Current News
Transfer Referendum Approved By Voters - Cuts Averted. Click here
Alabama Medicaid Reinstates Adult Eyeglass Program. Click here.
Top 25 Ophthalmic CPT Codes. Click here.
News from AAO Nov 10-12 2012 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Click here.
Alabama Health Care Exchange - Governor Bentley Says "NO!". Click here.
UAB Gets CDC grant - Will Screen For Glaucoma at Wal-Mart. Click here.
Medicare Physician Pay Cut Temporarily Averted. Click here.
2013 PQRS & E-Prescribing--What You Need to Know Now. Click here.
Taxes are rising, but it could have been more painful. Click here.
Recent Events
Mike Merrill and ALAO President, Dr. Warren Thompson, appear on WSFA-TV in Montgomery, promoting July as fireworks safety month.
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For the consumer, we hope this website provides you with valuable information about general eye health and will help you find an ophthalmologist should you need the assistance of a medical doctor specializing in all aspects of eye care. For the ophthalmologist, we hope you too will gain useful information about your Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology, including the latest ophthalmic news at the state and federal levels.
ALABAMA ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY EDUCATION AND MISSION STATEMENT
Approved by the ALAO Board of Directors (December 2009)
VISION STATEMENT
"The Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology will be the premier organization that promotes the highest quality of eye care for the citizens of the State of Alabama."
MISSION STATEMENT
Goal 1: Structure and Maintenance
- Identify and implement organizational changes to broaden participation of our members.
- Pursue non-dues sources of revenue that conform to the conflict of interest policy of the ALAO.
- Maintain and ensure the effective continuity of business management for the ALAO.
- Promote an effective membership recruitment process.
- Maintain an affordable dues structure while ensuring financial stability.
- Develop and maintain a mechanism for identifying and training future ALAO leaders.
- Be an active participant in state ophthalmology associations, as well as the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Goal 2: Member Education
Provide ALAO members and all Alabama ophthalmologists recurring opportunities to expand their ophthalmic education via:
- An Annual Meeting with AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
- Regional meetings throughout the State of Alabama with emphasis on the latest in ophthalmic technology and procedures.
- Distribution of ALAO and AAO publications highlighting advancements in ophthalmic education.
- Participation in national ophthalmic meetings (e.g. AAO Annual Meeting and Mid-Year Forum) as well as State Medical Association (MASA) national meetings (e.g. Federal Legislative Forum).
Goal 3: Practice Management
- Improve relationships with ophthalmology office managers to help ophthalmologists improve practice management techniques.
- Promote programs to increase the success of members' practices.
- Collect and disseminate information impacting Alabama ophthalmologists and their practices.
Goal 4: Unity
- Reach out to other ophthalmology-related organizations as appropriate.
- Advocate for sub-specialty interests.
- Include sub-specialty interests in educational programming.
- Advocate for unity and for opportunities to collaborate with ophthalmology sub-specialists and all ophthalmologists practicing throughout the State of Alabama.
Goal 5: Health Policy
- Oppose fragmentation of ophthalmic services.
- Advocate for fair and equitable compensation for the delivery of ophthalmic services.
- Advocate public policies that ensure quality ophthalmic care in Alabama.
- Advocate at the state and federal levels to obtain effective medical liability reform.
- Establish lines of communication with the general public as well as advocacy relationships.
- Support and encourage the involvement of ophthalmologists in grassroots advocacy efforts.
- Oppose health care delivery systems that erect barriers between patients and access to ophthalmologists.
Goal 6: Public Education and Service
- Promote the specialty of ophthalmology.
- Provide, when possible, free eye care and services to disadvantaged Alabamians through community outreach programs such as EyeCare Alabama.
- Educate the public about preventive measures and lifestyles to prevent the onset of serious eye diseases at an early age.
- Support patient centered care.
Goal 7: Diversity
- Support efforts to diversify the profession and the ophthalmic workforce.
- Promote the delivery of culturally competent care.
Goal 8: Professional Education
- Support Patient Centered Care.
- Support the efforts of the AAO to identify and promote appropriate evidenced based care.
- Provide educational programs for ophthalmologists, ophthalmic technicians, and office administrators in the management of all ophthalmic conditions.
