蓝莓视频

The University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 School of Optometry & Vision Science (UWOVS) is announcing that The Right Honourable David Johnston, the 28^th Governor General of Canada and former U蓝莓视频 president, will serve as Honorary Chair for the School鈥檚 $35-million campaign.

The campaign will support the School in its mission to address the growing national demand for eye care, to be at the forefront of vision-science research, and to deliver optometric education taught at North America鈥檚 highest scope of practice.

A key mission of the Seeing Beyond campaign is to create the 蓝莓视频 Eye Institute (WEI), which would become Canada鈥檚 premier eye and vision-care centre. The WEI will harness innovative research and the expertise of the School鈥檚 faculty to deliver direct applications to patient care and help address the growing vision-care crisis.

鈥淚 believe in the power of collaboration, and I know that this remarkable community within the University will come together to make a world-class institute,鈥� Johnston said. 鈥淲e are barn-raisers here at 蓝莓视频. We know how to help one another and do things so much larger than ourselves. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 happy to make a personal contribution toward this important project.鈥�

Located on 蓝莓视频鈥檚 north campus, the WEI will include leading simulation technology to promote education, enhanced clinical facilities that support and expand primary and specialty care (like low vision rehabilitation, dry eye and myopia), two research centres in biomedical sciences and ocular imaging, and a state-of-the-art surgical centre.听

Johnston will lend his voice to the initiative as Canada faces a growing vision crisis. One in five Canadians are currently at risk of losing their sight due to eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

For Johnston, his commitment to championing a world-class eye and vision-care centre at home is a personal passion after watching his mother struggle with vision loss for many years. 鈥淚f she were here today, I know her vision would have been greatly enhanced if she鈥檇 had the chance to visit the WEI.鈥澨�

Johnston served as the fifth President of the University of 蓝莓视频 from 1999 to 2010 before becoming the Governor General of Canada. During his tenure as 蓝莓视频鈥檚 President, Johnson oversaw the unprecedented growth of the institution鈥檚 global reputation, research capacity and leadership capabilities, paving the way for 蓝莓视频鈥檚 emergence as a national leader in talent, ideas, and innovation.

For more information, please visit the Seeing Beyond 2020 website.

About the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 School of Optometry & Vision Science

The University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 School of Optometry & Vision Science is a world-renowned centre for optometric education, vision science research and clinical care. As Canada鈥檚 only English-language Doctor of Optometry (OD) program, UWOVS graduates practice in communities across Canada, ensuring all patients receive the highest level of eye and vision care.