ASCO News
Speaker Series is Part of Eye on Diversity Initiative Generously Supported by
Johnson & Johnson Vision
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) launches a series of powerful, one-of-a-kind webinars on a host of diversity topics by world-renowned content experts from outside optometry. Called the ASCO Eye on Diversity Speaker Series, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision, this series of six powerful sessions will reveal unique insights and perspectives on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging issues that face optometry students, residents, faculty, practitioners, and staff members on a daily basis.
The six speakers, presentation topics and dates are:
- Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time – Wajahat Ali, Go Back to Where You Came From
- Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time – Patricia Arredondo, Thriving through Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: A Continuous Journey
- Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time – Vincent Pompei, Creating an Inclusive Environment for LGBT+ Patients and Staff
- Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time – Cie Armstead, Building an Inclusive Culture: As a Doctor of Optometry, What’s In It For Me?
- Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time – Wema Hoover, Reframing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; How Difference Can Make A Difference
- Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 7:00 pm Eastern Time – David Ikard, The Dangers of Whitewashing History
For more information on each speaker, their presentation as well as the registration link can be found on the ASCO website at: https://optometriceducation.org/speaker-series/. In addition, those unable to attend the live session should still register, ensuring they receive a link to the recorded presentation for later viewing.
The ASCO Eye on Diversity Speaker Series is a significant component of ASCO’s Eye on Diversity initiative, generously sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision.
“Johnson & Johnson Vision and ASCO’s partnership affirms the belief that dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is not only the right thing to do, but that action must be done on a grand scale. We have a responsibility to ensure the communities we serve feel included, heard and appreciated and this speaker series will help educate Doctors of Optometry, and future optometrists, to become better healthcare practitioners to all they serve,” says Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO, Head of North America Professional Affairs, Johnson & Johnson Vision.
“This generous sponsorship by Johnson & Johnson Vision, the largest in ASCO’s history, has allowed us to greatly increase our DEI efforts,” says Dr. Melissa Trego, ASCO President. “We are so grateful that Johnson & Johnson Vision is aligned with our commitment to achieve significant change in optometric education.”
This support and unprecedented sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson Vision has allowed ASCO to augment its initiatives focused on diversifying optometry’s student body and to address the challenges associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in optometric education. ASCO is using this extraordinary sponsorship to support programs such as efforts to educate an increasing number of diverse undergraduates about the opportunities offered by a career in optometry through ASCO’s Optometry Gives Me Life campaign (www.futureeyedoc.org); cultural competency training programs, videos, and this unique speaker series.
The need for diversity
From 2016 – 2019, ASCO’s member schools and colleges faced a decline in the number and diversity of applicants interested in pursuing a career in optometry. For years, the number of applicants to optometry schools and colleges from Black backgrounds hovered from 100 – 115 applicants (4 – 4.6% of total applicants), and those from Hispanic backgrounds ranged from 60 – 74 applicants (2.4 – 2.8% of total applicants). During this time, the number of Black students enrolled in all 4 years of optometry school ranged from 164 – 209 (2.7 – 3.1% of total students), and the number of Hispanic students ranged from 249 – 292 (4.5% of total students). In 2016 – 2017, ASCO saw the number of Hispanic applicants rise to 261, but subsequent numbers again plateaued.
ASCO’s directors, members, and staff recognize that the schools and colleges of optometry are the place to start to expand the diversity of voices and perspectives serving the increasingly diverse patient population in North America. A more racially and ethnically diverse applicant pool can lead to greater diversity in the student body, followed by more diversity among faculty and practitioners who are enabled to offer more culturally-competent and culturally-responsive patient care.
Many studies have shown that patient outcomes are better when the provider population is more diverse, so attracting students from underrepresented backgrounds to a career in optometry supports the long-term capability of the profession to serve a population with increasing eye and vision care needs. As the percentage of racial and ethnic underrepresented groups in the general population grows, it becomes increasingly important that the members from those racial and ethnic groups recognize optometry as an attractive and vital career choice open to them.
ASCO’s strategic plan addresses challenges to diversity in optometric education, and identifies three main goals:
- Build awareness of the profession of optometry as a highly valued and rewarding career choice among prospective students and their influencers (namely, their parents and career advisors).
- Provide resources, support, and encouragement to faculty and administrators in building an inclusive organizational culture that welcomes diverse students who will feel like they belong in both their educational institutions and in the field of optometry.
