Optometric educators are dedicated stewards of patient care and future generations of optometrists, so supporting their success and training to become long-time productive faculty is essential. With this ongoing commitment in mind, CooperVision was pleased to sponsor the recent Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)’s Spring Institute for Faculty Development Meeting.
This year’s meeting was held April 3-5 in Rochester, NY and on April 4th at CooperVision’s Victor, NY, facility, where Jerry Warner, President of CooperVision, kicked off the event with a personal welcome and introductory address to the group.
“Optometric educators are a vital part of the profession and represent a bridge to the future for students and optometry as a whole,” Mr. Warner said. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with ASCO and were pleased to host the Spring Institute for Faculty Development and support such a vibrant group of educators.”
An Opportunity to Further Cultivate Academic Careers
The annual meeting is a transformative experience designed to empower early and mid-career optometric faculty to build a deeper understanding of the promotion and tenure process and to cultivate a collaborative network of peers across institutions, explained ASCO Executive VP/CEO Dawn Mancuso.
“Thanks to CooperVision, 37 outstanding faculty members from 14 institutions gained insights and mentoring from 9 of optometric education’s most experienced and respected senior leaders,” Ms. Mancuso said. “We are especially grateful to Jerry Warner, along with Dr. Jennifer Palombi, Dr. Tara Vaz, Rose Britton, Erica Griffiths, and the rest of the team in Victor, NY, for graciously and generously hosting this year’s event. ASCO extends its sincere appreciation for their continued support of students and educators."
Targeted Learning Experiences for Educators
Over three days, the faculty members in attendance learned insight about maintaining personal wellness, working with a mentor, creating and delivering effective presentations, navigating academic culture, responding to diverse student and patient populations, effective clinical teaching, and how to assess student performance with methods that are valid and reliable.
The Spring Institute for Faculty Development also represents ASCO’s longest-standing educational offering, added David Damari, O.D., FOVDR, FAAO, Professor of Clinical Optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry.
“The program was extremely well received, and the participants were among the most engaged ever in the Institute,” Dr. Damari noted.
You can discover more about ASCO’s Spring Institute for Faculty Development here and learn about CooperVision’s many innovative student programs here.
