In this new 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. To start us off, we have gathered publicly available information about our alumni, but for next time, we look forward to hearing about your weddings, babies, retirements, achievements, milestones and anything else you’d like to share. Please submit your updates using our Class Notes form.
Drs. Rachel Amaral (OD ’20) and Rob Town (OD ’82)
Rachel Amaral and a colleague, Dr. Megan Byer, took over an Orillia, Ontario, practice, Town Eye Care, following the retirement last year of founder Dr. Rob Town (OD ’82). Both the practice’s new optometrists are residency-trained in ocular disease. Rachel is also pursuing a master’s in public health for family and community medicine at the University of Toronto on top of her daily work as an optometrist.
Drs. Darcy Dennis (OD ’17) and Judith LeRoy (OD ’98)
Darcy Dennis joined Family Eyecare, the practice where she was a longtime patient growing up in Saanich, in the Greater Victoria Area. She joins Drs. Judith LeRoy (OD ’98) and Nazima Sangha in the practice. During her time at Waterloo, Darcy travelled to Peru on a VOSH trip and served as an event organizer for Optometry Giving Sight, a global fundraising initiative targeting impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error.
Dr. Kevin Hesterman (OD ’00)
Kevin Hesterman passed away on October 19 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. He was a managing partner at Red Deer Eye Care. He was a 2009 recipient of an Alberta Association of Optometrists(AAO) Service Award and member of AAO Council from 2014-20. He was also an avid triathlete, coach and family man. With support from optometrists across the country, the School of Optometry & Vision Science has set up the Kevin Hesterman Memorial Fund to honour his memory and contributions to the profession through support to the Waterloo Eye Institute.
Class of 1983
The Class of 1983 (see banner image above) held a 40th anniversary reunion in Niagara-on-the-Lake from October 12-14. A total of 23 class members, including Dr. Patricia Hrynchak, a clinical professor at the School, attended. Attendees had a great time and made a class donation to the Waterloo Eye Institute. Thanks to the organizers, Scott Mundle and Michelle Georgi.
Dr. Ray Wagg (OD ’78)
Ray Wagg passed away on October 2 after a brief illness. Originally from Huntsville, Ontario, he settled in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia after his studies to go into practice with his business partner and friend Jack MacLeod (OD ’78). He was formerly president of the Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists, was very involved in his community and was much loved by his children, grandchildren and extended family.