- Support culturally competent training that enables students to provide top-quality care to an increasingly diverse population of patients.
ASCO’s Eye on Diversity initiative, supported by the Johnson & Johnson Vision sponsorship, is addressing all three goals.
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announces the recipients of the 2022 Special Recognition Awards.
“Congratulations to all the 2022 ASCO award recipients,” says Dr. Kelly Nichols, ASCO President. “I am delighted we could celebrate these significant contributions and successes at this year’s Annual Business Meeting. The recipients are the best and brightest and we appreciate the support and talent they have given to ASCO over the years.”
ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. David S. Loshin is this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
David S. Loshin received his BS degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in Photographic Science and Instrumentation with emphasis in optical engineering. He completed his professional degree in Optometry and his MS and PhD in Physiological Optics at The Ohio State University.
He served as a member of both the professional and graduate faculty at the University of Houston for over eighteen years. During his last five years at UH, he also held administrative roles as Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration and Chair of the Residency Programs.
After serving as the Dean and Professor at the University of Missouri St Louis School of Optometry, he was appointed Dean and Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, a position he held for 24 years. He left the Dean position at the end of July 2020 and started a one-year sabbatical. The University presented him the title of Dean Emeritus in November 2020.
Dr. Loshin has held positions on a variety of college and university committees and professional organizations including serving as President of ASCO for two years. He was instrumental in establishing the ASCO Residency Educator’s SIG and served as chair and co-chair for over 20 years. He has received several professional and service awards, including the American Optometric Association’s Low Vision Section’s Vision Care Award, Nova Southeastern University Academic Dean of the Year, Heiken Children’s Vision Program Honoree and recently the Florida Optometric Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Loshin continues to be an advocate for optometric education and professional optometry.
“I would like to thank my many colleagues at ASCO who supported me and helped to advance the profession through collaboration and education,” says Dr. Loshin.
Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award
This award was established in March 2000 to recognize an ASCO volunteer for an outstanding innovation to optometric education. The award was named in June 2000 in honor of Dr. Bennett, a creative leader in optometric education, who served as Dean at three optometric institutions.
The 2022 Jack Bennet Award for Innovation in Optometric Education is awarded to all of the teaching faculty, both didactic and hands-on clinical teachers, at ASCO’s member institutions in the US and Canada.
“For the first time in our history, this award is given to all faculty at the schools and colleges of optometry,” says Dr. Maryke Neiberg, Chair of ASCO’s Awards and Resolution Committee and Dean of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Optometry. “These few years have been extremely challenging for our faculty and they have pivoted and rose to meet these challenges. They all deserve this recognition.”
A representative from each school and college of optometry was invited to accept a special award at ASCO’s Annual Business Meeting. This award recognizes all faculty at the 23 optometric institutions in the United States.
ASCO Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award
The ASCO Ophthalmic Industry Leadership Award recognizes an individual from a current or past Corporate Contributor partner company that demonstrates exemplary support of ASCO and its member institutions.
The individual serves as an example for his/her colleagues in industry; and has made exceptional and meaningful contributions to the advancement of ASCO and optometric education.
The 2022 recipient is Vernon Dela Cruz, Program Manager, Doctor Relations at VSP Vision. In this role, Vernon oversees VSP’s Schools of Optometry and State Optometric Association programs. Over the years, Vernon has worked closely with ASCO and all of the schools and colleges of optometry to expand scholarships and grants for students, highlight practice management education, and reinforce the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the optometric industry.
“I am humbled and honored to accept this recognition on behalf of VSP Vision,” says Dela Cruz. “Optometric education is constantly evolving to ensure the skills students learn today will continue to serve the ongoing eye health needs of patients over the course of their lifetime. We look forward to a continued partnership in support of the next generation of optometrists and the long-term success of the profession.”
ASCO Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Oculus, the ASCO Rising Star Award is given to an outstanding faculty member or administrator with less than seven years of service who has made noteworthy contributions to fulfilling the mission, strategic objectives, or programs of ASCO. This year’s Rising Star awardee is Dr. Lucy Kehinde.
Since joining the faculty at University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) as Assistant Clinical Professor in 2015, Dr. Lucy Kehinde has been teaching in clinical didactic and laboratory courses and attending in Dry Eye, Cornea and Contact Lens, and Family Practice Clinics. She has also been involved in clinical research projects focusing on the ocular surface and dry eye disease. Dr. Kehinde has held leadership roles in various areas for initiatives involving clinic faculty and student affairs, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and interprofessional education with efforts reaching beyond UHCO through ASCO special interest groups and the Diversity and Cultural Competency Committee.
