Dr. Sohail Hasan Shares Insights on Advocacy in Ophthalmology During Mayo Clinic Podcast with Dr. Andrea Tooley 2025
On January 7, 2025, Dr. Sohail Hasan, MD, PhD, FACS, FASRS, FRCSC, Chairman of OPHTHPAC and one of the renowned retina surgeons at Illinois Retina, was honored to join Dr. Andrea Tooley from the Mayo Clinic as a guest on her highly regarded podcast. The conversation, conducted with Dr. Tooley in the Mayo Clinic studio and Dr. Hasan participating via Zoom from Chicago, provided an in-depth discussion on the importance of advocacy in ophthalmology.
Dr. Hasan began by expressing his gratitude:
"Thank you, Andrea, and a heartfelt thank you to the Mayo Clinic for the incredible honor and opportunity to join you on this podcast. It’s truly a privilege to be here today, sharing this platform with such a renowned institution and to engage in meaningful conversations about advocacy in ophthalmology."
Key topics included:
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Why Advocacy Matters to Ophthalmologists
Dr. Hasan emphasized the critical role that ophthalmologists play in identifying and addressing barriers to care, such as prior authorization delays and insurance network restrictions. He noted that advocacy is essential for protecting patient access, ensuring high standards of care, and influencing policies that shape the healthcare system. -
Dr. Hasan’s Role in Advocacy
As Chair of OPHTHPAC, Dr. Hasan highlighted his work in educating legislators, building relationships, and mentoring younger ophthalmologists to find their voice in advocacy. He described advocacy as sharing real-world stories to illustrate the impact of policy decisions on patients and physicians. -
State Battles vs. Federal Issues
Dr. Hasan drew distinctions between state-level and federal advocacy efforts. While state advocacy often involves scope of practice battles, federal efforts tackle systemic issues like Medicare reimbursement and drug pricing. He underscored the interconnectedness of these levels, where victories in one arena often influence the other. -
How Ophthalmologists Can Get Involved
Dr. Hasan encouraged ophthalmologists to start with small steps, such as joining organizations like OPHTHPAC or attending events like Congressional Advocacy Day. He emphasized that advocacy doesn’t require expertise in policy—just a willingness to share experiences and perspectives. -
The Impact of Advocacy
Dr. Hasan shared examples of advocacy successes, including protecting Medicare reimbursement levels and defeating unsafe scope of practice expansion bills. These victories, he explained, safeguard both patient safety and the ability of physicians to provide quality care. -
Advocacy as a Core Professional Responsibility
Dr. Hasan described advocacy as an extension of patient care, scaling up the advocacy physicians already perform daily in their clinics. Ophthalmologists, he said, have a unique perspective that makes their voices particularly valuable in shaping healthcare policy.
Dr. Hasan closed with a powerful message:
"Advocacy is about making sure we can focus on what really matters: taking care of our patients. Ophthalmologists are in such a great position to make a difference because we see the big picture. Advocacy is a team effort, and every voice makes a difference."
Closing Thoughts
Dr. Hasan concluded by thanking Dr. Tooley and the Mayo Clinic for the opportunity to participate in this enriching dialogue:
"It has been an absolute privilege to share insights and engage in such an enriching dialogue. I look forward to continuing this important conversation and staying connected in the future."
The podcast episode will be available soon—stay tuned for updates!
Illinois Retina Associates is proud to be a part of Retina Consultants of America, providing world-class care for patients with retinal diseases. Together, we are committed to advancing research, mentorship, and advocacy for the benefit of our patients and the broader ophthalmology community.