As most of you know, in November of 2022, opticians of Ohio were dealt what could have been a devastating blow, and our license was desperately in peril. A bill had been written and set forth, that contained language that unequivocally, and without any doubt, meant to end licensure for all opticians in Ohio.

The bill as written, specifically stated: “Eliminate the licensure of Spectacle Lens and Contact Lens, and Combination opticians, as well as Ocularists”. In the end the OAO team was able to save the Spectacle and Combination licenses, but we were forced to give up the contact only license. Ocularists lost their licenses.

As I mentioned, most of us have heard this story, but many do not know the person who was largely responsible for guiding the OAO through these tumultuous times, and was able to strategize, form a plan of action, and lead our team through the maze of legislative submissions, meetings, and testimonies. That person is Lisa Rankin, former OAO Lobbyist.

If you noticed, the word “former” now appears before “lobbyist”. Lisa, who has been a tireless and fierce advocate of Ohio opticians, officially retired as OAO Lobbyist, effective December 31, 2023.

Although the OAO was never in a position to financially afford the caliber of lobbyist Lisa Rankin was; nonetheless, she fought for the OAO as if we were a fortune 500 company. The day we were to testify to try to appeal for an amendment, Lisa called me and said she’d been up all night thinking of any other angles we could approach our situation from. She then suggested editing our testimony, which we did, and was one of many suggestions she made that helped us secure our profession.

We can’t thank Lisa Rankin enough, for her passion, determination, and dedication to our cause. However, I think the best way we can thank her is to continue to fight for the license she helped us secure, so that opticianry will continue to be a licensed profession for years to come.

 

Upcoming Meetings:

Rules Change Committee February 8, 2024 at 9:00am

Vision Professionals Board (VPB) February 8, 2024 at 10:30am

These meetings are held in the Riffe Tower, Columbus, Ohio, and are open to the public. Opticians are encouraged to attend, as these meetings directly impact your profession. For more information on attending a VPB meeting contact John Bruening at John@geaugavision.com 

Get to know OAO Consultant, Bob Alexander!

If you mention the name Bob Alexander within the eye health care industry they know him as an educator, a mentor, a volunteer, a speaker, a dedicated father, a devoted husband to his lovely wife Kim, and most recently, Grandpa. Bob is highly regarded as knowledgeable in optics with an ability to break down complicated optical theories into easy-to-understand concepts. Of course, what most of the eye care industry isn’t aware of is that this is Bob’s second career. 

With great admiration, I take this opportunity to interview Bob about his career path change. 

Shirley E. 

 

Q: Bob, I understand that the eye health industry is your second career. Would you mind sharing what allured you to take a different career path?  

A. I worked for The Longaberger Company for over 17 yrs. On January 4th, 2010, I walked into work to receive a layoff notice. What I wanted to do was be a math teacher. However, with a family at home, I needed a career that I could start quickly. Not knowing what career I wanted to pursue, I set up an appointment with the career counselor at my daughter’s high school. I completed one of those personality/career evaluations. The results of that form had a few options and the only one I did not recognize was Dispensing Optician. After learning a bit more about what was involved, and that I could get an associate degree at a school 15 minutes from my house, I decided to pursue it. After making a visit to Hocking College, talking with Scott Carroll who was the program director, and several second-year students, I walked out knowing that this was something I would enjoy doing.  

Q: Did the eye health industry require additional education?  

A: Absolutely! Opticianry requires a skill set that is not easily obtained through any other line of work. Whether you are pursuing an associate degree in opticianry or completing an apprenticeship, education is key to gaining the knowledge needed to best serve your patients. 

Q: What struggles did you experience transitioning to your new career?  

A: Everything. For starters, I was 38 when I lost my job at Longaberger and went back to school to start my associate's degree in opticianry. Moving from factory work to working with the public was a big leap. Learning to work and travel required a learning curve. Becoming a speaker was a big struggle as well. When I started speaking, my reviews weren’t all that great. However, overcoming the fear of being perceived as incompetent while in front of a group of licensed opticians was likely one of my biggest struggles and something I still struggle with today.    

Q: Is there anyone who inspired or mentored you along the way? 

