Tell a Friend

Your Name :
Your Email :
Email To :
Comments :

The College of Optometry is very excited to welcome its first faculty member on July 1, 2008, Dr. Raymond Maeda, the Chief of Primary Care Optometry. Dr. Maeda joins WesternU from the Indian Health Service at Hu Hu Kam Memorial Hospital in Arizona where he was Chief of Optometry.

The College has recently hosted three very well-qualified individuals with expertise in key curricular areas for on-campus interviews and presentations. Each candidate had the opportunity to discuss interprofessional education with representatives from other Colleges within the University community. The College will be continuing its recruitment efforts to make sure that future positions are filled with the best candidates.

Association Membership

The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) accepted Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry as a member on May 6, 2008. ASCO is a non-profit education association that represents the interests of the schools and colleges of optometry. Membership will keep the College informed about new developments in optometric education and ongoing research and it will allow the College to be active participants on ASCO committees, special interest groups, and task forces.

Professional Representation and Networking

The College of Optometry has met with the following associations and organizations:

California Optometric Association Drs. Kurtz and Hoppe attended the California Optometric Association Keyperson Day in Sacramento, CA on April 15th. Keyperson Day allowed them to visit with the legislators and hear panel discussions regarding issues that will impact health care, to include the COA's sponsored bill, SB 1406 (Correa & Aanestad).

Lions Clubs International Foundation Dr. Hoppe attended and presented at the Lions Eye Health Program Long Range Planning Meeting in Chicago, IL April 24th - 25th.

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Drs. Kurtz and Haine attended ARVO's annual meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, FL April 26th - May 4th. Dr. Kurtz also sponsored a booth at ARVO's Career Fair.

American Optometric Association (AOA) Dr. Hoppe attended the AOA Spring Planning Conference May 1st - 4th in St. Louis, MO.

Inland Empire Optometric Society Drs. Hoppe, Haine, and Kurtz attended the Inland Empire Optometic Society meeting on June 11th.

ASCO Executive Committee and Board of Directors Meeting Dr. Hoppe attended her first Board of Directors meeting in Seattle, WA June 24th - 25th.

ASCO Chief Academic Officers Meeting Dr. Kurtz attended his first Chief Academic Officers Meeting in Seattle, WA on June 23rd. He also attended the Annual Leadership Luncheon with the Board of Directors on June 25th.

Specialty Practices

• Dr. Laurel Jensen, Clinical Director at TLC Laser Eye Centers visited the campus on April 23rd to discuss possible externships at her office in Ontario, CA.
• Drs. Hoppe and Kurtz attended a presentation/workshop at Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona, CA on May 30th hosted by Dr. Eric Ikeda. The attendees were primarily occupational therapists and the workshop covered their role in working with optometry as well as screening strategies and activities that are normally recommended by the OD.

Industry Relations

• Drs. Hoppe, Kurtz, and Haine visited Enhanced Vision in Huntington Beach, CA on April 17th
• Dr. Dave Hansen with Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) visited the campus on May 20th
• Mr. Gary Wattnem, Sales Manager with Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments visited the campus on June 4th
• Ms. Lisa Bujas with MiraMed Tech and Mr. Hans Behrens with Canela Software visited the campus on June 10th and presented a software demonstration for visual acuity tests.
• Dr. Ian Land and Mr. Mark Bruskin with OfficeMate Software Solutions visited the campus on June 19th and conducted a presentation of their Electronic Medical Records software

Student Recruitment

• Dr. Haine participated in a meeting with Chapman University on April 16th to discuss partnership opportunities for student recruitment
• The University coordinated with the College of Health and Human Services at Cal State LA to participate in a program with local health science magnet schools. Dr. Haine attended and participated in a short presentation at the networking/information reception.
• The College hosted threee Optometry Information Sessions on campus for prospective students. Several more are scheduled.

Professional Conferences

Optometry's Meeting (American Optometric Association AOA) Drs. Hoppe and Kurtz attended the AOA Optometry's meeting in Seattle, WA on June 26th - 27th.

Other Activities

The College hosted a reception on June 12th to share our vision and future partnership opportunities with local optometrists. The event was well attended with approximately 40 OD's, members of the California Optometric Association, and our local Assemblymember, Dr. Ed Hernandez.

Dr. Hoppe and Ms. Rees attended the first formal planning session for the 2010 6th International Congress of Behavioral Optometry (ICBO). Western University will be hosting the event with a Saturday morning session with approximately 350-400 attendees from all over the world.

Upcoming Events

ASCO Clinic Directors Workshop Dr. Haine will be attending in September, 2008.

College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) Drs. Kurtz and Haine will be attending the 2008 annual meeting in Palm Springs, CA in October, 2008.

American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Drs. Hoppe, Kurtz, and Haine will be attending the 2008 annual meeting in Anaheim, CA in October, 2008.

American Public Health Association (APHA) Dr. Hoppe will be attending the 2008 annual meeting in San Diego, CA in October, 2008.

Publications

Hoppe E. Focusing on Students, Optometric Education, 2008; 33(2):40.

McGinley B, Carlson N, Hoppe E. What were they thinking? Surveying study practices of entering students, Optometric Education, 2008; 33(2): 59-63.

Hoppe E. Preparing a Manuscript for Publication in the Professional World. Presented at the American Optometric Association Educators' Exchange, 6/27/2008, Seattle, WA.