Director's message

In his first message as director of the School of Optometry and Vision Science, Dr. Ben Thompson provides an update on the building of the Waterloo Eye Institute, welcomes new students and faculty, and details his own warm welcome both at the School and at the Canadian Association of Optometrists Congress in Halifax this summer. 

In his last director’s message for this newsletter, Dr. Stanley Woo looks back over his eight years leading the School of Optometry and Vision Science – and at the spirit of collaboration that enabled many accomplishments and set in motion multiple developments that promise to advance optometry and vision science in Canada.

Dr. Stanley Woo gives an update on the School’s activities during the conference season, including a special invitation to CE Weekend & Alumni Reunion (June 6-7 in Waterloo). Spring brings many opportunities to connect with the profession across the country.

Earlier this month, the newest cohort of optometrists, the class of 2028, entered the doors in Waterloo and began their journey into the profession. This class may be the first class of optometrists to begin their clinical practice within the Waterloo Eye Institute, set to open in 2026.   

Dr. Stanley Woo shares his thoughts on a busy schedule of significant events – the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI) groundbreaking, the Eye Data & AI Summit, Alumni CE Weekend, the Alumni of Honour Awards, Convocation, Spring Awards Ceremony and Graduation Celebration. These major milestones for our faculty, staff, students and community mark new starts and the flourishing of optometry and vision science in Canada.

Spring has sprung and with it a renewed enthusiasm for new growth and exciting opportunities in 2024. First and foremost, we’re excited that the day is truly arriving for the groundbreaking of the Waterloo Eye Institute! Our moonshot project has arrived to create a national centre of excellence to support education, research, patient care access, and community impact.

As the end of the year approaches, Dr. Stan Woo looks back and celebrates the School of Optometry and Vision Science’s achievements, including on Giving Tuesday. He also highlights recognition for students as well as for researchers Drs. William Ngo and Lyndon Jones. He then looks forward to the year ahead with an invitation to Alumni Weekend and highlights a new feature – Class Notes.

With plenty going on at the start of a new academic year, Director Stan Woo shares his thoughts on developments for the Waterloo Eye Institute, research and continuing education highlights, and how you can help the School of Optometry & Vision Science pull off a hat trick on Giving Tuesday 2023.

Director Stan Woo highlights the historic deal reached by the OHIP negotiation committee to allow for the final design and construction tender for the Waterloo Eye Institute. Along with more highlights, click here to view the Director’s full message.

It’s hard to believe that 2022 is coming to a close. The School of Optometry & Vision Science has experienced tumultuous times like many of you, but it is heartening to see how everyone is bouncing back. There is a renewed appreciation for opportunities to see each other in “3-D,” catching up on life and family, not just work, and a realization of how much we need each other to succeed.

Director Stanley Woo shares a few School updates over the Winter Term – including some continuing education tidbits and news on the Waterloo Eye Institute’s ground-breaking! 

It only takes a quick glance at the news to tell you that we live in a time of uncertainty. And here at the School, we’re certainly not sheltered from the winds of change.