ROAD TO OPTOMETRY
Is being an eye doctor the right choice for you?
Are you an undergrad or optometry student looking for guidance and mentorship within the eyecare industry? Latinos en Optometry has partnered with Transitions to bring you this exclusive Webinar Series "Road to Optometry" to support and inspire future and undergrads just like you!
Scroll down to see upcoming webinars and watch those that have previously aired.
EXCLUSIVE 8-PART WEBINAR SERIES
Previously Aired
Road to Optometry Webinar #8
Navigating Challenges On the Road to Optometry
Aired January 28, 2025
Dr. Angelica Cifuentes is a board-certified optometric physician, practicing in Miami, Florida. She is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Bye Dry Eyes and serves as the Optometric Director at Blinking Owl Eyecare.
Her commitment to education and advocacy spans across social media, where she actively engages with her audience through her platform @tinyoptometrist, boasting a substantial following across Instagram, TikTok and Youtube. Diva Zeckua Barajas, a third-year Optometry Student at Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry, speaks with Dr. Cifuentes about her inspirational journey from Colombia to Optometry and how she has successfully leveraged social media to connect with patients and colleagues.
Road to Optometry Webinar #7
Optometry & Academia
Aired October 28, 2024
Optometrists can work in academia in a variety of roles, including teaching, research, and administrative duties
Alyssa Malandris speaks with Latinos en Optometry Board Members Dr. Howard Purcell, President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry (NECO) and Dr. Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, Dean for the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry in the seventh episode of the Transitions Road to Optometry Webinar Series.
Road to Optometry Webinar #6
Helping patients restore their vision
Aired August 21, 2024
Karen G. Carrasquillo, OD, PHD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA is Senior Vice President of Clinical and Professional Affairs at BostonSight, a nonprofit eye healthcare organization and research center dedicated to saving sight and improving quality of life for patients. In her current role, she leads the BostonSight Needham Clinic team of doctors, contributes to innovation and new product development, and engages eye care professionals around the globe through educational and speaking opportunities. In addition, she is an adjunct clinical professor at the New England College of Optometry and an adjunct clinical professor at the school of optometry, MCPHS University.
Gabriela Estrada, an Ophthalmic Technician, and a Research Coordinator at Forefront Eyecare talks with Dr. Carrasquillo about what led her to Optometry and how she became interested in scleral lenses and the treatment of ocular surface diseases.
Road to Optometry Webinar #5
Eye Care Co-Management (working in partnership with Ophthalmologists)
Aired May 1, 2024
Diana Shechtman, OD, FAAO is a board-certified Optometrist who is currently the consultative optometric physician at Retina Consultants of Miami and Loh Ophthalmology , where she continues to practice full scope medical optometry with an emphasis in diagnosing and managing/co-managing ocular diseases. Dr. Shechtman was a full-time professor for 18 years at Nova Southeastern University. Among her many roles, she served as the coordinator of the Diabetes & Macula Clinic and the Director of Interdisciplinary Education Program. She’s dedicated the last decade in bridging care between MD/DO within distinct specialties and ODs, in order to better serve patients, as well as creating educational platforms to strengthen the profession. In this webinar, she talks about her career as an Optometrist and how she works in partnership with Ophthalmologists to enhance patient care.
Road to Optometry Webinar #4
The Beauty of Diversity in Optometry
Aired March 6, 2024
Lina T. Arango, OD is the founder of LTAVISION, an organization that promotes a healthy lifestyle and a healthy vision. Dr. Arango has been part of multiple medical mission trips in different countries and cultures. Her goal is to maximize eye health and to help her patients see clear for their lifetime providing equal access to care while making her patients feels valued and welcomed. Dr. Arango has built a unique concept called VICLE : Vision + Cycle where her passion and profession came together.
Dr. Arango talks about her road to a career in Optometry, challenges in the workplace, and offers advice for those considering a career in Optometry.
Road to Optometry Webinar #3
Teach and serve: Achieving your professional dreams in Academia
Aired: January 20, 2024
Hector Santiago, OD, Ph.D. has been involved in optometric education for 34 years. He was Dean of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry, Founding Dean of Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, and President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Dr. Santiago has organized more than 20 humanitarian clinical missions in the Dominican Republic and Panama where more than 15,000 patients have received free eye care, eyeglasses, medications, and pterygia surgeries. His lifetime interests are the development of optometric education throughout the world, cultural competence, pediatric optometry, optometric research, and clinical humanitarian service. In this installment of the Transitions/Latino’s en Optometry Road to Optometry webinar series he shares his story/career path with Optometry Student Liliana Gonzales.
Road to Optometry Webinar #2
The Road to Retail
Aired: November 1, 2023
Glenda Aleman-Moheeputh, OD has over 25 years of experience in the field of optometry. She has held the role of clinical liaison for Walmart Health Optometry in Florida and now practices at OK Love in Florida where she treats patients and offers consulting for local optometrists on the implementation of efficient techniques and treatments in myopia control. Optometry student Michelle Castro talks with Dr. Aleman-Moheeputh about what led her to Optometry, how she works with Ophthalmologists and Opticians , how optometrists can find their niche in retail settings, and her dedication to raising awareness about myopia management and establishing myopia management as the standard of care in optometry.
Road to Optometry Webinar #1
The Road to Private Practice
Aired: September 13, 2023
Diana Canto-Sims, OD is the founder of Buena Vista Optical, a fully bilingual, multi-cultural private Optometric practice and eyewear boutique in the heart of Chicago.
She is also the founder of La Vida Eyewear, an award-winning independent frame collection created to embrace diversity, Inclusion, and belonging by creating frame styles that fit her patient base, predominantly Hispanic, Latino, LatinX, and people of color.
Dorian Betancur, a student at Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry, speaks with Dr. Canto-Sims about how she got started, what it’s like to be in private practice, her commitment to serving the community, and how she balances work and family.