Happy Birthday to Us!
The Seniordoc.org web site has been operating for one year. This benchmark is a good time to review the past year. It was a year that will be long remembered.
Seniordoc began the year modestly. Our initial goal was to allow the Senior Docs who were retired, or almost ready to retire, to have Forums that would be of interest to them. Computer jargon was kept to a minimum. This permitted ODs introduced to computers and the Internet later in life to feel comfortable with this new means of communication.
Soon Senior Docs in practice 20 or more years, who were at the peak of their career wished to join our web site. Within one month Junior Docs as well as Recent Graduates and Optometry Students showed an interest in participating with their more experienced colleagues in dialogue. Forums were opened to reflect the interests and concerns of each of these groups. Within 9 months Seniordoc.org became an integral part of many ODs Interactive computer life.
Our membership age ranges from a very Senior doc who graduated in 1934 to students who will graduate in 2005. The web site has ODs from every time zone and location in the world.
On September 11, 2001 the Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and its aftermath added new responsibility to Seniordoc.org. Because of our ability to communicate with our members immediately, we were able to offer on the scene reports of life in New York, as well as first hand travel experiences during that frightening period after 9/11.
Cancellation of Vision Expo West highlighted why alternate systems of Continuing Optometric Education for re- licensure should be explored, when attending an on site meeting becomes impossible. Our Seniordoc web master designed a “Member Survey” where opinions, for alternate means of Continuing Optometric Education, could be expressed and a vote taken. These opinions could help influence Optometric State Boards to rethink their approach to C/E for re-licensure in their State. The survey will be completed shortly.
Having overseas members with recognized expertise was a great advantage when discussing the new Silicone –Hydrogel 30 day E-W Lens. Our United States members were able to take advantage of the 2-year clinical experiences of our overseas members using this break through in Contact Lens Technology. Now that the 30-day lens is approved in the US, conversation shall continue discussions on this topic on our web site through 2002.
There were many Optometric debates and some disagreements voiced by our members. All were civil and well thought out before our ODs posted their views. Optometric Organizations, Institutions, Manufacturers as well as third Party providers were also criticized when our members had complaints and needed a forum to voice their problems.
This total freedom was possible because Seniordoc.org was founded as a not for profit web site that does not accept financial support from any Optometric Organization, Special Interest group or Industry. The web site has been fortunate to be mentioned in the optometric media to allow for membership growth. Our strength and value is due to our financial independence and membership participation.
Our OD members contribute their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. Some extremely complex issues were discussed during the past year and the contribution of OD experts was invaluable.
In addition we are fortunate to have non- OD consultants who work with ODs for handsome fees, to answer questions outside of the realm of OD expertise. All did on a voluntary pro-bono basis.
A special thank you for their work during the past year must go to our Moderators who over see their individual Forums:
Samuel Spoto, M.S., OD – State of Optometry Forum
Harvey Rosenwasser, O.D., FA.A.O. – Optometric Economics Forum
Susan Resnick, O.D., F.A.A.O. – Clinical and Research Forum
Danelle Eider, B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) 2nd year Optometry Student-
Student and Recent Grad Forum
Ken Koslowe,O.D.,M.S. – International Optometry Forum
Fred Von Gunten ,O.D., F.A.A.O.- Investment Forum
Adam Farkas, M.D.- Health and Welfare Forum
Ted Kassalow, M.S., O.D.,F.A.A.O. – Retirement Issues Forum
A very special thank you must go to our web master known on the Internet as Docwolf but known to you as Adminwolf. He designed, built, modified and continues to oversee the site to keep it running trouble free. All did on a voluntary basis. He is my son and lifetime Optometric Booster. At his day job is known as Adam W. Farkas, M.D., M.B.A. – President, CEO of Wolf Bioscience. Although swamped with responsibilities, Adam will continue his efforts on our behalf.
I will administer our web site and send you annoying reminders to not only read the topics but voice your opinions. With out your interactive participation Seniordoc diminishes in value. Let me know if there are areas that can be added that will improve our Web site.
The coming year should be most interesting. We are already in the midst of a very controversial topic on the subject of the “Independent Optometric Contractor”. I’m certain there will be other areas of information, complaints, criticisms and happy subjects that will round out our Forums.
Read and enjoy.
