CEO Update, January 2025

“Snowfall rouses your inner child to dream and play once more.” – Angie Weiland-Crosby

Here in DC, we have had snow on the ground for two weeks thanks to the polar vortex keeping it colder than most here are used to — not a very common occurrence.  Maybe it is a metaphor for embracing change or thinking outside the box or finding that inner child.  Today, outside the box entails selecting the right clothing to make it through the chilly dog walk on icy sidewalks.

There is something about rousing ones inner child.  When we were young, everything was possible.  Dreaming was not confined by pragmatic limits.  AAOA is embracing the opportunity to dream as well.  Putting together the current AAOA, the opportunity theme is rampant.  Your leadership is devoted to and focused on member value.  Crowdsourcing, listening, and watching trends to help identify and prioritize opportunities.  The focus is on what AAOA can do to bring value to its members.

The practice of medicine gets so much negative news.  Each of you was drawn to medicine — not as a job, but as a life’s work.  Patients come first.  Probably more so with physicians than with any other component within medicine.  It is the administrative side that is the burden.  So how can AAOA help reduce the noise, relieve the burdens, and allow you to focus on patient care?   Marrying our clinical CME with the practical aspects of managing a practice has been a growing focus.  Learning from each other is a key component of this.  We strive to find innovative ways for you to share best practices, challenges, and insights.  Beyond the creative networking sessions our Annual Meeting is now known for, we are re-evaluating expanding our podcast series, YouTube video panel discussions, and expanding our practice tools.  More of you are looking at site of service as a cost reduction tool for both you and your patients.  We are working with industry partners to expand opportunities to share the latest in clinical skills to add service lines or devices to your armamentarium.  Your voice is key as we develop new resources.  Let us know what would make an impact for you.

Embracing my inner optimist, I am somewhat grateful for the cold and snow. It is spurring me on to keep up my exercise regimen to be better prepared for the altitude and skiing on my favorite run — Lost Boy — at the upcoming Explorers Course in Vail.   Excitement is building around this new CME offering bringing the latest in clinical management with practical take aways. Hope to see you in Vail, or better yet, out on Lost Boy!