Board changes and a new Chair announced for 2023
OMIC will be without the incredible talents of several Board and Committee members whose terms expire at the close of 2022.
Dr. Denise Chamblee distinguished herself as one of the most influential Board members in recent memory, serving on the Executive Committee and chairing the Risk Management and Nominating Committees.
Dr. Bradley Fouraker similarly impacted OMIC as one of the most active voices on OMIC’s Board for more than fifteen years. His advocacy in both his home state of Florida and nationally has won him accolades among his peers at both OMIC and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Pauline Merrill has contributed extensively and fiercely defended the interests of ophthalmology throughout her tenure at OMIC. Drs. Chamblee, Fouraker, and Merrill will be profoundly missed.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Drs. Ho Sun Choi and Michelle Ying for their years of service on OMIC Committees.
Dr. Robert Gold of Maitland, Florida will assume leadership of OMIC in 2023
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Robert Gold of Maitland, Florida, has been elected Chair of the OMIC Board of Directors beginning 1/1/2023. Learn more about Dr. Gold here.
OMIC named Outstanding Captive of the Year for 2020
OMIC has been chosen Outstanding Captive of the Year for 2020 by the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA). A “captive insurer” is generally defined as an insurance company that is wholly owned and controlled by its insureds; its primary purpose is to insure the risks of its owners, and its insureds benefit from the captive insurer’s underwriting profits.
To date, OMIC has returned more than $90 million in policyholder dividends and helped stabilize the market for ophthalmology professional liability insurance.
This prestigious award was created to recognize companies that are creative and successful in the way they manage net results, provide exceptional service to its owners, prevail over difficult times or situations, and gain acceptance, recognition, and a positive reputation among agencies, regulators, and colleagues in its industry. CICA also noted the tremendous impact OMIC has had on risk management and patient safety around the world.
Tim Padovese, OMIC President and CEO
To be recognized in such a way among the 3,200 captives operating in the U.S. is truly an honor for our board, employees, and members.
Tim Padovese, president and CEO of Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company (OMIC), notes that his company has avoided trying to become “all things to all people,” instead remaining “laser focused” on covering the professional liability of ophthalmologists and their practices.
That focus has allowed OMIC to deliver to its members a combination of expertise and excellent customer service that, among other things, has produced a 97 percent customer retention rate—and the Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) 2020 Outstanding Captive Award.
To see the full CICA article and interview here.
The year of vision
This was supposed to be the year of vision; 2020 began with so much promise for our profession yet we had no idea what was hiding in plain sight. A virus, COVID-19, would force a dramatic, almost complete shut-down of our nation and our practices. Non-urgent care and elective surgeries were cancelled. Our teams were sent home. We were simply waiting it out and in survival mode.
I know many of you felt like I did. How do I keep my practice afloat and my staff employed with my clinic closed down? It was a sinking feeling to think we might not make it through this unprecedented event.
As a leader for both OMIC and the Academy, I am focused on our future, post COVID, and what we can do to mitigate threats to our livelihoods. I am clear-eyed about the challenges we face, but also optimistic that through crisis we will persevere, emerge stronger, accelerate change, and improve care.
The future of eye health is now and OMIC will continue to add resources that reflect our new realties and enhance safety protocols. Regarding medical training and education, our ophthalmic community implemented new methods of instruction, rethought our approach to assessment, and identified new ways to achieve competencies that are more in line with a modernized world. The Academy just completed a highly successful virtual meeting without skipping a beat. Let’s focus on these achievements and strive to improve our systems to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Anne M Menke, RN, PhD, a key employee of OMIC for many years who will be enjoying her well-deserved retirement beginning in 2021.
You’ve seen Anne’s name appear in almost every OMIC Digest published over the past 17 years. You’ve also perhaps spoken with her on our confidential risk management hotline or at one of the many ophthalmic society meetings where OMIC has presented valuable information to help us protect our patients.
To say Anne has had a significant impact on our practice of ophthalmology would be an understatement. Her influence is evident in many of our most recognized resources for insureds. She perfected our “safety net” to prevent retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and her dedication to patient safety undoubtedly helped save the sight of infants and adult patients in our care.
Steven Brown MD
I would also like to recognize the many years of service of Dr. Steven VL Brown, MD, FACS, who will complete the maximum number of years allowed for OMIC Board and Committee members. He has been an insured ophthalmologist since OMIC’s inception in 1987. We view these members as the founders of OMIC. Steve has been a board member since 2003 and past Chair of the Underwriting Committee. He recently served as the Chair of the Nominating Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Board.
Few ophthalmologists have given so much back to our profession as Dr. Brown. I speak for the entire OMIC Board in saying how much his presence will be missed at our great company.
Patient and system issues in infectious keratitis cases
Most of the criticisms in recent infectious keratitis claims focused on a physician’s diagnostic and treatment decisions, including how frequently to follow up with the patient and when to obtain cultures or refer to a corneal specialist. Our investigation showed that several plaintiffs had not complied with appointments, use of medications, and especially instructions to stop contact lens use. The noncompliance helped secure dismissals and defense verdicts.
System issues played a key role in a few cases. Read more and learn risk management strategies on pg 7 of the 2020 Digest Vol 30 No 1.
Failure to diagnose and treat acanthamoeba
Two claims result in $1.25 million in settlements during 2020.
The patient in the first claim had been diagnosed with herpes simplex keratitis and was treated with Valtrex and Zirgan before referral to an OMIC-insured corneal specialist for decreasing vision from a central dendritic scar. Upon examination, the insured noted the VA was 20/200 OD, with limited pain, but significant photosensitivity with a central dendritic pattern lesion; there was no epithelial defect. The insured concurred with the initial diagnosis of herpes simplex keratitis and continued Valtrex and Zirgan.
In the second claim, the patient was referred to the OMIC-insured corneal specialist by a comprehensive ophthalmologist with a diagnosis of herpetic keratitis treated with Zirgan, without improvement. During the first examination, the specialist noted the VA OS was 20/50 and diagnosed herpes simplex disciform keratitis with likely surface keratopathy. He prescribed oral acyclovir and prednisolone acetate, and placed a bandage soft contact lens. The VA fluctuated between 20/200 OS and 20/400 OS.
Read the entire treatment history, analyses, and takeaways from these two claims on pg. 6 of the 2020 Digest Vol 30 N0 1.