Paul Farkas, M.S.,O.D.,F.A.A.O.- Web site Administrator
The Seniordoc.org web site has been operating for one year. This benchmark is a good time to review the past year. It was a year that will be long remembered.
Seniordoc began the year modestly. Our initial goal was to allow the Senior Docs who were retired, or almost ready to retire, to have Forums that would be of interest to them. Computer jargon was kept to a minimum. This permitted ODs introduced to computers and the Internet later in life to feel comfortable with this new means of communication.
Soon Senior Docs in practice 20 or more years, who were at the peak of their career wished to join our web site. Within one month Junior Docs as well as Recent Graduates and Optometry Students showed an interest in participating with their more experienced colleagues in dialogue. Forums were opened to reflect the interests and concerns of each of these groups. Within 9 months Seniordoc.org became an integral part of many ODs Interactive computer life.
Our membership age ranges from a very Senior doc who graduated in 1934 to students who will graduate in 2005. The web site has ODs from every time zone and location in the world.
On September 11, 2001 the Terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and its aftermath added new responsibility to Seniordoc.org. Because of our ability to communicate with our members immediately, we were able to offer on the scene reports of life in New York, as well as first hand travel experiences during that frightening period after 9/11.
Cancellation of Vision Expo West highlighted why alternate systems of Continuing Optometric Education for re- licensure should be explored, when attending an on site meeting becomes impossible. Our Seniordoc web master designed a “Member Survey” where opinions, for alternate means of Continuing Optometric Education, could be expressed and a vote taken. These opinions could help influence Optometric State Boards to rethink their approach to C/E for re-licensure in their State. The survey will be completed shortly.
Having overseas members with recognized expertise was a great advantage when discussing the new Silicone –Hydrogel 30 day E-W Lens. Our United States members were able to take advantage of the 2-year clinical experiences of our overseas members using this break through in Contact Lens Technology. Now that the 30-day lens is approved in the US, conversation shall continue discussions on this topic on our web site through 2002.
There were many Optometric debates and some disagreements voiced by our members. All were civil and well thought out before our ODs posted their views. Optometric Organizations, Institutions, Manufacturers as well as third Party providers were also criticized when our members had complaints and needed a forum to voice their problems.
This total freedom was possible because Seniordoc.org was founded as a not for profit web site that does not accept financial support from any Optometric Organization, Special Interest group or Industry. The web site has been fortunate to be mentioned in the optometric media to allow for membership growth. Our strength and value is due to our financial independence and membership participation.
Our OD members contribute their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. Some extremely complex issues were discussed during the past year and the contribution of OD experts was invaluable.
In addition we are fortunate to have non- OD consultants who work with ODs for handsome fees, to answer questions outside of the realm of OD expertise. All did on a voluntary pro-bono basis.
A special thank you for their work during the past year must go to our Moderators who over see their individual Forums:
Samuel Spoto, M.S., OD – State of Optometry Forum
Harvey Rosenwasser, O.D., FA.A.O. – Optometric Economics Forum
Susan Resnick, O.D., F.A.A.O. – Clinical and Research Forum
Danelle Eider, B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) 2nd year Optometry Student-
Student and Recent Grad Forum
Ken Koslowe,O.D.,M.S. – International Optometry Forum
Fred Von Gunten ,O.D., F.A.A.O.- Investment Forum
Adam Farkas, M.D.- Health and Welfare Forum
Ted Kassalow, M.S., O.D.,F.A.A.O. – Retirement Issues Forum
A very special thank you must go to our web master known on the Internet as Docwolf but known to you as Adminwolf. He designed, built, modified and continues to oversee the site to keep it running trouble free. All did on a voluntary basis. He is my son and lifetime Optometric Booster. At his day job is known as Adam W. Farkas, M.D., M.B.A. – President, CEO of Wolf Bioscience. Although swamped with responsibilities, Adam will continue his efforts on our behalf.
I will administer our web site and send you annoying reminders to not only read the topics but voice your opinions. With out your interactive participation Seniordoc diminishes in value. Let me know if there are areas that can be added that will improve our Web site.
The coming year should be most interesting. We are already in the midst of a very controversial topic on the subject of the “Independent Optometric Contractor”. I’m certain there will be other areas of information, complaints, criticisms and happy subjects that will round out our Forums.
Read and enjoy.
Paul Farkas, M.S.,O.D.,F.A.A.O.- Web site Administrator