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American Academy of Optometry Announces 2019 Award Recipients

Each year the American Academy of Optometry recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.

“Our Academy is only as good as the people we honor. In 2019 we are honoring the best; our best teachers, researchers, clinicians, and rising stars of the future,” remarked John G. Flanagan, PhD, FCOptom, FAAO, Awards Committee Chair.

The Academy is pleased to announce the 2019 award recipients:

Raymond A. Applegate, OD, PhD, FAAO
Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award

Susan A. Cotter, OD, MS, FAAO
Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Uduak C. Udom, OD, MPH, FAAO
(posthumously)
AAO-Essilor Award for Outstanding
International Contributions to Optometry

Thomas R. Stelmack, OD, FAAO
William Feinbloom Award

J. Daniel Twelker, OD, PhD, FAAO
Brien Holden Humanitarian Award

Andrew D. Pucker, OD, PhD, FAAO
Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award

Rami Aboumourad, OD
Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Thomas G. Quinn, OD, MS, FAAO
Vincent Ellerbrock Clinician Educator Award

Thomas A. Aller, OD, FBCLA, Maria Liu, OD, PhD, FAAO,
Christine F. Wildsoet, DipAppSci(Optom), PhD, FAAO
Garland W. Clay Award

Heather A. Anderson, OD, PhD, FAAO
Donald O. Mutti, OD, PhD, FAAO
Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Awards of the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Philip B. Morgan, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO
Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award

S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO
Founders’ AwardAwards of the Public Health and Environmental Vision Section

Robert N. Kleinstein, OD, PhD, FAAO
Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Award winners will be recognized at the Joint American Academy of Optometry and World Council of Optometry Recognition Gala and Awards Program on Saturday, October 26, 7:00 to 10:00 PM, in the Plaza International Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The Fry and Prentice Lectures will be held on Friday, October 25, 8:00 to 9:00 AM, in Room W331. This session will feature lectures from both the Charles F. Prentice Award recipient and the Glenn A. Fry Award recipient.

Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies award recipients will be honored at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, October 23 in Room W221. The Public Health and Environmental Vision Section Henry B. Peters Awardee will be honored on Thursday, October 24 at 5:30 PM in Room W230 CD.

The joint meeting of the American Academy of Optometry and World Council of Optometry, Academy 2019 Orlando and 3rd World Congress of Optometry, will take place October 23-27, 2019, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit www.aaopt.org/2019.

Source: American Academy of Optometry

FYidoctors Acquires Alberta Eye Health Clinic

FYidoctors announced it has acquired Edmonton-based Alberta Eye Health Clinic. The acquisition, which marks the fifth FYidoctors location in the Edmonton area, sees Dr. Aaron Patel, Dr. Rajan Mistry and staff joining the FYidoctors family.

“Our patients have trusted us to be forward-thinking and at the leading edge of great eye care,” said Dr. Aaron Patel. “Given that, we joined FYidoctors because we felt they are ahead of the field on where eye care needs to be and have existing technology and infrastructure which would allow us to provide a better patient experience. That coupled with the fact that they are a Canadian doctor-owned business that has established some of the best partnerships in the country made it an easy decision. We’re excited to start working together.”

With over 15 years of experience practicing primary eye care optometry, 12 years of which were practiced in Edmonton, Dr. Patel is an established professional who served as President of the Alberta Association of Optometrists and is currently a councilman of the Canadian Association of Optometrists. In addition to serving the residents of Edmonton, Dr. Patel believes in assisting those from underdeveloped countries and has travelled to Honduras, Peru, Nairobi and Jamaica with the goal of providing eye care to the less fortunate.

Dr. Rajan Mistry completed both his undergraduate degree and optometry degree at the prestigious University of Waterloo. During his studies, he practiced in various settings such as hospitals in Oklahoma, clinics in Australia and, similar to his colleague Dr. Patel, has provided care of those in underdeveloped countries like Nicaragua and Peru.

“We’re happy to be bringing Dr. Patel, Dr. Mistry and their staff on board to the FYidoctors team,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO of FYidoctors. “The doctors have built strong reputations based on their service to the profession, dedication to excellence in eye care, and humanitarian efforts. As an organization, we are thrilled to bring the tools to them that will make them even more successful.”

The clinic has a special interest in low vision options, such as speciality contact lenses known as scleral lenses, as well as dry eye treatments, and prides itself in using the latest technology to monitor, diagnose and educate on eye diseases.

