO or
NCLE).
Contact lens related courses approved by NCLE with an assigned course
number. Advanced certification prerequisite courses (ABO or NCLE).
Alternate Renewal Methods:
•
New ABO: You may submit proof of maintaining a valid
state license if the state has a satisfactory provision for
continuing education.
•
New NCLE: You may submit proof of maintaining a valid
state license if the license entitles you to fit contact lenses
and the state has a satisfactory provision for continuing
education.
•
For Either: You may also retake and pass the exam for recertification instead of earning CECs, but only in the third
or suspension year of your certification. You may not sit
for the exam at any other time during your certification.
Send CECs and Renewal Fees to:
ABO/NCLE
6506 Loisdale Rd., Suite 209,
Springfield, VA 22150
Be sure to include your name, address and certificate number.
9
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Need answers to your optical questions? The
ABO Master is in the House! “Ask the Master” a
question! Email it to coatsecretary@yahoo.com,
and your question might be published in the
January 2011 newsletter. You will be notified if
your question is selected, and you can let us
know if you’d like to be anonymous.
January/February 2011
January
20-22 - OAA Leadership Conference
25 - COAT Meeting - Vision-Ease Lens
February
4-5 - COAT State Education Conference & Trade Show
17-20 - TOA Annual Convention
March
2-6 - SECO International
15 - COAT Meeting - Maui Jim
17-20 - Vision Expo East
April
6-9 CSLA Convention
May
15 - ABO/NCLE Exam
17 - COAT Meeting - Hoya Vision
June
17-18 - ROATx Trade Show and Education Seminar
July
15 - Optician Conference - Lubbock, TX
19 - COAT Meeting - Transitions
September
20 - COAT Meeting - ELOA
8-11 - ABO/NCLE National Education Conference
21-24 - Vision Expo West
November
15 - COAT Meeting - tba
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Mailed or Emailed? Tell Us Today!
713-890-2520 / coatsecretary@yahoo.com
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January/February 2011
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of ELOA
representative Lynda Summers mother. Our thoughts and
prayers go out to the family.
Dear Friends,
It is with a very sad heart that I write this. My mom, Rose, has
been an inspiration and an amazing friend to me for many years,
and is now with my Dad in heaven. She passed away at 7 am,
December 3, 2010.
It has been a very hard time for my brother and I, but we
both realize that she is much happier and better off as she
is with my dad, all of her family, no longer suffering, and has
reached the glory that comes from being such a caring and
special person all of her life. She was always willing to give
a less fortunate person what she had to help them and always
had a special place in her heart for the little children and animals
that needed help. I have a huge empty place in my heart tonight.
I will miss her so much. She was always a breathe of fresh air in
my life. She reached the monumental goal of 100 years in age
and lived her life to the fullest. She will be missed by her family
and many friends. This world has lost a very special lady, my
mom. I truly believe - our loss, is heaven's gain.
OPTICIAN/RECEPTIONIST needed at private practice/high
end boutique optical in the Washington Corridor/Heights
area. You should be friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic, detail
oriented possess good communication skills and have good
sense of style. The practice is high tech so good computer
skills are a must. Experience is preferred but not absolutely
necessary. Great pay with excellent bonus potential. Get in
on the ground floor of this unique practice and grow with it
as it grows. 4.5 day work week (half days on Saturday).
Please email your resume to eyeimpacthouston@gmail.com
OPTICIAN- Berkeley Eye Center- Katy location. We are
seeking an optician with excellent customer service skills for
fast paced optical in ophthalmology/optometry practice.
Great hours- no nights or weekends, close on Fridays at
1p.m. Competitive salary and benefits. Must have minimum 7
years optician experience. Contact lens experience and
knowledge of vision insurances required. Please email all
resumes to optical@berkeleyeye.com
To place an ad, call 713.890.2520 or email coatmail@sbcglobal.net.
It is $35 for ads up to fifty words, payable by check or money order.
Ads post on the website for 60 days and 1 bimonthly newsletter.
The Celebration of her Life and Funeral Services were held on
Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Mulhearn Funeral Home
In West Monroe, La. Donations in lieu of flowers are to St.
Paschel's Catholic Church Building Fund - W. Monroe, La
Jeanine Solomon
DIANE GLOVER - 832.326.0982
Option 1: $495 annual fee and includes:
Dave Koury - South Central Regional Sales Manager
512.497.4947 - dave.koury@hoyavision.com
Brent Foxworth -North Central Regional Sales Manager
214.405.6828 - brent.foxworth@hoyavision.com
Nhu Ho - Territory Sales Manager
713.560.7858 - nhu.ho@hoyavision.com
Cassandra Viles - Territory Sales Manager
832.577.3507 - cassandra.viles@hoyavision.com
One-fourth page ad in six consecutive bimonthly newsletters
Logo on website sponsor page linked to company website
Optional second page link from logo -pdf sponsor supplied
(COAT can create the second page for an additional charge)
Logo on sidebar of 5 web pages
Option 2: $295 annual fee and includes:
Business card size ad in six consecutive bimonthly newsletters
Logo on website sponsor page linked to company website
Logo on sidebar of 5 web pages
For more info: 713.890.2520 orncoatvp@yahoo.com
11
www.coat.tv
January/February 2011
Standard
U S Postage
PAID
Spring TX
Permit #602
Mission Statement
Certified Opticians Association of Texas
provides educational opportunities to certified
and non-certified eye care providers, promoting
opticianry as a Texas healthcare profession.
sponsors a
One hour ABO Seminar
Location: Dave & Buster’s
6010 Richmond Ave- 77057
Registration: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Dinner: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
ABO Seminar: 7:30 pm
Cost: Annual Members—$70 Renewal Fee
Non member - $20 (cash or check)
BOARD of DIRECTORS
RSVP by January 19, 2010
Choose 1 of 4 methods:
—www.coat.tv
—coatsecretary@yahoo.com
—Facebook
—713.890.2520
12
How Would You Like Your Newsletter?
Mailed or Emailed? Tell Us Today!
713-890-2520 / coatsecretary@yahoo.com
President: Doug Yepez, ABOC
Vice President: Open
Treasurer: Judy Miller, ABOC
Secretary: John Cummins
Website: Lisa Harmon, ABOC, NCLEC
www.coat.tv