A Word From Our Chair

My predecessor, Diane Adamczyk OD, FAAO, Diplomate, American Board of Optometry, has worked tirelessly to promote the mission of the ABO. I feel privileged, and a little overwhelmed to follow in her footsteps as Chair of the Board of Directors of the ABO. Her passion for the profession is obvious when you speak to her. Under her guidance, the ABO has increased awareness of board certification, has opened new avenues of communication with students, faculty, and the armed forces, and has received recognition as a valid certification for our Canadian colleagues. I am proud to call her a friend and am lucky enough to have her continued guidance as we move forward.

Board Certification is voluntary. Due in large part to the efforts of the Board and staff at ABO we are seeing an increased level of awareness. That being said, I still get asked why I became certified. As a private-practice owner/doctor in Garden City, Kansas, Dr. Adamczyk and I work in very different settings. This is one of the great strengths of the ABO organization. I do not know of a practice modality that would not benefit from obtaining and maintaining ABO certification. Our ranks include Fellows, classroom and clinical instructors, commercial and institutional doctors, members of the armed forces and private practice owners. Every one of these Diplomates has found value and genuine learning opportunities. The maintenance of certification process involves proving ongoing competence in fundamental knowledge as well as learning new information in all areas of optometric study. Diplomates make up a significant number of presenters at any major conference, showing the commitment of these individuals as well as the benefits of continuous learning. Our patients are the ultimate recipients of the care and commitment of our doctors.

We on the board will continue our outreach to students, residents, faculty, military OD’s and our Canadian colleagues. We will nurture and grow these relationships. We are also supporters of Optometry in general and celebrate the accomplishments of the many states that are working toward modernizing the scope of practice. 

As my primary focus as chair, I would love to see an increased level of collaboration with our founding entities (AOA, AAO, AOSA, and ASCO). The ABO has spent many years quietly advancing the profession, often overlooked and only appreciated when we become a talking point for legislators. I am committed to increasing the visibility of the ABO through our current partnerships as well as researching new partnerships to continue our mission.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Sincerely,

Matthew C. Gerstberger, OD
Doctor/Partner, Garden City Optometrists
Chair, Diplomate, American Board of Optometry