Advocacy through SMO

The Mid-Year Forum is one of most significant yearly meetings of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, comprising Congressional Advocacy Day and the Academy Council meeting. Over the course of several days, advocacy ambassadors and councilors from ophthalmic subspecialty and state societies attend Academy-facilitated meetings with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for patients and the profession of ophthalmology. The Academy Council meeting brings the ophthalmology community together to discuss issues facing our profession and implement the highest quality of care for patients through politics, policy, and practice management. This is also an opportunity to advise the Board of Trustees on what we view as the highest priorities for the organization. Mid-Year Forum takes place Washington, D.C., the nations’ capital, and is an ideal opportunity to directly advocate for our profession, learn about health care policy changes that will impact how we practice, and develop strategies to implement new programs in our patient-care approach.

SMO is proud to recognize its military residents and councilors participating in this year’s forum, which takes place April 2-5, 2025:

2025 SMO Resident Advocacy Ambassadors at Mid-Year Forum
Dr. Molly Cunard, CPT, USA
Dr. Charles Behnfield, MAJ, USA
Dr. Remigio Flor, MAJ, USA
Dr. Haana McMurray, CPT, USA

2025 SMO Alternate Councilor at Mid-Year Forum
Dr. Eva Chou, CAPT, USN