For the fifth consecutive year, CooperVision sponsored the AOA CLCS Residency Forum at Optometry’s Meeting in June. The annual forum, held this year in Washington, DC, provides an opportunity for incoming and outgoing contact lens residents nationwide to come together for a day of education and networking in an informal setting.
Under the theme of "Connect. Grow. Engage," this year's Residency Forum featured workshops on topics including networking, clinical decision-making, and the value of sharing clinical insights through industry publications. Speakers included leaders from the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the AOA and alumni of the residency forum meeting. Keynote speaker and generational expert Hannah Ubl of Bridgeworks spoke to the group about “Communicating Across Generations.”
Mark Andre, FAAO, Associate Professor of Optometry at Pacific University and consultant to CooperVision, feels that the annual forum provides is a valuable experience for the seeking to specialize in contact lens care. “The residency forum that we sponsor at the AOA Optometry's Meeting offers a unique opportunity for both incoming and outgoing Cornea and Contact Lens Residents to discuss topics relevant to their training and future career options,” says Andre. “In addition to the sharing of ideas, the Resident's also have the chance to build lasting relationships with the leadership of the Cornea and Contact Lens Section.”
Kelsey Korszen, OD, an outgoing resident who attended this year’s Residency Forum, found the experience invaluable as she enters the next stage of her career. “The AOA CLCS Resident's Conference was a great opportunity to gain valuable advice from leaders in the contact lens industry, to network with colleagues, and to share ideas with other contact lens residents in an intimate setting,” said Korzsen. “The lectures and discussions were well-designed to help us prepare for what we want to accomplish next in our careers, whether we are starting or finishing our contact lens residency.”
.