ODs Ballot for Board of Examiners
Brilliant, Schwartz, Seligson Recommended

As a result of balloting by Maryland optometrists, the Maryland Optometric Association (MOA) has recommended to Governor Martin O’Malley that he consider Drs. Joanne Brilliant (Anne Arundel Co.), Robert Schwartz (Baltimore Co.) and Valerie Seligson (Montgomery Co.) for his appointment to the Optometric Board of Examiners. In offering these recommendations, the MOA also suggested that, if possible, Dr. Brian Woolf be considered for an interview.

Vote results from the ballots were: Schwartz (98), Brilliant (85), Seligson (81) and Woolf (75).

Each year, the MOA is asked to provide the names of three optometrists for the Governor’s consideration to fill any vacancies that may exist on the Board of Examiners. This year, Dr. Allan Bruell completes his second term on the Board. He was not eligible for re-appointment.

Unlike any other profession in Maryland, optometry is required to conduct a ballot among all licensed optometrists. This is proving to be a financial hardship on the Association and may be addressed through legislative relieve in the future. One approach will be to conduct the balloting via an electronic distribution system; this would be the onus on optometrists to provide an email address to the MOA.

If any optometrist is interested in being considered for an appointment to the Board of Examiners in the future, he or she should advise the MOA office. As a matter of law, the MOA annually solicits candidates via an announcement in its newsletter and by posting at www.marylandeyes.com.

720 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 TEL: (410) 727-7800• FAX: (410) 752-8295 EMAIL: MOA@assnhqtrs.com