Dear SBOS Doctors

 I trust everyone is back into the routine of work and children back in school now that summer and vacations are over.  I was not able to go to the President/Leadership Council in September, however, Gene Chang, O.D. and David Hoffmann, O.D. were able to represent our society.  Some of the highlights discussed were Board Certification, Membership, Glaucoma Certification, and Health Care Reform and how it affects optometry.  We are in the planning process of a meeting on Board Certification which will be held on November 5, 2009.  Please save the date.

 I want to thank those that responded to the e-mail that was sent regarding your opinion on Board Certification.  This was very helpful when Gene and David went to the President/Leadership Council.  It allowed them to represent our society.  Thanks for all of your input. 

 We have a great lecture for the October meeting.  David Wallace, MD will be speaking on LASIX and multifocal correction.  Udy Devgan, MD has joined Dr. Wallace at LA-Sight.  He will be speaking on Premium IOL’s.  I hope to have a great turnout.

 Please take the time to read about the RAMLA clinic at The Forum.  I want to thank all the doctors who volunteered.  I am sure there were more doctors who volunteered and I do thank all of them, even if their names were not listed.  This has been one of the most rewarding things that I have done as an optometrist.

 On a final note, I want to inform you of the passing of Paul C. Barr, O.D.  He died on September 12, 2009 at the age of 94.  Some of the more notable achievements were Optometrist of the Year Award by the California Optometric Association, and Distinguished Service Award from the Southern California College of Optometry.  He also served for 19 years as a Board of Trustee for SCCO.  His dedication to his profession is an inspiration to all of us.  He will certainly be missed by his family and fellow optometrists.

Deborah L. Geering-Fend, O.D.

President South Bay Optometric Soceity