Good day NEFOS members,

NEFOS has had many inquiries regarding our continuing battle with COVID-19. We understand the impact it is having on our lives, professionally and personally. We have started in person meeting for CE credits. Rest assured that your board members are working diligently on a daily basis to help and support our members by providing safe meeting environments.

We will take every precaution by providing a safe venue and modified format to protect our members who wish to attend our meetings. We will follow the same guidelines we all are using in our offices, requiring the use of face masks and social distancing.

We understand some of you still may not be comfortable attending; however, we will do our best to provide every opportunity for our members to obtain the required hours for licensure. As of now, we have a few meetings scheduled for the upcoming year including Fall Fest, a one-day CE seminar offering eight hours in October. We are in communication with the Florida Board of Optometry and the Florida Department of Health, as they are aware of the ongoing challenges we are facing. Discussions are ongoing on how NEFOS will provide educational hours safely and efficiently.

Below are some guidelines we will be following.

• As per CDC recommendations, we require masks be worn by all attendees and staff.

• We will provide individual water bottles or plastic cups for beverages.

• Hand sanitizer should be used as frequently as possible. Group or individual hand sanitizer is mandatory.

• Social distancing will be maintained during each meeting/lecture with the appropriate seating arrangement. Please do not reorganize chairs as they are arranged for your safety.

• Per CDC guidelines, any attendee who has had a fever, chills, or cough within two weeks of the event, or who has been in contact with a known COVID19 positive person, will not be permitted entrance or will be asked to leave.

By attending any NEFOS sponsored event you understand the risk of coming into contact with COVID and acknowledge that NEFOS cannot guarantee or be held liable for any infections. 

Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment in which to conduct continuing education for our members and our attendees. We appreciate your cooperation. Dates and registration for upcoming meetings and Fall Fest are available on the NEFOS website http://nefloridaoptometry.net

I want to thank our new board members for their help, support and ideas as we make appropriate changes. And a special thank you, to our Past President, Christen Russell, OD. She continues to be involved and is helping to support me in my new role.

Be safe!

Warmest regards,

Jacob Hodges, O.D. 

NEFOS President 2021-2022