Independent Practice Programs
The AOA Center for Independent Practice has developed the following programs for AOA member doctors and optometry students to help fuel a passion for and create a foundational knowledge base to excel in the management of today’s independent practice of contemporary optometry.
2025-26 Independent Practice Institute
The AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute equips the next generation of doctors of optometry to become independent practitioners, providing essential and contemporary eye health and visual care in their communities, through a 10-month, virtual and in-person professional practice management and business development curriculum.
What is the Independent Practice Institute?
The AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute is a 10-month member benefit program designed to engage and equip the upcoming generation of doctors with the business basics of running an independent practice. Through a combination of virtual and in-person training, discussion groups and networking opportunities, IPI participants will obtain the skillset and confidence necessary to start or step in to an independent practice leadership role.
Developed by the AOA Center for Independent Practice, the IPI is open to active AOA member students and doctors of optometry, particularly those who are early in their careers.
What is the purpose of the AOA Independent Practice Institute?
All schools and colleges of optometry provide practice management education and information. However, with schools and students focused on classes and the national boards, clinics and externships, and campus organizations and extracurricular activities, graduates tell AOA that by the time they are interested in joining or starting an independent practice, they don’t necessarily have confidence they know or recall how to handle the business aspects of practice management. The AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute provides training in business and practice management to help, regardless of where you are in your career.
What can you expect from the AOA Independent Practice Institute?
Schedule at a Glance
Personal practice goals, work/life balance
Wednesday, April 23 (virtual)
Business planning, practice selection, location
Wednesday, May 28 (virtual)
Marketing and promotion (internal and external), including patient experience, retention
Thursday, June 26 (in person)
Optometry’s Meeting Minneapolis
Business entities, financing, personal finance
Wednesday, August 27 (virtual)
Human resources including staffing, hiring, wages/benefits, staff management, termination
Wednesday, September 24 (virtual)
Billing and insurance, credentialling, and vision benefit managers
Wednesday, October 22 (virtual)
Practice operations including health records, scheduling, forms, protocols, patient flow
Wednesday, November 19 (virtual)
Purchasing equipment, vendor relationships, retail inventory, buying groups
Wednesday, January 28 (virtual)
Advisors – who do you need on your team, mentors, study groups, growth strategy
Wednesday, February 25 (virtual)
Practice leadership, vision casting, mission, work/life balance, achieving your goals
Sunday, March 15 (in person)
AOA on Capitol Hill Washington DC
What you can expect from the program:
- Highly interactive sessions that are designed to provide a business and practice management foundation from subject-matter experts and fellow participants
- 8 virtual sessions at 8 p.m. ET will not exceed 2 hours
- 2 in-person sessions: one at Optometry’s Meeting (2025), one at AOA on Capitol Hill (2026)
- Free registration for Optometry’s Meeting and AOA on Capitol Hill
- Guided small group/cohort discussions
- Monthly session prework and assignments that support learning and application
- Program materials including workshop and webinar resources, recordings and tools
- Roster with contact information
What we expect of participants
- Engage and actively participate in each session
- Complete all prework and assignments
- Prework will not require more than 30 minutes of participants' time
- Post-session assignments will not require more than 90 minutes of participants' time
- Attend Optometry’s Meeting and AOA on Capitol Hill
- Connect with peer participants to enhance learning and further develop your network
How to participate in the 2025-26 AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute
The AOA Center for Independent Practice now accepts applications for the 2025-26 inaugural IPI program.
Or send your CV and a one-page (250 words maximum) statement about why you are interested in the Independent Practice Institute to Rodney Peele. Applications are due Friday February 28, 2025.
All applications to participate in the AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute will be reviewed by a committee of experienced doctors, champions, and leaders of optometry. Students and alumni of CIP Partner Schools are especially encouraged to apply. Selected participants will be notified by early March. The program will begin with a kick-off session hosted virtually in April. Questions? Contact Rodney Peele.
Build Independent Practice at Optometry’s Meeting®
The AOA Center for Independent Practice will hold its 2025 Symposium on Friday, June 27th at Optometry’s Meeting in Minneapolis. For more information, contact Rodney Peele.
The AOA Center for Independent Practice held its 2023 Symposium at Optometry’s Meeting in Washington D.C., featuring expert Tom Bowen, founder and CEO of Thrive Practice and Life Development. The 2023 Symposium was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision.
The AOA Center for Independent Practice held its 2024 Symposium in conjunction with AOA+ at Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville, with pop-ups featuring Bill Nolan, president, practice transitions for Williams Group; Bernie DeJesus, student loan consultant, GradFin LLC team at Laurel Road; and Frank L. Vivians, Jr., assistant vice president, medical business development officer, Bank of America Practice Solutions. The Wiliams Group supported the 2024 Symposium.
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