Spring 2017

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Letter from the President Vera Kohler, CPOA

SPRING IS HERE!!!

Listening to the birds chirp, the peepers come up and watching everything grow. It is like a new beginning.

It is time for elections of officers for the 2018 PPA Board, at our Spring meeting in Pittsburgh, a new beginning.

Serving as a board member requires very little time. Typically, we meet three times a year, usually in January, August and October. The meetings are held in Altoona, which is the most central area for Pennsylvania. The meetings are held on a Saturday from 11:00 AM till 300 PM. Board members are reimbursed up to $150.00 for travel expenses. We also have our general membership meetings which are held at the spring and fall congresses.

This issue includes an over all of the board positions responsibilities. Exposure to new thoughts and ideas may trigger a shift in the way you think which may result in achieving effective results for

advancing your career and the practice you work in. If you are not ready to hold a board position there are committees ie: Education, Girl Scout Patch, Library, Membership and Monitor Committees. If you are interested in any position please contact any current board member.

I have served on the board for several years in various positions. It has given me a great since of accomplishment, not to mention the wonderful friends that I have made.

Please join us in Pittsburgh for the great education that is planned. PPA will also be recognizing the Para of the Year and the new award the Young Para of the year Saturday evening along with the POA awards.

Looking forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh.

Yours in Optometry/Paraoptometry,

Vera J Kohler CPOA

Immediate Past President: Roberta Beers, CPOTApril is the time we all need to be thinking about serving on the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Board. If you are interested or would like to find out more information you can contact any of the board members. This year’s Chair of the nominating committee is Carol Schartner.

As you know we hold election of officers at our spring meeting this year will be held in Pittsburgh. This is the time to get more involved in our profession.

Officers and Duties

President-Elect – Duties- Perform the duties and responsibilities of the President in the President’s absence or in the event of the failure or inability of the president to perform the duties. Prepare and present a report for the board and general meetings. Attend all PPA board meetings and general membership meetings

Vice President Continuing Education- Duties- Arrange topics and speakers for educational meetings. Submit educational materials to Commission on Paraoptometric Certification for approval.

Oversee the recording of continuing education hours and task force. Attend meetings and report to the president/board.

Secretary/Treasurer- Duties – Keep accurate records of the proceedings of all board of directors and general membership meetings, submit the minutes to the meeting, Attend all PPA board meetings and general membership meetings. As treasurer perform all duties assigned by the president. Be custodial of funds, legal and fiscal documents and securities received in the name of the association. Present a written, detailed financial report to the general membership. Collect and deposit all monies and dues for the association. Keep a complete and correct list of all members.

Vice President of Communication/ Public Relation- Edit, publish and distribute the associations newsletter. Attend all PPA Board meetings. The V.P. of Public Relation chairs the Paraoptometric of the year award, and promotes the Girl Scout Patch Program. Attend all PPA board and general membership meetings. Purchase gifts as defined in the guidelines as instructed by the president.

We also have several Committees that might be an interest:

Recording Committee- Record the education forms for State Paras. This committee prepares certificates for Paras who have earned different increments of hours of education at our spring education. You would be sending copier of all continuing education forms to members requiring re-certification.

Monitor Committee – Working with the V.P. of education to make sure the education runs smoothly.

Charm Committee – Working with the V.P. of education to choose the charm based on location of the education.

Library Committee – Maintaining the list of educational materials. Keeping a list of Paras who have borrowed materials and make sure the website pages are update to library materials.

Vision Awareness Girl Scout Patch Committee – This committee person is responsible to promote the Girl Scout patch and keep the board abreast of the results.

Thank you, this is the time to step up to the plate and make a difference in our state association.

Message from the Vice President of Continuing Education:

April Conde, ABO, CPOA

Hi Everyone, I am feeling positive on our upcoming conference in May at the Sheraton Square in Pittsburgh. This year we are offering credits for CPC, CPOC and ABO. Please stop by our booth to win a prize and join us for our business meeting on Saturday. Here is a copy of classes offered. Hope to see you there.

Friday May 19, Conference schedule 11:00-12:00 p.m. Registration

12:30–1:30 p.m. Customer Service: A Critical Differentiation ~ CPC APPROVED (1 hr, thru May 2017) Because many opticians and technicians never receive formal training in customer service, this seminar is perfect for those who could use some pointers to becoming more polished professionals. It is structured to help eye care professionals become more customer focused in their day to day dealings with patients and with each other. This course provides staff with practical and relevant suggestions that will lead them to a much more fulfilling career within the eye care industry.

