News

Dr. Ben Thompson’s summer message highlights celebratory moments, recent losses and the strong connection between our alumni community and the School. This edition features information about the School’s premier continuing education event, progress on the Waterloo Eye Institute, research impact and faculty updates. Be sure to read the P.S. to learn about an opportunity to sing, dance and celebrate with the optometry’s favourite band.

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.