Academy 2020’s meeting goes virtual

The American Academy of Optometry’s (AAO) annual meeting will be held virtually this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization announced a new name for the virtual meeting: Academy 2020 At Home, which will be held October 7-22 during select times.

Registration is currently open. Attendees already registered will receive a link to the event. The cost is $435 for members and $795 for non-members.

“We listened to our stakeholders and watched the national health situation very carefully including the impact on Nashville, and we absolutely believe this is the best decision for everyone,” said AAO Chief Executive Officer Peter Scott, in a statement.

“While we’re disappointed that we can’t hold this show in person, I’m extremely excited to announce that we’ve found a dynamic and robust online platform that will be able to deliver an unbelievably innovative experience,” he said.

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Nearly 300 Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE)-approved continuing education (CE) hours will be offered, and participants will be able to earn up to 70+ hours of CE credits. Note that these credits will be considered as “live” CE credits by COPE. In addition to CE, research, sessions, and exhibits will be available to attendees.

The AAO plans to bring elements of Nashville to the virtual experience to pay homage to the “Music City” where it was originally scheduled. More details to come on how to virtually experience Nashville.

“We’ve worked really hard to make this event exciting, engaging and educational as well as entertaining. We may not be able to go to a Honky Tonk on Broadway this year, but we’re definitely working to bring that feel to our attendees’ own living rooms,” said Scott in a statement.

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Highlights of this year’s meeting include a Plenary Session that looks at how standards of care and diagnostic standards have changed significantly over the past several years; and the impacts of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and other common ailments on patient care moving forward.

Additionally, the AAO will host a special symposium on diversity, equity and inclusion. The event is co-presented by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). The National Optometric Association (NOA) will promote a basic understanding of the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in optometric education and clinical practice.

Visit www.academymeeting.org for more information or to register for the event.

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