Sohail J. Hasan, MD, PhD, Leads 2026 OPHTHPAC Committee Retreat in San Diego
Sohail Hasan MD, PhD, FACS, FASRS, FRCSC, of Illinois Retina Associates and Chair of the Retina Consultants of America(RCA) Advocacy Committee, recently led the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 2026 OPHTHPAC Committee Retreat in San Diego, California.
The August 7–9 retreat brought together ophthalmologists and Academy advocacy leaders for an intensive weekend focused on strengthening ophthalmology’s voice in Washington and preparing for the critical months leading into the 2026 midterm elections.
As Chair of the OPHTHPAC Committee, Dr. Hasan led discussions addressing the rapidly evolving political and legislative landscape, OPHTHPAC strategy and candidate support, fundraising and communications, grassroots engagement, and opportunities to expand the involvement of ophthalmologists in federal advocacy. The committee reviewed congressional races, physician candidates, PAC disbursements and potential independent expenditures as it considered how best to deploy resources during the remainder of the 2026 election cycle.
The retreat came at an important time for ophthalmology. Among the Academy’s current advocacy priorities are long-term Medicare physician payment reform, reducing prior authorization and step-therapy burdens, preserving the independence of the National Eye Institute and federal funding for vision and medical research, protecting veterans’ access to high-quality surgical eye care, and enhancing pediatric eye care.
The weekend also focused on strengthening grassroots participation and developing new approaches to physician engagement, communications and fundraising. OPHTHPAC Committee members play a broader role than evaluating political contributions: they help develop relationships between ophthalmologists and members of Congress, recruit and support physician advocates, engage state and subspecialty organizations, and educate colleagues about the importance of sustained participation in advocacy.
“Advocacy is ultimately about relationships,” said Dr. Hasan. “Our ability to protect our patients and our profession depends on ophthalmologists being engaged—not only when legislation reaches a critical moment, but by building trusted relationships with policymakers over time.”
The retreat also underscored the value of collaboration across organized ophthalmology. Through his roles with Illinois Retina Associates and as Chair of the Retina Consultants of America Advocacy Committee, Dr. Hasan has worked to strengthen connections among the American Academy of Ophthalmology, OPHTHPAC, RCA and Cencora. These relationships help amplify the physician voice and support coordinated advocacy on issues affecting patient access, physician practices and the future of ophthalmology.
For Dr. Hasan, who is completing his tenure as OPHTHPAC Committee Chair, the San Diego meeting marked his final committee retreat in that leadership role. His involvement in ophthalmic advocacy will continue through his work with the Academy and as Chair of the RCA Advocacy Committee.
Members of the OPHTHPAC Committee and American Academy of Ophthalmology advocacy team gather in San Diego for the 2026 OPHTHPAC Committee Retreat, led by Committee Chair Sohail J. Hasan, MD, PhD.
OPHTHPAC Committee members participate in a bipartisan political briefing with Academy political consultants Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock during the 2026 retreat in San Diego. Curtis provides the Democratic perspective and Whitlock the Republican perspective as the committee evaluates the political landscape leading into the 2026 midterm elections.
OPHTHPAC Committee members and American Academy of Ophthalmology advocacy leaders gather during the 2026 retreat in San Diego. The group includes physician advocates and Academy colleagues, including Rebecca Hyder, Vice President of Congressional Affairs, and Michael X. Repka, MD, MBA, AAO Medical Director for Governmental Affairs and Past President of the Academy.
Sohail J. Hasan, MD, PhD, Chair of the OPHTHPAC Committee and Chair of the Retina Consultants of America Advocacy Subcommittee, at the 2026 OPHTHPAC Committee Retreat in San Diego.
