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NDPW SIG Newsletter - Fall 2021
In This Issue:

  • Message from the Chair
  • Save the Date
  • Member News
  • Campus Notes
  • Request for Newsletter Contributions
  • In the News
Message from the Chair

Greetings,

Welcome back! Undoubtedly, the last year has offered many distractions from the SIG, from AAO, and maybe even from your usual wellness efforts. It was understandable, perhaps even unavoidable, as we focused on the safety of our families, our patients, and our businesses during this pandemic. I hope that you are now able to find the time and energy to attend Academy 2021 Boston, and join us for this year’s upcoming SIG activities.  

We are excited to host this year’s NDPW Symposium You Are What You Eat (And Smoke), featuring Whitney Catanio, OD, FAAO, as moderator. Please join us for the symposium on Friday, and for our annual reception immediately following. Additional details are included below. I also encourage you to review the 2021 Education Grid. There are numerous additional nutrition and disease prevention offerings in Boston this year.  

The NDPW SIG would like to know how you approach diabetes education in your practice. Please take our two-minute survey here. Survey results, as well as recommendations for improving diabetes patient education, will be shared in the next newsletter. 

We'd also like to hear your feedback. What would you like to see from the SIG in terms of newsletter content and future events? Do you have ideas to help promote the SIG and promote wellness education among fellow optometrists? Please feel free to reach out to me or any of the SIG officers anytime to share your ideas, or for opportunities to become an active member of the SIG. 


Best regards,

April M. Lewis, OD, FAAO
Nutrition, Disease Prevention, and Wellness Chair
Save the Date

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Symposium - You Are What You Eat (and Smoke)
Friday, November 5, 2021, 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Because nutrition is an integral part of today's eye care practice, this symposium aims to discuss how diet and nutritional factors influence systemic and ocular health. Dr. Stuart Richer, OD will discuss the science of cannabis, as well as the ophthalmic effects. Dr. Kim Reed, OD will discuss “Trendy Diets” including the myths and scientific facts of keto, fasting, and Whole 30. Dr. Julie Poteet, OD will detail the science behind the ideal anti-inflammatory diet.
 
SAVE THE DATE: Annual Reception and Business Meeting
Friday, November 5, 2021, 4:00 to 5:00 PM
We are excited to host our annual Reception and Business Meeting in Boston. The gathering will be held at the Westin Boston Riverfront Hotel just after the annual symposium. RSVP not required but appreciated. Please email aprilmlewisOD@gmail.com with your RSVP or questions. 
Member News

Are you sharing your NDPW knowledge at the upcoming AAO meeting or elsewhere? Please inform us of your accepted papers, posters, lectures, or other publications. We would also love to hear of your personal awards and accomplishments and to include them in future newsletters. Please forward updates to aprilmlewisod@gmail.com.  
Campus Notes

Do you have a Nutrition, Disease Prevention, and/or Wellness group at your optometry school? We want to know about it! We are excited to welcome Claire Pizzimenti, OD, FAAO, as our newest committee member. She serves as the SIG’s Student Outreach Coordinator. Please send updates to pizzimentis@gmail.com to share how you are including these important topics on your campus or student/resident teaching site!

Request for Newsletter Contributions

If you have cases, studies, or clinical pearls that you would like to share with us, we want to hear from you! We would also love to hear your ideas for future NDPW SIG symposiums and newsletters. Please forward updates to drwinter@creyecare.com. 
In the News
Mission Statement

The mission of the Nutrition, Disease Prevention and Wellness SIG is to promote excellent patient care with lifestyle and nutritional support for prevention and management of eye diseases and related systemic disorders through professional education, scientific investigation, and multidisciplinary collaboration. We strive to foster camaraderie and mentorship for students, doctors, and researchers interested in nutritional science as it relates to eye care.
Leadership

Chair:
April M. Lewis, OD, FAAO

Vice Chair:
Christine Winter-Rundell, OD, FCOVD, FAAO

Immediate Past Chair:
A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO

Program Chair:
Whitney Catanio, OD, FAAO