Jennifer Smythe, OD, MS, Elected President of ASCO

July 18, 2013

Contact:
Kimberly O’Sullivan
Director of Communications
301.231.5944 ext.3019
kosullivan@opted.org

Jennifer Smythe, OD, MS, Elected President of Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

Dr. Smythe is First Woman President of the Association

ROCKVILLE, MD, July 18, 2013 – Pacific University College of Optometry dean Jennifer Smythe, OD, MS, has been elected president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). She is the first woman elected to the office of the president.

Dr. Smythe will head the association comprising of 21 schools and colleges of optometry across the United States and Puerto Rico.

“A goal of mine this year is to increase awareness of the value of inter-professional education,” president Smythe says. “Optometry is a very diverse field and inter-professional education will only enhance the experience of our students but also the patients they serve.”

“Because of Dr. Smythe’s passion for our profession and concern for the future of optometric education, she will be an excellent leader for ASCO in the upcoming year,” says Dori Carlson, OD, president of the American Optometric Association.

Dr. Smythe’s term as president is from July1, 2013 – June 30, 2014.

###

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is a non-profit association representing the interests of optometric education. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Rockville, Md., ASCO is committed to achieving excellence in optometric education and to helping its member institutions prepare well-qualified graduates for entrance into the profession of optometry. Its membership encompasses the schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate members.