Professional Development
The American Academy of Optometry and its Foundation are dedicated to enabling excellence in eye care through the development and implementation of professional development programs for Fellows, candidates, and their support staff. The need for each was identified and developed by volunteer task forces and align with the Academy’s strategic plan.
Fellowship Candidate Crash Course (FCCC)
A fast paced opportunity to prepare for the Academy Fellowship application.
The Fellowship Candidate Crash Course (FCCC) is designed to prepare prospective members to become Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). The FCCC will feature five weeks of live one-hour webinars that will discuss the various aspects of the Candidate for Fellowship application process such as case report selection and writing, research, oral examination preparation, and more. During this time, program participants will be matched with a mentor and write a Fellowship-quality case report. Following the completion and approval of this case report, participants will complete a virtual oral examination. Upon successful completion of the FCCC, participants will walk away with the tools to achieve the FAAO designation in addition to 10 of the required 50 points needed to become a Fellow
APPLICATION & ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Interested in participating in this fast-paced program and getting a jump start on earning your FAAO? The application will be open from Wednesday, April 17 – Wednesday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Selected participants will be notified of their acceptance by Friday, May 24, and will be asked to respond to the invitation to participate no later than Friday, May 31. Applicants are required to attend all webinars live and should anticipate spending approximately 2-4 hours per week before and during the program working on the case report write-up and any requested revisions during the process in addition to meeting with your mentor as needed.
Who can apply?
The FCCC program is accepting applications from all practicing optometrists, including optometry residents. Optometry students with an OD graduation year of 2024 or 2025 are also eligible to apply.
Current Candidate for Fellowship members of the Academy with an active Fellowship application are NOT eligible to participate.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
(all times are ET)
• Pre-Program Informational Meeting Thursday, June 13, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Lecture 1: Case Reports Part 1 Thursday, August 8, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Lecture 2: Case Reports Part 2 Thursday, August 15, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Intermission Meeting: Thursday, August 22, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Lecture 3: FAAO Resources Thursday, August 29, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Lecture 4: Leadership Thursday, September 5, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Lecture 5: Oral Examination Preparation Thursday, September 12, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Lecture 6-8: Oral Examinations* September 19 – October 3, 2024 * Exam date and time coordinated with your mentor.
The program will conclude with a celebratory reception during Academy 2024 Indianapolis, date and time TBA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “approval from your faculty advisor who managed the case”?
This is applicable to current OD students only applying for the program.
The medical profession has a code of professionalism for case writing and ownership of the case. The case ownership belongs to the doctor who managed the case. Sometimes, it may belong to multiple doctors who were involved in the case management. The committee would like to ensure the program participants maintain healthy professional relationships with their attending doctors who managed the case together. You don’t need to get approval at the time of application. However, during the program, you will have to obtain approval (= acknowledgment) from the doctor that it is OK for you to write a case report.
Will the FCCC points expire after a certain time?
The 10 points earned from the FCCC program are eligible for points toward becoming a Fellow for up to 10 years.
Who is going to be my mentor during the program?
You will be assigned to a mentor who is NOT the doctor you worked with for the case management. Your mentor is a volunteer Academy member who has completed Fellowship. We will pair a mentee with a mentor from another area/school.
What is expected for the description of the case?
Minimally, the name of the condition works. A more detailed explanation would be helpful during the selection process, but the explanation does not have to be lengthy. One paragraph is enough.
Merton C. Flom Leadership Academy
Clinical Investigator Certification Program
The Clinical Investigator Certification Program provides practicing optometrists with the training and skills necessary to serve as a clinical investigator for sponsored clinical research trials within their practice setting.
Clinical Fellows are uniquely positioned to recognize areas of eye care requiring further development or investigation. Many potential collaborative partners, such as academic and industry researchers, are searching for this insight. Become an Academy-certified Clinical Investigator and learn the skills required to conduct rigorous sponsored clinical trials within your current practice setting.
The eight-week program is only open to Fellows and covers the following learning objectives:
- Understand the responsibilities of an investigator conducting a clinical trial
- Understand the basic concepts of clinical trial design (three sessions)
- Understand the concepts related to human subject research (two sessions)
- Review basics in statistics specific to clinical trials and learn how to avoid data bias and error
- Understand the administrative/management aspects of research
Instructors
- Robin Chalmers, OD, FAAO / Clinical Trial Consultant
- Bill Gleason, OD / Foresight Regulatory Strategies
- Amy Nau, OD, FAAO / Korb Associates
- Jack Phu, OD, PhD, FAAO / Centre for Eye Health, University of New South Wales
- Tom Quinn, OD, MS, FAAO / Athens Eye Care; Former Owner
- Allison Summers, OD, MCR, FAAO, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University
- Kathy Weise, OD, MBA, FAAO / Professor, University of Alabama, Birmingham
The current enrollment window will open January 30, 2024 – March 4, 2024.
