Great Western Council of Optometry Hosts Record Number of Attendees to Its Annual Congress
A record-breaking number of optometrists attended the Great Western Council of Optometry annual congress at the Oregon Convention Center and Crowne Plaza hotel here earlier this month, Oct. 9 to 12, 2014. The 635 ODs, 127 allied ophthalmic professionals, and 231 students in attendance came from 41 states and three Canadian provinces. During the event, attendees had access to 90 hours of continuing education rounded out by a number of giveaways, promotions and social events. With a "Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame" theme, exhibitors displayed cutting-edge technology in eye health care. The first prize for best themed booth went to Spectrum Ophthalmics, second prize to TLC Laser Eye Center and third prize to Retina & Macula Specialists. The welcome reception, sponsored by Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute, featured keynote speaker, Gilan Cockrell, OD, FAAO, who has been in private practice in Emporia, Kan., since 1980, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas Optometric Association in both 1993 and 2000, was voted the 2002 Kansas Optometrist of the Year, and co-founded both the Eye Care Council and the "See To Learn" program. The GWCO also recognized Coby S. Ramsey, OD, of Wyoming as 2014 OD of the Year, and welcomed the American Optometric Association president, David A. Cockrell, OD, of Oklahoma. In addition, the GWCO introduced its new president, Paul Barney, OD, of Alaska, and honored him at the president's reception, which also featured a "Rock N' Roll" theme. Other board members are Sue E. Lowe, OD; Mark R. Lee, OD; Rand W. Siekert, OD; Harue Marsden, OD; Brian Kubo, OD; Kent Yount, OD; James Davis, OD; Kevin W. McBride, OD; Nathaniel Roland, OD; Douglas Melzer, OD; Michael Judkins, OD; and Curtis Ono, OD. GWCO Congress 2014 was supported through sponsorship and education grants by Alcon, Allergan, Vistakon, CooperVision, Hoya, Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute, Bausch + Lomb, The Vision Care Institute, VSP Global, Financially Fit, Marco, Northwest Eye Surgeons, Retina & Macula Specialists, Pacific University Oregon, UnitedHealthcare, Oculus, Zeiss, Tear Science, iMatrix, Nordic Naturals, Williams Group, and Vision Source. Next year's congress will be held in Portland, Ore., again, about a month earlier, Sept. 10 to 13, 2015. Comprised of 13 western states, the GWCO is a non-profit association founded in 1991 to facilitate communication, enhance professional development and provide financial support to affiliated state optometric associations. Since 1997, it has provided more than $1.4 million dollars in non-dues revenue to member state optometric associations.
