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May 2-9
Final Exams
May 13
Capstone Program
May 16
class composite for the graduating Class of 2015 - looking good!
June 6
Admissions Open House
July 13-17
Focus on Your Future Summer Program
Registration information |
 Fitness Center News
| Last call for Yoga is tomorrow, noon to 1 p.m., in the gym. Go check out this phenomenal class.
Also, the bulletin board by the fitness center has great ideas for a lunchtime walking route inside or outside the ICO buildings.
Please note the revised Fitness Center hours during finals and break week:
May 2-7: 8 am-11 pm
May 8-9: 8 am-7 pm
May 10: 8 am-11 pm
May 11-15: 8 am-9 pm
May 16: 10 am-7 pm
May 17: 10 am-10 pm
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| NOSA president Rina Sheth wants to remind and encourage students to take advantage of the $10,000+ in scholarships available. All NOSA members are eligible to apply and the majority are due May 31. Winners will be announced at the 2015 National Optometric Association Convention in Hilton Head, South Carolina. For more information, please contact Rina.
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COVD in VEGAS, baby!
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ICO was well represented at the recent College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) International meeting in Las Vegas. Dr. Christine Allison was sworn in as the COVD President-Elect; Dr. Darrell Schlange presented his paper, The Uses of Vision Therapy in Treating School Age Children Diagnosed with Attention Problems, which was co-authored with several students and Dr. Dominick Maino as a consultant; poster presentations were made by Dr. Anna Lammers; and Dr. Maino and Utang Ekpo. Photos from the event are here.
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Don't Forget to Recycle Those Electronics
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You have until tomorrow to drop off your recyclable electronics. There is a bin outside the entrance to the library.
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| It's a GO! Accelerated Clinical Program Takes Off |
Six students are the start of a pilot effort at ICO to provide an accelerated option for well-qualified applicants who have the ability to fast-track their clinical training experience. Congratulations to Manveen Bedi, Aleice Ellerkamp, Trey Haugen, Neil Patel, Zachary Walburg, and Martin Williamson!
"I am excited to help shape a potential accelerated clinical program here at ICO that will both energize students and help to recruit new applicants across the country," said Aleice Ellerkamp.
The pilot program will kick-off at the start of summer quarter and is designed to provide additional patient encounters, early satisfaction of primary care requirements, early release for independent clinical work in the second year and more exposure to specialty areas in the third year.
Dr. John Baker proposed the idea to the first year class and initiated the process to begin accepting applications. "We wanted to keep the pilot group small," said Dr. Baker. "By the end of summer quarter, the participating students will have gotten more patient care experience than an average student gets during their entire second year." Drs. Angela To, Megan Allen, Andria Pihos and Helen Gabriel are onboard to lead the pilot courses this summer.
As an incentive, those selected for the pilot program will not incur any additional tuition fees and will have the enviable pole position during the externship selection process.
"I chose to participate in this program for the obvious reason of obtaining more experience in clinic," said Zachary Walburg. "I am excited that in addition to the clinic hours required to become board certified, I will be free to obtain more hours in the specialty suites, which will help guide me through choosing an appropriate residency program."
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| Getting Schooled in Minor Surgical Procedures |
This past weekend, 56 ICO students-and even some faculty members-participated in Minor Surgical Procedures for the Optometrist, a two-day elective course. Dr. Elizabeth Wyles co-presented five hours of lecture and a two hour hands-on lab session with NSU Professor Richard Castillo, OD, DO.
The course provided an overview of surgical procedures for optometric practice including an introduction to surgical instruments; structure, function and care of common periocular skin lesion; local anesthesia; chalazion management; radiofrequency surgery; post-operative wound care; and suturing. Minor surgical procedures are part of the optometric scope in Oklahoma, Oregon, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska and New Mexico.
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| Quiz Bowl Wrap Up |
First, congrats to third year student Jonathan Dong for winning ICO's Quiz Bowl! Second, and besides the hard working and spirited students, a ceremonial bow tie was passed from Dr. Neil Hodur to Dr. Erik Mothersbaugh for the future care of this beloved event. Loads of photos from the Quiz Bowl and Pre-Optometry Quiz Bowl can be found here.
Why a Pre-Optometry Quiz Bowl?
The Admissions team, as well as other staff and students, visit prospective students near and far to discuss what it takes to be an ICO student. "Some of them retain the information, prepare themselves for our rigorous program... and some do not," said Admissions Coordinator Melissa Cook. "There are some that learn by doing, hence the Pre-Optometry Club Quiz Bowl." Cook initiated the event to provide prospective students with hands-on clinical experience, a better sense of what it is like at ICO, and preparation for questions they might see on the OAT.
This year, ICO hosted 37 students from six different Pre-Optometry Clubs. Here are the results:
Clinical Experience Challenge:
1. University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
2. Augustana College
3. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
"Day in the Life of" Tour Challenge:
1. UWO
2. Purdue University
3. University of Illinois, Chicago
"Who Wants to be an Optometrist?" Jeopardy Challenge:
1. Hayden Matz (UWO)
2. Shadi Saleh (Benedictine University)
Many thanks to the village of people it took to make the event a success: Drs. Colip, Baker, and Mothersbaugh; Elisabeth Davis, Vivien Yip, Emily Dean, Ana Sadler, Joelle Jaros, Zach Walburg, Patty Ziccarelli, Katie Green, Alison Perle, Elizabeth Grantner, Teisha Johnson, Bryant Anderson, Daphne Anderson, Nicole Akpunku, Denise Alexopoulus, Maria Annum, Jessica Chan, Trevor Dao, Saly Elias, Jasmine Ghotra, Zach Holland, Syeda Hussaini, Nagwa Ibrahim, Sameera Jhamb, Vasicka Kasivisvanathan, Jenna Kennedy, Maryam Khan, Stephanie Lie, Iwona Miltko, Jason Naidu, Andrew Pudjowargono, Christina Pym, Renae Reynolds, Rina Sheth, Saadia Tariq, Amanda Thurmes, Jaime Mendez, and Harjot Kaur.
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| Movers & Shakers |
 Dr. Sandy Block has received a provisional appointment to the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Public Health Approaches to Reduce Vision Impairment and Promote Eye Health.
The Civic Federation Board of Directors, including member Nancy DeMaso, met with City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today.
Welcome to:
Richard Master, I/S contractor, started the week of April 20.
Farewell and best wishes to:
Dr. Karen Squier, part-time faculty member, resigned her position April 3.
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| Bits & Pieces |
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Drs. Eric Baas, Gary Gunderson, Christina Morettin, and Stephanie Fromstein had a little fun in the school spirit booth at the annual Pass It On fundraiser for North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP). NLCP prepares students from under-resourced communities to graduate from high school with the academic and personal skills necessary to get accepted to, and complete college.
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Elizabeth Vizza '16 and
Andy Congdon, OD '14 are getting married May 9th! Congrats and best wishes for a happy day!
Clothing Drive and How to Help Out Nepal's Survivors
Time to clean out the closet! ICO's Community Service team is hosting a clothing drive to benefit the Pacific Garden Mission through Wednesday, May 6. All clothes can be dropped off by the mail room under the Student Association bulletin board. ICO's Community Service team shared a list of vetted charities to consider if you are interested in making a donation to help the survivors and relief efforts underway in Nepal after the devastating earthquake on Saturday.
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