ASCO Exhibits at AOA, NAAHP and HOSA in June

ASCO Exhibits at AOA, NAAHP and HOSA in June

ASCO staff was very busy in June promoting ASCO’s Optometry Gives Me Life public awareness campaign, the Inspiring Future ODs Ambassador Program, as well as the career of optometry. Staff attended the 2022 American Optometric Association (AOA) Optometry’s Meeting in Chicago, the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP) in Denver and the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Nashville.

At AOA, staff was recruiting practitioners and students to become involved in the Inspiring Future ODs Ambassador program, which is an educational effort that encourages Doctors of Optometry and optometry students to speak to prospective applicants and community members about optometry as a rewarding future career. ASCO has free materials that are available to help with the promotion of optometry, including videos, brochures, posters, and a ready-made slide presentation. More information about the program and the materials can be found on the Inspiring Future ODs Ambassador Program site.  

At the NAAHP biennial conference, ASCO staff had many productive conversations with health professions advisors during exhibit hours at the four-day conference. In addition, ASCO staff participated in the Advisory Council meeting with the NAAHP Board and in a workshop session presenting the highlights of a career of optometry. The advisors in attendance are responsible for advising undergraduate students about the different health professions opportunities and the academic requirements. 

The HOSA Conference brought together over 10,000 future health professionals (mostly high school students) and their advisors for a three-day period where they had opportunities to learn about the many different healthcare careers through general sessions, workshops and visiting the exhibit hall where optometry was represented. Beach balls were given out to prospective optometry students at the HOSA Conference in Nashville.