ASCO News

ASCO Welcomes Several New Members to Board of Directors

ROCKVILLE, MD, July 8, 2014 – Pacific University College of Optometry dean Jennifer Coyle, OD, MS has been elected for a second term as president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).

Dr. Coyle continues to lead the association comprising of 21 schools and colleges of optometry in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Dr. Coyle’s time as president will conclude June 30, 2015.

Additional elected officers to the Board of Directors are: President-Elect Dr. Richard Phillips, President, Southern College of Optometry; Immediate Past-President Dr. David Heath, President, State University of New York, State College of Optometry; Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Joseph A. Bonanno, Dean, Indiana University, School of Optometry; and At-Large Member Dr. Elizabeth Hoppe, Founding Dean, Western University of Health Sciences.

ASCO also welcomed a record number of new Directors to the Board. They are; Dr. John Flanagan, Dean, University of California at Berkeley, School of Optometry; Dr. Lori Grover, Dean, Salus University – Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Dr. Kelly Nichols, Dean, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Dr. Timothy Wingert, Dean, University of The Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry; and Dr. Joseph Zinkovich, Acting Associate Dean, MCPHS University, School of Optometry.

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 50 states and Puerto Rico. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate members.

June 10, 2014 — Jointly launched by the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), the National Eye Care Workforce Study is based on the most current survey and health sector data, along with a computer model developed by the Lewin Group, a firm widely recognized for its health care policy research.

The just completed study was designed to help answer critically important questions about how America’s eye health needs will be met over the next decade and beyond.

“The results clearly point to a supply of eye doctors – optometrists and ophthalmologists – that is adequate to meet the current and future eye health and vision care needs of the American people,” said Steve Loomis, O.D., vice president of the AOA Board of Trustees. “The study also demonstrates the opportunities for optometry to further expand its role in the delivery of medical eye care services for seniors, working adults and children.”

Highlights of the study findings include:

• There appears to be an adequate supply of eye doctors, optometrists and ophthalmologists, inclusive of projections of new doctors, to meet current and projected demand for eye care services through 2025.

• Demographic trends as well as public health and policy factors, including growth and aging of the U.S. population, an increased prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, expansions in health insurance coverage and the designation in federal law that coverage for eye health and vision care is essential for children are all projected to contribute to an increasing demand for optometric services through 2025.

• The data collected indicates that with increases in productivity, optometrists currently view themselves as able to accommodate much of the expected increase in demand. Responding optometrists reported that they could see an average of 19.8 additional patients per week if completely booked without adding hours to their practice schedule.

• The trend of optometrists to provide an increasing number of medically necessary eye care services correlates closely with projections for an increasing demand for these services, especially among senior citizens and those at risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Jennifer Smythe, O.D., M.S., ASCO President said, “While the study offers a snapshot of the workforce at this moment in time, one of the most important aspects of this project is that the Eye Care Workforce computer model will allow for continued analysis of the eye care market as external factors affecting both supply and demand change or are introduced.  Workforce studies often generate as many new questions as they answer, and we can see some intriguing new avenues for investigation as we seek to advance optometry’s ability to meet the demand for services.”

AOA and ASCO organized the study project for which funding was provided by ophthalmic industry sponsors, including Alcon, Essilor, HOYA Vision Care, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., Luxottica, TLC Vision, and Transitions Optical.

Mitchell T. Munson, O.D., AOA President, said, “Without a doubt, this is the most ambitious, comprehensive and forward-looking study of eye care supply and demand ever undertaken. It fully recognizes both optometrists and ophthalmologists as providers of the eye health and medical services, including diagnosis, treatment and management of an array of diseases and disorders, which will be increasingly needed by Americans in the years to come.”

To get all three documents from the National Eye Care Workforce Study go to AOA.org/Marketplace.

• National Eye Care Workforce Study: Supply and Demand Projections Executive Summary
  Digital Copy:
  Members:  Included in membership ($0)
  Non-members charge is $15

• Report on the 2012 National Eye Care Workforce Survey of Optometrists
  Printed Book:
  Members:  Included in membership ($0)
  Non-member charge is $125
• National Eye Care Workforce Study: Supply and Demand Projections Final Report
  Printed Book:
  Members:  Included in membership ($0)
  Non-member charge is $625

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About ASCO
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 50 states and Puerto Rico. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate members.

About the AOA
The American Optometric Association, a federation of state, student and armed forces optometric associations, was founded in 1898. Today, the AOA is proud to represent the profession of optometry, America’s family eye doctors, who take a leading role in an individual’s overall eye and vision care, health and well-being. Doctors ofoptometry (ODs) are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat and manage disorders, diseases and injuries that affect the eye and visual system, providing two-thirds of primary eye care in the U.S. For information on a variety of eye health and vision topics, and to find an optometrist near you, visit www.aoa.org.

ROCKVILLE, MD, May 16, 2014 – The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has launched its Optometry Resident Directory.

The Optometry Resident Directory is an online resource where users can search for and read information about optometry residents. The purpose of the Directory is to provide a tool to help residents and outside entities network with one another for career opportunities.

