By Staff
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 12:15 AM
ST. LOUIS—The
World Optometry Foundation (WOF), the
World Council of Optometry’s Foundation, has announced the first-ever recipients of the World Optometry Foundation Student Travel Fellowships. This program was started in 2019 as a way to encourage optometry students to further their education by providing a $1,250 stipend for travel expenses for the 3
rd World Congress of Optometry and Academy 2019 Orlando joint meeting held October 23-27, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. WOF Student Travel Fellowships were presented during the International Reception on Friday, October 25, 2019 during the joint meeting.
By Staff
Monday, November 18, 2019 12:15 AM
BALTIMORE—
Versant Health, a leading national managed eye health and vision plan company, has announced its sponsorship of LPGA professional Lizette Salas, a graduate of the University of Southern California. Since joining the women’s professional LPGA golf tour in 2012, Salas has earned 29 career Top 10 finishes, including winning the Kingsmill Champion tournament in 2014. Additionally, she was a member of the Solheim Cup team in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Currently, Salas is ranked No. 13 in the Top 100 Money List, No. 18 in the Rolex Ranking, and No. 25 in the CME Ranking. She also was featured in the LPGA’s Drive On campaign with her
“Where I Come From” video.
By Staff
Friday, November 15, 2019 12:21 AM
HARRISBURG, Pa.—
MacuLogix Inc., a company that equips eyecare professionals with instruments, tools and education to effectively diagnose and treat patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), appointed Christine Silverberg, MBA, BSN, RN, as director of national accounts. In this role, Silverberg will lead business development and partnerships across the industry to make “dark adaptation” testing more readily available to consumers across the U.S., according to an announcement earlier this week. “Christine brings a depth and breadth of experience calling on the C-Suites of major independent delivery networks and accountable care organizations in the U.S.,” president and chief executive officer William McPhee said in the announcement. “Her knowledge of population health, business operations and data analytics to execute successful programs in corporate settings will be invaluable in supporting our mission.”
By Staff
Monday, November 11, 2019 12:16 AM
SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass.—For the tenth year, the
Opticians Association of Massachusetts(OAM) held their annual meeting at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center at the site of the former American Optical Company on Nov. 2 and 3. As part of the weekend, a tribute was held at the
Optical Heritage Museum for the late Charles Walsh, where a plaque was installed in his honor. Chuck Walsh, who was the founding program director for the opticianry program at Worcester Industrial Technical Institute and taught there for 32 years, passed away last year. Friends and family attended the event, as did some of Walsh's former students. The students said he was the best teacher they ever had, adding that they now have successful careers because of him, Diane Matuck of the association told VMAIL. "Through education and support of his state association, Chuck dedicated his career to the advancement of opticianry. Dr. William Underwood of the
National Academy of Opticianry awarded Walsh their highest honor, the Hall of Fame award, to his family at the tribute for his contributions to education," she noted.
By Staff
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 7:00 AM
NEW YORK—Time is running out to vote in this year’s 11th annual EyeVote Readers’ Choice Awards—voting will end tomorrow, Nov. 8 at 11:59 p.m. The Readers’ Choice Awards are sponsored by
Vision Monday and
20/20 Magazine. The two Jobson Medical Information publications have teamed up once again to collect readers’ opinions by asking optical retailers’ and ECPs to
identify their favorite products in 16 distinct categories.
By Staff
Friday, October 25, 2019 12:18 AM
CARLSBAD, Calif.—
Spy Optic announced that Joe Freitag has returned to the brand in the newly created role of vice president of brand. Freitag originally joined Spy in 1999 as part of the marketing team. Prior to his return, he held multiple senior level positions in the industry, including general manager and director of product at
Kaenon and global brand director at
Arnette Eyewear. In his new role at Spy, Freitag will be responsible for the guidance and alignment of Spy’s marketing and product strategy on a global level, the company said in a statement.
By Staff
Thursday, October 24, 2019 12:21 AM
PORT CHESTER, NY—Long-time
Zyloware Eyewear employee and optician Frank Albhon died Oct. 13, Zyloware announced. Albhon, who was 64, was an integral part of Zyloware’s Quality Assurance team.
By Staff
Tuesday, October 22, 2019 12:24 AM
GOLDEN, Colo.—Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has established a new Board of Directors to oversee the organization, according to an announcement. Dr. Juan Carlos Aragon, president of CooperVision’s Specialty Eye Care Division, is the president of the new board. He previously served as Optometry Giving Sight’s chair of their Advisory Council U.S.A. and the Global Board for several years. Joining Dr. Aragón on the board are: Dr. Howard Purcell, president and CEO of the New England College of Optometry; Yvette Waddell, CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation; Dr. Susan Cooper, former president of the World Council of Optometry; and Dr. Earl Smith, former Dean of the University of Houston College of Optometry.
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By Staff
Friday, October 18, 2019 12:15 AM
ATLANTA—Craig Johnson has joined contact lens maker
Visioneering Technologies Inc.(VTI) in the role of quality specialist, based in their Alpharetta, Ga. headquarters. Johnson will be responsible for ongoing management of field quality activities including materials copy review administration and tracking, label inspection and control, sales team training, complaint handling and customer feedback. “Craig’s background makes him an ideal match for our company,” said Brian Lane, chief financial officer. “He brings significant knowledge of the quality role which is critical to VTI’s growth in the near future. We are happy to have him as a part of our team.”
By Staff
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 12:15 AM
BALTIMORE, Md.—David Hall, former CEO of managed vision care vision care company
Spectera/United HealthCare Vision, passed away at home on September 6, following a brief illness. He was 67 years old. Hall had led the growth of Baltimore-based Spectera from a small, regional vision care plan into one of the nation’s largest plans with over $450 million in revenue at the time of his retirement in 2007. Hall also fostered the sale of Spectera to health care giant United Health Group in 2001 and continued as CEO of UHG’s United HealthCare vision care and dental divisions until his retirement.
By Staff
Monday, September 30, 2019 12:18 AM
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—Last week, The
Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA) announced the six winners of their awards for contributions to the area of neuro optometric rehabilitation. The winners—five individuals and one organization—were recognized at NORA’s 28th Annual Conference, which took place in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year’s winner for NORA’s awards for contributions to the area of neuro optometric rehabilitation are Eric Singman, MD, Ph.D. and Patrick Quaid, Optometrist, FCOVD, Ph.D.; the Concussion Legacy Foundation; DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD; Curt Baxstrom, OD FCOVD, FAAO; and Gary Esterow.
By Staff
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 12:18 AM
STEVENSON, Md.—The
Maryland Optometric Association (MOA) has announced its full list of award winners for 2019. This year’s winners will be honored during the MOA’s two-day Annual Convention, which will take place from Nov. 2-3, 2019, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. More than 400 doctors of optometry from throughout the state are registered to attend this year’s MOA Annual Convention, which the Association says is a “historic, sell out crowd.”