123rd TAOP Annual Congress
Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians
October 10 - 13, 2024
Park Vista Hotel
Gatlinburg,TN
123rd Congress Information for ODs
24 COPE Accredited CE Hours, including Mandatory Drug Diversion Course
Congress Highlights
- Exhibit Hall (Thursday & Friday) with complimentary lunch
- Friday evening: Trivia and Karaoke night
- Saturday: Breakfast sponsored by Dompe Medical
Member Pricing:
Daily Rate: Thursday-Saturday $250, Sunday $200
Combo Discount for all days $800
Non-Member Pricing:
Daily Rate: Thursday-Saturday $350, Sunday $300
Combo Discount for all days $1,200
Add-on Course:
Drug Diversion-Sunday $150
*Details for additional events will be announced soon–registration fee includes all events.
*Additional meals for guests can be purchased when registering.
Park Vista Hotel Group Rate starting at $149.00 per night. Cut off for the room block is 9/7/2024.
*Room block link will be sent with registration confirmation email.
*Register by 10/4/2024 to avoid additional charges. Last day to cancel with a refund is 09/30/2024. There will be a $50.00 Administrative fee for all cancellations. Any cancellations after 09/30/2024 will not be refunded due to food costs that have already been submitted.
*Late Registration available after 10/4/2024 - Members $950, Non-Members $1450.
2024 Congress CE Lecture Schedule
Speakers
Nate Lighthizer, O.D., F.A.A.O. Born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, Dr. Nate Lighthizer, O.D., F.A.A.O., is a graduate of Pacific University College of Optometry. Upon graduation, he completed a residency in Family Practice Optometry with an emphasis in Ocular Disease and Laser and Surgical Optometry through Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO). Dr. Lighthizer has since joined the faculty at the Oklahoma College of Optometry and has served as the Chief of Specialty Care Clinics and the Chief of Electrodiagnostics Clinic. In 2014, he founded and now heads the Dry Eye Clinic at the College of Optometry. Also in 2014, he was named the Director of Continuing Education as well as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Care Services at the Oklahoma College of Optometry. Starting in 2020, he was named the Associate Dean of the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry. In July 2024, he was named the Dean of the Oklahoma College of Optometry. He is a founding member, and currently serves as Immediate Past President, of the Intrepid Eye Society which is a group of emerging thought leaders in optometry. He was named a member of PCON 250 – A list of the top 250 optometrists in the country who practice progressively, provide innovative patient care, conduct optometric research or excel in academia and share what they have learned with other optometrists to advance the profession. Dr. Lighthizer lectures nationally and internationally on numerous topics, most notably advanced ophthalmic procedures, electrodiagnostics, and ocular disease.
Megan Sumrall Lott, OD Dr. Lott is a 2006 graduate from the Southern College of Optometry. She opened a primary care optometric practice immediately after graduation. In 2016 she opened Belle Vue SpecialtyEye Care in Hattiesburg, MS. In 2018 she was granted a fellowship in Optometric VisionDevelopment and Rehabilitative Association (previously COVD). The Belle Vue practice offers rehabilitative services in pediatrics, child development, visual symptoms following/associated with neurological conditions, as low vision services. She is active in local, state, national and international optometry. She was recognized by the Brain Injury Association of Mississippi for her contribution to TBI in Mississippi. In addition, she has been trice recognized as theMississippi Young OD of the Year as well as the Community Service Award. In 2023 her office was awarded a Top 10 Best Practice in the United States by Cooper Vision. She currently resided on a farm in Sumrall, MS with her husband and son.
Ben Casella, O.D., FAAO Ben earned his doctorate of optometry from the UAB School of Optometry and subsequently completed a residency in Ocular Disease at the SUNY State College of Optometry. He is the owner of a three-generation private practice in Augusta, Georgia, where his family resides. Ben is also the Chief Optometric Editor of Optometry Times and lectures internationally on various topics in the arena of ocular disease. He is a member of the AOA, a Fellow of the AAO, and a Diplomate of the ABO. He also serves on the AOA’s Evidence Based Optometry and Strategic Communications committees. He has been named the GOA Young OD of the Year, the GOA OD of the Year, the SECO Young OD of the South, the SUNY Resident Alumnus of the Year, and the AOA OD of the Year.
