A chairman and vice chair were chosen.
(Press Release) ALEXANDRIA, VA – Think About Your Eyes, a national public awareness campaign about the importance of scheduling an annual eye exam, has created new roles to lead its advisory committee, the campaign’s governing body. Dr. Steven Loomis of the American Optometric Association was elected chairman of the committee, and Dr. Rick Weisbarth of Alcon was elected vice-chair, both for one-year terms. Representatives from the six leadership partners and the committee’s at-large representative voted on these positions, which were created after a campaign strategic planning meeting in October.
Loomis served as a trustee of the AOA for 10 years, and as the organization’s president from 2015 to 2016. He was selected as Optometrist of the Year by the Colorado Optometric Association and received the organization’s Distinguished Service Award in 2007. He currently practices in Littleton, CO.
Weisbarth is the current chairperson of the Contact Lens Institute and the National Academies of Practice in Optometry. He previously served on the American Academy of Optometry’s Executive Council and Board of Directors, and was president of the organization from 2007 to 2008.
“As Think About Your Eyes continues to grow, we’re thrilled to have the leadership of Dr. Loomis and Dr. Weisbarth in an official capacity,” said Jon Torrey, executive director of Think About Your Eyes. “They have been long-time advocates for the campaign as well as respected professional members of the vision community, and bring great insight as the campaign looks ahead to 2018.”
In addition to the election of chair and vice-chair, the advisory committee elected to continue the term of the organization’s first at-large member Patience Cook, director of North America marketing for Transitions. Due to the growth of the campaign and increased participation within the industry, an at-large member – representing the remaining companies outside of leadership level – was elected earlier this year. Cook was installed in June and will serve through the end of 2018.
The complete roster of 2018 advisory committee members is as follows:
- Dr. Steven Loomis, AOA, chairman
- Dr. Rick Weisbarth, Alcon, vice-chair
- Patience Cook, Transitions, at-large member
- Marty Bassett, The Vision Council
- Sherianne James, Essilor
- Lukas Ruecker, Luxottica
- Jacqueline Henderson, Johnson & Johnson Vision
Think About Your Eyes will launch its 2018 advertising the week of Jan. 15, via cable TV, online radio and video, banner and drive-time radio advertisements. The ads will continue the “Seeing is a Gift” campaign, which launched in July 2017 the first new creative elements for the campaign since 2008.
For general campaign inquiries, or for industry members interested in becoming official Think About Your Eyes partners, contact Ron Sallerson, director of development for Think About Your Eyes.