Session Dates:
Session 1 – April 9, 2024
Session 2 – April 16, 2024
Session 3 – April 23, 2024
Session 4 – April 30, 2024
Break for ARVO
Session 5 – May 14, 2024
Session 6 – May 21, 2024
Session 7 – May 28, 2024
Session 8 – June 4, 2024
Clinical Podcast Series
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is pleased to introduce the Clinical Podcast Series.
This initiative provides summaries (video podcasts) of trending, clinically relevant research, which may directly translate to improved patient care. Six podcasts will be distributed monthly and compiled over time to form a podcast library for Fellows to access.
Series Topics:
- Anterior Segment Disease Care
- Clinical Binocular Vision and Pediatrics Care
- Clinical Contact Lens and Myopia Care
- Clinical Glaucoma and Retinal Care
- Low Vision Care
- Primary Optometric Care
Research Funding: Pilot Grant Program
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation’s (AAOF) strategic planning process included the development of new programs. These new programs addressed unmet constituent needs and aligned with the American Academy of Optometry’s strategic plan. One of the new pillars is increased support for optometric research. The AAOF identified two gaps in research funding and proposed actions to address these. These initiatives include 1) the development of new collaborations with research partners 2) stimulation of novel exploratory research by funding pilot research projects.
Purpose
To provide funding to support exploratory research, with the long-term goal of generating outcomes that ultimately increase grant funding to optometric research in North America.
Up to $100,000 is available for funding in 2022. For the 2022 award cycle, at least $10,000 will be awarded for pediatric research. It is expected that the Foundation will award multiple grants from this funding; however, applicants are able to submit a request for up to $100,000. All grant applications will be reviewed for both scientific merit and appropriate budget justification.
The AAOF reserves the right to reduce the budget to that judged appropriate for the materials and research effort required. Matching or any other type of material or personal support are welcomed and should be included in the proposal.
No indirect (i.e., facilities and administration) costs will be provided.
All funds, as per the policy of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Academy of Optometry Foundation, will be issued in U.S. currency to the primary institution of record.
Awards support research conducted for a period of no more than two years. Recipients must submit a minimum 500-word report of their research findings to the AAOF at the end of each award period, to be eligible for subsequent awards sponsored by the AAOF.
Eligibility
- Students, research staff (e.g., research assistant, post-doctoral fellow), and faculty in optometry in North America.
- Eligible individuals include optometrists (Masters or Doctor degrees in optometry) who are working in ophthalmologic medical centers and non-optometrists working/studying in a school or college of optometry.
- The Principal Investigator must be a member (Fellow/Candidate for Fellowship) of the AAO. It is also encouraged that all co-investigators be members as well.
- The applicant must have a full-time appointment/position in his or her center over the period of the award.
Application Process
All proposal materials must be submitted online via our online submission system, via the Apply Now button below.
Applications should be in Arial 11pt font with half-inch margins and be single-spaced.
Applicants should first submit a letter of intent (LOI) for the purposes of confirming eligibility and institutional commitment, as well as providing an overview of the aims and budget request.
The LOI should include:
- Project title, institution and address, name (including degree(s)) and titles for Principal Investigator and all Co-Investigators) and contact information
- A current Non-Fellowship Biosketch (NIH format) for each study team member. Please visit: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
- A letter from an institutional official stipulating the appointment and current support (e.g. other grants, clinical/teaching/research appointments, etc.) of all study members
- An abstract (300-word maximum) that briefly states the objectives of the proposed project, the specific aims and hypothesis to be evaluated, an overview of the research design and methods, and the potential for further research in optometry
- A budget overview
After the review of LOIs, a notice will be sent to the applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal.
The full proposal includes:
- Cover page: Project title, institution and address, name (including degree(s)) and titles for Principal Investigator and all Co-Investigators) and contact information
- Project: background and significance, specific aim(s), study design and methods (maximum five pages)
- References (maximum of one page)
- Budget and budget justification (maximum of one page)
- Biographical sketch(es) of Principal Investigator Co-Investigators (NIH format, maximum of three pages for each investigator) Please visit: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
- A signed Letter of Assurance (one page) by an Institutional Official indicating that the proposal has been reviewed, meets with the standards of the institution and, if warranted, observes all rules and regulations regarding compliance with research on human or animal subjects
- Other letters of support, as applicable
Review Process
The Academy Research Committee and external reviewers with topical expertise, as needed, provide a scientific merit review. No feedback will be provided on LOIs, but full proposal applicants will receive a detailed summary statement. Following scientific review, the Foundation Programs Approval Committee (PAC) selects recipients based on merit and programmatic goals. Results are provided to the Foundation Board for final decisions on funding.
