Product: CE Course, “A Closer Look at Diabetes for Optometrists”
Top Line: The VSP Global Premier Program announced a new continuing education (CE) course in the Focus on Diabetes series available to all VSP network doctors at no cost through Premier Academy360. The course, “A Closer Look at Diabetes for Optometrists,” was developed exclusively for VSP network doctors by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and is intended to build on the course launched last year.
Close Up: Topics for Focus on Diabetes: A Closer Look at Diabetes for Optometrists, include: 
• Considerations for identifying and treating people with diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related conditions
• Recent advancements in the treatment of both diabetes and its ocular sequelae
• Newer pharmacological therapies for type 2 diabetes and their potential effects on diabetic eye disease
• The importance of providing patient-centered, holistic care and consistent health messages to people with diabetes and related eye conditions
The new course is presented by Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, associate professor, chief of advanced ophthalmic care, president, National Optometric Association; Tina Mac Donald, OD, CDCES, FAAO, head of Century City Eye Institute, Western University of Health Sciences; and John Cain, MSPAS, PA-C, physician assistant, Wake Forest Baptist Health Diabetes and Endocrinology Center. The course can be accessed in two different ways to provide doctors options that best fit their needs:
1. At your own pace: On-demand modules through the Premier Academy360 eLearning courses. Participants will earn one COPE CE credit for completion of the course.
2. Live webinar: One-hour live COPE-approved course that will be offered September 16 at 9:00 a.m. PT and November 18 at 12:00 p.m. PT.
By completing this course, doctors can earn 60 points towards a total of 135 points needed per location to earn an ADA Badge on the VSP.com Find a Doctor Directory, which was utilized by more than one million users per month in 2020. All doctors who earn their ADA badge will also receive a complimentary membership to the ADA, an additional value of over $300.
Doctors can also take advantage of two new courses from diabetes eye health experts, Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, Chous Eye Care Associates, Tacoma, Wash. and Jeffry D. Gerson, OD, FAAO, Grin Eye Care, Olathe, Kan., to earn points towards the ADA badge. Learn more about the badging program here.
Vital Stats: In addition to providing education to optometrists, VSP has also worked with the ADA to produce a three-part educational series and pocket guide to support other health care providers in understanding the importance of eye exams for patients living with or at risk for diabetes, as well as the need for multidisciplinary collaborative care, and patient education regarding the effect of diabetes on patients’ health, including their eye health and vision. These resources help elevate the role of optometrists and solidify that, for those living with, or at risk for diabetes, an annual eye exam is a must—offering a simple and non-invasive way to prevent or delay disease and vision loss caused by diabetes. 
www.vspproviderhub.com/premier/overview.html