1. How to build a successful
Vision Therapy Study Group
Dan L. Fortenbacher, OD., FCOVD
Past President, COVD
Chairperson, COVD Study Groups

2. This presentation will show you
 How to organize an effective VT
Study Group for your State
 Easy step by step “formula” model
 Why this is good for your practice,
good for the profession and COVD!

3. State VT Study Groups

4. Building Your successful State
Vision Therapy Study Group
 Why State VT Study Groups?

5. The State VT Study Group
 Gives you and your VT team camaraderie
time…it’s team building!
 Gives you and your VT team the
opportunity to network within your
State…building professional associations!
 Gives you and your VT team quality VT
CE at a fraction of the cost!

6. The State VT Study Group
 Expands awareness for VT in the
optometric community
 Improves patient access to care by
growing the number of doctors who
provide optometric VT care
 Improves the quality of VT care within your
State
 Grows members in COVD

7. What is the “formula” for a Successful State
VT Study Group?
 The VT Study Group is for ODs and their
therapists
 Those who attend are expected to
contribute to the content of the program
 Both ODs and therapists present together
as a team

8. What is the formula for a Successful State
VT Study Group?
 The meeting is an annual event
 The meeting is 1.5 days (12-14 hours) of
VT CE
 The CE is Clinical topics only…no practice
management
 The meeting offers State approved CE
(where applicable)

9. What is the formula for a Successful State
VT Study Group?
 The meeting has an agenda established
by planning weeks ahead.
 The meeting is run by three individuals.
 The Study Group Chair
 The Host
 The Meeting Facilitator

10. What is the formula for a Successful State
VT Study Group
 Presenters are expected to deliver a PowerPoint
presentation usually 60-90 minutes
 PPTs are shared via flashdrives or other digital
methods
 Demonstrations are encouraged
 Offices come to deliver presentations as a team
 Rule #1…ODs can not send their therapists alone to
the Study Group

11. What is the formula for a Successful State
VT Study Group
 Meeting schedule-
 Thursday evening 8:00pm-? Hospitality suite for social
discussion
 A wide variety of beverages provided
 Some offer games (Euchre, video games etc)
 Friday -
 9:00am-noon presentations
 Noon-1:00 lunch delivered to room
 1:00-5:00 presentations
 7:00- 10:00 Dinner at a nice restaurant
 10:00- ? Hospitality Suite
 Saturday –
 9:00-12:00 Visit office of Host for continuation of program or
continue with presentation at Hotel conference room
 12:00 Leave for home

12. What is the formula for a Successful State
VT Study Group
 Important Communication tools-
 Create a VT Study Group blog for ongoing
communication as before and after your Study
group
 Check out the Michigan VT Study Group Blog at:
http://www.mvtsg.blogspot.com
 Start a Sovoto Group for your VT Study Group
 See example of Michigan’s VT Study Group
 http://www.sovoto.com/group/michigansvisiontherapystudygroup

13. Other Details
 Room Snacks
 Sign-in Sheets
 OD, therapist
 Email Addresses
 Name Badges
 Keep Lunch on Friday
 Visit an office if available after the Meeting

14. What is the formula for a Successful State
VT Study Group
 Communicate via email per usual
 Create your email distribution list for quick
communications to Study Group participants
 Promote your VT Study Group to your State
Association
 Integrate with the State Association Binocular Vision
Committee
 Note: This does not have to be called a COVD
Study Group…we encourage autonomy!

15. Questions
 Contact
 Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D.,FCOVD
 wow@wowvision.net
 2908 Division Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085
 p:269-983-3309
 f: 269-983-0846