A: Yes! It seems that everyone in this industry is motivated to help everyone around them be better tomorrow than they are today. However, there are a couple of folks that pushed me into uncomfortable territory, or provided opportunities seeing something in me I didn’t see in myself. If I mentioned them by name, they would be embarrassed, refuse to take any credit, and lay all the accolades on me for my hard work when it was their mentorship and guidance that really provided my path to follow. My point is this: If you are looking for a mentor to inspire you, ask yourself a few questions first. Will they take the credit, or give it all to me? Will they be there for me every step of the way with help and guidance? When I complete the task, will they continue to push me until I have the skills to be a mentor myself? 

Q: What are the long-term opportunities associated with your new career?  

A: The field of opticianry offers many opportunities outside of being a dispensing optician. I started as a licensed optician in private practice in Athens, OH, been a sales consultant for a lens manufacturer working alongside national, key, and inside sales account representatives, a sales rep calling on independent optometrists, a manager of technical training, and am now a part of a global training team. You can find virtually any job description that you find appealing working in optical. I found mine. 

Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years?  

A: As odd as this may sound, exactly where I am right now. Held up by undying family support & surrounded by a great group of friends to run with, colleagues to challenge me, and continually trying to figure out how to be a better husband, father, grandfather, friend, co-worker, and team member at work. It may seem simple and non-aspirational on the surface; however, this philosophy has taken me from a licensed optician to global training and technical marketing position in ten short years. I wonder where I’ll be in the next ten? 

 

"You have every opportunity to be remarkable, you just need to take it." Seth Goodwin 

Apprentice Interactive Workshop News!

The Ohio Apprentice Interactive Workshop continues to be a valued resource for those pursuing a career in opticianry. Most of Ohio’s licensed opticians have received their training via apprenticeship rather than formal education. While on the job and hands-on training are effective modalities of “how to” training, it can be a challenge to provide the entire concept of “why” training.

Students attending the Workshop learn the “why” behind the daily functions they perform. Featured lectures such as anatomy and optical principles help students understand why and where optics apply to their practice. Hands-on training at the Workshop includes use of manual lensometers, frame fitting and adjusting, and how to use hand tools.

Not only are individual apprentices registering and attending the Workshop, many optometry practices around Ohio and neighboring states have sent apprentices employed by their offices to the Workshop for supplemental education and training.

The Workshop can accommodate up to 10 students per event, in part by generous equipment donations from sponsors of the OAO and is held several times throughout the year. Event dates are listed at www.oao.org. Additionally, the Workshop is mobile and is available to travel to practices to maximize the training opportunity. For more information, contact the OAO or visit our website at www.oao.org.

 

 

Did you Know that part of your OAO membership allows you to post your resume on the OAO website for FREE?

If you are looking for a new opportunity, you can post your resume directly on the OAO website by going to the Resources tab and selecting Career Opportunities. From there, you will need to log in as a member and then you can complete your posting.  It will be available for all OAO members to see and search!

 

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You can visit us online on Facebook or LinkedIn!

 

 

The OAO will hold a board meeting on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 at 7:00 PM. If you are a member and want to join, please contact the OAO at (614)505-3296 or send an email to info@OAO.org. 

 

2024 Southwest Professional Development Event

When: March 2nd, 2024 (11:30am-6:00pm, Happy Hour 6:00pm-7:00pm) and March 3rd (8:30am-4:30pm)*

Where: Marriott Cincinnati North

6189 Muhlhauser Rd. West Chester, Ohio 45069

 

Apprentice Workshop

When: March 3rd, 2024 (8:30am-4:30pm)

Where: Marriott Cincinnati North

6189 Muhlhauser Rd Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069

 

ABO Basic Review Course

When: March 3rd, 2024 (8:30am-4:30pm)

Where: Marriott Cincinnati North

6189 Muhlhauser Rd Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069

 

2024 Northeast Professional Development Event

When: April 6th, 2024 (11:30am-6:00pm, Happy Hour 6:00pm-7:00pm) and April 7th (8:30am-4:30pm)*

Where: Hilton Garden Inn

8971 Wilcox Dr. Twinsburg, OH 44087

 

2024 Northwest Professional Development Event

When: May 18th, 2024 (11:30am-6:00pm, Happy Hour 6:00pm-7:00pm) and May 19th (8:30am-4:30pm)*

Where: Spectrum Eyecare

2300 Baton Rouge. Lima, OH 45805

 

Apprentice Workshop and Lab Tour - Seating Limited

When: June 9th, 2024

Location - TBD

 

Apprentice Workshop and Lab Tour - Seating Limited

When: August 11th, 2024

Location - TBD

 

Annual Conference TBD! 

 

* Times subject to change

 

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