The speaker list for the
inaugural “Changing Landscapes: Opportunities & Options for Canadian
ECPs” event has been announced by Eye Care Business Canada.
The first of three events
will focus on technology drivers of change and
be held Monday, October 25th (7:30 PM Eastern).
Industry thought-leaders will share their insights as to what technologies will
have the greatest impact on eye care and eyewear in a Canadian market context.
Speaker List Includes:
Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and
Chairman of the Board, FYidoctors
Dr. David Schwirtz, VP
Innovation, IRIS Group
Dr. Trevor Miranda,
Cowichan Eyecare BC, Independent Optometrist
Dr. Damon Umscheid, Eyes 360, Okotoks, AB, Eye Recommend
Dr. Naomi Barber, Director of Optometry, SpecSavers
The event series will be
moderated by Roxanne Arnal, OD and Certified Financial Planner (TM), bringing
an informed and unique perspective to the events.
Tele-optometry, impact of
omni-channel selling and remote face trace technology enabling touchless ophthalmic
lens dispensing are among the factors to be discussed.
The second
and third events will be held on consecutive Monday evenings starting at 7:30
PM (Eastern).
Buying and Selling a Practice (November 1) In the second event Industry experts will provide perspectives on the current state of play in the Canadian practice acquisition market. A must attend event if you are considering an exit strategy or looking to buy a practice. Click Here for Detailed Information.
Career Pathfinders| Making Informed Decisions (November 8th) Career options and opportunities for both young and experienced ODs have never been greater as new organizations offering unique business models enter the market and established entities respond to the changing environment. Click Here for Detailed Information.
CooperVision announced the
addition of three well-known optometrists to its Professional Affairs teams.
The appointments of Drs. Karen Walsh, Arti Shah, and Justine Siergey each add
decades of relevant experience to the company’s global, US and specialty
Professional Affairs teams.
“As the industry continues to
evolve, so too do the needs of our customers. CooperVision’s commitment to
providing the eye care community with the highest quality products and services
starts with investing in our people. Recruiting Dr. Walsh to my global team,
along with Drs. Shah and Siergey in their respective country and specialty
roles, adds to an already incredibly talented Professional Affairs
organization, resulting in even higher levels of peer-to-peer practice support
and education,” said Simon Seshadri, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing,
CooperVision.
Dr. Karen Walsh
Global
Professional Affairs
Karen Walsh, MCOptom, PGDip, FAAO, FIACLE, FBCLA steps into a newly created role as Director, Global Professional Affairs, 1 Day & FRP Brands. A widely recognized educator and clinical scientist, she is now responsible for engaging and collaborating with ECPs, global brand managers, and a wide range of global and regional teams to help shape professional messaging for CooperVision’s leading 1-day and frequent replacement products (FRP) soft contact lens brands, including Biofinity®, clariti® 1 day and MyDay® daily disposable.
Dr. Walsh holds an
array of advanced qualifications, including being a Fellow of the American
Academy of Optometry, the International Association of Contact Lens Educators,
and the British Contact Lens Association. She also is a member of the U.K.
College of Optometrists and holds a post-graduate diploma in clinical optometry
from City University, London.
Concurrently, two industry veterans
within CooperVision’s Global Professional Affairs team are now devoting
additional time to the company’s expansive research and development
initiatives. Gary Orsborn, Global Head, Post-Market Clinical Studies at
CooperVision, and Anna Sulley, Director, Medical Affairs, have joined the
CooperVision R&D organization, increasing vital focus on company-wide
clinical research collaborations to further advance and accelerate portfolio
innovation.
Dr. Arti Shah
U.S.
Professional Affairs
Arti Shah, OD, FAAO, brings more
than 20 years of experience to a new role as Senior Manager, U.S. Professional
and Academic Affairs—West, CooperVision. Dr. Shah is responsible for further
fostering collaborative efforts between the company and ECPs through advocacy,
philanthropy, and ongoing education.
Before joining CooperVision this
month, Dr. Shah practiced at a private ophthalmology-optometry office in Los
Angeles and was on the medical staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She is a
member of the California Optometric Association, Los Angeles County Optometric
Society, American Optometric Association, the International Keratoconus
Academy, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has also
held a faculty position at the State University of New York (SUNY) and was on
medical staff at the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute.
CooperVision
Specialty EyeCare Professional Affairs
Dr. Justine Siergey
Justine Siergey, OD, FSLS, joins
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare as Manager, Professional Affairs, Irregular
Cornea. In this new position, she is responsible for advocating and elevating
the company’s reputation within the specialty segment, with a particular focus
on scleral contact lenses and services.
Prior to this role, Dr. Siergey
created and managed several specialty contact lens clinics in both private
practice and group OD/MD settings. She is a fellow of the Scleral Lens
Education Society and former fellowship chair of their international board.
In recognition of her ongoing
contributions to both CooperVision and the industry, Kelly Voltz, OD, FAAO,
FSLS, has been promoted to Senior Manager, Professional & Clinical Affairs,
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. Dr. Voltz will now assume additional leadership
responsibilities, including developing and nurturing partnerships both
internally and externally to increase specialty prescribing confidence among
both prospective and current ECPs.
