Mission Statement
Mission Statement for the profession of Optometry
The mission of the profession of Optometry is to fulfill the vision and eye care needs of the public through clinical care, research and education, all of which enhance the quality of life. Doctors of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as the diagnosis of the ocular manifestations of systemic conditions.
Mission Statement for the Canadian Association of Optometrists
The mission of the Canadian Association of Optometrists is to represent the profession of Optometry; to enhance the quality, availability, and accessibility of eye, vision, and related health care; to enhance and promote the independent, and ethical decision-making of its members; and to assist Doctors of Optometry in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care.
Committee Structure
The organizational structure of CAO. The CAO has ten provincial Associations as corporate members. Each Association appoints (or elects) a representative to sit on CAO Council that meets three or four times a year. CAO also has an elected group of officers (Executive Committee): President, Past President, President-Elect, and Secretary -Treasurer.
CAO is funded in part by dues paid by the provincial associations on a per–member basis. Please visit the links below for contact information.
- Executive Committee (2009)
- CAO Council (2009)
- National Office Staff
- External and Internal Relations
- Public Education
- Internal Infrastructure
- Standard of Care
- Government Relations and Legislation
For more information about CAO or its programs and projects, contact:
The Canadian Association of Optometrists234 Argyle Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K2P 1B9
Toll Free: 1-888-263-4676
Tel: (613) 235-7924
Fax: (613) 235-2025
Email: info@opto.ca
Web sites: www.opto.ca Top
Executive Committee (2009)
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- President:
- Dr. Kirsten North
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- President-elect:
- Dr. Lillian Linton
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- Secretary-Treasurer:
- Dr. Paul Geneau
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- Past-President:
- Dr. Len Koltun
CAO Council (2009)
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- Newfoundland & Labrador:
- Dr. Doug Côté
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- Prince Edward Island:
- Dr. Bonnie Gallant
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- Nova Scotia:
- Dr. Henry Smit
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- New Brunswick:
- Dr. Lillian Linton
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- Québec:
- Dr. Guy Julien
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- Ontario:
- Dr. Kirsten North
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- Manitoba:
- Dr. Denis Champagne
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- Saskatchewan:
- Dr. Barry Thienes
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- Alberta:
- Dr. Allan Jones
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- British Columbia:
- Dr. Paul Geneau
National Office Staff
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- Executive Director
- Glenn Campbell
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- Workshop Facilitator,
Optometric Assistant Course: - Lila Cobb
- Workshop Facilitator,
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- Director, Vision Care Plans:
- Doug Dean
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- Administrative Assistant:
- Claudette Gagnon
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- Web & Multimedia Developer:
- Tony Gibbs
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- Financial Officer:
- Yuli Guo
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- Executive Assistant
- Catherine Heinmiller
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- Directory of Communications:
- Leslie Laskarin
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- National Director, Optometric Assistant Course:
- Lise Loyer
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- Manager of Special Programs,
Optometric Assistant Course: - Terry Theiss
- Manager of Special Programs,
External and Internal Relations
1. EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL RELATIONS
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- Council Lead
- Dr. Len Koltun
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- 1.1 CNIB
- Dr. Julia Galatis, CAO Liaison
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- 1.2 COS
- Dr. Len Koltun, Chair
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- 1.3 NCVH
- Dr. Scott Mundle, CAO Liaison
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- 1.4 Awards
- Dr. Dorrie Morrow, Chair
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- 1.5 Optometry School Liaison Liaison:
- Dr. Len Koltun, Faculty Liaison
- Dr. Henry Smit, Student Liaison
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- 1.6 International Optometry:
- Dr. Susan Cooper, CAO Delegate, WCO
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- 1.7 Canadian Optometry Regulatory Authorities / Canadian Examiners in Optometry
- Dr. Denis Champagne, Council Liaison
2. PUBLIC EDUCATION
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- Council Lead
- Dr. Kirsten North
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- 2.1 Publications:
- Dr. Paul Geneau, Chair
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- 2.2 National Public Education Committee
- Dr. Lillian Linton, Co-Chair
- Dr. Marlene Reiss, Co-Chair
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- 2.3 CAO Websites / Member surveys:
- Dr. Barry Thienes, Chair
3. INTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE
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- Council Lead
- Dr. Lillian Linton
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- 3.1 Council and Executvie Committee:
- Dr. Len Koltun, Chair
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- 3.2 Governance / Policy:
- Dr. Doug Côté, Chair
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- 3.3 Finances, Personnel & National Office:
- Dr. Lillian Linton
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- 3.4 COETF:
- Dr. Calvin Smith, Chair (Trustees)
- Dr. Scott Mundle, Fundraising Chair
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- 3.5 Congress and Continuing Education: 2009 Congress
- Dr. Jayne Toombs
- Dr. David McKenna
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- 3.6 Member Group Plans:
- Dr. Guy Julien, Chair
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- 3.7 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI):
- Dr. Pasq Marcantonio, Chair
4. STANDARD OF CARE
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- Council Lead
- Dr. Paul Geneau
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- 4.1 Third Party
- Dr. Denis Champagne, Chair
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- 4.2 Optometric Assistant Course:
- Dr. Jacqueline John, Chair
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- 4.3 Children's Vision Initiative:
- Dr. Dorrie Morrow, Chair
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- 4.4 Low Vision Committee:
- Dr. Allan Jones, Chair
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- 4.5 Public Welfare:
- Dr. Paul Geneau, Chair
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- 4.6 Diabetes:
- Dr. Richard Lee, Chair
5. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & LEGISLATION
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- Council Lead
- CAO Executive Committee
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- 5.1 Government Relations / Legislation
- TBA
