American Optometric Association President and Board of Trustees Inducted at Optometry’s Meeting
Nashville, Tennessee – June 22, 2024 – Steven T. Reed, O.D., was officially recognized as the president of the American Optometric Association (AOA) on June 22 at Optometry’s Meeting®, the profession’s premier annual event that took place in Nashville, Tennessee. During the annual AOA House of Delegates (HOD) meeting, representing doctors from all 53 affiliates, the full 2024-2025 Board of Trustees was also inducted.
Dr. Reed, of Mississippi, was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the 119th Annual AOA Congress and 46th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting® in July 2016 and elected to the office of president-elect during the 126th Annual AOA Congress & 53rd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting in June 2023 and currently serves as AOA president.
Dr. Reed was recognized as the 104th AOA president during Saturday’s House of Delegates. In his inaugural address, Dr. Reed delivered an aspirational message about professional leadership and emphasized the need for the profession of optometry to have a growth mindset in their own leadership.
“To take, to act and to guide,” Dr. Reed said. “That’s what I want us to focus on and why I speak about leadership to you today. My promise to you is that I will continue to do all these things that help advance the profession and the patient care we deliver.”
Dr. Reed, the first Mississippi AOA President, is a past president of the Mississippi Optometric Association (MOA) and the Southwest Optometric Society. In his roles with the MOA, he served as Chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee, Optometry for Progress PAC, the Legislative Committee, the Assistance to Graduates and Undergraduates Committee and the Nominations Committee. He was also Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Southern College of Optometry and Mississippi's Trustee for SECO International.
A graduate of the Southern College of Optometry, Dr. Reed was the 2010 and 2016 recipient of the MOA James P. Brownlee Optometrist of the Year Award. In Mississippi, Dr. Reed owns and operates private practices in Magee, Collins and Prentiss and is co-owner of practices in Clinton, Flowood, Forest and Vicksburg.
Board of Trustees
During the final House of Delegates session, the AOA officers, trustees and volunteers were recognized for their commitment to the profession and their dedication to the AOA’s mission. All members are invited to attend each House of Delegates session, including the election and installation of the AOA Board of Trustees. Delegates from across the country inducted a new board, including:
- Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D., (Colorado) as president-elect;
- Teri K. Geist, O.D., (Nebraska) as vice president;
- Terri A. Gossard, O.D., M.S., (Ohio) as secretary-treasurer;
- William T. Reynolds, O.D., (Kentucky), serving as past president;
- Paul M. Barney, O.D., (Alaska), reelected trustee;
- Tad R. Kosanovich, O.D., (Florida) reelected trustee; and
- Karoline L. Munson, O.D., (Kentucky), newly elected trustee.
Continuing their terms are Curtis A. Ono, O.D., (Washington), Belinda R. Starkey, O.D., (Arkansas), and Marrie S. Read, O.D., MBA, (Armed Forces and Federal Optometric Services).
For more information on the event’s news and updates, visit the Optometry’s Meeting news page. For images from the event, follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
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About Optometry’s Meeting®
Optometry’s Meeting, the annual meeting of both the AOA and AOSA, aligns optometric and industry professionals for a four-day experience to advance optometry and engage the association’s official business. Optometry’s Meeting renowned educational program supports every member of the care team with progressive continuing education and professional development opportunities. Simultaneously delivering an impactful conference experience, Optometry’s Meeting promotes networking and connection through the expansive exhibit hall, as well as a dynamic program of special events.
About the American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, representing more than 49,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals. As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient's first entry point into the health care system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the eye and visual system. Through a nationwide public health initiative, AOA's Eye Deserve More campaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care and the overall health benefits of in-person, comprehensive eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans.
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