SUNY College of Optometry’s CSTEP Program Receives INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine’s 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

By Staff
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 12:15 AM NEW YORK—SUNY College of Optometry's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program Program has received the 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

SUNY College of Optometry's Series on 'Race in Optometry' is Now Available to View Online

By Staff
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 12:15 AM NEW YORK—SUNY College of Optometry's Office of Continuing Professional Education recently held the Annual Race in Optometry webinar, now in its third year.

National Vision Awards $7,000 in Scholarships to National Optometric Student Association Members and Receives Founder’s Award at 2023 Convention

By Staff
Monday, July 24, 2023 12:21 AM DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision, Inc. announced the winners of its 2023 National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) scholarships, awarding a total of $7,000 to three optometry students, including one repeat winner.

National Optometric Association (NOA) Annual Convention Kicks Off This Week, July 6-9, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

By Staff
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 12:27 AM CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The National Optometric Association (NOA), a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of minority populations and serving underprivileged communities, is kicking off its annual convention, the 2023 NOA Convention this week, July 6 - July 9 at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort here.

Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Affirmative Action in College Admissions Creates Concerns and Renewed Commitment from Optometry Groups

By Staff
Friday, June 30, 2023 12:27 AM NEW YORK—The United States Supreme Court's momentous decision yesterday to strike down affirmative action and consideration of race in college admissions had been predicted by many law experts for some time. But the reality of the decision and its implications, as interpreted by states, communities, education institutions as well as some health care and businesses, are in process now and likely to be for some time. The impact of the Court's 6-3 decision on existing and ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is prompting groups in the optometry arena to also reassess how they can correctly pursue the goals of boosting diversity and equity goals in the profession moving forward.

American Optometric Association Signs the 13% Promise, to Advance Opportunities for Today and Tomorrow's Black Optometrists

By Staff
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 12:30 AM WASHINGTON D.C.—At last week's Optometry's Meeting, the American Optometric Association's (AOA) board of trustees convened with the Black EyeCare Perspective (BEP) executive team for the first in-person gathering between the leaders, addressing the importance of moving the profession forward and action-oriented strategies to create opportunities for today and tomorrow’s Black optometrists, while working toward and building a robust applicant pool. The AOA announced that AOA president Ronald L. Benner, OD, on behalf of the organization, took an historic step, signing the 13% Promise with Black EyeCare Perspective leaders Adam Ramsey, OD, Darryl Glover, OD, Essence Johnson, OD, and Jacobi Cleaver, OD.

Next 'Race in Optometry' Panel from SUNY College of Optometry to Examine ‘Headwinds - Exploring Emerging Barriers to Success’ on June 28

By Staff
Friday, June 23, 2023 12:21 AM NEW YORK—SUNY College of Optometry's Office of Continuing Professional Education will conduct another webinar in its three-year series designed to stimulate a national conversation on race and equity within the profession of optometry.

Lack of Men of Color Graduating From the Health Professions Declared a Crisis by Association CEOs

By Staff
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 12:30 AM NEW YORK and ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) has declared the low number of historically underrepresented men of color (HUMOC) graduating and entering the health care professions a national crisis. Representing CEOs of national academic health professions associations, FASHP has released a consensus statement addressing this critical issue, and is calling on local and national educational, health care, governmental and community leaders to raise awareness regarding this critical issue and to identify barriers and provide resources to dramatically increase the number of men of color graduating from the health professions. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s (ASCO) Dawn Mancuso, MAM, CAE, FASAE is executive vice president and CEO is president of FASHP.

National Vision Launches See Inside Frame Collection to Highlight Mental Health Awareness

By Staff
Monday, May 1, 2023 12:18 AM DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision, Inc. has recognized the start of Mental Health Awareness Month this month with the launch of its new limited edition See Inside frame collection, designed to bring attention to the importance of mental health.

VSP Vision and Black EyeCare Perspective Establish 'Empowering Equity' Scholarship

By Staff
Thursday, April 27, 2023 12:21 AM RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision and Black EyeCare Perspective have announced the creation of the “Empowering Equity Scholarship,” which will provide $15,000 scholarships to a pair of eligible optometry students.

Black EyeCare Perspective to Host 3rd Annual Signing Day on April 25, to Recognize New and Future Black Optometrists

By Staff
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 12:21 AM PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.—Black EyeCare Perspective, founded by optometrists Drs. Adam Ramsey and Darryl Glover, was designed, and created to cultivate and foster lifelong relationships between African Americans and the eyecare industry. Along with Drs. Essence Johnson (executive director), Jacobi Cleaver (chief program officer) and Tiffany Humes (business transformation manager), Black EyeCare Perspective is redefining the color of the eyecare industry 1 percent at a time by creating a pipeline for Black students into optometry.

CFDA Eyewear Designers Launch 2023 Pride Collection With Percentage of Proceeds to Benefit the TransLatin@ Coalition

By Staff
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 12:18 AM NEW YORK—In honor of Pride Month in June, five independent CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) eyewear designers are uniting to launch the second annual edCFDA Pride Eyewear Initiative.

VSP Vision Releases Inaugural Social Responsibility Impact Report

By Staff
Thursday, February 16, 2023 12:18 AM RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision has released its 2022 Impact Report, which spotlights key initiatives undertaken by the organization in alignment with its decades-long commitment to social responsibility.

Rock4Sight to Return to Vision Expo East 2023

By Staff
Monday, January 30, 2023 12:21 AM NEW YORK—Rock4Sight 2023, will be back at the Hard Rock Café to celebrate the optical industry and raise funds for ECN Purpose, a 501c3 Charity dedicated to providing both eye health education and connection to vision care to the underserved. The party begins on Saturday, March 18 at 8:30 pm at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, New York City. As in the past, this will be a fun night of music, dancing, camaraderie and industry fellowship, however, this year features a new twist.

ARVO Foundation Announces 2023 Recipient of Genentech Career Development Award for Underrepresented Minority Emerging Vision Scientists

By Staff
Friday, January 20, 2023 12:15 AM ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation has announced the winner of the 2023 Genetech Career Development Award for Underrepresented Minority Emerging Vision Scientists. Edmund Arthur, OD, PhD, will receive a two-year grant totaling $100,000 to support research and personnel costs for establishing an independent vision research program. The Genentech Award is intended to provide early-career URM investigators with an opportunity to explore novel and innovative research project ideas.