In this section of the Insight alumni newsletter, we invite you to share your personal updates with other Optometry & Vision Science alumni, up to a maximum of 100 words, with an optional photo. We’d all love to hear about your weddings, babies, retirements, achievements, milestones and anything else you’d like to share. Please submit your updates using the Class Notes form.
Logan Chernoff (OD ’25) and Wayne Chernoff (OD ’98)
Dr. Logan Chernoff was featured in Discover Estevan (Saskatchewan) as a returning hometown optometrist. He is now practicing with his father, Dr. Wayne Chernoff, at the Estevan Eye Clinic. “It takes a village, and I’m more than happy to come back and help the people that helped me out,” he said in the article.
Sharon Ling and Audrey Li (both OD ’25)
Drs. Sharon Ling and Audrey Li, both Ontario natives, joined North Peace Optometry in beautiful Fort St. John, northeastern British Columbia. The two friends started their new jobs in September and were profiled on the clinic’s social media. Check out what Ling and Li said about their new lives on Instagram! Photo courtesy North Peace Optometry.
Koa Jaques (OD ’25)
Dr. Koa Jaques was featured in the Victoria Times Colonist for her return to Oak Bay Optometry, where she began as an optometric assistant when she was in high school and later went into optical dispensing. She says in the article she’s thrilled to be back in Victoria, this time as an OD.
Mana Monfared (PhD ’25)
Dr. Mana Monfared recently joined Specsavers Canada as a clinical support consultant for the East Ontario region. In this role, she supports partners and clinical teams in delivering high-quality patient care and helping to strengthen clinical operations across stores. She says: “I’m grateful to continue contributing to the field in a role that blends clinical practice, education, and leadership. I look forward to staying connected with the Waterloo Optometry community as I begin this next chapter.” Contact Mana Monfared.
Jonah Toulch (OD ’23)
Dr. Jonah Toulch at his team at Q.E.D. Eyewear won a SILMO d’Or, the ultimate accolade for the international optics and eyewear sector. The award for the “PHI” frame is in the Technological Innovation in Eyewear category. Says Toulch, who calls himself “a proudly independent, third generation optometrist in Montréal”:
“We won this award for developing the simplest, most optician-friendly mounting system for rimless eyewear ever. Our system addresses many of the well-known issues associated with traditional rimless mounting such as fragile bushings, adhesives, loosening over time, and frequent breakage at drill points while offering superior stability, durability, and efficiency for opticians.”
Jessica Wood (OD ‘22), Lisa Morrison (OD ‘16), Shaina Nensi (OD ‘16), Sophia Leung (OD ‘14), Devan Trischuk (OD ‘11), Averi Van Dam (OD ‘11), Mark Kepes (OD ‘10), Tanya Dillon (OD ‘06), Allison Scott (OD ‘06), Bronwyn Mulherin (OD ‘04), Troy Brady (OD ‘99), Heather Hunter (OD ‘99) and Carolyn Acorn (OD’96)
The above-named optometrists, along with current third-year student Thaksha Sritharan, were among the 25 people who participated in the Canadian Association of Optometrists inaugural Leadership Development training in Edmonton in October. The participants included CAO Council members and representatives from provincial associations. The program offered practical sessions on leadership, teamwork, communication, and strategies to shape the future of optometry with confidence. CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson supported the CAO initiative. Photo courtesy CAO.
Jordan Dyker (OD ’20)
Dr. Jordan Dyker was featured on CTV’s Your Morning Winnipeg explaining how diabetes can affect your eyesight and why early eye exams matter.
Fred Cho (OD ’16)
Dr. Fred Cho spoke at a UWaterloo CAOS event on October 30. His talk, titled “Travel and Rural Optometry: Building a Career You Love,” shared his story of burnout and how he found meaning and freedom through travel optometry. Licenced in multiple provinces across Canada, he’s also a speaker, writer, and podcast host driven by a single question: How can optometrists find more meaning and freedom? Check out his website and blog.
Jayne Cation (OD ’12)
Dr. Jayne Cation was featured in Collingwood Today in the article, “Five eye-health habits everyone over 40 should start now.”
Jake Kelly and Angie Machmer (both OD ’10)
Drs. Jake Kelly and Angie Machmer were featured on CTV’s Your Morning Saskatchewan in a segment about why Children’s Vision Month (October) is important.
Mark Eltis (OD ’03)
Dr. Mark Eltis was featured on CBC, in his capacity as president of the College of Optometrists of Ontario to talk about scope of practice, and separately on Global News to talk about a trial for an implant for people with macular degeneration.
Roxanne Arnal (OD’95)
Dr. Roxanne Arnal, a former optometrist and now a certified financial planner, spoke to Kelsey Gagnon, the School’s associate director of advancement, for an article in Optik Magazine about charitable giving and the tax advantages available to donors. She also wrote about her conversation with Gagnon for her business’s blog.
Trevor Miranda (OD ’95)
Dr. Trevor Miranda had an article published in Optik Now, "Giving Back: A Core Privilege of Our Profession." He was also the first guest on a new CAO webinar series on technology and AI. The webinar was titled, "Three Ways to Integrate Technology and AI Into Your Practice." He is the host of the Optometry Unleashed podcast series and recently spoke virtually to the University of Waterloo Advancement of Independent Optometry Club in a talk titled “Top 10 Tips to Private Practice Success.”
Stewart McLeod (OD ’75)
Dr. Stewart McLeod was profiled in the Penticton Herald as a third-generation optometrist who recently celebrated 50 years of practice. He was part of a group that co-founded FYidoctors. His father, the late Clyde McLeod (OD '43) practised for 53 years. His grandfather, Murdoch McLeod, was also an optometrist, according to the article. Now his son Ben is a first-year student at the School. When he graduates in three years, he'll become the fourth generation of McLeods in optometry.
Peter McGuigan (OD ’75), Neil Starko (OD ’75) and Brian Trump (OD ’74)
Drs. Peter McGuigan, Neil Starko and Brian Trump were recently celebrated at the Alberta Association of Optometrists (AAO) annual conference for 50 years practising in Alberta. (Trump spent a year practising in Saskatchewan before moving to Alberta.) Congratulations on the milestone! Photos courtesy AAO.
David Williams (OD ’66)
Dr. David Williams, a professor emeritus of the School, recently wrote a book, Eyefacets: The Eye from Many Angles, based on his 50 years of clinical experience. It is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle format. Says Williams: “I really do believe that, if someone were considering a career in the ophthalmic field, this book could be useful.”
Al Starko (OD ’50)
We recently learned Dr. Al Starko passed earlier this year at the age of 100. Sincerest condolences to his family. Read his obituary.