Dr. Kehinde earned her PhD in Vision Sciences and Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, followed by a residency in Primary Care at Indiana University School of Optometry.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to Optometry, OCULUS is proud to sponsor ASCO and the Rising Star Award,” says Dr. Bill Tullo, Oculus Medical Director USA. “I would like to congratulate Dr. Lucy Kehinde from UHCO as the 2022 winner of the Rising Star Award. Dr. Kehinde’s amazing commitment to the profession of optometry is both extraordinary and admirable, Congratulations Dr. Kehinde!”
“I am sincerely grateful to my esteemed colleagues at UHCO for nominating me to be the 2022 ASCO Rising Star award recipient,” according to Dr. Kehinde. “It is an incredible honor to be recognized for operating in my passions as I contribute to the profession of optometry through education and service. I hope that this announcement motivates anyone from any background to pursue excellence and strive for impactful changemaking in their areas of influence, whatever they may be.”
ASCO Student Award in Clinical Ethics
This annual national award, sponsored by Alcon, is available to optometry students during any point of their professional program at an ASCO-affiliated school or college of optometry in the United States and Canada. The application consists of an essay of up to 1,500 words describing any one of the following scenarios:
1. A patient based case-study that the student encountered as part of their clinical learning experience.
2. A research based case scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning experience.
3. A professional ethics based scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning.
ASCO announces Dr. Andrea Meagher as the winner of the 2022 Student Award in Clinical Ethics. This annual national award provides the winner with a $1,000 award check and an acrylic engraved plaque.
“Alcon is proud to sponsor this student award in partnership with ASCO and we congratulate Dr. Meagher on her winning essay and future publication,” says Chad Zscherny, Alcon’s Director, Academic Development. “We at Alcon greatly appreciate the opportunity to partner with the academic community especially in the area of clinical ethics which Dr. Meagher has demonstrated her proficiency in.”
Dr. Meagher is a 2022 graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. Her winning essay, Caring for Patients with Disabilities – Advocating for Those Who Cannot Advocate for Themselves will also be featured in an upcoming issue of ASCO’s online Journal Optometric Education.
“I am so honored to receive this award and to be able to bring awareness to ethical treatment for patients with disabilities,” says Dr. Meagher. “I would like to send a special thanks to Dr. Lindsay Sicks for being such an incredible mentor for me and for encouraging me to apply for this award.”
All award winners were acknowledged during ASCO’s Annual Business Meeting in June.
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announces the hiring of David O’Donnell. Mr. O’Donnell is ASCO’s Director of Development. He begins his tenure today.
“I, along with the rest of ASCO’s employees and our Board of Directors, welcome David to ASCO,” says Dawn Mancuso, ASCO’s Executive Vice President/CEO. “Throughout his 20-year professional career, David has excelled as an entrepreneurial leader who has utilized his unique ability to connect with donors and boards to secure over $100,000,000 for non-profit organizations and campaigns across the country.”
“The Director of Development position is vital to ASCO’s success,” continues Ms. Mancuso. “The generous support from our corporate contributors funds vital programs and initiatives for our faculty and administrators and helps promote the profession of optometry to future applicants. The success of this position directly correlates with the success of ASCO and I’m confident that David’s skillset and experience will allow him to excel.”
Recently, Mr. O’Donnell has led the fundraising efforts to rebuild Baltimore, Maryland’s historic Lexington Market and other public markets in the city. For the past 13 years, Mr. O’Donnell has served as the principal fundraiser for several non-profit organizations. He has also been responsible for creating funding mechanisms for new programs and projects within these organizations – including the Teacher Performance Assessment Consortium – a student-centered multiple measure assessment of teaching designed to be predictive of effective teaching and student learning. Before his non-profit work, Mr. O’Donnell worked on political campaigns in 14 states on local, state, and federal races.
“I am thrilled to be part of the ASCO team,” says Mr. O’Donnell. “My entire career has been spent in the fundraising realm and I look forward to continuing building relationships with our industry partners as well as making new connections with companies that may not know all that ASCO offers. I also look forward to getting to know the Board of Directors and other volunteers who work so tirelessly to educate future Doctors of Optometry.”
