(L to R) Kristine Benne, Dr. Farshid Amir, Amy Belloli-Conner, Dr. William Miller, Dr. Timothy Wingert.
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CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.—ABB Optical Group announced that the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry won the first University Education Challenge, a program hosted by ABB Optical and Paragon Vision Sciences to support aspiring optometrists. The school received a $5,000 unrestricted educational grant.

UIW won based on the attendance and survey results of a webinar created and presented by third-year student Amy Belloli-Conner, which focused on the importance of contact lens cleaning and compliance after physical activities such as color runs and water slide adventures. Faculty members Farshid Amir, OD, and William Miller, OD, oversaw her efforts.

“We decided to take what might not be a most interesting topic and spice it up to make it more relatable and engaging,” said Belloli-Conner, president of UIWRSO’s Contact Lens Society. “Although races are fun, everyone should be mindful of bacteria that can harbor on contact lenses after participating in events like that, as well as the steps that can be taken to avoid negative effects.”

Other schools that participated in the challenge included runner-up Indiana University School of Optometry, the New England School of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry, Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Southern College of Optometry and the University of Missouri College of Optometry.