MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:  Joyce Cassen, MD; Nancy Chen, MD; Stephen Clason, MD; John Drouilhet, MD; Malcolm Ing MD; Ken Lin, MD; David Maehara, MD; Carl Minatoya, MD; Harvey Minatoya, MD; Cal Miura, MD; George Nardin, MD; Jon Olkowski, MD; Pierre Pang, MD; David Randell, MD; Peter Roney, MD; Susan Senft, MD; Russell Stodd, MD; Chris Tortora, MD; Byron Wong, MD; VernonWong, MD.

GUESTS:

Paula Arcena; Gale Beardsley, MD; Dick Botti; Phillip Hellreich, MD; Roger Kimura; John McDonnel, MD; Louis Omphroy, MD; Bill Shimura, David Young, MD

The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by Susan Senft, MD, President of HOS. 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as distributed.

Dr. Luis Omphroy was introduced and welcomed as a prospective new member of the Society.

OLD BUSINESS:

Advocacy Day in Washington D.C.—Visit to Capitol Hill on April 22. The AAO has scheduled several meetings with the focus on the Vets Eye Safety Act. We have had no firm commitment from our US legislators at this point.

Veterans Eye Treatment Safety Act—Dr.Senft encouraged the members to contact our U.S. legislators and voice concerns of ophthalmology regarding this important issue.

Website Feedback—This was reviewed and members were encouraged to visit the site and are reminded that comments are welcome.

Twinning Symposium regarding Pan American Meeting of Ophthalmology in Santiago, Chile March 18-21—The Brazilian Society would like us to join them in a symposium on March 19, 2005 3:40-5:10 PM. They requested that abstracts be submitted by April 20, 2004.

Dr. Malcolm Ing reported that the Lion’s Club Van for retinal screening is to be in service shortly. The non-mydriatic camera has been ordered and our HOS logo and website address will be on the van.

NEW BUSINESS:

Roger Kimura and Bill Shimura of the HMA were present for the official audit of the HOS CME program. They reviewed our program and urged continuity. They complimented the work and efforts of Dr.Jon Olkowski and Dr. George Nardin for their recording and accounting of our current program.

Legislative update—Dr.Joyce Cassen spoke with Linda Smith, the Governor’s senior policy advisor, and recommended members to Email (Linda.Smith@hawaii.gov or LindaLingle@LindaLingle.com) Gov. Lingle asking for a veto of HB 1797 and explaining why it should be vetoed.

Dr. Jeffrey Maehara gave a report on his efforts and recommended we do whatever possible to contact the representatives and senators that we may have any influence with. 

Dr. Nancy Chen reported that the Mississippi optometry bill did not pass their legislature, and recommended that we contact their society. She will also be contacting various society presidents asking them to sign a letter addressed to all the senators asking that they not override a possible gubernatorial veto. It would require 5 senators or 18 representatives to stop the override.

Dick Botti, the HMA head lobbyist, reviewed the HMA’s current perspective and suggestions regarding the current bills in the legislature. He reported on his efforts and shared his incites in to the status of HB1797. Dr.Phillip Hellreich, HMA president, announced that the Dean of the UH Medical School has written a letter to all members of the Legislature opposing this bill. Dr. John McDonnell reviewed recent HMA strategy relative to upcoming votes and elections. Dr. Russell Stodd appealed to the Society to support the HMA.

Dr. Pierre Pang, MD gave an excellent lecture entitled “A Modified Technique for Managing Dislocated PCIOLs” which was well received by the members.