A native of western Pennsylvania, Mr. O’Donnell grew up in DuBois, Pa, and attended Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Recently, he completed a certificate in Non-profit and Philanthropic Management at Northwestern University. Mr. O’Donnell currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Market Center Merchants Association, Baltimore National Heritage Area grant review committee, and as head coach of the Anne Arundel Community College golf team.
He and his wife, Elizabeth, reside in Baltimore with their dog, Rooney.
Contact:
Kimberly O’Sullivan Carlos Taveras
Director of Communications Communications Leader
kosullivan@opted.org Ctaveras@its.jnj.com
ASCO Partners with Johnson & Johnson Vision to Bring More Diversity to Optometry
ROCKVILLE, MD, March 11, 2022 – The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and Johnson & Johnson Vision announces the start of a unique partnership with an unprecedented sponsorship to address the need for greater diversity in optometry.
“ASCO is excited to be teaming up with Johnson & Johnson Vision in our efforts to address the diversity issues in optometry today,” says Dr. Kelly Nichols, ASCO President. “We are beyond appreciative of this partnership and corresponding sponsorship, which is the largest in ASCO’s history.”
“Johnson & Johnson Vision shares and re-affirms ASCO’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, which we all feel can have long-lasting impact on our profession,” continued Dr. Nichols. “Our goal is to educate future Doctors of Optometry that reflect the populations that we serve. Without greater diversity in schools and colleges of optometry, the profession will be hard-pressed to achieve substantial change. With this sponsorship, ASCO is stronger and better resourced to address these goals through expanding ASCO’s Eye on Diversity initiative.”
“The partnership with ASCO is one of the many ways Johnson & Johnson Vision is continuing to work collaboratively to create a more equitable and inclusive future for aspiring optometrists and the patients we all serve,” said Thomas Swinnen, President North America, Johnson & Johnson Vision. “We have a long standing and deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion – and we look forward to a future where there are more quality and equitable eye care experiences and healthier outcomes for all.”
This new level of support and unprecedented sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson Vision will allow ASCO to augment its initiatives focused on diversifying optometry’s student body and to address the challenges associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in optometric education. ASCO will use this extraordinary sponsorship to support programs such as efforts to educate an increasing number of diverse undergraduates about the opportunities offered by a career in optometry through ASCO’s Optometry Gives Me Life campaign (www.futureeyedoc.org); cultural competency training programs, videos, and other resources for students, faculty and practitioners; and opportunities for engagement through programs such as a unique speaker series.
The need for diversity
From 2016 – 2019, ASCO’s member schools and colleges faced a decline in the number and diversity of applicants interested in pursuing a career in optometry. For years, the number of applicants to optometry schools and colleges from Black backgrounds hovered from 100 – 115 applicants (4 – 4.6% of total applicants), and those from Hispanic backgrounds ranged from 60 – 74 applicants (2.4 – 2.8% of total applicants). During this time, the number of Black students enrolled in all 4 years of optometry school ranged from 164 – 209 (2.7 – 3.1% of total students), and the number of Hispanic students ranged from 249 – 292 (4.5% of total students). In 2016 – 2017, ASCO saw the number of Hispanic applicants rise to 261, but subsequent numbers again plateaued.
ASCO’s directors, members, and staff recognize that the schools and colleges of optometry are the place to start in order to expand the diversity of voices and perspectives serving the increasingly diverse patient population in North America. A more racially and ethnically diverse applicant pool can lead to greater diversity in the student body, followed by more diversity among faculty and practitioners who are enabled to offer more culturally-competent and culturally-responsive patient care.
Many studies have shown that patient outcomes are better when the provider population is more diverse, so attracting students from underrepresented backgrounds to a career in optometry supports the long-term capability of the profession to serve a population with increasing eye and vision care needs. As the percentage of racial and ethnic underrepresented groups in the general population grows, it becomes increasingly important that the members from those racial and ethnic groups recognize optometry as an attractive and vital career choice open to them.
ASCO’s strategic plan addresses challenges to diversity in optometric education, and identifies three main goals:
- Build awareness of the profession of optometry as a highly valued and rewarding career choice among prospective students and their influencers (namely, their parents and career advisors).
- Provide resources, support, and encouragement to faculty and administrators in building an inclusive organizational culture that welcomes diverse students who will feel like they belong in both their educational institutions and in the field of optometry.
- Support culturally competent training that enables students to provide top-quality care to an increasingly diverse population of patients.
