A nonprofit organization for almost 30 years, the Arkansas Ophthalmological Society (AOS) provides continuing education programs for its members and provides representation to legislative and regulatory bodies.

AOS, based in Little Rock, counts 81 Arkansas physicians as its members, according to its Web site. The society was founded in 1978 as an arm of the Arkansas Medical Society, but it later became an independent nonprofit organization.

AOS has twice-yearly meetings for its members, where doctors can learn about new or updated products and changes in the industry as well as meet with colleagues.
Each January, AOS puts on a coding seminar that is always very popular, said AOS Executive Director Laura Harrison. It’s ophthalmologic-specific, and specific to Arkansas, and focuses on Medicare rules or changes, Harrison said.

Harrison said AOS works closely with the Arkansas Medical Society during state legislative sessions.

“Every (session), we’ve tried to pass a ban on bottle rockets, the sale and possession of bottle rockets in the state,” she said. “Several of our doctors are happy to talk to the legislature about the issue, because they see the injury.”

Through its Web site (www.arkeyemds.org), the society also provides information to the public, allowing, for example, one to “Find an Eye MD” in certain Arkansas cities.



July 2007