The next issue of Eye on Education will be distributed on August 13, 2024. The July/August 2024 issue will continue offering news from ASCO headquarters, our member institutions, Corporate Contributions, and other organizations in the profession.

ASCO is pleased to exhibit again this year during Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville, TN. Staff will be promoting the ODs Eye Opener program and signing up Doctors of Optometry who are willing to mentor and/or offer shadowing opportunities for potential students. All ODs who sign up will receive a free T-shirt (while supplies last).

Madison Broderick joined ASCO’s team in late May 2022 as an intern and is excited to announce her full-time position as the Program Associate for Member Engagement. Madison graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nonprofit Management and a minor in Public Administration in May.

After more than a decade, Desiree Ifft, ASCO’s long-time managing editor of ASCO’s online Journal, Optometric Education (OE) decided to seek other employment opportunities.

 

After an extensive search, ASCO welcomes Rebecca Dobrinski as OE’s managing editor.

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announces Eye Opener Sessions, a complement to ASCO’s public awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life.

ASCO’s Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Committee (IPRF) announces that ASCO’s IPECP Toolkit, A Guide to Effective Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Experiences in Optometric Education, has been updated and is available as an open-access document at https://optometriceducation.org/news-resources/ipe-toolkit/.

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry offers a Career Center resource, hosted by Boxwood.

Newest Addition to the Alcon Academic Team!

Bausch + Lomb Announces Statistically Significant Results from a Clinical Study of a Novel Daily Nutritional Supplement for Dry Eyes

CooperVision and AOA Join Forces to Launch The Myopia Collective

NIDEK is Proud to Deliver a Wide Variety of Comprehensive Eye Care Solutions

Optomed Releases First FDA-Cleared Handheld AI Fundus Camera for Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy

Topcon Healthcare, Inc. Appoints New CEO and President to Lead the Corporate Mission to Deliver Healthcare from the Eye

New Grads Can Find a New Job with VSP Careers in Eye Care

Elevate Your Education with Walmart Scholarships!

The Ohio State University College of Optometry awarded Drs. Kelly and Jason Nichols the prestigious Fry Medal in Physiological Optics. The Fry Medal is awarded to individuals who have truly distinguished themselves with long and exemplary records of vision research only when notable recipients are identified. They delivered the Westheimer Endowed Lecture as part of the honor.

Latinos en Optometry, a non-profit association dedicated to gaining a broader representation of Latinos and Spanish-speaking professionals within the optometry and larger eye care professional community, announces the appointment of Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO to the Latinos en Optometry Board of Directors.

The Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science has an excellent track record for residency placements. Of the applicants who applied for residencies, Berkeley had a 96% success rate in matching this year!

The State University of New York College of Optometry Career Development Center hosted the 12th annual Career Symposium on Sunday, April 7th. The program entitled, Framing the Future: Shaping Tomorrow’s Vision Care provided students, residents and alumni a unique opportunity to learn from working professionals and network with potential employers. More than 30 employers attended the day-long event with over 200 attendees registered.

Going into the 2024 Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University’s Quiz Bowl, Anna German ‘26OD knew she would be at a disadvantage. As a first-year student in the Doctor of Optometry Accelerated Scholars’ program, there were classes she hadn’t yet taken with information she hadn’t yet learned that would have greatly helped her in the annual trivia contest.

The first cohort of the Advanced International Optometry Degree Program graduated from the UAB School of Optometry in May. This program is a new offering in Optometry that provides international students who hold an optometry degree from an international university with the certification they need to practice optometry in the United States.

SUNY College of Optometry is pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Rosenfield, an esteemed faculty member, has been appointed as a visiting professor at West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital, Sichuan University. This prestigious appointment, which commenced on September 5, 2022, will continue for a term of six years, ending on September 4, 2028.

The State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry awarded honorary degrees during the 50th Commencement Ceremony to two distinguished professionals who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of optometry, vision research, and public healthcare: Mr. Richard E. Feinbloom and Dr. Stephen A. Burns.

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University has recently continued a long-standing collaboration with Head Start programs in the Philadelphia area for more than 35 years.

Dr. Marie Bodack, Southern College of Optometry (SCO) professor, was recently installed as president of the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association for a second term during the OVDRA (previously COVD) annual meeting in San Francisco.

Honorary Degree Recipient includes Myopia expert and Research leader Dr. Jane Gwiazda. 

If you are struggling with allergies, reach out to your local optometrist to help diagnose and treat your seasonal eye allergies. They will help tailor a plan specifically for your symptoms and lifestyle to help you enjoy this Spring season to the fullest. Though symptoms vary, understanding common signs and treatments can offer relief to many afflicted with seasonal allergies.

The National Academies of Practice Interprofessional Group Recognition Award is presented to a group who has made enduring contributions to interprofessional practice and education. This year the award had two recipients including the Interprofessional Professionalism Collaborative (IPC).

10 Student/Resident Grants Available; Deadline for Applications - June 15, 2024

The Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) is now accepting abstracts for consideration for its 2024 General Conference, September 19-22 in Kissimmee, Florida.

After many years of fighting for VA optometry, we are getting a little closer to the finish line! Thanks to all the hard work of Matt Willette and the AOA, we have a section that impacts VA Optometry in the VA spending bill that was introduced earlier this week.