ASCO’s Eye on Diversity initiative, supported by this new sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson Vision, will address all three goals.
Optometry Gives Me Life
In March 2019, the ASCO Board of Directors undertook the association’s largest initiative ever by launching its public awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life, to combat the decline in the number and diversity of the optometry applicant pool by raising awareness about what a career in optometry offers to college-aged students majoring in STEM fields, especially those from Black and Hispanic backgrounds.
“This campaign aims to diversify the profile of the optometry profession, with a diverse and qualified applicant pool that is competitive with other health professions for our nation’s best and brightest students from all backgrounds,” says Dr. Nichols.
“Metrics on the campaign from the past two full applicant cycles show promising early results, but there is still much work yet to do,” continues Dr. Nichols. “We are so very grateful for this partnership with Johnson & Johnson Vision and for their support of this critically important work.”
About ASCO
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) advances optometric education and research to enhance the health and well-being of the public. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, 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. A number of optometry schools outside the United States are affiliate and associate members.
About Johnson & Johnson Vision
At Johnson & Johnson Vision, part of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of eye health around the world. Through our operating companies, we deliver innovation that enables eye care professionals to create better outcomes for patients throughout their lives, with products and technologies that address unmet needs including refractive error, cataracts and dry eye. In communities with greatest need, we work in collaboration to expand access to quality eye care, and we are committed to helping people see better, connect better and live better. Visit us at www.jjvision.com. Follow @JNJVision on Twitter and Johnson & Johnson Vision on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Kimberly O’Sullivan Carlos Taveras
Director of Communications Communications Leader
kosullivan@opted.org Ctaveras@its.jnj.com
Media Alert
ASCO and Johnson & Johnson Vision Holds Joint Press Conference on Friday, March 11
New Orleans, LA — On Friday, March 11, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and Johnson & Johnson Vision invite members of the media to attend a joint press conference.
This event is being held in conjunction with the Southern Council of Optometrists, Inc. (SECO) 2022 convention.
Who: Johnson & Johnson Vision and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
What: Joint press conference to announce an unprecedented partnership between Johnson & Johnson Vision and ASCO
When: Friday, March 11 at 10:00 am Central Standard Time
Where: Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Booth (#1344) in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA in conjunction with SECO 2022*
How: If unable to attend in person, the event will be broadcast through Facebook Live. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/522140032675658/
*Masks are required in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Welcomes Two New Doctors of Optometry to its Optometry Gives Me Life Campaign
Campaign Results from First Two Application Cycles are Promising
ASCO’s national public awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life (OGML), which launched in March 2019, has added two new Doctors of Optometry to the campaign to keep the campaign creatively fresh as well as to show more about what optometrists can do and who they can be.
Dr. Linda Pham and Dr. Vishal Patel are the two new doctors selected to be featured along with the original doctors – Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, Dr. Muriel Martinez and Dr. Miki Lyn Zilnicki. Dr. Pham is a Doctor of Optometry at NECO Center for Eye Care in Boston. Dr. Pham’s parents are Vietnamese war refugees, which has really influenced Dr. Pham’s values, work ethic and determination. She is a black belt in Taekwondo and also enjoys traveling, kayaking and other sports.
“I feel honored to be a part of the Optometry Gives Me Life campaign,” says Dr. Pham. “My profession allows me to combine the things that are most important to me – travel, service to others, connecting with people from different cultural backgrounds, and having a good life balance where I can continue to grow as an individual and also spend time with the people that I love.”
“Optometry is a fascinating profession with many different specialty branches, from ocular disease to low vision or traumatic brain injury rehabilitation to specialty contact lenses and pediatrics, to name a few. I highly recommend optometry as a career option for those who are interested in healthcare or are majoring in STEM!” Dr. Pham continues.
Dr. Patel is a Doctor of Optometry at Milan Eye Center in Atlanta. Dr. Patel became an optometrist because he wanted to help people who can’t help themselves. He enjoys spending time with his loved ones and also playing any sport involving a ball, mostly soccer and basketball.
The goal of the OGML campaign is to increase the number of highly qualified applicants to optometry schools and colleges from a wider variety of demographic backgrounds, specifically Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino students, so Doctors of Optometry are better prepared to serve all communities.
“I’m so thrilled to join the Optometry Gives Me Life Campaign,” says Dr. Patel. “A career in optometry should be a strong consideration for anyone who is interested in having great work life balance while giving back to the community. Whether you are a STEM major in health care or not, Optometry may be the profession for you.”
