Eye on Diversity Resources Available on ASCO’s Website

Eye on Diversity Resources Available on ASCO’s Website

In 2022, ASCO and Johnson & Johnson Vision began a unique partnership with an unprecedented sponsorship to address the need for greater diversity in optometry.

“The partnership with ASCO is one of the many ways Johnson & Johnson Vision is continuing to work collaboratively to create a more equitable and inclusive future for aspiring optometrists and the patients we all serve,” said Thomas Swinnen, then-President, North America, Johnson & Johnson Vision. “We have a long standing and deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion – and we look forward to a future where there are more quality and equitable eye care experiences and healthier outcomes for all.” 

This level of unprecedented sponsorship support from Johnson & Johnson Vision allowed ASCO to augment its initiatives focused on diversifying optometry’s student body and to address the challenges associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in optometric education. ASCO used this extraordinary sponsorship to bolster its Eye on Diversity Initiative, which supports programs such as efforts to educate an increasing number of diverse undergraduates about the opportunities offered by a career in optometry through ASCO’s Optometry Gives Me Life campaign (www.futureeyedoc.org); cultural competency training programs, videos, and other resources for students, faculty and practitioners; and opportunities for engagement through programs such as an expert-studded speaker series, the first of its kind in optometry.

“We want to express our appreciation to Johnson & Johnson Vision for generously sponsoring our Eye on Diversity initiative. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are values we share with Johnson and Johnson Vision, and we hope these resources help educate people on these important issues,” says ASCO President, Dr. Melissa Trego.

“These topics could be uncomfortable for some, but we hope these resources will be used as a teaching tool for optometry faculty, residents, and practice owners/managers as we continue to address systemic racism, unconscious bias, and hate.”

Here are some of the highlights of ASCO’s Eye on Diversity Initiative generously supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision:

Voices of Diversity

The Voices of Diversity videos feature first-person accounts from Doctors of Optometry, optometric educators, and optometry students who bravely share their stories about the impact race and prejudice has had on them both personally and professionally. Filmed during the July 2022 Annual Conference of the National Optometric Association, the videos describe instances of microaggressions, sexism, misogyny, bigotry, and prejudice. They also include examples of supportive mentorship, collaboration, helpful guidance, and allyship.

The complete video compilation runs for 1:30:33 and is introduced by Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO and Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO. Dr. Shoge is the Director of Diversity, Equity, inclusion, and Belonging, and Clinical Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California-Berkeley. Dr. Lee is the Head of North America Professional Affairs at Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging -- A Virtual Cultural Competency Workshop

ASCO’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging — A Virtual Cultural Competency Workshop is an on-demand training resource developed by Dr. Keshia S. Elder, OD, MS, MS, FAAO, the first African American female in the nation to lead a school of optometry (University of Missouri at St. Louis).

Other contributors involved in the preparation of the workshop include Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California – Berkeley, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science, and Gary Chu, OD, MPH, FAAO, Vice President for Professional Affairs at the New England College of Optometry.

This workshop is intended for anyone in the optometric community – students, residents, faculty, practitioners, practice staff, etc. – and covers topics such as a DEIB concepts overview; social and cultural identifiers; and bias and ways to identify bias. Optometric educators can use this virtual workshop in their classrooms, administrators can use it during faculty meetings, and Doctors of Optometry can use it for staff training. 

The Virtual Cultural Competency Workshop can be found on ASCO’s Learning Center (also generously sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision) here.

Cultural Competence In Eye and Vision Care: A Toolkit

The Cultural Competence In Eye and Vision Care: A Toolkit is a valuable publication written by A. Philip Aitsebaomo, OD, PhD; Melissa Contreras, OD, MPH; Keshia S. Elder, OD, MS, MS, FAAO; Crystal Lewandowski, OD, FAAO; and Janette D. Pepper, OD, FCOVD, FAAO.

Topics included are: health disparities and social determinants of health; cultural competence and humility; implicit and cognitive bias in health care; inclusive clinic practices; inclusive strategies in practice management; curriculum integration and teaching strategies; pedagogical framework; case examples and evaluation techniques.

Optometric educators can use this Toolkit in their classrooms, administrators can use it during faculty meetings, and Doctors of Optometry can use it for staff training. 

The Toolkit can be used in conjunction with the Virtual Cultural Competency Workshop or as a stand-alone publication. It is available in both a PDF and flipbook format, and can be found on ASCO’s Learning Center (also generously sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision) here.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Speaker Series

ASCO’s Eye on Diversity Speaker Series engaged world-renowned content experts from outside optometry who shared powerful insights, experiences, and knowledge around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

By sharing these insights and experiences, ASCO and Johnson & Johnson Vision strive to stimulate deeper conversations and commitment to action around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout optometric education and all of optometry. 

The six featured speakers and the topics they discuss are:

1. Wajahat Ali,“Go Back to Where You Came From”
   Available until 4/30/23
   
   
2. Patricia Arredondo, “Thriving through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: A Continuous Journey”
   Available until 12/31/23
   
   
3. Vincent Pompei, “Creating an Inclusive Environment for LGBT+ Patients and Staff”
   Available until 12/31/23
   
   
4. Cie Armstead, “Building an Inclusive Culture: As a Doctor of Optometry, What’s in It for Me?”
   Available until 12/31/23
   
   
5. Wema Hoover, “Reframing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; How Difference Can Make a Difference”
   Available until 4/30/23
   
   
6. David Ikard, “The Dangers of Whitewashing History”
   Available until 4/30/23
   
   Please note: videos of each of these speakers are available for a limited time.

For information about other news and resources about ASCO’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, visit https://optometriceducation.org/diversity/