Hi again, blogosphere--
The summer mini-term is right around the corner, so before I forever leave summer vacation behind, I wanted to share my happenings since my last blog post.
For starters, it's all about Optometry's Meeting (OM) 2012. Held in Chicago this year, OM is the annual optometry convention and trade show. Here student doctors, optometrists, and industry partners join together in seminar courses, discuss AOA legislation, and test out the latest in vision care technology. One of the highlights of the conference was the Opening Ceremony where professionals from Pixar Animation Studios and Real 3D discussed their collaborative efforts with the optometric profession to enhance 3D entertainment and the management of eye-related issues that may make 3D viewing difficult for patients. As an added bonus, attendees received their own pair of 3D glasses to watch clips of several upcoming 3D films not yet released to the public--talk about getting an inside glimpse into what the movie studios have cooking up over the next few years! The convention concluded with a Saturday Night Party at the Field Museum, where the new AOA president was introduced, and where abundant food stations were sent up showcasing the best of Chicago-chic cuisine.
Not only is Optometry's Meeting the annual AOA conference, but it's also the official American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) conference. Thus, you're bound to meet students from all of the optometry schools. Even the student seminars were tailored to fit our needs, like learning how to preform an eye exam in spanish. Two big events for students were the annual National Student Bowl Competition and the casino-themed Student Party. While SCO didn't take home the championship trophy at the Student Bowl, we definitely came away with points on the board and the best theme, "Construction." I mean, how could you not get giddy seeing SCO's cheer squad decked out in hard hats and orange safety vests that fit perfectly with SCO's 'Envision our Progress' campus improvement project.
However, much of my time spent during Optometry's Meeting was representing SCO during the AOSA Board of Trustees meeting as a trustee-elect. I gained greater insight into the world of optometry's industry partners and the role the different AOA committees have in meeting the needs of our profession. The AOSA also gets to vote on issues affecting the AOA during the General Assembly (think mock-Congress where each state has representatives to vote on AOA policies and amendments), and therefore I had the opportunity to voice opinions on the issues affecting our students in optometry schools. I also got to meet the other trustees and trustee-elects from the other optometry schools in the U.S. and Canada. It's always great to hear about all the events and progress being made at the other schools as well as realize just how great SCO compares to them.
So it's farewell Chicago for now, and hello to San Diego as my sights are already set on Optometry's Meeting 2013 (and is it crazy to think I'll be a third-year starting clinic then!?) Enjoy the AOSA/OM photos below:
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Look forward to updating you on how classes and everything SCO is going during the summer mini-term.
Carpe Diem,
Amy