My two year term as the South Bay Optometric Society President is coming to an end on May 20th. It has been my pleasure serving as your President. During the past two years there was the passage of the SB 1406 as well as Board Certification for Optometry. At the HOD earlier this year, I had the opportunity to experience some heated debate and how Roberts Rules of Order are strictly followed during such a meeting.
I have learned numerous things during my presidency. Much of what I learned had to do with the computer and e-mails, but it also confirmed to me how important organized optometry is. On the society level, we are adjusting to the new ways of getting sponsorship from the pharmaceutical companies. It has become more of a challenge with the new guidelines that they are under. It has been interesting to see how organized optometry works in times of controversy. We can look at this as being divided or staying open minded and listening to how other optometrist view the various issues and learn from each other. We have survived a very deep recession and I am proud to say that the doctors in our society helped each other get through it. We exchanged ideas and gave other doctors the moral support by letting them know that we’re also struggling through the uncertainty of the recession.
As I move into the position of Past President, I will still be involved with the society and assisting our new president, Gene Chang, OD. We are searching for our next President Elect. Dr. Chang is a great person and would be a lot of fun to work with. Please consider coming to the next board meeting so you can also experience how much fun we have and yet get the job done. If you have any questions or any suggestions on membership, speakers, or continuing education topics, please contact me or one of the board members.
I will resume my position as liaison for the California Vision Foundation. I look forward to spending more time with the CVF. I want to thank all the board members and members of our society that helped me during the past two years. It has truly been a rewarding experience being President of the South Bay Optometric Society.
Deborah L. Geering-Fend, O. D.
South Bay Optometric Society President