O.D. Notebook: Howard Purcell. O.D., Named NECO Board of Trustees President

O.D. Notebook

Associations

American Academy of Optometryhas announced the following recipients of the 2018 Student Travel Fellowship Awards, allowing the students to travel to the Association for Research in Vision Ophthalmology 2018 annual meeting: Katie Bales, Billie Beckwith-Cohen, Hannah Burfield, Jessica Jasien, Laura Pardon and Daisy Shu.
The Vision Councilhas published ANSI Z80.3-2018 – Nonprescription Sunglasses and Fashion Eyewear Requirements. The revision clarifies testing of photosensitive lenses, making requirements consistent with international standards. Find it at http://bit.ly/2Hfi4Ri.

Companies

Aerie Pharmaceuticalsappointed Scott Laranjo executive director, global marketing marketing. In other news, the company agreed to match the first $25,000 attendees donated to the ASCRS Foundation’s charitable eye care programs at the ASCRS-ASOA Annual Meeting, held April 13 to 17.
Avedrohas named James F. Schuermann chief business officer.
Bausch + Lomb’sONE by ONE recycling program has recycled nearly 2.5 million used contact lenses, blister packs and top foils since its launch in November 2016. This saves more than 14,000 pounds of waste, which, with a $1-per-pound donation commitment, equates to about $14,000 donated to Optometry Giving Sight.
Opternativehas partnered with Lensabl, providing access to its online prescription renewal technology to the company’s website. Lensable allows customers to replace old lenses with an updated prescription using their own frames.
Sight Sciences, Inc., a medical device company with a focus on glaucoma and dry eye treatment, announced the appointment of Jesse Selnick as chief financial officer. Mr. Selnick has more than 20 years experience in leading strategic growth, financing, capital allocation and operational initiatives.
VSPhas partnered with Competitive Health, a health care technology company, to extend its offerings to members of its loyalty and perks program, WellCard Savings. Competitivehealth.com.

Nonprofit

Brien Holden Vision Institute has updated its myopia calculator to include features, such as an ethnicity option, and made it available in Mandarin and Spanish. To access the calculator: http://bit.ly/2Hisdg7
Envision and Hunter Health, a full service medical clinic in Wichita, have partnered to bring access to eye health services to under- and uninsured individuals in Sedgwick County, Kansas. A new vision clinic, Envision Vision Care at Hunter Health, will open this summer at a Hunter Health facility to aid these efforts. In other news, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind will merge into Envision, while retaining its name.
Lighthouse Guild is offering a two-hour online course for occupational therapists: “Low Vision Assessment for Occupational Therapy.” It demonstrates basic strategies and tools for assessing vision loss. For more information, or to register, visit http://bit.ly/2F2Xamv.
Prevent Blindness will host the 7^thannual Focus on Eye Health national Summit on Wednesday, July 18, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. To register: www.preventblindness.org/eyesummit
Results of the 2017 Think About Your Eyescampaign generated 3.4 million eye exams in the calendar year. It’s estimated that this resulted in $752 million in industry revenue, such as exam fees, frame and lens purchases. The year’s campaign was “Seeing is a Gift.” Visit thinkaboutyoureyes.com.

Colleges of Optometry

New England College of Optometry Board of Trustees has named Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O., as its next president, effective July 2. He will succeed Clifford Scott, O.D., M.P.H., who will step down after serving for nine years. Dr. Purcell is a 1984 graduate of NECO. He began his career working with his father, Saul Purcell, O.D., in private practice in Florida. He has worked as deputy dean at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. In addition, he has served as senior director of professional affairs at Johnson & Johnson and most recently, senior vice president of customer development for Essilor of America.

Recommendations