More About CIP
The mission of the AOA Center for Independent Practice (CIP) is to fuel a passion for and create a foundational knowledge base to excel in the management of today’s independent practice of contemporary optometry. This center of excellence will help students and practitioners develop strong partnerships, optimize practice resources, create business strategy and utilize the fundamentals of professional practice advocacy.
Partners
The AOA thanks Illinois College of Optometry, Southern College of Optometry, Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry, The Ohio State University College of Optometry, University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry, and Western University College of Optometry for their visionary partnership and leadership in the CIP and independent practice of contemporary optometry.
The Southern College of Optometry and the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry have the highest rate of AOA membership among students who graduated from 2011-2021, and the six CIP partner schools have the highest rates of faculty membership in AOA among all schools and colleges of optometry.
CIP Steering Committee
- AOA Past President Robert C. Layman, O.D., Chair
- Tara DeRose, O.D., Vice Chair
- Southern College of Optometry President Lewis Reich, O.D., Ph.D.
- Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry Dean Nathan Lighthizer, O.D.
- The Ohio State University College of Optometry Associate Dean for Research Jeffrey Walline, O.D., Ph.D.
- University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry Dean Renee Reeder, O.D.
- Western University College of Optometry Founding Dean Elizabeth Hoppe, O.D., M.P.H., Dr.PH.
- Tad R. Kosanovich, O.D., Liaison Trustee
- Jon F. Pederson, O.D., Liaison Trustee
- Aaron McNulty, O.D.
- Erick Henderson, O.D.
- AOA CIP Staff Madison Lamp
- Illinois College of Optometry President Mark Colip, O.D.
AOA News Archive
2022-2024
- October 2025: AOA CIP Independent Practice Institute equips new doctors for independent practice
- November 2022: https://www.aoa.org/news/practice-management/perfect-your-practice/aoas-new-center-for-independent-practice-to-amplify-members-only-resources-for-practice-success
- June 2023: https://www.aoa.org/news/practice-management/perfect-your-practice/aoa-leading-schools-organize-to-safeguard-and-expand-optometrys-independence
- November 2023: https://www.aoa.org/news/practice-management/perfect-your-practice/how-do-you-measure-success-in-your-practice
- May 2024: https://www.aoa.org/news/practice-management/perfect-your-practice/next-gen-optometrys-focus-on-independent-practice
- April 2025: https://www.aoa.org/news/practice-management/perfect-your-practice/a-voice-for-independent-doctors
Evaluation and Management Tip of the Month
The AOA Coding and Reimbursement Committee supports the AOA's strategic direction to develop and value procedural (CPT), diagnostic (ICD-10) and supply codes (HCPCS). The committee frequently receives questions regarding Evaluation and Management (E&M) services. Here are some useful tips. Members can submit questions regarding medical records and coding to askthecodingexpert@aoa.org.
Ask the Coding Experts
You ask, the experts answer. The AOA Coding and Reimbursement Committee supports the AOA's strategic direction to develop and value procedural (CPT), diagnostic (ICD-10) and supply codes (HCPCS). Members can submit questions regarding medical records and coding to askthecodingexpert@aoa.org. Here are the latest questions.
Highlights from Optometry's Meeting® 2026
Check out what you might have missed from Optometry's Meeting® 2026 in Phoenix.