The pumpkins and pumpkin spice lattes are out and the fall term is in full swing with a new cohort of bright Optometry students eagerly learning. It’s been a busy time for faculty and staff as well, with a highlight being a significant gift announcement enabling us to turn a corner in our fundraising for the Waterloo Eye Institute. If you missed the event, you can watch the recording on YouTube.
In this edition of the Insight newsletter, you will find a feature on the research of one of our newer faculty members, Dr. Jennifer Hunter, who returned to us last year, 15 years after completing a University of Waterloo PhD in vision science and physics. Her work aims to use imaging of cell layers at the back of the eye to ultimately treat eye disease earlier and prevent vision loss.
We’re also profiling alumnus Dr. Joshua Smith (OD ’13), who has had a varied career in optometry in the 10 years since he graduated. From working in post-stroke visual neurorehabilitation to helping open a hospital in rural Ghana, Josh has had an interesting journey you can learn more about in the article.
In the “In the News” section, we are highlighting some recent retirements of people whose names you might recognize – Dr. Marlee Spafford, Marie Amodeo, John Haney, Rosemary Morrison and Marilyn Thom. We were sad to see these long-serving employees go but are happy for them as they seek out new adventures. We wish them all the best in retirement.
Finally, I’d like to draw your attention to a couple of upcoming events. First, many of us are busy preparing for the Waterloo Eye Institute Annual Fall Conference and Trade Show, to be held in Markham November 3-5. The event will include 20 hours of in-person continuing education for optometrists and six hours for optometric assistants and staff. Hope to see many of you there.
Second, our Advancement team is busy planning Giving Tuesday 2023, November 28. Both last year and the year before, the School of Optometry & Vision Science led the way, raising more money than any other division. I would love to see us pull off a hat trick. Stay tuned for info on how you can help.
Best wishes,
Dr. Stanley Woo
Director, School of Optometry & Vision Science
