with Association of Schools and Colleges of
Optometry sponsorship
VANCOUVER, BC, June 17,
2024 /CNW/ - Specsavers, a leading Canadian eyecare
and eyewear provider, has announced their sponsorship of the
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). ASCO
represents the interests of institutions of optometric education
and enhances the efforts of these institutions as they prepare
highly qualified graduates of optometry to best serve the public's
eye health needs.
Latest reports from the Government of Canada projects a labour shortage of
optometrists over the period of 2022-31 and anticipates job
prospects for the profession to remain very strong. With only
two optometry schools in Canada,
the University of Waterloo offers the
only program available for English-speaking students who wish to
pursue the profession, accepting 90 students each year. The intake
capacity has remained the same since the early 2000s. Meanwhile,
Statistics Canada reported that the population of English-speaking
Canada has grown by 37% and the
aging population by 48% within that time.
"The availability of doctors has fallen behind population growth
and the needs of the demographic in the country," said Bill Moir, General Manager at Specsavers Canada.
"To deliver on the increasing eyecare needs of patients and
customers, we're collaborating closely with ASCO, whose membership
includes American colleges of optometry, University of Waterloo, and Université de Montréal,
to close the labour gap."
Dedicated to advancing the profession in Canada, Specsavers is the only Canadian
corporate contributor of ASCO. The company is actively working with
schools to address the shortage of optometrists by furthering
initiatives aimed at increasing interest in the profession,
capacity for education and ultimately, access to quality care for
Canadians.
"As the world's largest, optometrist-owned and -led
organization, we believe in investing in the future of optometry
and supporting the next generation of professionals," said Dr.
Laurie Lesser, Head of Optometry
Attraction at Specsavers Canada. "We're proud to contribute to the
development of Canadian optometry students studying across
Canada and the USA, helping them access the resources and
opportunities they need to pursue the profession and excel in their
studies."
"Collaborating with generous organizations such as Specsavers
through our Corporate Contributors Program nurtures robust,
forward-thinking, and evidence-based optometric education that
benefits the eye and vision health of patients around the globe
today and well into the future," said Dawn
Mancuso, Executive Vice President/CEO of ASCO. "Specsavers
is demonstrating its commitment to optometry in Canada, and we're thrilled to have them as a
strong Canadian supporter to help us further our educational
mission."
About Specsavers
Specsavers is an optometrist-owned and -led business that
entered the Canadian market in late 2021. Since then, we have
opened over 115 locations across the country, in B.C., Alberta and Ontario, with stores set to open in
Manitoba in the summer of 2024. As
part of Specsavers commitment to accessible eyecare, Specsavers
equips every location with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
technology. OCT technology helps optometrists to detect
sight-threatening conditions in their earliest stages. Specsavers
was recognized in Canada's Best
Workplaces™ List for 2024 by Great Place To Work®, the
global authority on workplace culture.
Founded in the UK 40 years ago by optometrist husband-and-wife
team, Doug and Mary Perkins, there
are now more than 2,600 Specsavers healthcare businesses across 11
countries serving over 42 million patients and customers.
Specsavers is driven by its purpose of "changing lives through
better sight" and aims to transform the way Canadians experience
eyecare by offering exceptional service, advanced clinical
equipment and affordable and quality eyewear.
Association of Schools and
Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is
the academic leadership organization committed to advancing
optometric education and research to enhance the health and
well-being of the public. Since 1941, ASCO has pursued this mission
by representing the interests of institutions of optometric
education and by enhancing the efforts of these institutions as
they prepare highly qualified graduates for entrance into the
profession of optometry in order to best serve the public's eye and
vision needs. ASCO's activities cover a wide range of programs
including applicant development and diversity, faculty and
leadership development, advocacy, residency promotion,
collaboration and data development, and communications.
SOURCE Specsavers Canada