Honorees are Selected by Panel Including Past Honorees, Industry Experts, and CooperVision Leaders
PLEASANTON, Calif., October 12, 2017 — It takes Best Practices to recognize Best Practices. CooperVision, Inc. announced today the eye care professionals it has chosen to serve on the selection committee for its 2018 Best Practices program (EyeCareBestPractices.com). The company is currently seeking applications for the third year of this initiative, which recognizes eye care practices that advance the profession through innovation, industry leadership, and patient experience.
After the October 31 application deadline, submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges, which each year includes professional peers and industry experts. This year, they are:
S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO
North Suburban Vision Consultants, Ltd. in Deerfield, Ill.
Dr. Barry Eiden is the president and medical director at North Suburban Vision Consultants, and an assistant clinical professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago, in the department of ophthalmology, cornea, and contact lens service. Dr. Eiden is also an adjunct faculty member of Salus University and University of Missouri at St. Louis Colleges of Optometry. He has extensive experience in primary eye care, ocular disease management, refractive surgery care, corneal reshaping treatment (CRT), and treatment of complex contact lens cases. Dr. Eiden is considered both an authority and an innovator in the area of contact lenses and contact lens customization. He is a well-known lecturer nationally and internationally.
Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO
Dr. Shalu Pal, Optometrist in Toronto
Dr. Shalu Pal specializes in complex contact lens fittings at her independent eye care practice. She writes for the American Optometric Association Cornea and Contact Lens Section newsletter, and has been published several times in The Young OD, Perspective, and American Optometric Student Association Foresight. Dr. Pal is currently serving as a member of the AOA Optometry’s Meeting Poster Committee, and the Student and New Graduate Committee. She is on the National Board of Examiners of Optometry and a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
Thomas Quinn, OD, MS, FAAO
Drs. Quinn, Foster & Associates in Athens, Ohio
Dr. Thomas Quinn is a graduate of the Ohio State University’s specialized postgraduate contact lens program. Through his advanced expertise, his practice serves as an investigational site for many contact lens related studies. Dr. Quinn was one of the original FDA investigators for corneal refractive therapy. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a diplomate of the Cornea and Contact Lens Section. He is a contributing editor for Contact Lens Spectrum and is a well-known lecturer in the areas of contact lenses and corneal physiology.
William Tantum, OD
Blount County Eye Center in Maryville, Tenn.
Dr. William Tantum’s practice was named one of CooperVision’s Best Practices in 2017. He also serves as the associate director of digital media for a large optometric consulting and resource group, and as associate editor of practice management for the world’s largest online optometric community. Dr. Tantum speaks nationally at conferences on the topics of practice management and leadership. He has been recognized for his contributions to his local community, and in 2013 created the Eye Love program, which helps to provide eye care and eyewear to people around the world.
Shauna Thornhill, OD
Amarillo Vision Specialists in Amarillo, Texas
2017 Best Practices Honoree Dr. Shauna Thornhill established her independent practice within a Wal-Mart in 2010. She is a primary care optometrist who specializes in contact lens fittings, treatment and management of ocular disease, dry eye treatment, and pre-operative consultation and post-operative care for LASIK and cataract surgery. Dr. Thornhill is also known for her tireless dedication to her community, to which she gives significant time and resources. She and her practice regularly sponsor local sports teams and support community programs. Dr. Thornhill also volunteers with the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health, Leadership Amarillo, and Energeyes.
Stephanie Woo, OD, FAAO, FSLS
Havasu Eye Center in Lake Havasu, Ariz.
Dr. Stephanie Woo specializes in complex corneas and advanced specialty contact lenses. She is one of the top specialty contact lens fitters in the state of Arizona. Since joining Havasu Eye Center—one of the 2017 Best Practices—in 2012, Dr. Woo has grown the specialty contact lens portion of the practice to more than 1,000 patients. She lectures around the world on the topic of specialty lenses and anterior segment eye disease.
“The prestige of our selection committee makes the Best Practices distinction all the more significant for our honorees,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Senior Director of Professional and Academic Affairs, North America, CooperVision. “To know that they have been selected in large part by their peers—eye care professionals of this caliber—will add to the honor. And we know that by having these judges evaluate the applicants, we will end up with the absolute best of the best.”
All U.S. optometry practices* currently fitting contact lenses are eligible to apply to Best Practices. Candidates will be evaluated and honorees will be selected by these judges, as well as a selection of CooperVision leaders. The 2018 honorees will be announced after the New Year.
For more information, visit www.eyecarebestpractices.com.
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* For full details on the Best Practices terms and conditions, including eligibility requirements, refer to https://www.eyecarebestpractices.com/terms-and-conditions.
About CooperVision
CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism and presbyopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.
About The Cooper Companies
The Cooper Companies, Inc. ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper is dedicated to being A Quality of Life Company™ with a focus on delivering shareholder value. Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on women’s health, fertility and diagnostics. Headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, Cooper has more than 10,000 employees with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com
Media Contacts:
Heather Kowalczyk, APR
McDougall Communications for CooperVision, Inc.
heather@mcdougallpr.com or 585-434-2148