Grant Notes
- Awards will not be given unless appropriate human subjects and/or animal care and usage approvals are in place. Annual progress reports are required, with a summary of goals achieved, a detailed timeline of accomplishments (including abstracts and publications), and a detailed report on funds expended.
- The award recipient will be invited to attend the next Academy annual meeting to be recognized and participate in AAOF events.
- Any manuscript or publication material produced must acknowledge the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.
- Recipients are encouraged to submit a manuscript to Optometry and Vision Science.
- All award recipients by application and acceptance of an award agree to allow the AAOF and/or the sponsor of the program, to which they applied, to publish their name, image, institution information, and any statement or quote provided by the recipient. These may appear in a variety of media formats that announce and promote the program including, but not limited to, the AAOF’s and/or sponsors’ annual report, website, and annual meeting promotional materials.
Important Dates
- Invitation to submit a proposal: May 31, 2022
- Grant proposal submission deadline: July 18, 2022
- Notification of awards: During Academy 2022 San Diego
- Funds dispersed: January 2023
For further information contact AAOAwards@aaoptom.org.
Staff Training Fundamentals
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation has implemented the Staff Training Fundamentals program: “Your Foundation for Success.”
Optometrists have voiced the need for an online staff training program that provides basic foundational education for employees who are new to the eye care profession. The training modules are aligned in a curriculum intended to be taken during the first two weeks of employment.
This comprehensive training course provides a simple, consistent way to onboard new staff members into your practice. The program has sixteen training modules:
- Curriculum Overview
- Ocular Anatomy (45 mins)
- Ocular Disease Basics (25 mins)
- Dry Eye & Ocular Health (40 mins)
- Lensometry (20 mins)
- Lens Types (30 mins)
- Lens Materials (20 mins)
- Frame Styles & Materials (15 mins)
- Contact Lens Overview (30 mins)
- Properties of Contact Lenses (15 mins)
- Basics of Refractive Laser Surgery (20 mins)
- The Cataract Patient Journey (15 mins)
- Front Desk Basics (20 mins)
- Telephone Etiquette (30 mins)
- New Dispenser Quick Start (30 mins)
- Records & Compliance (20 mins)
- Healthcare Compliance Laws (25 mins)
Staff Training Fundamentals is provided FREE to Academy members and their designated staff.
New staff members who complete all of the training modules will build their confidence more quickly and become an even greater asset to your team. Upon completion of the course, each staff member will receive a Certificate of Completion.
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation deeply appreciates the contribution of curriculum content from Alcon, Essilor, and Practice Compliance Solutions, plus an education grant from CooperVision. These companies have helped make the Staff Training Fundamentals course available for you.
OD/PhD Scholarship Program
About
The OD/PhD Scholarship Program funds optometrists receiving a PhD in a vision related field. Examples of appropriate PhD programs include but are not limited to: Vision Science, Physiological Optics, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Education (emphasis on Optometric Education), Neuroscience, and Psychology. The program provides vital support to those who will teach and lead the next generation of optometry students and advance the profession’s cutting-edge research.
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is pleased to award one OD to PhD Fellowships in 2024, each being a $30,000 award payable over two years. The Fellowship is funded by Jill and George Mertz. The candidate is selected from a pool of highly competitive applicants who must have completed or are in the process of completing clinical training leading to an optometry degree.
This fellowship is congruent with enrollment in a vision or related biomedical science PhD program. Awardees will receive $15,000 (US dollars) upon beginning their first year of training, and if they demonstrate sufficient success during the initial year (as described within their progress report, see below), they will receive an additional $15,000 (US dollars) upon beginning their second year of training.
Note, awardees may receive the fellowship for up to one successive, two-year period. Previous recipients of the fellowship are not eligible to apply.
The best candidate must:
Have completed or in the process of completing clinical training leading to an optometry degree. Although not required, some priority may be given to those with optometry training at a North American school or college of optometry.
Plan to enter a full-time PhD-level program located at a North American institution in order to pursue training in vision science or other related biomedical sciences. Those who have already started a graduate PhD program are not eligible. Funding is not awarded until the awardee has started their training at the institution and obtained an OD degree.
Outline a plan to pursue a career, which includes research and academic optometry, at a North American school or college of optometry.