Learn more about Dr. Pham and Dr. Patel on the refreshed website, FutureEyeDoc.org. Other campaign outreach occurs through specialized/targeted paid and social media outreach, videos, brochures and posters that target college-aged students with an interest in a STEM or health profession. In December, TikTok was added as a social platform and parents will be a secondary target.
Optometry Gives Me Life Metrics (March 2019 – June 2021)
For the first two OptomCAS application cycles since the campaign launched, the campaign’s metrics look promising. Data regarding the quantity, diversity and quality of the optometry applicant pool is noted below.
Results:
- Total Campaign metrics:
- 103,768,817 total ads have been displayed.
- 331,576 visits to the FutureEyeDoc.org website.
- 604,040 social engagements have been made with social ads such as likes, reactions, shares, comments or followers.
- 19 % video completion rate.
- 3,123 applicant leads (leads are sent to the schools and colleges to continue the outreach and recruitment process).
- 2019-2020 OptomCAS Application Cycle
- 7% increase in size of applicant pool.
- 10% in increase in year one of campaign of Black/African-American and Latino/Hispanic applicants (increased from 384 to 424 applicants).
- 83% of applicants had a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- 2020-2021 OptomCAS Application Cycle
- 7% increase in size of applicant pool.
- 18% increase in year two of the campaign of Black/African-American and Latino/Hispanic applicants (increased from 424 to 499 applicants).
- 81% of applicants had a 3.0 GPA or higher.
For more information about the OGML campaign, please contact Paige Pence, Director of Student and Residency Affairs at ppence@opted.org.
The campaign would not be at all possible without the contributions from all the schools and colleges of optometry, in addition to our very special OGML sponsors:
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is thrilled and very appreciative to announce the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) has donated $50,000 to ASCO’s public awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life (OGML).
OGML was launched in March 2019 and was developed due to a downward decline in recent years of qualified applicants to the first-year classes, and the lack of diversity amongst the applicants, of the 23 schools and colleges of optometry. The goals of the campaign are: to recruit at least two applicants with a GPA > 3.0 from their undergraduate institution(s) for every available training slot in a US-based optometry program; increase by 100% the number of highly qualified applicants from Hispanic/Latino and African American/Black backgrounds; and maximize the percentage/number of high school students who are aware of optometry
as a career option.
After two full application cycles, the results are promising. ASCO experienced a 4.7% increase in the just recently completed OptomCAS application cycle. This is on top of the 3.7% increase experienced in 2019-2020. The diversity of the applicant reached new heights as well. This is the first time that 6% of the applicant pool was African American/Black and 13% Hispanic/Latino. This was a 14.3% and 19.4% increase from last year.
“The American Academy of Optometry is proud to support ASCO’s on-going initiative towards increasing a diverse applicant pool for those wishing to pursue optometry as their career path,” says AAO President Timothy McMahon, OD, FAAO. “Students are the future of any profession, and as the continuing education association for optometrists seeking to practice at the highest levels of care, we are committed to ensuring we instill best practices as a part of their on-going education following graduation. Supporting their campaign demonstrates our commitment to students as they progress through their careers and increasing diversity within the profession.”
“Through their donation the Academy shows the value of our campaign to the optometric community and we couldn’t be more grateful,” says ASCO President Dr. Kelly Nichols. “Support from the Academy, along with industry and organization contributors, including all of the schools and colleges of optometry, will allow this campaign to continue and grow, reaching potential applicants for years to come. Our diversity efforts are a particularly important component to the campaign, mirroring the work of the Academy. ASCO is grateful to the membership and leadership of the Academy and for this generous gift.”
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announces the recipients of the 2021 Special Recognition Awards.
ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Douglas J. Hoffman is this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes an outstanding individual who, over an extended period of time, provided exceptional leadership to ASCO and to optometric education; made outstanding contributions to the optometric community; and displayed exemplary commitment and dedication to the association.
Within ASCO, Dr. Hoffman has served in several capacities including as Co-chair of the Residency Educators Special Interest Group, Chair of the ORMatch Committee, Chair of the Residency Titles Task Force and a member of the Residency Affairs Committee.
Dr. Hoffman earned his OD degree at the New England College of Optometry (NECO) and has been a longtime advocate for optometric residencies and community health center based optometry. He served as NECO’s Director of Residencies from 1985 to 2020 and was Director of Eye Care Services for 35 years at DotHouse Health, a Boston community health center.
