POA 2026 Spring Congress
Join us for the annual POA Spring Congress. Pittsburgh is known for its amazing blend of industrial history and modern vibrancy, offering world-class museums (Warhol, Heinz History Center), beautiful green spaces (Phipps Conservatory, Point State Park), unique neighborhoods, iconic inclines (Duquesne Incline), passionate sports teams (Steelers, Penguins, Pirates), and a surprising culinary scene, all set against a stunning skyline with iconic bridges.
Full information on the event will be available by the end of February, but you can reserve your hotel room now!
See what Pittsburgh has to offer
OPTOMETRIST SCHEDULE
Thursday, June 4 |
|
| 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Registration |
| 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. | Industry Dinner (TBA – pre-registration required) |
| 6:30 – 9:15 p.m. | 101 – Concussion (mTBI) and Neurodegeneration Diagnosis and Management/Macular Dystrophy Diagnosis and Management – Chris Putnam, O.D. (3 credits) |
Friday, June 5 |
|
| 7:15 – 8:15 a.m. | Industry Breakfast (TBA – pre-registration required) |
| 8:30 – 10:10 a.m. | 201 – Optimize your Glaucoma Diagnosis – John O’Donnell, Jr.,O.D. FAAO Diplomate (2 credits Glaucoma/TPA) |
| 10:20 a.m. – Noon | 202 – Optimize Your Glaucoma Treatment/When It’s Not Glaucoma - Masqueraders John O’Donnell, Jr., O.D., FAAO Diplomate (2 credits Glaucoma/TPA) |
| Noon – 1:20 p.m. | State of the Association lunch (members only, pre-registration required) |
| 1:45 – 4:15 p.m. | House of Delegates |
| 2:00 – 3:40 p.m. | 203 – Update on Macular Degeneration – Carlo Pelino, O.D. (2 credits) |
| 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Opening Reception |
| 6:00 p.m. | Evening on your own |
Saturday, June 6 |
|
| 7:00 – 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast in Exhibit Hall |
|
8:30 – 10:10 a.m. |
301 - Bad Eyes, Scary Things & Dirty Pictures – Frances Bynum, O.D., ABO Diplomate (2 credits) |
|
10:10 – 10:40 a.m. |
Break in Exhibit Hall |
|
10:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. |
302 - Diabetic Eye Disease: Implementing a Diabetic Protocol into Everyday Practice – Frances Bynum, O.D., ABO Diplomate (supported by a grant from LKC) (2 credits) |
|
12:30 – 2:15 p.m. |
Lunch in Exhibit Hall |
|
2:30 – 4:10 p.m. |
303 – To Drive or Not to Drive – That is the Question – Paul Freeman, O.D. (2 credits) |
|
4:20 – 5:20 p.m. |
POA Annual Awards Ceremony |
|
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. |
New Graduate Reception (licensed 2016-2026) |
|
9:00 – 11:00 p.m. |
President’s Reception – everyone invited |
Sunday, June 7 |
|
|
7:15 – 8:30 a.m. |
CooperVision Sponsored Breakfast (pre-registration required) |
|
8:45 – 10:30 a.m. |
401 – Prescribing for Pain in Optometry – Carlo Pelino O.D. (2 credits TPA) |
|
10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. |
402 - Act 31 Mandated Child Abuse Reporter Training – Gail Brown (2 credits - required every license renewal) |
PARAOPTOMETRIC SCHEDULE
Speaker: Beverly Roberts
Friday, June 5 |
|
| 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 – 8:50 a.m. | Communication is Life Changing |
| 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. | The Power of Words |
| 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. | Stress and Relaxation |
| 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. | PPA General Business Meeting |
| 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. | Lunch on your own |
| 1:00 – 1:50 p.m. | Cross Training – Are you on the right track |
| 2:00 – 2:50 p.m. | Goal Setting the S.M.A.R.T way |
| 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. | How to take out the Trash |
| 4:00 – 4:50 p.m. | Brain Aerobics |
| 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hall Opening Reception |
Saturday, June 6 |
|
| 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. | Registration |
| 7:00 – 8:15 a.m. | Breakfast in Exhibit Hall |
| 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | How to resolve conflict in the Practice |
| 9:15 – 10:05 a.m. | Hurry Sickness |
| 10:15 – 10:40 a.m. | Break in Exhibit Hall |
| 10:45 – 11: 35 a.m. | Customer Service |
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. | Eat the Frog – The key to work efficiency |
| 12:30 – 2:15 p.m. | Lunch in Exhibit Hall |
| 4:20 – 5:20 p.m. | POA Annual Awards Ceremony |
| 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. | President’s Reception – everyone invited |
