The nominee must be a fellow or member in good standing of the Academy who has demonstrated a pattern of advocating for the profession at the state and/or federal level(s) over a period of at least several years.

Qualifying service might include, but is not limited to:

• Implementing fundraiser(s) for political candidates;
• Lobbying for federal legislation or regulatory issues introduced by the Academy, or providing opposition to adverse legislation and/or regulatory issues;
• Instrumental in helping to grow his/her state ophthalmology society PAC;
• Lobbying for state legislation or regulatory issues introduced or endorsed by the state ophthalmology society and/or relevant subspecialty societies, or providing opposition to adverse legislation and/or regulatory issues;
• Participating in Academy Congressional Advocacy Day visits;
• Presenting/arranging for residents’ advocacy program(s) at state level;
• Instrumental in key Academy advocacy outcome (i.e. getting a bill introduced, meeting/negotiating ophthalmology’s position with key member(s) of Congress, securing coalition partner(s) for a particular advocacy effort, etc.);
• Instrumental in implementing a state legislator advocacy plan, including a key contact program wherein an ophthalmologist contact representing the state ophthalmology society is provided for each legislator;
• Holding key leadership position(s) within the state medical association serving to raise the issues of concern to ophthalmology.