2012 Executive Committee
The South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology is proud to announce the addition of new members to its 2012 Executive Committee. John Wells III, MD(president), Blake Myers, MD(Co-Chair Members Council), and Edward Mintz MD,PhD (Co-Chair Members Council) join our outstanding team of current Executive Committee members to help further the causes of the SCSO. A special thanks goes out to our outgoing Secretary/Treasurer Charles Bobo, MD for his service to the Executive Committee of the SCSO.
We are also pleased to announce the selection of Joseph Biship III, MD to the Board of Directors as Representative for District III. Dr Bishop succeeds Enoch Tsai, MD whom we thank for his service to the SCSO's Board of Directors and commitment to the society as a whole.
Codequest
The SCSO and the AAO again co-hosted the "First in the Nation" coding seminar on Friday January 6, 2012. It was as always well attended by over 122 ophthalmologists and their staff from throughout the Southeast. The next CPT Coding Seminar will be held January 11, 2013 in Columbia, SC.
Advocacy
Ron Scott and our SCSO advocacy team have been tirelessly working in Columbia to ensure that patients in our state receive only the best eye care. Please communicate directly with your state legislator as the 118th General Assembly will convene January 10, 2012, at the State House.
Young Ophthalmologists
The SCSO is making a concerted effort to reach out to South Carolina's young ophthalmologists. The SCSO Resident Advocacy Program, led so capably by Kurt Heitman, MD and Malcolm Edwards, MD, is designed to work closely with the Departmental Chairs and other Leaders at The Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina Medical School. This volunteer led teaching program offered by the SCSO Leadership focuses on introducing and educating EYE-MD residents on the importance and need for their legislative and patient advocacy at the state and federal levels of government.
Member News and Updates
The Eye & Laser Center Receives 2011 American Business Ethics Award
The Foundation for Financial Service Professionals has announced The Eye & Laser Center as the small company recipient of the 2011 American Business Ethics Award (ABEA). This distinction recognizes The Eye & Laser Center as the top winner in the nation of all companies with fewer than 250 employees that were nominated.
The Eye & Laser Center is the first company headquartered in South Carolina to win this prestigious award. Additionally, The Eye & Laser Center is the first company to ever win the award on a unanimous vote. As a recipient of the 2011 ABEA, The Eye & Laser Center joins the ranks of previous winners including Lockheed Martin, General Mills, Whirlpool Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Pitney Bowes, Inc., Merck & Company, and Texas Instruments.
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The Columbia Eye Clinic Receives Legacy Award
The Columbia Free Medical Clinic's Board of Directors has presented its Legacy Award to Columbia Eye Clinic. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that significantly help the Free Medical Clinic accomplish their mission to provide free, quality health care to those who can't pay for services and have no health insurance.
"Many of our patients have eye problems," observed Dennis Coker, executive director of the Free Medical Clinic. "One third of our patients have diabetes and need to be screened and treated for diabetic retinopathy. Of the 28 specialties available to our patients, ophthalmology is Number Two or Three on the list in terms of need. Columbia Eye Clinic is our Number One provider of ophthalmology care. This award is a small token to recognize the tremendous support provided by Columbia Eye Clinic. Without their support, many patients would simply go without desperately needed eye care."
"We are truly honored by this award," said Larry Hiebert, Columbia Eye Clinic CEO. "We know that many deserving people in our community need care but can't afford it. Providing vision care at no cost to Columbia Free Medical Clinic patients is one of the ways we give back to the community. We are privileged to do it.
The Columbia Free Medical Clinic opened in 1984. Primarily serving patients from Richland and Lexington counties, the clinic also sees patients from 18 other counties, and specifically targets those residents who do not have anywhere else to obtain their health care. Care is provided by volunteer physicians and nurses, with support from volunteer administrative personnel.
