Benefits of Membership 

The Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology (TNAO) is the only voice ophthalmologists have in Tennessee.  Many of the issues facing Ophthalmology originate within the state and are out of the purview of most national associations and subspecialty organizations. The officers, the Board of Directors, its committee chairs, its executive director and lobbyists, David McMahan and Beth Winstead, act as the vanguard, keeping in touch with state government and legislative bodies.

The TNAO maintains a close and cooperative relationship with the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA), working on issues that affect medicine in-general, as well as those specific to the profession of Ophthalmology.

To further protect your interest, the TNAO keeps in constant contact with representatives from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), monitoring and staying attune to what is happening on a national level that would affect you on the state level.  More Member Benefits

TNAO Membership Categories

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Every reputable and professionally qualified Ophthalmologist practicing in the State of Tennessee and subscribing to the purposes of the TNAO and agreeing to abide by its charter and bylaws shall be eligible for membership. Membership consists of five categories:

Active.  Active members shall be those persons who are licensed of the State of Tennessee. Ophthalmologists-in-training in approved programs, and those completing Fellowship training, are eligible for membership.

Associate.  Associate members shall be those persons who are graduate interns or residents pursuing their education and training during the period of time required to meet the licensing requirements of the State of Tennessee and the certification requirements of the American Board of Ophthalmology. This period of education and training time shall not exceed a five (5) year period.

Part Time.  Part time members shall be those members practicing 20 hours a week or less. Age shall not be a consideration for part time membership. Members practicing part time shall pay one-half of the dues in their respective year of practice.

Life.  Life membership may be conferred on a member who ha retired from active practice or has become inactive because of illness or for any other reason which the Academy deems worthy upon the recommendation of two active members and election by a majority of the members present at a regular meeting of the Academy. Life members shall not be assessed dues.

Full Time University Faculty:  Full time faculty in the departments of ophthalmology at teaching universities are included in the "university umbrella" category.  For more information contact TNAO.

Doctors of Philosophy (Ph.D.).  Doctors of Philosophy (Ph.D.) working in the departments of ophthalmology at teaching universities are included in the "university umbrella" category.  For more information contact TNAO.

Honorary.  Honorary membership may be conferred on any person, not an active member, who, because of scientific achievement or service rendered in the field of Ophthalmology is deemed worthy of special recognition, upon the recommendation of two (2) active members and election by a majority of the members present at a regular meeting of the Academy. Those who have never been a member of the Academy are in¬eligible. Honorary members shall not be assessed dues. The Board of Directors of the TNAO reserves the right to confer honorary membership upon a person who has never been a member of the TNAO with two-thirds of the Board (or a quorum) in agreement.  All applications shall be subject to the approval of and election by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Dues Structure.  The Board of Directors sets the annual dues, usually at the annual business meeting. Those applicants applying for membership who have just begun practicing Ophthalmology are eligible for an escalating dues structure. The first year of practice, one-fourth of the annual dues; the second year of practice, one-half of the annual dues; the third year of practice, three-fourths of the annual dues; and the fourth year of practice, the full amount of the dues. Thereafter the member pays the full annual membership dues.

Attention: TNAO Members: 

As a TNAO member, you can now update your profile on line (eg. change your contact information, update your primary specialty, certification, special procedures, etc., etc.).  TNAO members, we hope you and your staff will avail yourself to our new webssite's many attributes.