According to data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), ophthalmology is facing a growing imbalance between patient demand and workforce supply. In his AAO 2025 presentation, “Why Employees Leave: Mastering Strategies to Retain and Attract Top Talent,” Ryan Schumacher, consultant with the AAOE and CEO of Satisfied Patient, a consulting firm specializing in the patient and employee experience, said workforce adequacy is projected to reach only 70% by 2035.

With such a limited workforce, finding and retaining qualified team members has become increasingly difficult for many practices. The competition for top talent is fierce, and attracting individuals who align with your organization’s values and culture requires both strategy and intentionality, stressed Mr. Schumacher. He pointed out that bringing on a new team member costs between $4,000 and $40,000—not including salary or benefits—so it is crucial to create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay for the long term.

For those wondering how to “stack the deck in your favor,” as Mr. Schumacher put it, he suggested using the MVP Playbook written by him and the Satisfied Patient team.

Mr. Schumacher began by outlining the foundation of the MVP Playbook, clarifying what mission, values, and promises represent within an ophthalmology practice:

• Mission defines your purpose and why you exist. It focuses on what you do every day, who you serve, and how you deliver care consistently and with integrity.

• Values represent the principles that shape your team’s culture and behavior. They guide how care is delivered, helping patients understand what your practice stands for.

• Promises turn your mission and values into clear commitments patients can count on. These principles set expectations, build accountability, and show what makes your practice unique.

After defining your mission, values, and promises, Mr. Schumacher recommended that practices focus on putting them into action using the strategies outlined in the MVP Playbook (which is accessible at https://satisfiedpatient.com/free-tools).

“The playbook ensures consistency across every touchpoint—from how a practice presents itself online to how it attracts, hires, and develops its team,” he said. “When integrated into branding, hiring, onboarding, and daily operations, it helps build patient trust, strengthen team alignment, and foster a culture of accountability and recognition.”