FYidoctors announces that it has officially expanded its geographic operations into the US marketplace with the addition of six eye care clinics in California.
The foray marks a major company milestone as the first time FYidoctors has added new operations outside of Canada.
“We are absolutely proud to mark this historic chapter in our company
history,” says Dr. Alan Ulsifer, FYidoctors’ chairman and CEO. “In 2008, our
company launched with the intent of becoming Canada’s largest doctor-led eye
care provider. Today, we are exceeding that vision by marking a historic foray
into the most populous state in America. The welcoming of our new business
units in California ushers an exciting and noteworthy time and makes us the
largest doctor-led network of clinics in North America.”
To the network, FYidoctors welcomes optometry clinics located throughout California, in key consumer markets including Los Angeles, Mountain View, Northridge, Sun Valley, Roseville and San Jose.
The US operations will be led by VP FYidoctors and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. David Redman, who was also named 2018 AOA Optometrist of the Year. Dr. Aaron Lech has been named to the role of Chief Medical Advisor and will oversee all health-related aspects of the business. The pair are tasked to ensure FYidoctors’ US operations, in keeping with Canadian operational standards.
Dr. David Redman, VP and Chief Strategy Officer, FYidocors, told Optik, “the new clinics will eventually be transitioned to the FYidoctors banner, brand and business platform, ensuring all their learnings are leveraged as FYidoctors continues to grow in the weeks and months ahead.”
“I am thrilled to play a role in this historic expansion,” continued Dr. Redman. “And I look forward to helping grow FYidoctors’ in the US market. Our company’s value proposition for clinics who wish to leverage the power of a family of providers while maintaining doctor-led operations presents a major upside for many operators. Our future is bright.”
Clinics included as part of FYidoctors’ initial US expansion include:
Studio Eyes Optometry, Burbank, CA Studio Eyes Optometry, Northridge, CA Studio Eyes Optometry, Sun Valley, CA ClearVue Eye Care, Roseville, CA Precision Eyecare, Mountain View, CA Precision Eyecare, San Jose, CA
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The Contact Lens Institute is accepting nominations through October 1, 2026, for its fourth annual Culture Awards, recognizing eye care professionals in the U.S. and Canada who support positive contact lens culture.
EssilorLuxottica has launched Nuance Audio Glasses in Canada, introducing assistive listening eyewear designed for adults with mild-to-moderate listening difficulty.
A new Canadian survey finds that opticians are highly engaged in supporting contact lens patients, with many seeking greater involvement and additional training opportunities.
OptikConEd.com has collaborated with Dorina Reiz to offer a new 2-hour CE course for opticians on myopia care and the optician’s role as a key provider.
GIGI STUDIOS is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, marking a decade of growth for the Barcelona-based eyewear brand, now present in more than 50 countries.
The Contact Lens Institute is accepting nominations through October 1, 2026, for its fourth annual Culture Awards, recognizing eye care professionals in the U.S. and Canada who support positive contact lens culture.
EssilorLuxottica has launched Nuance Audio Glasses in Canada, introducing assistive listening eyewear designed for adults with mild-to-moderate listening difficulty.
A new Canadian survey finds that opticians are highly engaged in supporting contact lens patients, with many seeking greater involvement and additional training opportunities.
OptikConEd.com has collaborated with Dorina Reiz to offer a new 2-hour CE course for opticians on myopia care and the optician’s role as a key provider.
GIGI STUDIOS is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, marking a decade of growth for the Barcelona-based eyewear brand, now present in more than 50 countries.
The Contact Lens Institute is accepting nominations through October 1, 2026, for its fourth annual Culture Awards, recognizing eye care professionals in the U.S. and Canada who support positive contact lens culture.
EssilorLuxottica has launched Nuance Audio Glasses in Canada, introducing assistive listening eyewear designed for adults with mild-to-moderate listening difficulty.
A new Canadian survey finds that opticians are highly engaged in supporting contact lens patients, with many seeking greater involvement and additional training opportunities.
OptikConEd.com has collaborated with Dorina Reiz to offer a new 2-hour CE course for opticians on myopia care and the optician’s role as a key provider.
GIGI STUDIOS is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, marking a decade of growth for the Barcelona-based eyewear brand, now present in more than 50 countries.
The Contact Lens Institute is accepting nominations through October 1, 2026, for its fourth annual Culture Awards, recognizing eye care professionals in the U.S. and Canada who support positive contact lens culture.
EssilorLuxottica has launched Nuance Audio Glasses in Canada, introducing assistive listening eyewear designed for adults with mild-to-moderate listening difficulty.
A new Canadian survey finds that opticians are highly engaged in supporting contact lens patients, with many seeking greater involvement and additional training opportunities.
OptikConEd.com has collaborated with Dorina Reiz to offer a new 2-hour CE course for opticians on myopia care and the optician’s role as a key provider.
GIGI STUDIOS is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, marking a decade of growth for the Barcelona-based eyewear brand, now present in more than 50 countries.
