Farewell and Gratitude from the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses

Dear Members,

It is with full hearts and deep gratitude that we share some difficult news:  The American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN) will officially dissolve, effective September 30, 2025.  This decision comes after long and thoughtful deliberation and is the result of ongoing financial challenges, largely driven by a steady decline in membership and shifts in the ophthalmic nursing landscape that have made it no longer sustainable to continue our operations.

Please know that this decision was not made lightly. For over 39 years, ASORN has served as a trusted home for ophthalmic registered nurses—a place where we came together to learn, advocate, support one another, and uphold the highest standards of care in our field. From hosting impactful educational conferences and workshops to publishing educational resources and fostering professional connections, ASORN has been more than an organization – it has been a community. 

The decline in membership reflects broader changes in healthcare delivery and staffing models, with fewer RNs entering or staying in the ophthalmic specialty, and more practices turning to allied personnel for clinical roles.  These evolves dynamics have posed real and persistent challenges to our ability to grow and sustain our mission.

Even in this moment of transition, we remain focused on impact. While there is a small amount of funding remaining in the ASORN organization, the Board has carefully considered how to best steward those resources. We are proud to share that we will be donating the remaining funds to ORBIS International, a global nonprofit that works to prevent and treat avoidable blindness around the world. ORBIS’s mission—to build strong eye care systems and empower local health professionals—closely aligns with ASORN’s commitment to education, compassion, and excellence in ophthalmic care.

This message is not about endings.  It is about honoring what we’ve built together and that made ASORN so meaningful. ASORN has never simply been a professional society.  It has been home for connections, growth and shared purpose.  Together, we have championed high standards in ophthalmic care, mentored one another, shared knowledge and created lasting friendships.  The heart of this organization has always been you—our members—whose passion, dedication, and compassion have shaped the field in ways that will be felt for years to come. 

What we’ve created doesn’t end here. It lives on in every patient you care for, every colleague you mentor, and every moment you choose excellence over ease.  The values that brought us together continue through you. 

While ASORN’s formal chapter may be coming to a close, the relationships, wisdom, and spirit of this community remain strong. We encourage you to continue seeking opportunities to grow, lead, and connect within the broader nursing and ophthalmology worlds.

On behalf of the entire ASORN Board of Directors, thank you—from the bottom of our hearts—for your support, your engagement, and your belief in our shared vision.  It has been an honor and privilege to serve this incredible community and walk this path with you.

With deepest gratitude, heartfelt appreciation and warmest regards,

Pam Opremcak, MPA, RN President

Amanda Etterling, RN, BSN, CRNO, CNOR, Secretary-Treasurer

Gail G. Morrell, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CRNO, CNOR, COMT, Provider Unit Director

Robert Welch, MSN, FNP-BC, APRN, CRNO, Director at Large

Christine Sonnie, BSN, RN, CRNO, Director at Large