What's new at the School!

Andre Stanberry completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario and subsequently earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University New York College of Optometry in New York City. Following graduation, he completed a residency in Ocular Disease and Family Practice at the East New York Diagnostic and Treatment Center.  Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Waterloo he was an Assistant Clinical Professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry.   Andre is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and Clinic Director at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science.

In addition to university based clinics, Andre has extensive experience in hospital based optometry and is Board Certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.  He has lectured both nationally and internationally in the areas of ocular disease and primary eye care.

Lacey Haines graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Math. She completed her Doctor of Optometry Degree at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science in 2012. Since graduating, Lacey has completed residency training in Cornea and Contact Lenses and is now pursuing a PhD in Vision Science at WOVS. She also recently became a fellow of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators before joining the School's faculty as an Assistant Clinical Professor.  Clinical and research interests include anterior segment imaging, specialty contact lens fitting, surgical treatment of keratoectasia and management of contact lens complications.

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.

Dan Hayhoe has been running a successful practice in Cambridge and Erin, Ontario since 1978 and has continued to stay on at the School as a part-time clinical supervisor; taking on the  leadership role of establishing and developing the Health Sciences Clinic in Kitchener. At this satellite Clinic optometry works side by side with a Family Health Team and the McMaster University Michael DeGroote School of Medicine to provide collaborative teaching and interprofessional care to the patients they serve. It is a tremendous model for providing patient care and has been a success due in large part to the efforts of Dr. Hayhoe. With his guidance, the Kitchener Clinic continues to grow and expand to meet the needs of the diverse patient population of the area. 

This would seem to be a full-time job in itself, but Dan and his wife Christine have another passion; providing education, eye and health care to communities in need in Africa. This is a cause they, with their five children, have devoted their lives to, and have visited Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi annually from 1976-2013. In 1994, they co-founded Future Vision Ministries with the mandate of whether in Canada or Africa is to minister to the needs of the whole person, Spirit, Soul and Body, through creative and relevant programming within the framework of their social/ethnic heritage.

In 1995 Dan and Christine co-founded the Matunkha Centre for Rural Orphan Care and Development in Northern Malawi- Central Africa.  The Centre strives to encompass a full range of activities and services including: a community based orphan care; a Primary School; a Secondary School Scholarship Fund; HIV- AIDS Home based care and advocacy and education throughout the region; clean water for 62 villages; agricultural and vocational training; built a rural nursery schools in the region for pre-school orphans; provide nutritional supplements and disaster relief; and has university education funding.

From 2007 to present, Dan and Chris have facilitated the development of Taulo and Nandolo Centres for Early Childhood Development in Southern Malawi and actively support ECD in these two regions through local leadership. The programs include: daily feeding of 600 preschool children; the construction of two nursery schools; well drilling; sustainable agriculture; vocational training and income generating activities for the Empowerment of Women; HIV – AIDS awareness, voluntary testing, counseling and referral; pastoral care and counseling in 23 villages; educational assistance and capacity building, including a fund for secondary and post-secondary students; and eyecare, a program which began in April, 2013 and is a collaborative effort to provide free eyecare (glasses, medical treatment and surgery) to 23 villages.

Much of what Dan has been able to accomplish both at the University of Waterloo’s Health Sciences Clinic and in Africa stems from his passion and ability to build relationship with healthcare and education leaders. To further build on this, Dan takes Up to four final year Waterloo interns to spend 6 weeks at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi providing care as part of their PC -1 rotation at the Lions Sight First Eye Centre.

Dan has been recognized for his efforts and received one of the University of Waterloo’s 50th Anniversary Awards and has received the Distinguished Teaching Award as a Clinical Supervisor for the last two years.

We wish Dan all the best in retirement, and the new directions that it brings!