Source: FYidoctors

Transitions Announces Transitions Academy 2020 Dates and Ways to Attend

Now in its 24th year as one of the industry’s most well-recognized educational events, Transitions Academy 2020 will be held February 2 – 5 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.

Industry professionals can earn an invitation to attend Transitions Academy 2020 through the following ways:

  1. Become a Transitions Innovation Award Finalist – The awards are open to optical industry professionals, educators, retailers, optical laboratories and independent eyecare professionals and practices. The Transitions Innovation Awards categories include: 2019 Transitions Brand Ambassador (individual-only award), Retailer of the Year, Eyecare Practice of the Year, Best in Training and Best in Marketing.


Nominations for all Transitions Innovation Awards will be accepted online (at Transitions.com/Awards) from October 1 – 31, 2019. To enter, candidates must complete a nomination form and detail their 2019 efforts in the following evaluation areas: commitment and inspiration, goals, plan and creativity, and impact and results. Nominees are welcome to enter more than one category and can self-enter, or can be nominated by a lab, lens manufacturer, industry colleague or other industry organization representative. An Innovation Awards resource guide and past winner profiles are also available to assist interested industry professionals with the nomination process, as well as a structured way to focus on and track their goals throughout the year.

  • Ask Your Lens Supplier Representative – Industry professionals should let their Transitions® lens supplier know they would like to register for Transitions Academy.  Many lens suppliers are providing opportunities and promotions for customers to earn their way and attend.
  • Become a Transitions Change Agent – Transitions Optical is recruiting eyecare professionals who are millennials or serve many millennial patients and are looking to change the conversations their peers and patients are having around Transitions lenses.Industry professionals interested in becoming a Transitions Change Agent can visit TransitionsPRO.com/ChangeAgent to apply.
  • Request a Spot / Nominate Someone to Attend – Although Transitions Academy is an invitation-only event, Transitions Optical is reserving spaces for interested industry professionals from North America.  Those interested can request to attend at TransitionsAcademy.com and more details regarding cost and arrangements will be provided.
  • Join the Speaker’s Bureau – qualified industry speakers can email Transitions Customer service (cservice@transitions.com) to learn more about becoming a part of the Transitions Speakers Bureau and to inquire about Transitions Academy benefits.

Source: Transitions Optical

Vision Expo West Provides Diversified Education Content at 2019 Show

New education at Vision Expo West 2019 will offer attendees a wide range of tracks, courses, workshops and competitions featuring the latest in leadership, marketing, patient care and more with real-time planning and interactive demonstrations. With over 300 hours of educational content available, attendees will have the opportunity to fulfill multiple aspects of their professional aspirations.

Exploring the intricacy of marketing in today’s society, new EyeInnovate Marketing Workshops will provide attendees hands-on training and onsite instruction for ease of implementation when returning to their business or practice. Hosted by Marketing4ecps, each course will cover four fundamental marketing channels including social media, digital marketing, video and blogging, and merchandising.

A new myopia track will examine the latest in myopia care, prevention and patient education with courses curated by the top professionals in the field. As one of the most common conditions seen by optometrists, this track will guide clinicians through strategies to manage and slow the progression of myopia. Additionally, the Brien Holden Vision Institute will offer an interactive session on how to apply the latest myopia innovations in patient care.

As part of the EYE2EYE Series, the OptiCon @ Vision Expo General Session will feature a presentation by Rebecca Alexander, psychotherapist, extreme athlete, activist and author of the memoir “Not Fade Away.” Born with Usher syndrome type III, a disease that leads to loss of both vision and hearing, Alexander will share her personal story in her presentation, Climbing Ever Higher: An Inspirational Story About True Vision.

Panelists will compete for the audience’s votes in the new Battle at the Sands: Case Challenges in Optometry competition. Eight panelists will present cases that highlight imaging technology for a chance to be named the winner. Following the competition, attendees will have access to a free imaging workshop.

The new Leadership Forum with Roberto Monaco will present attendees with three inspirational and business-focused courses. Specifically designed for the optical industry, these courses will teach attendees how to increase their leadership effectiveness, eliminate a negative mindset, embrace and implement change, and improve communication skills.

For the Vision Expo West 2019 education brochure for optometrists, click here. For the Vision Expo West 2019 education brochure for healthcare professionals, click here.

To register for Vision Expo West 2019, visit visionexpowest.com and be sure to follow along on all of Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Source: Vision Expo

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