UMSL|Optometry Participates in World Sight Day

WORLD SIGHT DAY

By Kristen Kramlich

Members of the Class of 2016 and 2017

The UMSL optometry students donned World Sight Day t-shirts on October 8, 2014, in support of their profession. World Sight Day is an annual international event to raise awareness for the importance of ocular health. It was first implemented by the Lions Club to be an advocacy and awareness tool. Today, many organizations support it, such as the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, which affiliates with the World Health Organization in their fight for the elimination of preventable blindness around the world. Approximately, 80% of visual impairment is avoidable (i.e. readily treatable and/or preventable), and WHO has initiated a global action plan in hopes of extending visual health care worldwide by the year 2020.

L-R: Past WSD Representative Rachelle Altstadt, SVOSH President, Kristen Kramlich, & Current WSD Rep Allison Schafers

UMSL optometry students became involved specifically by fundraising for Optometry Giving Sight. They are a global fundraising organization that targets the prevention of blindness and treatable impaired vision. Optometry Giving Sight asked all optometry colleges to take part in the World Sight Day Challenge, an annual fundraising campaign. The College of Optometry Student VOSH organization is responsible for getting the challenged started, and member Allison Schafers was elected to head the challenge at this year. She sold World Sight Day t-shirts to students and faculty to raise money. The group will be donating all proceeds to Optometry Giving Sight so that they can continue on in the fight to eradicate preventable blindness.


Member of the Class of 2018

Members of the Class of 2017

Comments

Farewell and Good Luck Class of 2017

Farewell, Young Doctors. Go Be The Vision. Dear Class of 2017; This was Nick's final email email to the Class of 2017 on Thursday, May 11, 2017.—23,890+ emails later… Today, May 12, 2017 they graduate as Doctor's of Optometry. Please indulge me for a bit… If I were to give your commencement address…Here is what I would have to say to each of you and to be honest—I don’t like goodbyes, so this will help capture my thoughts and feelings. Today, we celebrate your commencement. Cheers- Nick This is all because of you. Four years ago each of you began a journey together—not knowing what to expect or what to do, but you quickly learned the next four years would be a challenge. Through it all though, you stood tough. Quite frankly, it wasn’t always easy and I am sure moments questioning your decision crossed your mind—maybe more than once. Always remember this: If it was meant to be easy then everyone would be here, but that is not the case. You are one of a small grou…

Gorder selected as March 2017 Student Spotlight:

Gorder provides excellence in patient care...Every month the Office of Student Services with the College of Optometry seeks nomination from the faculty, staff, and students of the college in an effort to recognize one student who exemplifies our student body. This month's recipient is a true reflection on what we look for in a student at UMSL College of Optometry.The Student Spotlight for March 2017 is:
Molly Gorder(Class of 2017) Molly was chosen as March 2017 Student Spotlight winner because of her care for patients. Here is what her nominator said:

A Profile of Dr. David Hoel; The Story about an UMSL Alumnus Who Cares

There are many desirable qualities for individuals being considered for admission into the UMSL College of Optometry. Certainly, a solid academic record, good interpersonal communication skills, and extensive shadowing – or better yet experience – with established optometric practices are important factors. However, looking into the eyes of an applicant to try to determine why they want to be an optometrist is very important as well. Will they be the type of individual who will be very dedicated to caring about their patient’s visual and overall health? Will they take the time to serve their profession and their community? Meet David Hoel, OD (’98) who personifies these qualities and more as he continues to be a wonderful ambassador to UMSL while representing what is truly good about the profession of optometry.

His interest in optometry began during college when he explored several career options and, after shadowing several different optometrists, decided this would be an exce…

FY-EYE on UMSL Optometry

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