As always, ICO has been making the rounds through the optometric convention circuit. We look forward to sharing information with our industry colleagues about research academia, and patient care. Please enjoy these highlights from some of the larger events.

American Academy of Optometry

Orlando, Florida, was the venue for 2019’s combined AAO convention and 3rd World Congress of Optometry. Many ICO students and residents earned travel grants before departure. At the conference, ICO faculty and students presented over 30 research posters on a wide variety of topics.

• Kelly Frantz, OD, gave lectures on advanced strabismus and binocular disorders.

• Elyse Chaglasian, OD and Katherine Lynch, OD, hosted an educational breakfast for externship preceptors.

• Aaron Motacek '20, and Lauren Kunkel '20, received Practice Excellence Scholarships from the AAOF. Connor Robbs '22, won the 2019 J. Pat Cummings Scholarship.

Student-oriented events continued all weekend, including the Essilor Academic Challenge, where Helen Wang '20, Alice Han '20, and Alex Beachnau '20, represented ICO alongside their coach, Raman Bhakhri, OD, and judge Geoffrey Goodfellow, OD '01. Another portion of the conference that brought the ICO family together was our Alumni and Friends Reception, held on Friday, Oct. 25 More than 200 people attended. If you were there, thank you!

Illinois Optometric Association

The IOA’s 2019 convention was held in Itasca, Ill. This conference, in particular, is becoming increasingly popular with students. Over 100 aspiring ODs from multiple schools attended and were treated to a separate educational track of programming. Topics for students included patient communication, practice management, and leadership. 

At the conference, ICO’s own Janice McMahon, OD presented a poster. Matt Jones, OD '08, became IOA President-Elect. Regarding the upcoming year, IOA Executive Director Leann Vanausdoll noted that telemedicine is a key area of attention for the profession. Attendees enjoyed two nights of live music performances, including an all-optometrist rock band.

Global Specialty Lens Symposium

Jennifer Harthan, OD '06, Michelle Man, OD, and Andy Nguyen, OD '19, attended the GSLS in January. GSLS is the leading international contact lens conference held each year in Las Vegas. All three had poster presentations. Dr. Harthan gave two CE lectures and Dr. Man attended the CooperVision Educators’ Meeting.

Heart of America Eye Care Congress

ICO faculty presented eight posters at the HOA Eye Care Congress. Jessica Jankiewicz, OD, an ICO Resident, was recognized as having one of the Top 5 submissions.