(L to R) Attending the House of Delegates concluding session were Steven P. Eiss, OD, AOA trustee; Amy A. Puerto, OD, AOA trustee; Tad R. Kosanovich, OD, AOA trustee; Paul M. Barney, OD, secretary-treasurer; Terri A. Gossard, OD, president-elect; Teri K. Geist, OD, president; Curtis A. Ono, OD, vice president; Jacquie M. Bowen, OD, immediate past president; Marrie S. Read, OD, AOA trustee; Jon F. Pederson, OD, AOA trustee; and Shane A. Foster, OD, AOA trustee.
PHOENIX—The American Optometric Association (AOA) closed out a landmark Optometry’s Meeting in Phoenix with the election of its 2026-2027 board of trustees and the installation of Teri K. Geist, OD, of Nebraska, as the 106th president of the AOA. Click here to view an exclusive video interview with Dr. Geist where she discusses advocacy, reimbursement and her top priorities as she takes the helm as AOA president. The profession’s premier annual event, which ran from June 17–20, was a record-setting event that brought together more than 6,000 attendees, including more than 3,000 students, residents, new doctors and faculty, the AOA said in an announcement.
The strong turnout underscored the momentum across the profession and the shared commitment of doctors of optometry, future doctors, educators, advocates and industry leaders to advancing patient care and shaping the future of optometry, the AOA noted.
In her installation address, Dr. Geist called on doctors of optometry to meet a rapidly changing healthcare landscape with unity, purpose and a continued commitment to patient-centered care. “The past taught us who we are,” Dr. Geist said. “The leaders who came before us built the foundation of who we are and how we stand here today. But leadership requires us to spend more time looking toward possibility than toward nostalgia. The future deserves our attention. And there has never been a more exciting time to imagine what optometry can become.”
Dr. Geist emphasized that optometry’s future will require bold advocacy, collective strength and continued focus on patients, noting that membership is more than a renewal form; it is a commitment to access, reimbursement fairness, advocacy and professional unity. “When we work together, our collective voice becomes stronger than any individual voice could ever be,” Dr. Geist said.
As she begins her term, Dr. Geist said her commitment is “to listen carefully, to lead humbly, to advocate boldly,” and to help ensure optometry’s future is “not only more advanced, but more human. The future of optometry begins with helping people see what they didn’t know they were missing,” Dr. Geist said.
2026-2027 AOA Board of Trustees
During the House of Delegates’ concluding session, the following doctors of optometry were elected to serve on the AOA board of trustees:
Officers
President: Teri K. Geist, OD, of Nebraska
President-elect: Terri A. Gossard, OD, of Ohio
Vice president: Curtis A. Ono, OD, of Washington
Secretary-treasurer: Paul M. Barney, OD, of Alaska
Immediate past president: Jacquie M. Bowen, OD, of Colorado
Trustees
Amy A. Puerto, OD, of Louisiana
Shane A. Foster, OD, of Ohio
Steven P. Eiss, OD, of Pennsylvania
Continuing to serve as AOA trustees are Marrie S. Read, OD, of AFOS in Virginia; Tad R. Kosanovich, OD, of Florida; and Jon F. Pederson, OD, of Colorado.
The AOA board of trustees works in support of the association’s mission to advance the profession of optometry and advocate for the quality eye health and vision care doctors of optometry provide to patients nationwide, the announcement noted.
A major theme throughout the event was a focused importance on organized optometry and the role of the AOA in protecting and advancing the profession. Attendees were encouraged to become active participants in advocacy efforts to preserve patient access to eyecare while expanding opportunities for doctors of optometry.
The meeting also showcased the growing importance of advocacy at both the state and federal levels. Participants received updates on key legislative priorities affecting optometry, including insurance reform, Medicare payment issues, contact lens regulation and efforts to improve access to care for veterans and underserved populations.
Expansion of AOA Future Practice Initiative
Outgoing president Julie Bowen, OD announced the expansion of the Future Practice Initiative which helps provide support and resources that contributed to important progress in scope modernization efforts across the country. Going forward, the initiative will broaden its focus to support affiliate efforts not only in scope advancement—including laser authority. The initiative will also confront abusive VBM practices and advance legislation that protects patients and doctors.
“Because the future of practice is about more than what doctors can do. It is also about removing barriers that prevent patients from receiving the care they deserve,” Dr. Bowen said.
In a historic win for the AOA last week, Vermont became the 17th state to expand scope of practice for optometrists and improve access to essential eye healthcare services, with the authorization of optometric laser procedures. Signed by Vermont Gov. Phil Scott on June 18, the new law creates an Advanced Therapeutic Procedures Specialty License and, beginning July 1, 2028, authorizes qualified Vermont doctors of optometry to provide additional in-office procedures, including certain ophthalmic laser procedures, the AOA said in an announcement.
