The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians (OAOP) recently named Joel Robison as the Association’s Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer. Robison succeeds outgoing CEO Saundra Naifeh who held the position for more than 25 years.
Robison holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and has over 15 years of experience in organizational leadership and representation. From 2011 to January of 2015, Robison served as Chief of Staff for former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi.
Prior to his work at the State Department of Education, Robison served as the Associate Executive Director and Chief Lobbyist for the Oklahoma Education Association where he successfully lobbied for significant education legislation related to compensation, benefits and reform for employees and teachers across the state of Oklahoma.
“I am honored to be selected to lead one of the most effective and well thought of Associations in Oklahoma. Optometric physicians are an important touch point of the health care delivery system in Oklahoma diagnosing, treating, and managing ocular diseases, conditions and abnormalities while protecting the vision and eye health care of our citizens. I look forward to working with our members as the Association moves forward into the future,” stated Robison.
As Executive Director/CEO for the OAOP, Robison is responsible for operations, strategic planning, legislative and regulatory objectives, member relations and achievement of the OAOP’s mission and vision.
“We are confident that Joel is the right choice to lead the Association as we plan for the future,” said OAOP Board President Dr. David Jones. “His ability to build relationships, think strategically and navigate the legislative, insurance, and regulatory environments will serve both our members and ultimately all Oklahomans as we seek to improve eye health in our state.”
The more than 600 members of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians provide eye health care to patients living in 72 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. To locate an optometric physician in your area, or for additional information about diabetic eye conditions and diseases, please call OAOP at (405) 524-1075 or visit www.oaop.org.
