Dr. Stanley Woo receives prestigious award from Ontario Association of Optometrists for his contributions to the optometric profession
Mark Donnison, CEO of the OAO; Dr. Stanley Woo, director of the School; and Dr. Shaina Nensi, president of the OAO
The outgoing director of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, Dr. Stanley Woo, has received the prestigious President’s Award from the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO).
The President’s Award is given at the discretion of the OAO president, upon the advice of the board and staff, to individuals worthy of special recognition. Dr. Shaina Nensi, OAO president, presented the award at the annual OAO Symposium and InfoMart, held in Toronto at the end of March.
“Dr. Woo has made significant contributions to the advancement of optometry in Ontario and across the country,” said Nensi (OD ’16). “He has been a champion of education and research at the University of Waterloo, was a non-voting guest at the OAO board table and contributor to much thought leadership on important topics such as scope modernization and the future of optometry.”
Woo has been director of the School since 2017 and is finishing his second and final term on June 30. In addition to an OD from the University of California at Berkeley, he completed a master’s degree in vision science and a residency in low vision rehabilitation. He also holds an MBA with a concentration in medical and health care management.
People give Dr. Stanley Woo a standing ovation at the OAO Symposium and InfoMart 2025
Woo was a faculty member at the University of Houston College of Optometry and dean and professor at the Southern California College of Optometry before coming to Waterloo. He is a diplomate in Low Vision, American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and a diplomate with the American Board of Optometry (ABO).
At the University of Waterloo, he led multiple ambitious projects, including the building of the Waterloo Eye Institute, a once-in-a-generation renovation and expansion that will modernize patient care facilities, add research infrastructure and increase clinical education capacity once construction is finished in late 2026. He has also led efforts to partner with other organizations to increase access to eye care across Canada, particularly for Indigenous people, rural and remote communities, and underserved people in urban areas.
“Stan is recognized as much for his heart as he is for mind,” said Nensi. “He always has a smile on his face and is so caring about the success of the people around him. He has had a significant influence on many people's lives and careers, including my own.”
Woo will be on sabbatical once he is finished his term as director and will still be a professor at the School. He is looking forward to having more time to devote to research interests including eye data, oculomics, AI and teleoptometry.
“I’m humbled to be recognized for the great work of the talented students, staff and faculty at the School of Optometry and Vision Science,” said Woo. “The collaboration, friendship and fun has been truly rewarding. Together, we will continue to do great things for our patients and communities.”