Making the decision to start down the path towards becoming a Diplomate in your favorite optometric area might seem like a big decision, and there are lots of reasons not to do it. “It’s hard.” “It’s not my cup of tea.” “What if I don’t succeed?” “I just don’t have the time.” Those are all valid reasons not to pursue many things in life. So what’s the up side? Why do crazy people—the Fellow in the practice down the street, people who lecture at meetings nationally and internationally, optometrists and vision scientists employed by the ophthalmic industry and by our academic institutions—head down the Diplomate road?
Here’s what I heard when I asked the Section and Diplomate Award Chairs that same question.
“This year the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies was pleased to welcome three new Diplomates. The process is daunting, and most candidates have to work very hard to get through it. One of this year’s new Diplomates came to me after passing the Oral Examination and said that, as difficult as it was at times, it was the greatest accomplishment of their professional career. Further, they felt that the Academy was most collegial organization around."
–Doug Benoit, OD, Chair, Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies.
and …
“This year a candidate in the Low Vision Diplomate Program was so dedicated that, even after having just returned from her honeymoon with pneumonia and mononucleosis, she traveled 3,000 miles to San Francisco and emerged from her hotel sickbed to take (and ace) the required Ocular Disease Examination. When asked about her persistence, she admitted ‘It wasn't easy to tackle this year, but anything worth doing is rarely easy. I made a commitment to go through the Diplomate process for many reasons: professional growth, to become a better teacher for my students, and, ultimately, to provide better care for my patients. And, as my friends will tell you, when I am on a mission, there is little that can throw me off course.'”
–Roanne Flom, OD, FAAO, Diplomate Chair, Low Vision Section
So, come on. Stretch. Devote some of your time to a life experience improving your ocular disease knowledge; reflecting on your experiences as an educator; excelling in pediatrics. You will get back even more than the considerable amount you give. I think I might even look into the Public Health Diplomate program!
For more information about Section Diplomate programs, please visit the Sections’ area on the Academy website located under the “Sections” tab.
