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OSI Summit West: Uniting Canada’s Independent Eyecare Professionals

OSI Summet West Vancouver BC 2024

The OSI Summit West took place from October 25 to 27 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, uniting OSI Group Members, aspiring optometrists, opticians, and leading suppliers. Guided by OSI’s mission to raise the bar in visual care and empower independent practices across Canada, the event featured impactful opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional growth.

The Summit kicked off with the OSI Expo, where suppliers unveiled the latest eyewear and eyecare innovations.

Following the OSI Expo, the focus shifted to an intensive program of education and knowledge-sharing. Key OSI Group Members, including Drs. Meenal Agarwal, Harbir Sian, Nathalie Trottier, Kerry Salsberg, and Jordan Friedman, delivered engaging sessions alongside industry-renowned keynote speakers. Participants delved into a wide range of topics, from optimizing human resources and elevating patient experiences to expanding clinic specialties, such as Myopia and Dry Eye management.

Even the speakers found much to learn and gain from the Summit. “I was really impressed by the quality of the sessions and entertainment. It was the perfect opportunity to network with my peers from Yukon to New Brunswick.”

Dr. Meenal Agarwal, OSI Excellence Award Winner and owner of three clinics in Toronto

The spirit of collaboration and achievement carried into Saturday evening with a Roaring 20/20s gala. Amid the celebrations, OSI Group honoured the outstanding contributions of independent optometrists with an awards ceremony hosted by board members Drs. Alisha Adatia and Skylar Feltis. The evening also featured a heartfelt tribute to former OSI Board Member Dr. Bart McRoberts, recognizing his 50 years of dedicated practice in Vancouver and Squamish, BC.

Sunday brought the Summit to a close with impactful workshops. OSI Practice Advisors Gissou Bozkaya, Meghan Lancaster, and Raj Mann led an advanced session on frame fitting techniques, while other attendees participated in in-depth sessions on dry eye management and practice management software training to enhance clinic efficiency.

With its high-value learning sessions and rich exchanges, this year’s OSI Summit West further strengthened the community spirit central to the group’s mission. Building momentum into 2025, OSI Group continues to inspire and support its members to lead the way in independent optometric care.

Click HERE for the press release.

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Opto-Réseau Launches New Recruitment Initiative: Have a Virtual Coffee with a Network Optician

Opto-Réseau logo

Opto-Réseau is innovating its recruitment process by offering opticians the opportunity to discover the culture and daily life of the company in a simple and relaxed manner. With the “virtual coffee” initiative, optical professionals can have confidential discussions with a network optician without any commitment.

A virtual coffee is an informal meeting—held online—to discuss daily life at Opto-Réseau. It’s the perfect opportunity to ask questions about values, culture, or simply what it means to be part of the team. The process is streamlined to provide a friendly experience, tailored to the candidate’s pace.

How Does It Work?

  1. Schedule a virtual coffee: The candidate chooses the time that works best for them.
  2. Chat with an optician: The perfect moment to ask questions and discover what makes Opto- Réseau unique.
  3. No commitment: After the discussion, the candidate decides whether to pursue further steps or not. It’s entirely up to them.
Opto-Réseau café virtuel - processus

Benefits of the virtual coffee:

  1. No CV preparation required, no obligation to apply
  2. The opportunity to ask questions in complete confidentiality
  3. A relaxed meeting, with no pressure

This human and flexible approach reflects Opto-Réseau’s commitment to creating a work environment where relationships are at the heart of success.

To schedule a virtual coffee, visit www.opto-reseau.com/fr/cafe-virtuel and discover if Opto- Réseau is right for you.

Click HERE for the press release.

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American Academy of Optometry Announces 2024 New Fellows and Diplomates

AAO American Academy of Optometry logo

The American Academy of Optometry recently hosted Academy 2024 Indianapolis, in Indianapolis, IN. During the organization’s annual meeting, the Academy welcomed 271 new Fellows to its ranks. Along with this strong showing of new Fellows, 16 current Fellows earned the distinction of Diplomate.

Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written works for peer review that demonstrate their skills as an optometrist or vision scientist. They must also sit for an oral exam at the annual meeting. It is estimated that approximately 10 percent of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows. Among those eligible for Fellowship are: optometrists, scientists, educators, librarians, administrators, and editors. Those who pass the rigorous criteria and application process earn the distinction and right to use “FAAO” in their credentials.

Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their extensive skill in a specific area. Currently, nine Sections offer Diplomate programs. These include: Anterior Segment; Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry; Comprehensive Eye Care; Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies; Glaucoma; Low Vision; Optometric Education; Public Health & Environmental Vision; and Vision Science.

Below is a complete list of new Fellows and Diplomates. More information on becoming a Fellow or Diplomate can be found on the Academy’s website under Membership.

2024 Diplomates

Breanne McGhee, OD, Med, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Anterior Segment

Debora Lee Chen, OD, MPH, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Binocular Vision, Perception & Pediatric Optometry

Ann Morrison, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Binocular Vision, Perception & Pediatric Optometry

Maureen Plaumann, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Binocular Vision, Perception & Pediatric Optometry

Stephen Chun, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

Shelly Kim, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

John Buch, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Obinwanne Chukwuemeka, OD, MOptom, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Mari Fujimoto, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Kathrine Osborn Lorenz, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Brett King, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Glaucoma

Derek MacDonald, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Glaucoma

Micaela Gobeille, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Low Vision

Emily Aslakson, OD, MEd, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Optometric Education

Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Optometric Education

Damaris Pagan-Torres, OD, MPH, FAAO, Dipl AAO Diplomate, Public Health & Environmental Vision

AAO 2024 Fellows List
AAO 2024 Fellows List
AAO 2024 Fellows List

Click HERE for the press release.

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EssilorLuxottica Contributes $300,000 to AAOF’s OD/PhD Scholarship Program for ODs

EssilorLuxottica American Academy of Optometry Foundation logos

EssilorLuxottica will contribute $300,000 to the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF). The contribution, announced at the AAOF’s Celebration Luncheon on Saturday, November 9th, will help support optometrists pursuing their PhD in a vision science field.

Recognizing the current demand and need to teach the next generation of optometrists and researchers, the AAOF’s OD/PhD Program encourages ODs to pursue a PhD in a vision science field such as Physiological Optics, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health or Neuroscience.

The AAOF’s OD/PhD Program is a crucial initiative aimed at addressing the growing need for PhD-level faculty in the field of optometry. By encouraging ODs to pursue advanced degrees in vision science fields, the program seeks to ensure that the next generation of optometrists and researchers are well-prepared to advance the field and ultimately elevate the standard of patient care.

“To ensure the future of optometry, it’s important that we make critical investments in education. We’re proud to support the AAO Foundation in their efforts to ensure the next generation of ODs has the most expansive, richest education surrounding vision care.”

Fabrizio Uguzzoni, President of Professional Solutions, EssilorLuxottica Americas

Olga Prenat, Global Head of Medical and Professional Affairs at EssilorLuxottica, emphasized the importance of this program, stating, “This program is important, and we hope that it will encourage ODs to study for a PhD; thus, allowing to create impact on the future development of optometry by fostering innovation and driving forward research. Academia and researchers have been significantly contributing to eye and vision care not only in the US, but also internationally.”

“As President of the American Academy of Optometry Foundation, I am pleased to announce the launch of five new OD/PhD fellowships,” said AAOF President, Dr. Rachel A. “Stacey” Coulter. “The fellowships are designed to support the next generation of leaders in optometry and vision science, and to provide them with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to drive impactful change in their fields. This investment is essential to support a vibrant future for optometric practice and for our communities and organizations.”

Click HERE for the press release.

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Multiple Awards for CORE Researchers

Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)
Lynden Jones from CORE
Lynden Jones

CORE director Lyndon Jones has been recognized with the Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal award at this year’s American Academy of Optometry Conference in Indianapolis.

The Carel C. Koch Award is presented annually to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the enhancement and development of relationships between optometry and other professions.

Lyndon is cross appointed to the University of Waterloo departments of Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and is adjunct professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department at McMaster University, Canada, and the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Australia.

Sharon Qiu from CORE
Sharon Qiu

Congratulations to CORE PhD candidate Sharon Qiu, who was one of two winners of the Fighting Blindness Canada Clinician Scientist Emerging Leader award!

The award is endowed with $40,000 in funding towards Sharon’s graduate work, during which she will be designing and testing the next generation of scleral lenses. What a fantastic accomplishment, Sharon!

Find out more about Sharon’s work and the award at the Fighting Blindness Canada website

Source: CORE

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