CLEVELAND—Now in its 14th year, the EastWest Eye Conference was held here Oct. 7–10 and drew approximately 2,100 attendees, according to show organizers.

The conference, sponsored by the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA), took place for the first time in the historic Public Hall Auditorium of the Cleveland Convention Center. Nearly 100 vendors participated and all profits from the conference went toward advancing the profession of optometry, the OOA said in a statement.

Additionally, 51 speakers presented over 200 hours of continuing education for optometrists, as well as education for opticians and allied eye professionals during the conference’s first three days.

In conjunction with the conference, the OOA also held their annual meeting on Saturday, Oct. 9. The elected officers for the coming year are:

AOA President Joe Ellis, OD, (r) and AOA president-elect Dori Carlson, OD, (l) with Ohio Trustee Teresa Gossard, OD, at the EastWest Eye Conference.
The EastWest Eye Conference exhibit hall attracted nearly 100 vendors in Cleveland’s historic Public Hall Auditorium.

• President: Heath Gilbert, OD of Dayton Optometric Center in Dayton, Ohio

• President-Elect: Don Faimon, OD, private practice in Maineville, Ohio

• Secretary-Treasurer: Brenda Montecalvo, OD, of Nova Vision Care, Beavercreek, Ohio

Recipients of this year’s OOA awards are as follows:

• OD of Year: Brian Mathie, OD, of the Roholt Vision Institute in North Canton, Ohio. Mathis is past president of the OOA and chair of EastWest Education Committee

• Young OD of Year: Rob Engel of Sears Optical in Solon, Ohio

• Key Optometrist of the Year: Tom Bobst, OD, of Vision Source, Inc. in North Olmsted, Ohio. Bobst is past president of Ohio Optometric Association and AOA Federal Legislation Committee.

• Student of the Year: Laura Lossing, Ohio State University College of Optometry. Lossing was previously chosen as the national winner of the InfantSee Scholarship Grant.

Conference attendees were also treated to the annual party at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which took place Friday night, Oct. 8. “The party is a fun time for attendees, vendors and friends,” the association told VM, adding that this year’s entertainment was provided by Bad Habits, the Eye Docs of Rock.

Dates have been set for the 15th annual EastWest Eye Conference. Next year’s event will be held here Oct. 20 to 23, organizers said.

For more information, visit Ohio.AOA.org. ■ ■