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    Program Overview

    The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives® (AAOE®) offers expert-led interactive discussions and deep immersion for the entire eye care team. Friday Intensives take a deep dive into today’s most urgent practice management issues and include a new training session for clinical team trainers. 


    Ticket Information

    • Meeting registration is required to attend Friday Intensives on Oct. 18.
    • Friday Intensives require purchase of a separate ticket ($). 
      • $250 (Early: June 26 to Aug. 7)  
      • $270 (Advance: Aug. 8 to Sept. 18)
      • $300 (Onsite: Sept. 10 to Oct. 18) 
    • Each Friday Intensive ticket includes an electronic workbook and either breakfast or an afternoon snack.


    Friday Intensives

    New! Leading with Emotional Intelligence: How It Reduces Burnout and Drives Success | MC01 ($)

    Level: Beginning/Intermediate 
    9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
    McCormick Place, Level 1, Room S104 
    Senior Instructor: Sangeeta Fernandes, PhD 
    Co-instructors: Denise Chamblee, MD; Alan E. Kimura, MD, MPH; Heather Modjesky, COE

    Burnout and stress can silently erode your business's bottom line by increasing errors, lowering morale, driving absenteeism, reducing productivity, and diminishing patient satisfaction. In this course, you’ll hear how health care leaders with strong emotional intelligence (EQ) have developed tools that can mitigate the impact by fostering a safe and supportive workplace for physicians, staff, and patients.

    Course Highlights  
    Actionable Insights and Strategies: Learn techniques for boosting personal resilience and enhancing your EQ, and effectively managing stress. Creating a Collaborative Culture: Learn how to foster a supportive and collaborative practice culture, extending the benefits of a positive and productive work environment to your entire organization.


    New! Paving the Way: Advancing Retina Practice Management | MC02 ($)

    Level: Beginner/ Intermediate 
    9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
    McCormick Place, Level 1, Room S103bc 
    Senior Instructor: Joy Woodke, COE, OCS, OCSR
    Co-instructors: Ankoor R. Shah, MD; Jessica Schroeder, MPH, CPC, OCS

    The next big change in retina practice management is always on the horizon.  As new treatments and technologies emerge, practice leaders must anticipate and respond with careful planning and effective implementation strategies.

    This intensive course will identify strategies for practice evolution with a focus on problem-solving tactics and a team-based approach. Through lively panel discussions and audience participation, experiences will be shared that illustrate both the current challenges in retina practices and highlight the path forward.    

    • Discover new Food and Drug Administration-approved retina treatments and the impact on health policy. 
    • Recognize future changes to CPT codes that retina practices need to know.
    • Explore revenue cycle tools to target and rectify problems effectively.
    • Identify strategies to streamline continuous process improvement.
    • Explore coding resources to ensure compliance and appropriate documentation for new drug treatments and audit-targeted services. Discover new FDA-approved retina treatments and the impact on health policy.


    Practice Management Essentials     | MC03 ($)

    Level: Beginner/ Intermediate
    1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
    McCormick Place, Level 1, Room S103bc
    Senior Instructor: Julia Lee, JD
    Co-Instructors: Traci Fritz, COE, Joanne Mansour, OCSR 

    Back by popular demand, this updated Intensive presents three seasoned administrators who have “been there” and “done that” will share their real-world expertise! Whether you are an owner, administrator, or part of the back-office team, this course highlights impactful approaches to the core areas of oversight that every practice must monitor.

    Participants will:  

    • Learn about the key areas of practice management and where to effectively focus your attention.
    • Obtain tips and best practices that have proven successful in dynamic practice settings.
    • Have the opportunity to pose questions and scenarios for discussion by the panel.


    Train the Trainer: Specialized Training for Ophthalmic Technician Educators | MC04 ($)

    Level: Advanced 
    8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
    McCormick Place, Level 5, Room S505ab 
    Senior Instructor: Amy V. Jost, MEd, COMT 
    Co-instructors: Sergina M. Flaherty, COMT, OSC, CTC, Matthew Parker, PHD, DSC, CLSSMBB, PMP, CTC, COM, Veronica Plessinger, BA, COMT, Rhonda Ullom, COMT, OSC

    Join an expert panel of technician trainers for an intensive program developed specifically for those charged with training ophthalmic clinical staff. These fast-paced sessions include: 

    • A review of adult learning principles.
    • Keys to developing relevant curriculum.
    • In-depth discussions on building a successful tech training program.
    • Effective methods for teaching refractions and applanation tonometry.

    The session will conclude with the panel offering insight and personal suggestions for overcoming your training challenges. 
    This program has been submitted to IJCAHPO for consideration of CE credit.  


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