“I am honored to be the recipient of the 2021 ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award. It is truly gratifying to be recognized by my peers and mentors,” says Dr. Hoffman. “ASCO has provided the blueprint and been a key facilitator as the quality, quantity and value of residencies have increased steadily. Residency trained optometrists make a difference for their patients every day while strengthening the profession and inspiring others to follow in their path. I am confident that the progress we have made will continue in the years ahead.”
Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award
This award was established in March 2000 to recognize an ASCO volunteer for an outstanding innovation to optometric education. The award was named in June 2000 in honor of Dr. Bennett, a creative leader in optometric education, who served as Dean at three optometric institutions.
One of ASCO’s two winners of this award this year, Dr. Linda Casser, graduated in 1978 from the Indiana University School of Optometry and completed a two-year primary care optometry residency program at the Wilson Health Center in Rochester, NY. From January 2009 through 2013, Dr. Casser served as Dean, Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), and subsequently Interim Associate Dean for the Practice of Optometric Medicine until August 2014. In 2015, she served as Interim Director of Education for the Physician Assistant Program, Salus University College of Health Sciences. Dr. Casser currently serves as a tenured professor at PCO as well as Coordinator of Interprofessional Education for Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
“It is a great honor for me to receive the 2021 Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award,” says Dr. Casser. “I am very appreciative of the wonderful support from Dr. John Nishimoto, current Chair of the ASCO Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) Committee, who very kindly nominated me, the ASCO Resolutions and Awards Committee, and the ASCO Board of Directors. Dr. Bennett was Dean at the Indiana University School of Optometry during my tenure on the faculty there, so it is very special to me that the Award is in his name given Dr. Bennett’s career-long dedication to optometric education.
I greatly value the efforts of ASCO on behalf of optometric education and our profession, and it is a sincere pleasure to continue serving in its volunteer structure. I extend heartfelt thanks, once again, to ASCO for honoring me as the recipient of the 2021 Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award.”
ASCO’s other winner in this category is Dr. Gary Chu, the Vice President of Professional Affairs at NECO. Dr. Chu received his Doctor of Optometry degree from NECO and his Masters of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
He has been in practice and optometric education for more than 25 years and is involved in the changing landscape of eye care, health care and public health. Dr. Chu has been in the forefront of eye care innovations through the development of collaborative partnerships with health systems, federally qualified health centers, social service agencies, government, school systems, health payors, optometry employer groups, ophthalmic industry and start-ups.
Dr. Chu has been immersed in the issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for more than ten years and has served on ASCO’s Diversity and Cultural Competency Committee. He is the founding Chair of ASCO’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Interest Group and was the guest editor for the Journal of Optometric Education’s theme issue on diversity and cultural competency in 2017.
“Thank you for this honor to be named a recipient of the 2021 Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award. I am speechless and in awe,” says Dr. Chu. “I can honestly say that this journey towards diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging has been a journey of self reflection and learning. I am glad to have had the opportunity to work and collaborate with the numerous colleagues from other schools and the staff of ASCO in wrestling through the issues of DEI. Each person has helped me emerge to become a better person who is comfortable in their own skin and collectively we have given others a voice and courage to know they belong in this profession. The work is not done and I look forward to our continued progress.”
ASCO Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Oculus, the ASCO Rising Star Award is given to an outstanding faculty member or administrator with less than seven years of service who has made noteworthy contributions to fulfilling the mission, strategic objections, or programs of ASCO. This year’s Rising Star awardee is Dr. Katherine Green.
Dr. Green is an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NOVA) where she serves as the Director of the Acquired Brain Injury Visual Rehabilitation Clinic as well as the coordinator for the Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Residency Program. Dr. Green precepts students in both the Pediatrics and Binocular Vision and the Low Vision Rehabilitation clinics.
Dr. Green received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry before moving to South Florida to complete a residency in pediatrics and binocular vision at NOVA. She is the current Chair of the ASCO Neuro-Optometric Rehab Educators Special Interest Group, a member of the ASCO Clinical Affairs Committee, and an active member of the College of Optometrists in Visual Development.
“I am incredibly honored to have been nominated and selected for this award,” says Dr. Green. “Having the opportunity to work with students and watch them grow into the future leaders of our profession is the highlight of my job. I look forward to working with ASCO to create amazing educational opportunities for our students as we continue to grow as a profession.”
