SUNY College of Optometry Is Recognized for Diversity and Inclusion With HEED Award

By Staff
Monday, October 7, 2024 12:21 AM NEW YORK—For the second consecutive year, SUNY College of Optometry has received the 2024 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

New 'Golden Opportunity Award' Honoring the Legacy of the Late Dr. David Golden, Offers Unprecedented Opportunity for Optometrists

By Staff
Monday, February 26, 2024 12:27 AM ST. LOUIS—Optometry Cares – the AOA Foundation, in collaboration with PERC Alliance, a leading provider of financial and business solutions for optometrists, is announcing the launch of the Golden Opportunity Award, a groundbreaking initiative designed to honor the legacy of the late Dr. David Golden while providing substantial support to emerging optometric professionals. The prestigious award seeks to empower three deserving optometrists with a $50,000 scholarship each to facilitate the realization of their aspirations to establish their first independent practice.

Black EyeCare Perspective Establishes 13% Promise Scholarship Endowment Fund

By Staff
Monday, February 26, 2024 12:24 AM PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.—Black EyeCare Perspective (BEP) has announced the establishment of the 13% Promise Scholarship Endowment Fund, a pivotal initiative aimed at upholding the legacy and vision of Black EyeCare Perspective. The Walman Charitable Giving Committee has kickstarted the endowment with a transformative $75,000 grant. Stated Marty Bassett, president and CEO of Walman, "We are honored that our initial gift helped set the stage for such an important initiative. Tuition support should help reduce barriers for those interested in pursuing a career in optometry.”

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

By Marge Axelrad
Monday, December 11, 2023 12:00 AM NEW YORK—The embrace of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) this year has continued to expand among many businesses, large and small, public and private. In healthcare, too, and vision care in particular, DE&I has continued its evolution.

VM Explores Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Vision Care Continues Its DE&I Evolution

By Staff
Monday, December 4, 2023 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The embrace of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) this year has continued to expand among many businesses, large and small, public and private. In health care, too, and vision care in particular, DE&I has continued its evolution. 2023 has been a dramatic year, one of accomplishment, for DEI awareness, widening new ways that diverse populations and people of color are represented (or introduced) to the potentials of the vision care profession as well as ways for retailers, professional offices and related product companies to address patients in new ways.

Johnson & Johnson Vision's Women in Ophthalmology Survey Uncovers Barriers; Findings Will Be Part of a DEI Panel at Academy of Ophthalmology Next Month

By Staff
Thursday, October 26, 2023 12:24 AM IRVINE Calif.—To coincide with Global Diversity Awareness Month, Johnson & Johnson Vision, part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, released key findings from a Women in Ophthalmology survey, uncovering barriers faced by female ophthalmologists. Findings from the survey will be discussed during a panel discussion hosted by the Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s Vision team at the upcoming American Academy of Ophthalmology 2023 Annual Conference on Nov. 4, according to an announcement from Johnson & Johnson Vision.

VSP Vision Recognized by National Organization on Disability for Commitment to Building an Inclusive Workforce

By Staff
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 12:21 AM RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Vision has been recognized by the National Organization on Disability (NOD) with the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal. The distinction spotlights VSP Vision’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including employment and advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

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.