2024 OAO Sympoisum Speakers
Dr. Joseph Allen, OD
Dr. Allen graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian from the Rosenburg School of Optometry in 2015.
Dr. Joseph J. Allen graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian from the Rosenburg School of Optometry in 2015 and completed his residency at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center. Dr. Allen is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, and a member of the American Optometric Association’sStrategic Communications Committee.Dr. Allen is a practicing optometrist in Minnesota and the founder of Doctor Eye Health, an educational YouTube channel, where he provides information about eye health, ocular disease, and vision products.
Dr. Marc Bloomenstein, OD
Dr. Marc R. Bloomenstein is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in Biology.
Dr. Marc R. Bloomenstein is a 1990 graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in Biology. He received his optometric degree from the New England College of Optometry in 1994. After graduation Dr. Bloomenstein finished a
residency in secondary ophthalmic care at the Barnet Dulaney Eye Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He received his fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry in December 1998. Currently Dr. Bloomenstein is the Director of Optometric Services at the Schwartz Laser Eye Center in Scottsdale, Arizona and President of MRB Eye Consultants. Dr. Bloomenstein is on the editorial board of Primary Care of Optometry News, Review of Optometry, Optometry Times, Modern Optometry, Optometric Management and a frequent contributor to other various optometric journals.
Dr. Pinakin Davey, OD
Dr. Pinakin Davey is a Professor and Director of Clinical Research at the Western University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Barrett Eubanks, MD
Dr. Barrett Eubanks is an Associate Surgeon at Herzig Eye Institute where he performs laser vision correction, intraocular procedures, and precision refractive cataract surgery.
Dr. Daddi Fadel, OD
Daddi Fadel DOptom, FSLS, FBCLA, FAAO, FIACLE is clinical scientist at the Center for Ocular Research and Education.
Dr. Jason Fung, MD
Dr. Jason Fung is a physician, researcher and New York Times best-selling author currently practicing in Toronto.
Dr. Andrew Gurwood, OD
Dr. Gurwood is a Professor of Clinical Sciences and Co-Chief of Suite 3 at The Eye Institute of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University.
Dr. Andrew Gurwood, OD is a Professor of Clinical Sciences and Co-Chief of Suite 3 at The Eye Institute of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. He is attending clinical staff in the department of Ophthalmology at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA.
He has lectured and published nationally and internationally on a wide range of subjects. He currently serves on the
editorial board of Review of Optometry where he also serves as the Chair of the Clinical Case Reports Committee. He is on the editorial review boards of Optometric Management Journal, Clinical and Experimental Optometry (Aus), and The Spanish Journal: Optometry.
He is a founding member of The Optometric Retina Society, a member of The Optometric Glaucoma Society, a Charter (founding) member of The Optometric Dry Eye Society and the Diagnostic Quiz Columnist for Review of Optometry Journal.
Dr. Geoffrey Heddle, OD
Dr. Heddle was born and raised in the GTA. He received his BSC from the University of Waterloo before graduating from Indiana University’s School of Optometry.
Dr. Paul Hrkal, ND
Dr. Hrkal is a board-certified Naturopathic doctor with a special interest in neurological health, chronic pain and brain injuries.
Dr. Kristel Jefferies, OD
Visual rehabilitation has been Dr. Jefferies’ passion since her 2nd year of schooling when she became fascinated by the neurology behind the visual process.
Visual rehabilitation has been Dr. Jefferies’ passion since her 2nd year of schooling when she became fascinated by the neurology behind the visual process. She has focused her Optometric practice on Vision Therapy since she graduated. Dr. Jefferies obtained a baccalaureate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Guelph in 2008, and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 2013. She is presently on the Board of Directors of Vision Therapy Canada. Dr. Jefferies obtained her Fellowship with the College of Optometrists in Vision Development in 2020. Dr. Jefferies also provides
independent medical opinions and expert medical testimony in litigious cases related to brain injury.
Dr. Alisa Khan, OD
Dr. Khan has a special interest in pediatric
optometry, dedicating her expertise to the well-being of young eyes.
Dr. Alisa Khan is the visionary force behind Milton Eye Care. Dr. Khan has a special interest in pediatric
optometry, dedicating her expertise to the well-being of young eyes. With a commitment to staying at
the forefront of myopia management, she passionately employs evidence-based approaches, ensuring
the highest standard of care for her patients.
Dr. Andrew G. Lee, MD
Dr. Andrew G. Lee, MD is chair of the Blanton Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Blair Lonsberry, OD
Dr. Lonsberry obtained his Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 1996.
Dr. Lonsberry grew up in Rossburn, Manitoba (Canada). He obtained his Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 1996 after completing a Master of Science in Physiology from the University of Manitoba. He completed his residency in Primary Care Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1997, then joined the faculty at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. During his time at SCO, he completed a Masters in Education degree with an emphasis in adult learning.
Currently, Dr. Lonsberry is a Full Professor with Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon.
Dr. Lonsberry is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the Optometric Retinal Society, the Optometric Glaucoma Society, and the Ocular Surface Society of Optometry.
Dr. Mahnia Madan, OD
With over 15 years of experience managing complex dry eye patients, Dr. Madan is the current President for BC Doctors of Optometry.
Dr. Richard Maharaj OD,
Dr. Richard Maharaj is the managing partner of Prism optometry services and director of
interventional dry eye clinics at the Prism Eye Institute.
Dr. Marc Myers, OD
Dr. Marc Myers is a Senior Staff Optometrist at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Caroline Pate, OD
Dr. Pate earned her OD degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and completed a residency in Family Practice Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Dr. Saama Sabeti, MD
Dr. Saama Sabeti is an Associate Surgeon at Herzig Eye Institute Ottawa, where she
performs cornea, anterior segment, cataract, and refractive surgeries.
Dr. Saama Sabeti MD, MPH, FRCSC is an Associate Surgeon at Herzig Eye Institute Ottawa, where she performs cornea, anterior segment, cataract, and refractive surgeries. Dr. Sabeti's research achievements include publications and presentations, earning her the Best Paper of Session award at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery conference. Dr. Sabeti also has a strong passion for global health, with experience volunteering abroad in numerous countries.
Dr. Tom Sheidow, MD
Dr. Tom Sheidow is Associate Professor of the Department of Ophthalmology at
Western University, London, Canada.
Dr. Harbir Sian, OD
Dr. Harbir Sian is the co-owner of two optometric practices in the Vancouver, BC area, practicing various specialties within eyecare including myopia management and dry eye.
