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Workman was the proctor of my exam and I was
the sole participant. I failed this exam. My problem
was that I never spent even one-minute prepar-
ing for this exam. Chuck was very understanding
but suggested that I may want to prepare the next
time. Truth is ASO Education at this time was just
getting started. Over the next five years, the ASO
education Committee was filling three to four days
per meeting with a variety of interesting courses.”
—Walter Johnson Figure 12.
Dr. A.D. Ruedemann
Joe Soper also appointed Vernon Lamb as the first
Facilities Chair, thus allowing for a knowledgeable
negotiator to set up meeting space and rooms at
hotels for future ASO meetings and events. Although Figure 13. Ray Jahrling
ophthalmic plastic surgeons had been contributing
information to the benefit of ocularists since the
early days of the ASO, Joe made sure we established a Committee encouraged the subject to be expanded
formal Medical Advisory Committee with the Society’s into a credit course. Public speaking was promoted,
vice-president as Chair, to both solicit and organize and techniques were taught in a course directed at
the doctors who would currently serve on the apprentice and associate members. The Apprentice
committee. This greatly enhanced the course and Associate Lecture Workshop has evolved over the
curriculum and encouraged more participation in the years to a competition where the best presentation
Joint Scientific Sessions. is voted on and awarded with the Joseph A. LeGrand,
From 1974 to 1977 the ASO membership continued Sr. Award. The winner of this award gives the opening
to expand, requiring greater diligence by the Secretary presentation at the Medical Advisory Lecture Seminar
and Treasurer, Robert Levy, to track and collect annual at the following annual fall meeting of the ASO.
membership dues and course registration fees. The
Society was becoming financially secure. He organized 1978–1979
the society’s finances and made sure that the Charter At the 1978 Spring meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida,
was registered with the State of California. Hugh Laubheimer was in attendance for the first time
It was at the 1974 Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas in 17 years. He had been told about the progress of the
the first A. D. Ruedemann Lecture was presented at society and was encouraged to become involved. It
the Joint Scientific Session with the American Acad- was at this meeting that Hugh was then appointed the
emy of Ophthalmology. This lecture was named in first Executive Director of the ASO. This was a major
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honor of Dr. A.D. Ruedemann, who was instrumental step for the ASO as there now was a central office
in his efforts to assist the ASO during our formation. located in Lake Wales, Florida. Meeting announce-
The lecture and corresponding award are a great ments, newsletter, dues bulling, and inquires form
honor to the recipient. The lecture has been presented the public were all handled from the ASO’s new office.
every year since 1974 at the Joint Scientific Session. After discussions with the Education committee and
The recipient of the A.D. Ruedemann Lecture Award a few other members, it was mutually decided at this
is chosen by the ASO Fellow members annually, with meeting to research and develop a separate certifying
ophthalmologists and ocularists alternating years as body for ocularists. This would be a standalone entity
recipients of the award. The first to present this signif- devoted to professionally testing ocularists for certifi-
icant lecture was Bryon C. Smith, MD of the Manhat- cation. These discussions continued for a few months
tan Eye and Ear Hospital in New York City, New York. later and at the fall meeting in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Figure 12) A committee was formed, led by ASO Education Chair,
The A.D. Ruedemann lecture was comprised of a John Kelly Sr. This committee included Chuck Work-
handful of 10–15 minute informative lectures giv- man, Raymond Jahrling, (Figure 13) David Bulgarelli,
en by members of various ocularist related subjects William Danz, and acting ASO President, Robert
based on research or experience. If a certain lecture Thomas.
was well received by the membership, the Education

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