1:30-2:30 p.m. Basic Optics: Anatomy of a Spectacle Lens (1 hr) There is nothing “basic” about this basic optics course – it is in fact the most frequently requested seminar! This informative class gives a review of the human eye, how it works and what is wrong when patients are diagnosed with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia – but it does not stop there. Explained is HOW corrective lenses actually work to restore proper vision to patients affected by these conditions. Included in this comprehensive overview are: Physical properties that impact prescription lenses: Lens curvature, Index of refraction, Specific gravity (and more), as well as Properties which effect visual performance: Aspheric design, Abbe value (chromatic aberration), Light transmittance (and more).

2:30-4:30pm Frame Facts Workshop: Selection, Adjustment and Repair (2 hrs) The objective of this course is to provide each participant with a hands-on experience that can be put

immediately into practice when they return to work. The program begins with best frame selection techniques, centering primarily around which types and sizes of frames are most appropriate for which types of patient prescriptions – including hyperopic, myopic and presbyopic considerations. From there, the presenter will work participants through: Standard Bench Alignment (Pantoscopic, Face Form and Temple angles), Trouble-shooting Misaligned Frames (Bridge Xing, Variant Planes, Skewed Bridges, Temple Spread, Temple Fold Angle and Equalizing Pantoscopic Tilt), Customized Fitting and Adjustments (Bridge and Nose Pad alignments, proper Temple and Ear Piece curvature to match patient feature and Commonly Needed Frame Repairs (custom tailored review of items requested by the audience).

Saturday Conference scheduleSaturday May, 20,2016

7:00-8:00 a.m. Registration

8:00-9:00 a.m. Technology: Blue Light Special…HEV - Technical Level 2 – ABO – 1 Hour – CPC - 1 Hour Blue light is causing quite a buzz in our ophthalmic world. These potentially harmful light waves come at us artificially and naturally. Yet, there is a dark side to blue light known as High Energy Visible (HEV) light. HEV exposure increases the risk of Macular Degeneration, cataracts and disrupts our daily circadian rhythms. This course will explore the electromagnetic spectrum, the visible light spectrum, dig deeper into the mysteries of HEV and offer solutions.Or 8:00a.m-9:30a.m Dr.Caldwell Vision VS Medical CPC/CPOCMost patients have both vision plan benefits and medical insurance coverage.  Managing the benefits and coverage without compromising patient care

can seem complicated.  Effectively being able to do so will be beneficial to your practice and your patients.  This course will offer several guidelines to help you with one of the most challenging billing issues in an optometric office. 

9:00-10:00 a.m. Patient Relations: You Deserve A Medal for Handling Patient Complaints – General Level 1– ABO - 1 Hour - CPC 1 Hour Yes, there are days when we would rather be elsewhere because of complaints, but there is a way to turn the negative around. This course offers tips on how to troubleshoot patient complaints and the best ways to handle conflict resolution. We will look at the importance of making sure patients understand the technology that we are recommending for them in a language they can understand

10:00-11:00 a.m. Dispensing: Outperforming The Competition Utilizing Computerized Dispensing Aids – Technical Level 2 - ABO – 1 Hour - CPC 1 Hour How could we ever have functioned without the use of computers and the World Wide Web? Especially now that patient care is on the cutting edge in today’s practices. This course begins with looking at what is available in today’s market and what makes this niche so unique. High tech imaging systems are a great way to educate the patient on premium ophthalmic products encourage multiple pairs and increase your profit margin. Whether used as a fitting tool by the dispenser or interactive learning for the patient, we will learn why computerized electronics can be beneficial to use and how to use them within your practice. Or9:30a.m-11:00am Dr. Eiss ICD 10 CPC/CPOCTaxonomy and how the codes work.Overview of how ICD-10 codes are structured, what the places and place keepers mean.

