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AOA member advocates to expand emergency training access for optometrists

November 3, 2025

AOA’s support helps Stop the Bleed program recognize doctors of optometry as qualified healthcare instructors.

Tag(s): Advocacy, Patient Protection

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Key Takeaways

  • Stop the Bleed is a program supported by the U.S. Department of Defense and the American College of Surgeons that provides training to control severe bleeding to an injured person.
  • When AOA member Philip Nicholson, O.D., learned that optometrists were not listed among the healthcare professions qualified to become instructors, he contacted the program and the AOA. 
  • Both Dr. Nicholson and AOA President Jacquie M. Bowen, O.D., sent letters to the program’s coordinator requesting optometrists be included.
  • Stop the Bleed has adjusted its policy to allow doctors of optometry to be instructors for the program. 

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