News from the AOA's Blog

Dorothy Hitchmoth, O.D., became hooked on advocacy after her first AOA Congressional Conference in Washington, D.C., almost 19 years ago. Dr. Hitchmoth was a first-year optometry student at that time and admits she never could have imagined what has turned out to be a career-long tenure as an advocate, educator, successful optometric executive and mother. She attributes much of her success to the relationships she was able to build through her volunteer work for the AOA and New Hampshire Optometric Association (NHOA).

Dr. Hitchmoth recalls, “The New England College of Optometry AOA-PAC school representative invited me to attend because I was already involved in political advocacy. By the time I reached my fourth year of optometry school, I was selected by the AOSA president to be the National Student Liaison on the AOA-PAC board. I have attended the Washington, D.C., advocacy meeting, with enthusiasm, every year since that time in 1992!” 

Her role in the advocacy arena progressed from the student liaison, to AOA Keyperson for members of Congress, to state PAC representative, to state legislative chair, to state association president, to AOA-PAC board member, to her current role as AOA-PAC vice chair.

Dr. Hitchmoth’s enthusiasm propelled her to give back to her profession and its future.

“In my opinion, volunteerism always subtends innumerable and often unexpected positive returns, so how could advocacy not become an absolute passion over time,” said Dr. Hitchmoth. “When I first became involved with AOA, it was simply lots of hard work and plenty of fun. As my responsibility in the organization grew, I came to realize that I had the potential to influence how millions of patients access eye and vision care. What a profound responsibility and what a wonderful opportunity to help promote and improve human quality of life.”  

While Dr. Hitchmoth is busy serving as the chief of optometry at the VA Medical Center in Vermont and as a VA New England Eyecare Group consultant for the Department of Veterans Affairs, owning a private practice and company called New England Telehealth, and working as a clinical professor of optometry for three colleges of optometry and Dartmouth Medical School, she always finds time to volunteer for the AOA and the NHOA. Dr. Hitchmoth, who is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, draws no distinction between her job as an optometrist and her role as a patient advocate.

“Those of us who have served the AOA for many years will often refer to the ‘AOA family,’” said Dr. Hitchmoth. “There is something special about this group of doctors who have invariably dedicated much, if not all of their career, to not only taking care of patients, but advocating on their behalf.”  She goes on to state “Optometrists who are thinking of becoming involved in advocacy should understand that a volunteer role in AOA will afford them a welcome place for launching their ideas and enthusiasm for the benefit of the patients we serve.”

Dr. Hitchmoth has received innumerable educational and patient care awards; however, in 2001, she was named NHOA Optometrist of the Year and, in 2003, she was named the AOA Young Optometrist of the Year for her advocacy efforts.

“The AOA award was a wonderful accolade, but more importantly it gave me a national stage from which I was able to thank many colleagues and highlight the importance of the role of optometry in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense,” said Dr. Hitchmoth. “Caring for veteran and military patients is a privilege that has guided my enthusiasm for many years. Similarly, there were many optometrists at the AOA and state-level organizations whose shoulders I stood on for many years, so the opportunity to publicly recognize their influence on me was absolutely exhilarating.”  

Dr. Hitchmoth emphasizes that, “every optometrist has a passion that inspires them.  I hope more colleagues will draw from their own inspirations and become involved in AOA advocacy.”

Dr. Hitchmoth’s work continues. She has been actively fighting on behalf on the profession and patients at both the national and state levels.

“From a political and advocacy perspective, my work over several years toward passage of advanced therapeutic legislation in New Hampshire and Vermont definitely represents a memorable time,” she said. “More recently, participating in the process that led to passage of the Harkin amendment has been one of the most exciting AOA advocacy group accomplishments in many, many years!” 

Dr. Hitchmoth stays involved because she’s seen directly the impact volunteers have.

“Just knowing that over 180 million people in this country need eye care each year keeps me on a path that supports the doctors who take care of these patients,” she said. “Besides, optometry always fights and most often wins in the public health arena. Who doesn’t want to be on a winning team!”

Still, Dr. Hitchmoth knows optometry needs future volunteers to keep the gains it’s made and forge ahead for the future.

“Getting involved outside of the exam room is no longer an option,” she said. “The complexity and demands of our current health care system require that all of us with the privilege of education and resources get involved in some way. Every optometrist has a special skill or attribute that they can offer in support of the AOA. It will always be the collective strength of the profession that potentiates our successes, so I encourage all members to take that first step and join the enthusiasm. There is something special about caring for America’s eyes and vision!”

To get involved, contact the Washington office at 703-837-1376 or visit www.aoa.org/pac.