Tag: eyecare

Waterloo Eye Institute Event Showcases Cutting-Edge CE and Trade Exhibit

Career Options, NextGenOD

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Waterloo Eye Institute

From November 15 to November 17, the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI) hosted an exceptional event in Markham, Ontario, offering an engaging mix of continuing education (CE) and industry networking opportunities for optometric professionals. Over three days, attendees participated in 20 hours of COPE-accredited CE sessions for optometrists and 6 hours of tailored CE programming for optometric assistants.

The event also included a three-hour trade show on Saturday, featuring more than 30 industry-leading exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in eye care products and technologies. NextGEN OD Canada Student Ambassadors attended the show

Highlights from the Distinguished Lecture Series

Dr. Etty Bitton: On Friday, Dr. Etty Bitton delivered the prestigious Woodruff Distinguished Lecture, presenting on the differential diagnosis of anterior blepharitis.

A celebrated expert in tear film physiology and dry eye, Dr. Bitton holds a Doctorate in Optometry from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s in Physiological Optics from the Université de Montréal. Currently a full professor and director of the Dry Eye Clinic at the École d’optométrie, she has been a leader in dry eye research and a contributor to global initiatives like TFOS DEWS II. Her presentation was a tribute to Dr. Emerson Woodruff’s legacy, whose contributions helped shape optometry education and research at the University of Waterloo.


Dr. Donald Hood: On Saturday, Dr. Donald Hood took the stage to deliver the 33rd Bobier Distinguished Lecture, titled A Novel Approach to Identifying Glaucoma Based on a Large Real-World OCT Database from Optometry Cases.

Dr. Hood, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, is a renowned figure in retinal and optic nerve disease research, with nearly 400 publications and numerous accolades, including an honorary degree from SUNY College of Optometry. His lecture honored Dr. Clair Bobier’s pioneering vision for integrating scientific research into optometry education, further solidifying the importance of evidence-based practice in the profession.

Networking and Innovation at the Trade Show

Saturday’s trade show provided a bustling platform for attendees to explore cutting-edge technologies and services from over 30 exhibitors. This interactive session fostered connections between practitioners and industry leaders, further supporting the WEI’s mission of advancing patient care and optometric education.

NextGEN OD Student Ambassadors, Sara Baig and Shreya Jain, supported Clinical & Refractive Optometry during the 3-hour trade show.

Engaging Panel Discussions

The event concluded on Sunday with a dynamic “Rapid Fire Panel Discussion” on advanced scleral imaging and specialty contact lens technology. Moderated by Drs. Chelsea Bray, Shalu Pal, and Vishakha Thakrar, the panel provided practical insights and innovative approaches to enhancing patient outcomes through emerging lens technologies.

Looking Ahead

The success of the WEI’s November event underscores its commitment to fostering collaboration, education, and innovation within the optometric community. With initiatives like these, the WEI continues to pave the way for advancements in vision science and patient care, benefitting practitioners and patients alike across Canada.

 

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Why Toilets Matter: The Unseen Impact on Practice Value

Accounting Basics, Buying-Selling A Practice, Finance|Wealth, Sponsored Posts

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Dont flush practice value down the toilet!

While originally spun from the dental world by Tim Brown, President of ROI Corporation, this story resonates just as profoundly within the realm of optometry.

Reflecting on Tim’s eye-opening narrative. “Why Toilets Matter”, it’s clear that the nuances of practice environment extend far beyond mere aesthetics or functionality. They’re crucial to the very valuation of an optometric practice.

Here’s a curious tidbit that Tim shared, illustrating the point perfectly: A dental office in an older medical building introduced door codes for bathroom access, changing them occasionally.

Sign in dental practiceImagine, if you will, a patient viewing this sign!

This isn’t just about security or modernization; it’s a testament to how amenities, as mundane as bathroom access, can significantly impact a practice’s perceived value.

Amenities such as these aren’t just physical attributes; they’re reflections of how a practice values its staff, patients, and overall operational ethos. And guess what? This wisdom utterly applicable to the optometry world as well.

Tim draws from a decade of hands-on clinical experience before venturing into the appraisal and valuation arena, He has navigated diverse practice settings, each with its unique challenges and comforts. The conclusion? The quality and availability of facilities like bathrooms genuinely matter.

Imagine the daily grind in an optometry practice – it’s a marathon of mental and physical exertion. From the moment you step through those doors, it’s non-stop. The availability of a private space to catch a moment’s breath between patients isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Yet, disappointingly, this basic requirement remains elusive in many settings. Consider a working mother returning from parental leave, the absence of a private, comfortable space for necessities like breast milk pumping – relegated instead to a cramped public restroom! Disheartening.

Key Point: Minor Details Impact Practice Value

We’ve witnessed firsthand the discomfort of staff and patients sharing a too-close-for-comfort restroom adjacent to the waiting area. The thought of a healthcare professional emerging from such a space, only to engage closely with a patient, underscores a glaring oversight in hygiene and privacy standards.

The dialogue around these issues isn’t new. These seemingly minor details can profoundly affect the morale of your staff, the satisfaction of your patients, and ultimately, the financial valuation of your practice.

In echoing Tim’s sentiments, it’s clear: The gold standard for any healthcare practice, optometry included, must advocate for private bathroom and a dignified, clean space for staff. Let’s not overlook the basics, for in them lies the foundation of our practice’s value and integrity.

Link to Previous Jackie Joachim Articles,

Link to Tim’s original article.

Jackie Joachim, COO ROI Corp

JACKIE JOACHIM

Jackie has 30 years of experience in the industry as a former banker and now the Chief Operating Officer of ROI Corporation. Please contact her at Jackie.joachim@roicorp.com or 1-844-764-2020.

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