The University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science is pleased to announce generous gifts from the Alberta Association of Optometrists ($200,000), Manitoba Association of Optometrists ($50,000) and the Saskatchewan Assocation of Optometrists ($50,000) in support of the Waterloo Eye Institute.
This significant investment from these professional associations will support initiatives that ensure Canadian optometrists can be trained at the highest scope of practice in North America – both presently and in the future.
For the Alberta Association of Optometrists (AAO), advancing the scope of optometric practice through the School’s continuing professional development offerings was a key motivator in making this gift. “The AAO saw this donation as an ideal way to celebrate its one-hundreth anniversary and support the advancement of our profession through the creation of advanced scope of practice resources and facilities at the University of Waterloo,” said AAO President Dr. Richard Cowles. “This training for advanced procedures will translate into expanded eye care that Canadian optometrists can deliver to patients.”
“We extend our sincerest thanks to Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan for their partnership and investment in the future of our profession,” says School director Dr. Stanley Woo. “Canadian optometrists have always been very forward-thinking and have advocated for ‘education before legislation’ within our profession for many years. We’re excited to have the opportunity to collaborate on advanced scope initiatives that will better serve our patients, and better reflect our abilities as optometrists across Canada.”
For more information about UWOVS’ Advanced Procedures Certificate Programme, please visit here.
Dr. Richard Castillo teaching radiosurgical techniques to two Advanced Procedures program participants.