Differences in how they work from ICD-9Common categories used in OD offices.List the common categories that are most often used in the optometry officeGlaucoma codesReview of the levels of glaucoma and how they are determined and codedARMD codesReview of the levels of ARMD and how they are determined and codedDiabetic Review of the diabetic and diabetic retinopathy codes and how they are determinedOther codes Review of other eye related codes that have special rules or need multiple codesEmergency codes Review of what is needed for emergency codes and how they are determined

11:00-12:30 a.m. General Business meeting and Elections.

12:15-2:15 a.m. Exhibits with Lunch

3:00-5:00 a.m. Interactive /Hands on: OPTICAL TIC TAC TOE – Technical Level 1 - ABO – 2 Hours - CPC 2 Hours This course is a direct take off of the well-known Tic Tac Toe game. Two teams will go head to head by answering optical related questions. Those who answer correctly take a square for the team.The moderator will then further explain demonstrate and/or clarify the subject. Each team will take turns in this most interactive course. The optical categories include but are not limited to Frames, Ophthalmic Lenses, Add-Ons, Ocular Disorders/Diseases, Refractive Errors, Optical Theory/Formulae and Optical Acronyms.

April Conde ABO/CPOA

VP of Education

Message from Vice President Communications and Public Relations:

Cindy Whitman, CPO

Spring looks like it has finally arrived. With spring upon us we are closer to our May Conference and great speakers. Please check out our web page for the handouts to download from our speaker’s education. As your VP of Communication /Public Relation officer I will be available to help you with any requests or questions about The Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association.

The Library has had no new requests for materials. The dates for testing and deadlines are on the POA website under Paraoptometric section, education/testing.

It is a great opportunity for the doctors to help their paras achieve their goals of furthering careers and helping their patients.

There have been no Packets sent out for the Girl Scout Awareness Patch. Fifteen patches have been sent out. I will be following up with the leaders to find out when they anticipate giving their troops the patches. There was an inquiry of our patches from a leader from Texas, I will be following up with her. We are currently working on updating the packet, it is still available for anyone interested.

If you know of any leaders who would like to participate with our program, please give them the information and contact person with our website.

Thank You all for participating.

Cindy Whitman, CPOPPA VP of Communications/Public RelationsPPA Loaner Library Committee ChairPPA Girl Scout Awareness Patch Chair

Message from Secretary/ TreasurerLisa Scarborough, CPOAPennsylvania Paraoptometric AssociationBoard MeetingApril 1, 2017

From: Lisa Scarborough, CPOA, ABOC

Secretary/Treasurer

Objective: Be custodial of funds, legal and fiscal documents. Keep a complete and correct list of memberships. Record and distribute minutes of all meetings. Perform any other duties that are customary to the office of Secretary/Treasurer.

Our current checking account balance is $4238.58 and savings account is $15,310.65

We have 85 paid members including 3 honorary members and a total of 13 new members

We have no correspondence that I am aware of at this time.

PENNSYLVANIA PARAOPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION

PPA BUDGET 2018

INCOME 2017 Budget 2016 Actual 2018 BudgetDues/ Manual $6,000.00 $4,640.00 $6,000.00 Spring Meeting/Education $4,755.00 $2,507.49 $3,755.00 Fall Meeting/Education $2,000.00 $2,314.94 $3,000.00 Girl Scout Patch $60.00 $31.00 $60.00 State Pins $50.00 $0.00 $50.00 Revenue Savings Account $2,360.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 Interest $125.00 $83.87 $125.00

$15,350.00 $11,077.30 $15,350.00

EXPENSESCommittee $750.00 $450.00 $1,250.00 PPA/POA Board Meetings $2,800.00 $2,537.70 $2,800.00 President Allocated Expenses $2,100.00 $1,500.00 $2,100.00 Meeting RoomRental/Meals $1,400.00 $250.00 $500.00 Education honorarium $6,700.00 $6,483.96 $7,000.00 Library $100.00 $53.00 $100.00 Printing $100.00 $105.30 $100.00 Legal/Accounting $300.00 $275.00 $300.00 Bank/Credit Card Fees $250.00 $24.60 $250.00 Postage $250.00 $287.90 $250.00 Gifts & Donations $200.00 $166.30 $200.00 Supplies $200.00 $42.57 $200.00 Past President Incentive Award $200.00 $0.00 $200.00 Misc. $100.00 $0.00 $100.00

Total $15,350.00 $12,176.33 $15,350.00

Board Position Letters of Intent

President:

Roberta Beers, CPOT12586 Walnut Drive

Conneaut Lake, PA. 16316

March 18, 2017

Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association

Attn: Nominating Committee

Dear Nominating Committee,

Please accept my letter of intent for the office of President for the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association.I have been a member of PPA since 1988 serving as Treasurer, V.P. Continuing Education, President elect and President in 1999-2000. I moved through the chairs of the AOA Paraoptometric Section board of directors and was Chair of the AOA Paraoptometric Section in 2012. Serving in these different capacities has given me the opportunity to understand the inner workings of our profession and PPA.

