Optometry and politics, what do those two unrelated topics have to do with each other? That was the first question I had when immediate past California Optometric Association president, Dr. Barry Weismann, came to speak at my school during orientation week. As a first year student, I had no idea that I was going to travel across the country, on an unforgettable trip, to demonstrate the importance of organized optometry.
When I first learned about the Congressional Advocacy Conference and Legislative Day, I did not understand that we, as students, could make such an impact in our profession. I expected to listen to different lectures pertaining to the importance of organized optometry on a national scale. This expectation was only half true. What I did not realize was that I would get the opportunity to be a part of this legislative journey along with fellow optometry students from around the nation.
So began the best experience of my optometric career thus far. With over 300 students and doctors in attendance, we traveled to the U.S. Capitol to meet with legislators and their staff to advocate for optometry. I was grouped with two optometrists from Arizona, Dr. Armanae Mancha and Dr. Stacey Meier, and a fellow student. We met with 3 congressman, Congressman Gosar of Arizona, Congressman Gallego of Arizona, and Congressman Castro of Texas. At first, I was intimidated and did not know what to say. After all, I was in the nation’s Capitol. However, after a day’s worth of information presented by the American Optometric Association, I felt confident in explaining why bills such as HR 1688, S 2777, HR 3323, and HR 1312/S 898, are beneficial to the community. In addition, the congressmen were very receptive to the majority of the legislative bills and the students’ opinions. After every meeting, I began to realize that we, the students, are the future of the optometric profession.
As a student in California, I had the unique experience of being able to advocate at the national level and state level all in the same week. At Legislative Day, in Sacramento, we addressed bill SB 622 to expand California’s scope of practice. From Washington DC, I learned how to speak to different legislators and gained a level of confidence that helped me speak in Sacramento. I was paired with Dr. Richard Hom of San Mateo County. Dr. Hom and I met with two legislative staff in Sacramento’s Capitol Building and together discussed the importance of passing SB 622 for the improvement of patient care in California. It was another experience that added to my growth as a student as I became part of the drive to expand the scope of practice to enhance patient care. If that is not exciting, I do not know what else is.
I was so inspired to see the work and dedication that goes into the optometric profession to make change happen. I had the privilege of traveling across the country to witness my future colleagues standing up for their beliefs about our profession. It was an amazing opportunity to see people who are so passionate about a situation, all come together to advocate for the future of medicine and patient care. It is an experience I will never forget, and I encourage every student and doctor in our profession to become a part of organized optometry to benefit our profession, our community, and our patients, whether it be at the local society, state or national level. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in”.
Ladan Emami
Western University of Health Sciences
