Think About Your Eyes Names New Leadership
Past AOA President to Lead Campaign Advisory Committee
Alexandria, VA (December 14, 2017) – 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 (AOA) 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.
Dr. Loomis served as a trustee of the AOA for ten 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, Col.
Dr. 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 January 15, viacable 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, please contact Ron Sallerson, director of development for Think About Your Eyes.
About Think About Your Eyes
Think About Your Eyes is a national public awareness initiative in partnership with the American Optometric Association, focused on educating consumers about the importance of vision health and annual comprehensive eye exams. Current partners include Alcon, The Vision Council, American Optometric Association, All About Vision, GUNNAR Optiks, Jobson Optical Group, National Vision, Inc. (NVI), SpecialEyes, SPY, Hilco, Optolec, Compliancy Group, Walman Optical, Transitions, Shamir, Chemistrie Eyewear, Essilor, Luxottica Group, Eschenbach, Johnson & Johnson Vision, First Vision Media Group, International Vision Expo and Westgroupe. For more information, visit www.thinkaboutyoureyes.com.
