As the economics of practice ownership evolve, technology accelerates, and legislative conversations become more complex, who is shaping the future of optometry behind the scenes? And what decisions are being made right now that could impact your practice next year?
In this episode of Power Hour, recorded live from the AOA Leaders Summit in St. Louis, Eugene Shatsman sits down with three of the American Optometric Association’s elected leaders: Dr. Jacqueline M. Bowen (President), Dr. Teri K. Geist (President-Elect), and Dr. Terri A. Gossard (Vice President).
Together, they offer a firsthand look into what these leaders believe are the profession’s biggest pressure points, and what they say the AOA is doing to protect, expand, and advance optometry heading into 2026.
Economic Sustainability: Reimbursement, Plan Structures, and Practice Viability
A major portion of the discussion centers on financial sustainability in private practice.
The AOA leaders speak about rising operational costs, changes in reimbursement structures, and what they view as ongoing tension between provider economics and broader payer models. Rather than framing this as a simple conflict, the conversation positions it as an evolving dynamic that requires thoughtful policy engagement and dialogue.
One of the most compelling moments in the conversation is when Dr. Gossard cites that AOA advocacy efforts have reportedly helped return over $12 million to member doctors in the past 18 months through reimbursement dispute support and third-party advocacy initiatives. That stat alone raises an important question: how much of practice profitability is influenced by policy decisions happening outside your office?
This segment reveals something bigger than reimbursement numbers, it exposes how economic sustainability is becoming a leadership issue, not just a billing issue. Whether you agree with the approach or not, understanding how national advocacy groups are thinking about practice viability gives you context for the environment you’re operating in.
Scope, Legislation, and Emerging Technology
The landscape around optometry is changing fast,and in many cases, it’s shifting before most practice owners even realize it.
The AOA leadership shares what they believe are the biggest policy and technology forces that could shape optometry in 2026, from scope-related conversations to the rise of new retail exam models and AI-driven tools entering the market.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s being debated behind the scenes, what could impact how optometry is defined in the public eye, or what trends may influence your practice’s future opportunities (and challenges), this part of the conversation offers a rare inside look, straight from the leaders involved in those discussions.
Whether you follow legislation or not, the outcomes eventually show up where it matters most: in the exam lane, in patient expectations, and in how optometrists are positioned within healthcare.
The future of optometry is shaped through dialogue, policy, and leadership decisions. This episode pulls back the curtain on that process, directly from the voices guiding it.
Key Takeaways
- How Advocacy Actually Impacts Your Exam Lane: Learn why decisions made at the national and state level eventually influence reimbursement, scope of practice, and what your patients expect when they walk into your office.
- The Real Pressure Points Heading into 2026: See where economic strain, reimbursement structures, and legislative activity are converging, and how those forces could shape your operating environment next year.
- What Scope Expansion Momentum Means for You: How scope legislation is evolving across states, what’s driving it, and why it affects both opportunity and competitive positioning.
- What Emerging Technology Could Change in Eye Care: Learn how How AI, biomarker detection, and retail-based exam models are creating both opportunity and risk, and how to think about innovation responsibly.
- Why Economic Sustainability Is Becoming a Leadership Issue: Discover how rising costs and reimbursement shifts are reframing practice viability.
- How to Evaluate Industry Shifts Without Reacting Emotionally: Why understanding multiple perspectives (even if you don’t agree with all of them) helps you make clearer, more strategic decisions for your practice.
In This Episode
- 00:00 | Introduction
- 03:45 | What the AOA Leaders Summit is
- 09:20 | AOA’s 2025 Wins and 2026 Top Priorities
- 11:15 | What AOA Expects in 2026
- 12:35 | “Not a Doctor” Bills
- 18:10 | Why AOA Believes Legislative Vigilance is Increasing in Importance
- 22:05 | Reimbursement and Rising Cost Pressures
- 24:10 | $12M Recovered
- 28:35 | Kiosk Exams and Patient Safety Concerns
- 35:20 | Aesthetics and Dry Eye Training Programs
- 42:10 | Why the AOA is Leaning into Emerging Technology
- 47:35 | AI and the Future of Optometry
- 52:45 | Innovation Hub Expansion
Contact Information
Connect with Dr. Jacqueline M. Bowen (AOA President)
Dr. Jacqueline “Jacquie” M. Bowen, O.D., was installed as the 105th President of the American Optometric Association in 2025, after serving on the AOA Board of Trustees since 2016. She is a seasoned practitioner with more than 30 years of clinical experience and leadership roles in organized optometry, recognized as one of Vision Monday’s “Most Influential Women in Optical.”
- Website: https://www.aoa.org/
Connect with Dr. Teri K. Geist (AOA President-Elect)
Dr. Teri K. Geist, O.D., serves as President-Elect of the AOA and has been on the Board of Trustees since 2019, acting as liaison to key committees including advocacy and federal relations. Her leadership background includes state association roles and a focus on professional engagement, communication, and strengthening optometry’s public presence.
- Website: https://www.aoa.org/
Dr. Terri A. Gossard (AOA Vice President)
Dr. Terri A. Gossard, O.D., M.S., is Vice-President of the AOA and has served on the board since 2019, with extensive experience in optometric leadership and committee service. A long-time advocate for embracing technology to improve eye care delivery, she has led initiatives at both state and national levels and championed broader understanding of the profession.
- Website: https://www.aoa.org/
Connect with Eugene Shatsman
- Website: https://www.eugeneshatsman.com/