ASCRS News
December 2022
by Angela Nichols, ASCRS Head of Clinical Education and Program Strategy, and Carrie Braden, ASCRS Director of Continuing Medical Education
Reflecting on what ASCRS has created for its members over the last year, 2022 is the first year that has seen a significant return to normal (or a “new normal”) since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
This year, ASCRS hosted a robust, in-person Annual Meeting, expanding its offerings and opportunities at this premier event geared toward anterior segment surgeons. The Society developed new on-demand programming and functionality to benefit members, it hosted the first ASCRS Summer Meeting, and much more.
ASCRS Annual Meeting
At the ASCRS Annual Meeting, which took place in April in Washington, D.C., through the leadership of its Clinical Committees and Program Chair Edward Holland, MD, ASCRS provided attendees access to four General Sessions, 22 symposia, 91 courses, 30 skills transfer labs, 905+ papers, 170 films, three Subspecialty Day programs, five Satellite CME Programs, and 200+ companies in the Exhibit Hall. Keynote speakers at the General Sessions included Chris Wallace, an anchor for CNN, and Will Flanary, MD, an ophthalmologist who is popularly known by his comedic alter ego, Dr. Glaucomflecken, on his social media platforms.
Perhaps one of the most significant additions to the 2022 ASCRS Annual Meeting was the creation of a whole day of programming specifically for the young eye surgeon (YES) audience. This day, spearheaded by the YES Clinical Committee and Chair Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, MD, included an interactive kickoff event, the YES Networking Luncheon, and two dedicated symposia. In addition, there were other specific opportunities for YES members, such as YES skills transfer labs, Mentor Meetups, and YES Connect Industry Dinners.
Satellite CME Programs were expanded at the 2022 ASCRS Annual Meeting. There were five ASCRS Satellite CME Programs offered as a supplement to the main ASCRS program and eligible for additional CME credit. These sessions provided a deep dive into specific learning areas, which this year included: phaco fundamentals; diversity, equity, and inclusion; thyroid eye disease; the glaucoma treatment spectrum; and Ophthalmology Quicksand Chronicles. Recordings from these in-person sessions are available for earning CME credit online. Visit ascrs.org/satellite-cme to find these programs.
ASCRS Clinical Survey
ASCRS continues to conduct its annual Clinical Survey to gain insights into practice trends and patterns. Information from this survey is not only useful to physicians individually but it also helps the Society inform educational initiatives. As Kevin M. Miller, MD, said in his introduction to the ASCRS Clinical Survey supplement that accompanies the December issue of EyeWorld, the survey “helps the Society plan meetings, symposia, and online educational content to meet the needs of its members.” This year’s survey focused specifically on the areas of cataract, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
ASCRS Summer Meeting
With Co-Chairs Daniel Chang, MD, Sumitra Khandelwal, MD, and Douglas Koch, MD, and YES Program Co-Chair Zaina Al-Mohtaseb, MD, ASCRS hosted a new in-person event, the ASCRS Summer Meeting – A Taste of ASCRS. This meeting took place in August in Nashville, Tennessee, and provided attendees with some of the best elements of ASCRS education, generally featured at the larger Annual Meeting, in a smaller meeting format. The Summer Meeting included skills transfer labs, clinical programming, an Exhibit Hall, and an attendee networking event.
Claire Wright, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, said while onsite at the ASCRS Summer Meeting that the experience was “amazing.” She added that she most appreciated the hands-on skills transfer labs, which gave her more familiarity with some MIGS devices.
“I will definitely come back, and I will bring these pearls back to the University of Tennessee and share them with the residents,” she said.
Online initiatives
ASCRS continued to support several online educational opportunities for ophthalmologists to take advantage of year round, including the Ophthalmology Quicksand Chronicles podcast, hosted by Nicole Fram, MD, and Liz Yeu, MD, ASCRS Grand Rounds, and the monthly YES Connect Webinar.
It also created Beyond 20/20 – An ASCRS Series in Modern Refractive Surgery and Presbyopia Therapy. This series, sponsored by the ASCRS Refractive Surgery Clinical Committee with Co-Chairs Roger Zaldivar, MD, and Cathleen McCabe, MD, was rolled out with live sessions and is now available as a complete, four-module package approved for up to 6 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
ASCRS launched its new mobile app in April as both a communication and educational tool. The app features forums for discussion among physician members, news from the Society, microlearning opportunities, such as Technique Tuesdays, and more. Learn more about the app at ascrs.org/membership/ascrs-app.
New CME claim form
This year, ASCRS made claiming CME credit easier for its members, creating a new online form. To claim credit for previous ASCRS meetings, physicians simply need to complete the ASCRS CME Credit Request Form online. As always, members can view their credit records and CME certificates within their personalized ASCRS CME Transcript.
What’s next?
Planning is in full swing for the 2023 ASCRS Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, May 5–8. Registration and hotel blocks are open now. ASCRS also plans to host the ASCRS Summer Meeting, again in Nashville, August 11–13, 2023.
Contact
Braden: cbraden@ascrs.org
Nichols: anichols@ascrs.org