Sponsored by Alcon, the Directory is found at: www.odresidents.com.

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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 50 states and Puerto Rico. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate members.

ROCKVILLE, MD, May 16, 2014 – The Allergan Foundation has awarded a competitive Focus Grant to The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s (ASCO) to support the Be a Doctor of Optometry: Put Your Future in Focus video. The Allergan Foundation joins Luxottica in supporting ASCO’s initiative to promote the Doctor of Optometry profession.

The video, previously viewed nearly 4,000 times, is available on ASCO’s YouTube channel and website.

“The Allergan Foundation’s generous support of our career video is greatly appreciated and demonstrates their commitment to the future of optometric education and will allow us to continue appealing to the most qualified and diverse applicants to our schools and colleges,” says Dr. Jennifer Smythe, ASCO President and Dean of the Pacific University College of Optometry. “Our hope is that viewers of the video will learn about the Doctor of Optometry profession and all it has to offer – making a difference in their patients daily lives and excellent work/life balance, to just name a few. As it says in the video, ‘optometry is limitless.’”

The recruitment video highlights students, professors and Doctors of Optometry talking about what students learn and what they can expect from the profession once they graduate, as well as demonstrates the caring aspects of the profession and the more high tech aspects of optometry. It is the latest marketing tool developed for the ASCO-American Optometric Association Joint Project on Further Developing a Robust, Diverse, and High Qualified National Applicant Pool. The video complements the True Stories booklet and the ASCO website, hoping to increase the number, quality and diversity of applicants to the 21 schools and colleges of optometry in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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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 50 states and Puerto Rico. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate members.

ROCKVILLE, MD, March 28, 2014 – The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s (ASCO) Be a Doctor of Optometry: Put Your Future in Focus video is partially funded through a contribution from Luxottica. The video is available from the ASCO website and newly launched YouTube channel.

“ASCO greatly appreciates Luxottica stepping forward and recognizing the challenges the schools and colleges of optometry face in attracting the most highly qualified and diverse applicants to rewarding careers as Doctors of Optometry,” says Dr. Jennifer Smythe, ASCO President and Dean of the Pacific University College of Optometry. “The video reinforces what many optometrists already know, Doctors of Optometry have unlimited career opportunities, great success at achieving work/life balance and are primary health care providers that make a real difference.”

The video promotes the Doctor of Optometry degree and the optometric profession. It shows students, professors and Doctors of Optometry talking about what students learn and what they can expect from the profession once they graduate, as well as demonstrates the caring aspects of the profession and the more high tech aspects of optometry.

The video is the latest marketing tool developed for the ASCO-American Optometric Association Joint Project on Further Developing a Robust, Diverse, and High Qualified National Applicant Pool. The video complements the True Stories booklet and the ASCO website, hoping to increase the number, quality and diversity of applicants to the 21 schools and colleges of optometry in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.

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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 50 states and Puerto Rico. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate members.

ASCO, as a Friend of the Health Resources and Services Administration, requested an increase in funding to HRSA due to impending budget cuts. Read the funding request letter and Congressional testimony.

Optometry Associations Come Together
Four of the leading associations meet to build better Communications and Understanding  

January 30, 2014

Associations:

American Optometric Association, AOA

Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, ARBO

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, ASCO

National Board of Examiners in Optometry, NBEO

 Committee Name:

Inter-Organizational Communications and Cooperation Committee, IOCCC

 Dallas, Texas, January 12/13, 2014 – Leaders of American Optometric Association (AOA), Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO), Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) held a facilitated  two day meeting with the expressed desire to come to a better understanding of each organization’s operating realities, vision for the future and stakeholder requirements to build an enhanced and formal working relationship with the goal to better serve their respective stakeholders and the general public’s desire for high quality eye care.

The IOCCC held phone conferences this past summer to develop goals, agendas and operating guidelines for their first face-to-face (F2F) meeting.  The IOCCC anticipates that its next F2F meeting will be sometime later this summer following the annual meetings of ARBO, ASCO and AOA, all in late June.

Goals and Outcomes of the IOCCC

The overriding goals and outcome for the IOCCC:

• To build a more structured environment for the exchange of ideas.  Optometric community adjustments are driving organizational change; therefore, the IOCCC wishes to have an ongoing understanding of each organization’s current operations and their vision for the future.
• To enhance the systematic dialog and working relationships between the organizations in an open environment to facilitate synergism among the organizations to better serve the optometry community.
• Enhance regular lines of inter-organizational communications for constructive conversations.

These gatherings are more for understanding and dialog on vital optometry issues of the day, not the typical agenda packed with action items.  The desire is to come to a common understanding of issues seen through the different stakeholders’ lens and possible strategies to find synergistic solutions. Following are some of the items discussed.

• Organizational independence, authority & responsibility
• Multi-organizational board membership
• Financial, strategic, and organizational structures and alliances
• Maintenance of licensure
• Accreditation of continuing education
• Board certification & maintenance of certification

While this was the IOCCCs’ first F2F meeting on issues that warrant considerable additional dialog, it was the unanimous consensus that this was a very productive first step to help facilitate the organizations’ goals to better serve their representative stakeholders.