My 37 years of service in the optometric field has been very rewarding, the doctors who I have worked with have always been support of my accomplishments. My husband and two sons are also supportive and know how important my profession is to me.

I feel confident that given the opportunity, I know the responsibilities of president and if elected will work hard, promoting paraoptometry, enhancing the image and performance of our chosen profession.

Respectfully Submitted,

Roberta Beers, CPOT

President Elect:

Lisa Scarborough, CPOA, ABO

March 28, 2017

To the members of the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association,

My name is Lisa Scarborough, CPOA, ABO. Please accept my letter of intent for the position of President Elect for the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association.

I have been employed at The Eye Center of Lancaster County for over 18 years. My duties include front desk, pre-testing, fundus photos, opticianry and accounts receivable.

I am currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer and Recording Committee for the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association.

I believe in education and certification and its importance to all Paraoptometrics. I will make every effort to assist PPA to get the word out about the importance of having an educated staff.

If I am elected PPA President Elect, I will perform all duties as outlined in PPA Constitution and bylaws and officer and Committee Guide Book.

Sincerely,

Lisa M. Scarborough, CPOA, ABO

Vice President of Communication and Public Relation:

Cindy Whitman, CPOEyecare Professional Associates

20 Main StreetBradford.PA 16701

March 28, 2017

Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association

Att: Nominating Committee

Dear Nominating Committee

Please accept my letter of intent for the office of Vice President of Communication and Public Relation for the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association.

I have been employed at Eye Care Professional for 12 years. My duties include pretesting, visual fields, fundus photos, pachemetry, frame styling, scheduling patients and OCT testing.

I have served as Secretary/Treasurer and currently VP of Communications/Public Relations for PPA. I have served as Chair on the Economic Task Force, and currently Chair of the Loaner Library Committee and Girl Scout Patch Vision Awareness Committee.

If elected, it is my intent to carry out the duties of VP of Communication/Relation, outlined in our Constitution and Bylaws and Officer and Committee Guide Book. I will promote PPA through our newsletter to the Doctors and Paraoptometrics in Pennsylvania.

Yours in Paraoptometry,

Cindy Whitman, CPO

Treasurer:

Amanda M. Lunsford, CPOAEye Center of Lancaster County418 Highland View Drive, Lancaster, Pa 17601

To the members of the PPA,

My name is Amanda Lunsford, CPOA. Please accept my letter of intent for the position of Secretary/Treasurer for the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association.

I have been employed at The Eye Center of Lancaster County with Dr. Philip J. Schwartz for 13 years. I started with chart preparation and filing. My duties now include: special testing, pre-testing, front desk, and running the finishing lab.

I am a Certified Paraoptometic Assistant. I believe that it is important for members in our profession to grow in knowledge, as well as promote comradery with one another. I am proud to be a part of the PPA, and have been attending meetings since I was a little girl with my mother, who is also a member of PPA.

If I am elected as PPA Secretary/Treasurer, I will perform all duties as outlined in PPA Constitution and Bylaws and Officer and Committee Guide Book.

Sincerely,

Amanda M. Lunsford, CPOA

Testimonial

Is customer service important to the success of your practice? Does it free your time to see patients if your staff can discuss the details of lens options, design, and blue light? Are your patients happier and more likely to return if your staff can discuss the details of vision and insurance plans at the time the appointment is made, when the patient arrives, and as they order eyewear at check out. Would you agree that being a good doctor is not enough? We need a well-trained staff to be successful in practice, to improve our efficiency to treat more patients, and to get home on time at the end of the work day to spend time with family and friends, or just unwind.

So, how do you train your staff? Yes, we have a training manual. Yes, we utilize online trainings, and lens experts to talk to our staff. But I find nothing can replace the live training that can be found at conferences, like the POA Congress.

