AOA Independent Practice Institute graduates first class

There’s a wide breadth of goals within the optometry field, and some practitioners do their best work within established practices. Others, like the graduates in the first class of the AOA Center for Independent Practice (CIP) Independent Practice Institute (IPI), have plans for their own practice and are building the skills they need to run it successfully.  

The AOA CIP IPI is a new member-only benefit designed to prepare optometrists of all experience levels for independent practice ownership and leadership. While optometric education typically focuses on the clinical aspect of the field, IPI equips participants with the full spectrum of skills required to successfully launch, lead and grow an independent practice.  

Tara DeRose, O.D., a member of the AOA CIP Steering Committee, served as the cohort leader for the IPI and observed incredible growth among the participants. During the course of the program, she saw participants within her cohort face new experiences, including buying into a practice, firing their first employee, working through pregnancies, paying themselves for the first time, and working with family members. All of these experiences added to the conversation. 

“I’ve been amazed at the bravery of our colleagues who have purchased practices right out of school, opened practices cold, or bought into practices shortly after graduation,” Dr. DeRose says. “They have the drive and smarts to be successful but desired some guidance.” 

Coursework takes place over 10 months through a combination of in-person meetings and virtual sessions. In-person sessions held during Optometry’s Meeting® and AOA on Capitol Hill provided free registration to both events and offered an opportunity to connect with peers and mentors. IPI uniquely distinguishes itself through its granular, real-world approach to the business of optometry.  Throughout the year, the IPI  sessions featured expert speakers on practical business topics, including attorneys, lenders, brokers and other optometrist business owners.  Participants also receive targeted instruction on billing, insurance navigation, credentialing, and working with vision benefit managers, areas that are often cited by early career doctors as some of the most complex aspects of practice ownership. The curriculum also emphasizes human capital strategy, covering hiring, staff development, compensation structures and leadership—equipping participants to build and manage high-performing teams. 

Practical education for bold students 

Many of the first class began the program while still in the throes of their optometry education, including Jessica Perry, O.D. candidate, and Matthew Keyzer, O.D., M.S. 

Dr. Keyzer knew he wanted to eventually own an independent practice and was looking for a place to get his feet wet. Although he approached the program as a student with no prior practice experience, he says the course content could benefit doctors of optometry at any level.  

“The course changed the way I think about most aspects of private practice,” Dr. Keyzer says. “You meet so many people who have a wealth of knowledge.” 

Perry says the collaborative nature of the interactive sessions increased the value of the experience beyond the standard coursework included in each two-hour session.  

“My cohort was an incredible resource,” she says. “They helped answer questions and address concerns that I wasn’t able to resolve on my own, and those collaborative interactions were a key part of my experience.” 

The value of collaboration was one of Perry’s biggest takeaways.  

“Building a team of strong advisors is so important,” she says. “There is a wealth of knowledge and support available, and trying to navigate the process alone is neither necessary nor advisable.”  

Far from offering a one-size-fits-all prescription, the course emphasized identifying individual strengths, Dr. Keyzer says.  

“My biggest takeaway was to be yourself and consider the small details in everything you do,” he says. “Do right by your patients, and you’ll be rewarded for it.”  

Perry and Dr. Keyzer both say they would recommend the program to others and plan to stay in contact with the experts they met through their sessions. 

Sharing experiences to build a stronger community  

Dr. DeRose was thrilled with IPI’s first class, and says the cohort left her inspired and hopeful about the future of optometry. 

“Even after 20 years in practice, I learned something new each session from both the speakers and from the class participants,” she says. “It reminded me that we have amazing resources, brilliant colleagues, and each other.” 

The AOA CIP prepares students and optometrists for independent practice through robust educational opportunities and collaboration with established doctors of optometry. The Independent Practice Institute is the CIP’s flagship program, which offers selected participants a rare opportunity to gain insider-level knowledge, mentorship and strategic insight for independent practice ownership and leadership.  

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 IPI class is open through April. You can find the application here. Questions? Contact Madison Lamp.