DALLAS—The Optical Women's Association (OWA) has announced this year's Connection Series event featuring The White House Doctor, with author Dr. Connie Mariano, to be held at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 23, from noon - 1:30 p.m. (PST). The White House Doctor, one of OWA’s 2021 annual book selections, recounts Dr. Mariano’s nine years of serving under three sitting presidents. She participated in world headline-making news events and travelled all over the world, caring for dignitaries and members of the First Family.

Dr. Mariano will be available after her talk for a book signing. OWA members can bring their book for signing or purchase a book there, the OWA noted.

The OWA also said it will take the opportunity at the luncheon to recognize its  2020 Leadership Scholarship recipients: Jasmine Broussard, Stephanie Espinosa, Cathy Firman, Kristen Reynolds Hopper, Kylie Matya, Sandra Mohr, Courtney Myers, Arlene Rinaldi, and Kathie Sapnas.

Dr. Mariano has many notable achievements, among these: the first military woman to become the White House Physician to the President, the first woman Director of the White House Medical Unit and the first Filipino American in U.S. history to become a Navy Rear Admiral.

After leaving the White House in 2001, Dr. Mariano became a consultant in the Executive Health Program at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale from July 2001 to October 2005. In November 2005, she founded the Center for Executive Medicine, a medical concierge practice which provides presidential-quality medical care to CEOs and their families.

The OWA Connections Series event will be held at the Venetian Level 2 - Titian, Rm 2302. The cost is $35 for OWA members, $40 for non-members. Everyone is welcome and a boxed lunch will be served, OWA said, noting that seating will be limited so advance registration is required. Registration/RSVPs are requested by Sept. 17th here.

The OWA emphasized, "Our members' health and safety is our absolute top priority, so we are working closely with the Vision Council and the Venetian Resort to ensure that all necessary precautions are being taken to help support a safe environment for attendees. For more information on the guidelines and protocols as outlined by the CDC and VisionSAFE, please click here.

Founded in 1997 as a non-profit, the Optical Women’s Association is committed to supporting and promoting the professional development of women involved in all facets of the optical industry. As the vision of the OWA evolves and expands, it maintains the focus of the OWA’s founding principles and core mission: to enhance and promote the leadership role of women in the optical industry through networking, education and peer support.