Please support your staff by funding their education at the Congress. If you cannot send all your staff every year, then rotate who attends, so everyone can benefit from this education, comradery and break from the office. Not only does my staff learn valuable information, they meet other paras, so if they have question later, they have a network of people to call.

I know I owe my practice success to my exceptional staff. They understand that they perform a professional duty. They understand that I rely on them. They understand that what they do is more important than just a nine to five job.

So, please, let your staff know that you value their work and you want to support them. Send them to the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association Education. Encourage them to sit on a Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Committee or the board. Then watch as they grow into a staff that makes your patients return and makes you the best doctor you can be.

Tracy C. Sepich, O.D., M.S.

Trustee, the Pennsylvania Optometric Association

Longtime supporter of para education and

Past Presidents Incentive Award

2016 Past Presidents award was Present to Linda Reeder. Hope to see her at our May education in Pittsburg.

This award is presented to a Paraoptometric attending May education and the General Membership Meeting. The recipient of this Award receives One (1) free registration for any education presented by PPA within one year.

Don’t forget to join our group on Facebook (Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association) it’s a great place to share ideas/photos and keep in touch with

the other PPA members

PPA’s Loaner Library

PPA is here to help you to improve your job skills.Need help studying for your CPO, CPOA or CPOT exam?

Did you know PPA has a library has study materials for just that? Librarian Cindy Whitman, CPO 20 Main Street Bradford, PA 16701

Email: cwhitman@atlanticbb.net Office: 814-368-7090 Fax: 814-368-5855 Cell: 814-366-2095

Guidelines for Borrowing Library Materials

All materials can be borrowed on a four-week schedule. If you need to keep material longer, please contact the librarian for availability.

Inside the front cover, you will find a card with the shipping date and the date the materials should be returned to the library. The library will pay for shipping to you. You are responsible for return mailing costs back to the library.

A form is provided to you on the web site with the proper procedure for borrowing the materials

PENNSYLVANIA PARAOPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION

Girl Scout Vision Awareness Patch

Girl Scouting offers a variety of opportunities and challenges. With this in mind, the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association would like to offer the Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn a Vision Awareness Patch, which has been approved by the Girl Scout Council. PPA is an association committed to promoting the quality of eye care. We believe the activities required for the girls to earn the patch will make them more aware of the importance of vision and good vision care. The girl’s efforts may even spark an interest in Optometry or related fields. The patches are $1.00 each. If the troop is interested in the Vision Awareness Patch, please call Cindy Whitman @814-366-2095 or fax your request to (814) 368-5855Attn: Cindy. There may be a PPA member in your area that would be willing to Assist your troop in earning this patch.

Having Glasses shouldn’t be a chore, but fun as well!!!

Kids like to have fun with their glasses too and a decorative case helps too.

Get Involved with Your Local Societies

Mid Counties

Donna Bennett, CPO Nittany Eye Associates

428 Windmere Drive State College, PA 16802

Email: dbennett@nittanyeye.com Office: 814-234-2015 Cell: 814-280-091

Para Eyes Spring 2017___________________________________________________________________________________

President Vera Kohler, CPOA (814) 368-7090 Email: vjkohler@verizon.net

President Elect Order FormNASecretary/Treasurer Lisa Scarborough, CPOA(717) 569-7107Email: lsscrbrgh@yahoo.com

PPA Paraoptometric Reference ManualVP of Continuing EducationApril Conde, ABO CPOA (717) 354-2251Email:aprilconde.para@hotmail.com

Qty Price Each S/H TotalVP of Communication/Public RelationCindy Whitman, CPO

(814) 368-2259 ____ $20.00 $7.00 ______Email: cwhitman@atlanticbb.net

Name___________________________ Phone_______________Immediate Past President Address ______________________________________________Roberta Beers, CPOT (814) 573-3188

Email: rmbeers@zoomnet.net Checks Payable to: Pennsylvania Paraoptometric AssociationSend to: Theola Amundson, CPOT

118 Scotland Ave. Punxsutawney, PA. 15767

POA LiaisonTracy Sepich, O.D.tsepich@restoreeyecare.com AOA LiaisonRoberta Beers, CPOT (814) 573-3188

rmbeers@zoomnet.net Association State Pins available upon request.