The group agreed that an ongoing, open and honest dialog between their groups will prove beneficial for each of their organizations, members and the general public.

Organizational Representatives (alphabetical by organization):

AOA = American Optometric Association

• Mitch Munson, O.D., AOA President, Practice: Highlands Ranch Vision Center, P.C. (Colorado)
• Chris Quinn, O.D., AOA Board of trustees (New Jersey)
• William Reynolds, O.D.,  AOA Board of trustees, Practice: Richmond, KY

ARBO = Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry

• Ernie Schlabach, O.D., ARBO President (Virginia)
• Michael J. O’Hara, J.D., Ph.D., ARBO Board, Nebraska Board of Optometry, Professor,

Finance, Banking, and Real Estate Department, College of Business Administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Greg Moore, O.D., ARBO Board, Practice: Appalachian Eyes LLC (Charleston, WV and Ashland, KY)

ASCO = Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

• Jennifer Smythe, O.D., ASCO President, Dean, Pacific University College of Optometry (Oregon) NOTE: absent due to illness
• David Heath, O.D., M.Ed., ASCO Immediate Past-President, President, SUNY College of Optometry (New York)
• Richard W. Phillips, O.D., ASCO Secretary/Treasurer, President, Southern College of Optometry, (Memphis)

NBEO = National Board of Examiners in Optometry (Charlotte, NC)

• Nancy Peterson-Klein, NBEO Past President, Michigan Board of Optometry
• Jack E. Terry, O.D., Ph.D., NBEO Executive Director (North Carolina)
• Alan J. King, O.D., NBEO President, Practice: King Family Eye Clinic, (North Dakota)

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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.

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s Cultural Competency Case Study Competition Open to Optometry Students and Residents

Awards Totaling $5,000

ROCKVILLE, MD, January 16, 2014 – Optometry students at the 21 accredited schools and colleges in the 50 states and Puerto Rico, and optometry residents, are encouraged to apply for ASCO’s Cultural Competency Case Study Competition for Students and Residents.

$2,500 will be awarded to one optometry student; $2,500 will be awarded to one optometry resident.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to view ASCO’s Guidelines for Culturally Competent Eye and Vision Care and program requirements prior to submitting a case study.

“This award is made possible through the generosity of Walmart,” according to Christine Armstrong, ASCO’s Director of Development. “Walmart has fully funded ASCO’s Cultural Competency Initiative since 2008 with donations totaling $90,000, demonstrating a genuine commitment to optometric education.”

“At Walmart and Sam’s Club, it is important to us that our workforce provides solutions for the communities that we serve,” according to Richard Rothman, RPh, Director, Talent Acquisitions – Health and Wellness, Walmart Stores, Inc. “It is with this solid foundation of diversity and inclusion that Walmart Health and Wellness is proud to continue to sponsor ASCO’s cultural competency curriculum, which helps to educate students about the cultural differences of their patients.”

This award continues ASCO’s efforts to promote cultural competency at its institutions and keep its Guidelines for Culturally Competent Eye and Vision Care document current.

Submissions will be accepted between February 17 and April 14, 2014.

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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.

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

On Oct. 30, more than 900 prospective applicants and representatives from optometry institutions participated in ASCO’s first optometry virtual fair.

The fair was an opportunity for students to ask questions from the comfort of their own computers as they consider if optometry is the right profession for them. For those who are currently involved in the OptomCAS application process, it allowed them to ask specific questions about their applications to the schools and colleges they are considering.

Comments from the participants as well as schools and colleges representatives were overwhelmingly positive.

A sampling of comments is below:

“I LOVE IT!” Potential student

“I like how you have multiple representatives from each school. It has allowed for a variety of questions to be answered.” Potential student

“I particularly enjoyed talking to current students.” Potential student

“It was also helpful to see what questions others were asking, as some have asked questions I didn’t think of myself.” Potential student

“[I liked] the quick feedback to my specific questions.” Potential student

“Representatives were very welcoming and informative.” Potential student

“… it has been nice to connect at once with all the schools I’ve been researching for so long!” Potential student

“I’ve been impressed with the depth of the answers given to me by some of the representatives.” Potential student

“It [is] a fantastic way to get better understanding of the schools and programs.” Potential student

“Going well. Busy in the chat room. I like it a lot. It allows us to reach more students in a cost effective way.” School or College of Optometry representative

“It’s great – love being able to connect with so many students from across country all at once.” School or College of Optometry representative

“Going great – we are having a blast. Well organized and has been constant.” School or College of Optometry representative

“On average we had about 47 students per school and college of optometry participating during the fair,” according to Paige Pence, ASCO’s Director, Student and Residency Affairs. “Our hope is to offer future fairs and build on this momentum and continue educating students about the wonderful profession of optometry.”

If you’re interested in ASCO’s schools and colleges of optometry or wish to be notified of future fairs, please email ppence@opted.org.

Download ASCO’s True Stories brochure here.

We are pleased to announce that Optometric Education is now indexed on Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com/).

Current indexing in Google Scholar is from 2000 until the current edition.

The current edition, as well as all past editions of the journal can be found here.