Kevin Jackson, D.O. Kevin Jackson, D.O. is a board-eligible ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and refractive surgery. He joined Woolfson Eye Institute in July 2023 to obtain advanced training as the practice’s first ophthalmic fellow. In this position, he provides refractive surgical options to his patients, including laser-assisted cataract surgery, standard and premium lens implants, LASIK, Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL), and Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). Prior to medical school, he worked as an ophthalmic technician and scribe for three years in Maryland and Pennsylvania. He then graduated from medical school with honors in 2019 from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his ophthalmology residency at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York. During his final year of residency, he served as the chief resident of academic affairs. He is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, as well as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Jackson strongly believes that eyesight is uniquely important for an individual’s health and autonomy. As an ophthalmologist, he feels honored to provide life-changing eyecare for his patients on a daily basis. He has been involved in ophthalmic medical missions to the Guerrero Clinic in Chihuahua, Mexico where he has performed numerous cataract surgeries for the local population of Chihuahua. In his spare time, Dr. Jackson enjoys distance running, as well as playing tennis and pickleball with his wife, Katie.
John Prenshaw, MD John Prenshaw, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and general ophthalmology. Dr. Prenshaw grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. He then completed his internship at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Prenshaw is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Before joining Woolfson Eye Institute, Dr. Prenshaw spent five years in private practice in eastern North Carolina. His clinical interests include premium and advanced technology intraocular lenses, pterygium removal, and medical glaucoma treatment including SLT. He strives to provide the highest quality care for his patients while incorporating the latest medical innovations. Dr. Prenshaw enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Cecelia Koetting, OD Dr. Koetting practices at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the Department of Ophthalmology in Denver, CO. Her primary focus is in anterior segment and ocular surface disease, neuro-optometry, and peri-operative care. She partakes in clinical research and has served as Externship Director and adjunct faculty for several schools and colleges of optometry.
Dr. Koetting is a member of Intrepid, a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, an active member of AOA and has served as both local and state officers within AOA. She was named young Optometrist of the year by the state of Virginia. Dr. Koetting lectures locally, nationally and internationally at conferences, continually contributes articles to and serves on the editorial board for multiple publications.
Mary Schmidt, ABOC, CPO Mary E. Schmidt is an industry consultant, specializing in leadership development.
Mary has over 40 years’ experience within the eyecare field. The focus of the last 30 years has been leadership development and staff training. Working with hundreds of practices throughout the US and Canada, she has trained thousands of practice leaders and paraoptometrics.
Her passion is helping people realize their full potential and exceed their own expectations.
Vision Monday named her one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Optical.
TAOP Congress 2024: Paraoptometric Program
Join us for two days of learning, networking, and fun!
Educational Program
- Thursday, October 10: 6 hours CE + Paraoptometric breakfast
- Friday, October 11: 6 hours CE + Paraoptometric breakfast
Congress Highlights
- Exhibit Hall (Thursday & Friday) with complimentary lunch
- Friday evening: Trivia and Karaoke night
- Saturday: Breakfast sponsored by Dompe Medical
Paras are welcome to attend events listed above
Registration Fee: $175 Includes access to all sessions and events for both days.
Accommodations Exclusive Park Vista Hotel Group Rate: Starting at $149.00 per night (Room block link provided in registration confirmation email)
Important Dates
- Early Registration Deadline: 10/4/2024
- Last Day for Refunds: 09/30/2024 (Subject to $25 administrative fee)
- Late Registration (after 10/4/2024): $225
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills, connect with colleagues, and enjoy the beautiful Gatlinburg scenery!
Note: Cancellations after 09/30/2024 are non-refundable due to pre-committed food costs.
Register now to secure your spot at this exciting event!