Focus their research on the study of an innovative area impacting clinical care. Although not required, some priority may be given to those pursuing innovation in the field of cornea, contact lenses, or refractive technologies.
Applications must include the following:
- Official transcript from a clinical training institution.
- Either a resume/curriculum vitae (CV), or biosketch (e.g. NIH style acceptable, such as the “non-fellowship” NIH formatted biosketch).
- Information regarding any other salary, monetary awards, and/or financial or research support.
- Although not required, if the applicant has previous publications, abstracts, or research experience/work, include a listing/description of these if they are not already included in the provided resume/CV/biosketch.
- Include a description of all training and teaching experience.
- A personal statement limited to 200 words for each of the following individual items. This is a maximum of 1,000 words for the five items combined. The statement must include:
- Intended program of study and area of research, highlighting any innovation and clinical impact of this work. Specifically, describe clinically meaningful questions you hope to explore.
- Description of why this award would enable you to pursue graduate education over alternative paths.
- Your commitment and interest in optometric research and education within a school or college of optometry.
- Any additional academic or research training, including honors, lectures, papers, posters not already described in the resume/CV/biosketch.
- Short- and long-term career goals.
Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on your character, educational qualifications, research abilities, potential, and future teaching capabilities. Letters must be no longer than two pages.
**Please note, a notification will be sent to the “recommender” with instructions on how to upload the letter once your application has been submitted.**
Following award notification, but prior to the distribution of any funds to the institution, the AAOF must be provided a letter from an authorized individual (e.g. Dean, Associate Dean) at the graduate training institution (a) describing the applicant’s program of study (e.g. PhD in vision science), (b) confirming acceptance to the program and start date, (c) confirming the applicant has started the program.
If the applicant has already been awarded the first year $15,000 and wishes to apply for the second possible year of $15,000 support, their application does not require the above materials but rather consists of:
- A progress report of up to 500 words describing achievements to date and goals/activities to be pursued during the second and final year of $15,000 funding. This report also should specifically highlight any presentations, publications, grant applications, and grants received.
- A letter from an authorized individual (e.g. Dean, Associate Dean) at the graduate training institution (a) describing the applicant’s program of study (e.g. PhD in vision science), and (b) confirming continued enrollment and good standing in the program plus their GPA.
Applications and supporting materials must be uploaded via our online submission system.
All submissions will receive a confirmation email within three business days of receipt. The applicant will receive an additional message only if the application is incomplete.
Review Procedures
All grant/award submissions are initially reviewed for completeness and eligibility by Academy and Foundation staff. To the extent feasible, staff will work to notify applicants regarding eligibility and incomplete submissions prior to the application deadline.
Complete, eligible applications are then sent to a reviewing body, which is specifically chosen so as to allow the most knowledgeable merit review of the application. The reviewing body sends its recommendations to the Programs Advisory Committee (PAC), which uses the reviewing body’s recommendations to select the final awardees in alignment with programmatic needs and corresponding gift agreements.
The decision of the PAC is provided to the AAOF Board for review and approval. The AAO/AAOF Conflict of Interest policy governs the actions of individuals involved throughout this review and approval process.
Program Notes
Please note, prior to the opening of the submission window, changes may occur to the criteria and guidelines for submission to this program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the program page during the open window to ensure they are aware of all requirements needed to apply.
In accepting a fellowship, the recipient agrees to:
- Comply with all programmatic requests.
- Notify AAOF of changes to recipient’s ability to complete the fellowship, contact information, and institution changes.
- Acknowledge the AAOF in written and oral presentations (articles, abstracts, or research conducted) as a result of the fellowship.
- Attend the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry, including the AAOF Celebration Luncheon during the award period in order to receive the award in person.
- If requested, provide a minimum of two volunteer hours at the AAOF/AAO Booth during the Academy’s annual meeting.
- Allow the AAOF/AAO to publish their name, image, institution information, and any statement or quote provided by the recipient. These may appear in a variety of media formats announcing and promoting the program. This includes, but is not limited to, annual reports, website, and any promotional materials.
- Submit a one-page progress report at the end of the award year. This progress report should specifically highlight any presentations, publications, grants applications, and/or grants received.
- Awardees are strongly encouraged to:
- Submit research work associated with the fellowship to the Academy Scientific Program for consideration in the year of the application submission and award.
- Submit research work for consideration of publication (if accepted upon peer-review) to Optometry and Vision Science.
The submission window will open October 2024.
Questions?
Contact Sarah Kidd, Manager, Awards and Donor Relations if you have any questions about this Fellowship.