New faculty
This year we have have two new faculty members joining our team. They are not new faces at the School, but it is an honour to welcome them in their new roles!
Andre Stanberry
Associate Clinical Professor; Clinic Director
Lacey Haines
Assistant Clinical Professor
New directions (retiring from the School)
Two long-standing members of our School community, Marilyn Smith (Clinical Faculty), and Dan Hayhoe (Associate Faculty) are retiring! The following two tributes were written by colleagues:
Dan Hayhoe
Clinical Supervisor, who was the lead in establishing and developing the Health Sciences Clinic in Kitchener, Ontario
Marilyn Smith
Faculty Clinical Lecturer
Honorary doctorate degree
Alan Tomlinson has received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo. He is research professor and was professor and head of the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University, as well as serving as director of the Centre for Vision in Health. His work has brought major improvements in contact lenses for patients with astigmatism, as well as in understanding the impacts of reduced oxygen on corneal health. Tomlinson is one of the longest-standing members of the International Society for Contact Lens Researchers, which consists of only the top 100 researchers in the field of contact lenses in the world. Alan had a serious stroke in 2013, which left him with disabilities. However he continues to contribute to the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) and is a member of their current Dry Eye Workshop (DEWSII).
Saskatchewan Optometric Foundation Supports Clinical Education
The School of Optometry & Vision Science was thrilled to receive a generous donation of $65,000 from the Saskatchewan Optometric Foundation (SOF) to help support the advancement of clinical education.
Established in 1973, the intent and the purpose of the SOF has always been to promote the vision welfare of the public and all connected with Optometry, to support education, research, public relations and the establishment of graduates into private practice. Through the Foundation and its donors, many organizations and Saskatchewan optometrists have benefited from its generosity.
With this gift the SOF will be dissolved. The Trustees felt the University of Waterloo is a worthy recipient of this final donation. “We consider an investment in the transformation and expansion of clinical education at the School as an opportunity for SOF to continue its purpose. The SOF Trustees wish to recognize the many Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists members and private donors who contributed to the SOF, for in reality they are the true donors,” said Trustee Dr. Robert Neumann.
In recognition of their gift, an Exam Room will be named in the Clinic once our project is complete. We look forward to celebrating their generosity and support of the School during this time of growth and need. Thank you to the Saskatchewan Optometric Foundation, the Saskatchewan Association of the Optometrists, our Saskatchewan alumni and friends and all of the donors who contributed to help make this gift possible. It is truly an investment in the next generation!
The First Canadian Interdisciplinary Vision Rehabilitation Conference - CIVRC
March 25-26, 2017.
Vision rehabilitation is on the move! In response to frequent requests for workshops and education on vision rehabilitation in Canada, Drs Labreche and Leat, in conjunction with the Centre for Sight Enhancement and a multi-disciplinary planning committee, are organising a first multidisciplinary weekend vision rehabilitation conference to be held at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. It is designed to be of interest to all professionals who are, or would like to be, involved in low vision rehabilitation: optometrists, ophthalmologists, OTs, orientation and mobility specialists, low vision therapists, opticians, vision resource teachers and others. The conference will include continuing education lectures and workshops. There are three prestigious keynote lecturers: Walter Wittich (Ecole d’optometrie, University of Montreal), Mary Warren (Director of the Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation program, University of Alabama at Birmingham), and Joan Stelmack (Director, Low Vision Service, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois). A trade show and art show are also included.
Don’t miss this inaugural weekend!
Dan Hayhoe, one of our clinical supervisors who was the lead in establishing and developing the Health Sciences Clinic in Kitchener, is retiring. Dan is from Smith Falls, Ontario. He did his undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo and then went on to graduate from the School of Optometry in 1974. He then completed a residency at UW in paediatrics and contact lenses and from 1976-77. Dan was then a lecturer in the Faculty of Science at the University of Benin, Nigeria, West Africa and graduated the first 5 Optometrists in Sub-Saharan Africa, outside South Africa. In 1977 he became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
Marilyn Smith has been at the School of Optometry & Vision Science for over 25 years and what a spectacular ride it has been!
