
HEART OF AMERICA
EYE CARE CONGRESS
Camaraderie • Education • Innovation
February 20-22, 2026
Sheraton Crown Center, Kansas City, Missouri
About The Event
Join the more than 800 optometrists and 350 paraoptometrics who attend the Heart of America Eye Care Congress each year.
The "Heart" has proven year after year to be not only the premier optometric meeting in the Midwest, but also one of the best values in continuing education that can be found anywhere. The Heart of America Exhibit Hall is a great place to discuss advances in patient care with knowledgeable representatives from the world's leading healthcare companies.
President's Message
Summer Reflections
The board convened in early May, and I would like to present some insights and plans for our upcoming Congress, scheduled forĀ February 20-22, 2026.
We successfully hosted a "Meet and Greet" event between practices and students within our 5 State Region on Saturday evening, immediately preceding the President's Reception. We extend our gratitude to the 5 State Associations for their invaluable assistance in making this event a success.
To better accommodate the growth of this event, we are relocating it to Friday evening in the Exhibit Hall. This new location provides increased space and facilitates networking opportunities. The event will be held in close proximity to the Poster Session, both temporally and spatially. This change is anticipated to enhance opportunities for attendees to connect with new associates, as students and residents will be nearby and can conveniently participate.
Drs. Polk and Gerson have been diligently developing the Education Courses for the 2026 Congress. They assure us that the program will offer an enriching experience, featuring a diverse range of educational sessions led by esteemed speakers. The program will commence with a diabetes symposium chaired by Paul Chous, OD. Subsequently, Dr. Morgenstern will present on keratoconus, followed by a discussion on ocular pain moderated by Dr. Andrew Gurwood and Dr. Marc Myers.

Judy Riley, O.D.
HOAECC President
Our doctors' education program will include lectures from several renowned experts. Dr. Ben Gaddie will deliver insights on the anterior segment and glaucoma, while Dr. Leonard Messner will provide his expertise on neuro-optometry. Continuing its tradition of excellence in continuing education, the Heart of America will also host presentations by Dr. Julie Dekinder, Dr. Jessilin Quint, and Dr. Breanne McGhee.
The para education program will feature distinguished speakers who will impart their knowledge on optometric skills and management. Additionally, the Heart of America will conduct a scientific poster session on Friday evening, offering optometric residents and doctors an opportunity to present their research and engage with attendees.
Drs. Hansen, Norland, and Thibault are actively seeking top exhibitors and sponsors for our meeting. We welcome referrals from attendees for new exhibitors and sponsors.
As summer progresses, we look forward to seeing you at the Heart in February.
Sincerely,
Judith Riley, OD
President, Heart of America Eye Care Congress
president@hoaecc.org
OD of the Year?
Do you know of an outstanding OD you would like to nominate for our OD of the Year?
Please email president@hoaecc.org with your nominee name.

Where to Stay
Sheraton Crown Center
Kansas City, Missouri
2345 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 6410