WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Optometric Association has appointed Rodney Peele assistant director of regulatory policy and outreach in the association’s office here.

Peele, a licensed attorney, comes to the 36,000-member organization after holding several positions with the American Podiatric Medical Association for more than 10 years. He was most recently its associate director of health policy and practice, primarily focused on Medicare and third-party payment, scope of practice and physician definition development as well as durable medical equipment supplier issues.

In his new position with the AOA, Peele will be responsible for coordinating and advancing the organization’s federal regulatory policy and implementing and expanding optometry’s outreach to federal agency policy makers and officials; he will also serve as staff liaison to the AOA federal relations committee.

“Furthering the pro-access and pro-patient mission and vision of the AOA for the greater good of the millions of patients that our doctors of optometry serve is an exciting challenge,” said Peele. “I look forward to working with federal agency officials and fighting along side dedicated AOA volunteers to ensure optometry’s rightful place in all federal health programs.”