Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION 24 September 2016 this would be a good meeting for me to attend. Prior to arrival, I antici- pated listening to esteemed speakers and participating in visits to Capitol Hill, but the actual experience far surpassed my expectations. The opening night dinner made it immediately clear to me that this would be an advocacy experience unlike any other. The intimate set- ting of 40 ophthalmology attendees allowed for candid interaction with- in our group. I felt comfortable ask- ing questions (even those I thought might be "silly"), sharing vignettes from my own involvement, and listening to others' experiences. The group of five residents and fellows who received the scholarship also became very close—it was amazing how our enthusiasm for the causes helped us bond. Throughout our time in D.C., we continually spoke about how we were struck by how open our group of ASCRS members was to our ideas even though we are young physicians. The lectures on the second day provided us with the strong knowl- edge base we needed for Hill visits later in the day. We learned about the Relative Value Scale Update Committee and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and how they would impact our future practices. Being able to have a conversation with congressmen and women about how their propos- als affect patients and those who care for them allowed us to forge an invaluable connection. Once they heard our stories of physicians who will be unable to offer certain procedures because of the MACRA implementation deadlines and of patients who may no longer have access to care, the politicians began empathizing with the challenges our field faces. The most important takeaway from the Hill visits was to stay involved in the ophthalmology community. We know our patients and practices better than politicians, and we need to speak up and advo- cate for everyone involved in our pa- tients' care. Having the opportunity to be involved with this group was absolutely incredible. My eyes were opened to the numerous issues that will affect us as a specialty. Majid Amir Moarefi, MD Cleveland Given that this was my first Fly-In experience, my expectations were to have a minimal contribution to our cause. The leaders of the Fly-In did an amazing job of educating us on the issues we were advocating in a manner that really struck home. Being a young ophthalmologist about to enter the work force, these issues resonated loudly. The impor- tance was magnified, and my desire to have a meaningful impact was greatly enhanced. Being around so many esteemed and experienced ophthalmologists and hearing their thoughts and concerns helped to in- voke a deeper understanding of how these issues could truly affect us. As a physician finishing my formal medical training and about to enter practice, I am excited to be in the great field of ophthalmology, which is advancing rapidly. We must all take an active role in advocacy to ensure that our profession continues to move forward, allowing for excel- lent patient outcomes and efficient care delivery. It was a pleasure to attend the Fly-In and a very con- structive event. Aakriti Garg, MD New York I first heard about the Fly-In from one of my mentors; he knew I had an interest in advocacy and thought Reflections continued from page 22 Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Thandeka Myeni, MD, MPH Senator Rand Paul, MD (R-KY), greets YES attendees.

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