Dr. Lester Janoff Award for Writing Excellence
The Dr. Lester Janoff Award for Writing Excellence recognizes the outstanding writing of a research article published in the ASCO Journal Optometric Education. The award is named in honor of Dr. Lester E. Janoff, Editor of the Journal from 2002-2005, and long-time member of the editorial review board who was known as an exceptional optometric educator, administrator, contact lens clinician and researcher. Dr. Janoff was also a beloved mentor of young writers.
This year’s Janoff Award is given to Dr. Elena Z. Biffi for her article, Interactive Multimedia Learning vs Traditional Learning in Optometry: a Randomized Trial, B-scan Example. The paper was published in the Summer 2019 issue of Optometric Education.
Dr. Elena Z. Biffi is currently an Associate Professor of Optometry at NECO and an Attending Optometrist at NECO Center for Eye Care/South Boston Community Health Center Eye Clinic.
Dr. Biffi is a first-generation immigrant and a first-generation doctoral student. She received her Bachelor of Science from University of Massachusetts summa cum laude, and earned her Doctor of Optometry and Master in Visual Sciences degrees from NECO in 2010.
“As the world shifted to remote learning over the past year, effective digital learning platforms have become even more crucial in providing effective educational experiences,” according to Dr. Biffi. “Interactive multimedia lectures can not only provide in-depth understanding of a topic, but also ensure greater student satisfaction. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of an interactive multimedia module designed to prepare graduate students for in-person training on the B-scan Ultrasound, a clinical diagnostic procedure commonly employed in optometry and ophthalmology.
In addition, the study provides a robust, easily implemented methodological framework for the integration of educational technology into in-person classrooms.”
ASCO Student Award in Clinical Ethics
This annual national award, sponsored by Alcon, is available to optometry students during any point of their professional program at an ASCO-affiliated school or college of optometry in the United States and Canada. The application consists of an essay of up to 1,500 words describing any one of the following scenarios:
- A patient based case-study that the student encountered as part of their clinical learning experience.
- A research based case scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning experience.
- A professional ethics based scenario that the student has encountered during their clinical or didactic learning.
ASCO and the Ethics Educators SIG are pleased to announce Dr. Tam Tran as the winner of the 2021 Student Award in Clinical Ethics. This annual national award provides the winner with a $1,000 award check and an acrylic engraved plaque.
Mr. Tran is a 2021 graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. His winning essay, The Ethical Muddle of Sick Notes: Can We Do Better? will be featured in an upcoming issue of ASCO’s Journal, Optometric Education.
“Many thanks to ASCO for selecting me as the recipient of 2021 Student Award in Clinical Ethics. It is my great honor,” says Tran. “As we transition from students to independent optometrists, we realize that practicing optometry in clinic is more complicated than solving technical cases in class, and we often find ourselves in ethical dilemmas. Thank you ASCO for providing this platform for optometry students to share our clinical experience and thoughts on navigating tough ethical situations. I would be extremely elated if my essay could contribute to optimizing the use of sick notes to better assist the workplace in supporting employees during and after sickness.”
All award winners will be acknowledged during ASCO’s virtual Annual Business Meeting on June 16, 2021. ASCO’s Annual Meeting is open to all who wish to attend. Register for the meeting at https://cvent.me/YPm5LE. Registrants will receive a link to attend the meeting soon after.
ASCO Talk, Listen, Care, Heal (TLCH)
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has scheduled a virtual Faculty Town Hall discussion following the guilty verdicts in the trial of Derek Chauvin (George Floyd).
WHEN: April 22, 2021. 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET.
DESCRIPTION: Faculty members from all ASCO institutions are invited to participate in a virtual town hall meeting being called by President John Flanagan and Dr. Ruth Shoge, Chair, ASCO’s DCC Committee on April 22nd, from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. ET. The focus of this event is to create a space for honest and open dialogue following the Derek Chauvin trial.
The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Ruth Shoge OD, MPH, FAAO (PCO) and Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr., OD, MPH, MBA (UCB’s DEIB Council and Senior Consultant with the Manna Group).
To join the meeting, please click this link: https://optometriceducation-org.zoom.us/j/96822931551?pwd=OFNseGErbkwvSmtmQmk2b0graTVMUT09
Meeting ID: 968 2293 1551
Meeting Passcode: 088082
We hope you will join us and share this invitation widely.
