124th TAOP Annual Congress
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
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
Speakers
Bobby W. “Chip” Wood, Jr., OD
Dr. Bobby W. “Chip” Wood, Jr. is a Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist based in San Antonio, TX. He is the founder and Medical Director of Wood Vision Source (San Antonio) and Coyote Optical (Uvalde), serves as Co-Administrator for Vision Source San Antonio, and consults for the Vision Source Vendor Relations Team. Dr. Wood is a national speaker and consultant on specialty contact lenses, ocular surface disease, electroretinography (ERG), and Low Level/Intense Pulse Light Therapy (LLLT/IPL). He earned a BS in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston College of Optometry, and has served as an adjunct clinical professor at both the University of Houston and Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University. Dr. Wood is dedicated to providing patients with advanced technology, treatment, and vision correction
Susan J. Gromacki, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, Dipl AAO
Dr. Susan J. Gromacki is an internationally recognized optometrist, lecturer, and author with 32 years of clinical experience. She graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame and The Ohio State University College of Optometry and completed a hospital-based residency with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Gromacki has delivered nearly 850 lectures and publications, served as a contributing editor for multiple professional journals, and sits on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. She is one of only 24 doctors worldwide to hold both a Fellowship in the Scleral Lens Education Society and the Diplomate in Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies of the American Academy of Optometry. Formerly on the faculties of New England College of Optometry and University of Michigan Medical School, she has received nearly 50 professional awards, including the 2025 Visionary Award from the Contact Lens Institute and the 2024 “Top Doctor” Award from the National Keratoconus Foundation.
Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, FAAO
Dr. Jessilin Quint is a Texas native and graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Biology. She completed Master in Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science (MS) in Biology degrees at West Texas A&M University. Dr. Quint received a Doctorate of Optometry degree (OD) from Indiana University. After graduation, she completed a post-doctoral Residency in Ocular Disease with an emphasis on ocular emergency and trauma at the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Quint has been an active volunteer, presenter, and author in industry publications. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Quint co-owns Smart Eye Care and Smart Dry Eye Center in Maine. She serves as President of the Maine Optometric Association Board of Directors and is a member of the Intrepid Eye Society.
Mary E. Schmidt, ABOC, CPO (Para Speaker)
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.
Lynn E. Lawrence, CMSgt, USAF (ret), MSOL, CPOT, ABOC, COA, OSC (Para Speaker)
Lynn E. Lawrence is currently a national lecturer, staff development and ophthalmic technician for Mills Eye and Facial Plastic Surgery. He has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership. As the owner of See The Light Consulting, LLC., he develops staff development, educational, and compliance materials for office use. An American Optometric Association, American Board of Opticianry, and Joint Commission for Allied Healthcare Personnel in Ophthalmology approved speaker. In 2009 he retired from the USAF after 30 years of service. During his military career he was promoted to the top 1% of the enlisted ranks to Chief Master Sergeant, and then assigned to the Army/Air Force Exchange Service HQs, Dallas, Texas as the Optical Program Manager. He oversaw quality control for 133 optical stores worldwide. He was also appointed by the Air Force Surgeon General as the Ophthalmic Career Field Manager where he oversaw 540 Optometry/ Ophthalmology technicians at 90 locations around the world. Lynn was 1 of 4 nationally recognized technicians selected to attend the industry sponsored 2020 Summit where industry and optometry collaborated to identify hurdles within optometry. Was a keynote speaker for two national organizations.
Glen “Bubba” Steele, OD, FOVDR, FAAO
Dr. Glen Steele is a professor emeritus from Southern College of Optometry. Although retired from employment, he continues his professional career through lectures and clinical seminars where he places emphasis on the vision care needs of the infant and young child during the process of development. He is a member and past chair of the AOA Foundation’s InfantSEE® and Children’s Vision Committee. He has lectured extensively throughout the USA and internationally in the area of vision development and care of the infant and young child. He was inducted into the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association Hall of Fame, and received the W. David Sullins, Jr. OD Award from Optometry Cares-the AOA Foundation in 2022. He received the TAOP Dr. Jeff Foster Distinguished Service Award in 2022 and the AOA Distinguished Service Award in 2023. In 2019, he was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame.
Scott Ensor, OD, MS
Dr. Scott Ensor received his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2001 from Southern College of Optometry and later completed a postgraduate residency in Primary Care Optometry at the Memphis VAMC. He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Pharmacology & Toxicology from Michigan State University in 2013. Prior to joining the SCO faculty, Dr. Ensor served as Assistant Center Director at Eye Health Partners of Middle Tennessee, a multi-location optometric referral center in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to serving a large patient base, Dr. Ensor presented lectures on ocular disease and surgical co-management to a network of over 300 optometrists and also served as the supervisor of the Ocular Disease residency program. His professional areas of interest include glaucoma, retinal pathology, surgical co-management, and the promotion of optometric residency programs. Since becoming a faculty member, Dr. Ensor has lectured both nationally and internationally on ocular disease management, ocular injection procedures, opiate prescribing and drug diversion. He is the current Vice-President for Clinical Programs at SCO and is a member of the American Optometric Association, Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians, and the West Tennessee Optometric Physicians Society.
CE Lecture Schedules
*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 $152.00 per night. Cut-off for the room block is 9/26/2025.
*Room block link will be sent with registration confirmation email.
*Register by 10/10/2025 to avoid additional charges. Last day to cancel with a refund is 10/10/2025. There will be a $50.00 Administrative fee for all cancellations. Any cancellations after 10/10/2025 will not be refunded due to food costs that have already been submitted.
*Late Registration available after 10/10/2025 - Members $950, Non-Members $1450.
Congress Information for PARAs
PARA CE Lecture Schedules
Educational Program
- Thursday, October 23: 6 hours CE + Paraoptometric breakfast
- Friday, October 24: 6 hours CE + Paraoptometric breakfast
Congress Highlights
- Exhibit Hall (Thursday & Friday) with complimentary lunch
- Friday evening: Trivia and Karaoke night
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 $152.00 per night (Room block link provided in registration confirmation email)
Important Dates
- Early Registration Deadline: 10/10/2025
- Last Day for Refunds: 10/10/2025 (Subject to $25 administrative fee)
- Late Registration (after 10/10/2025): $225
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills, connect with colleagues, and enjoy the beautiful Gatlinburg scenery!
Note: Cancellations after 10/10/2025 are non-refundable due to pre-committed food costs.
Register now to secure your spot at this exciting event!
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