National Optometric Student Association (NOSA)
2011 -2012 NOSA Officers
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Chapter
The National Optometric Association (NOA) was founded in 1969 by Dr. C. Clayton Powell and Dr. John L. Howlette. Its focus has always been on the needs of minority communities; specifically, addressing the need of accessibility to health care service.
The National Optometric Association created the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) in 1979 as an effort to recruit and support the retention of minority students in optometry schools across the country.
The Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University NOSA chapter has taken the mission of "addressing needs of minority populations" by directing multiple on-campus and community initiatives.
On campus, NOSA has established a mentoring program in which first year optometry students are paired with second year students. Through this program, first year students are offered a strong support system inside and outside of the classroom. Some of the most favored events include a Mural Tour of Philadelphia in the fall semester and quarterly potluck dinners.
In the community, NOSA hosts vision screenings, clothing drives, and the distribution of Thanksgiving baskets. The NOSA "ODs of Tomorrow" initiative addresses minority representation in education by reaching out to students at various educational levels in the community. Last year, NOSA visited Sheppard Elementary School and explained not only the importance of vision and health care, but also the anatomy of the eye through the dissection of pig eyes.
All of the various on-campus, community and fundraising events throughout the year culminate in an annual Spring NOSA Awards Banquet. The banquet celebrates and recognizes the efforts and achievements of PCO faculty, NOSA members, and graduating fourth year students.
For more information regarding NOA and NOSA at the national level, please visit the NOA website at http://www.natoptassoc.org and the new NOSA national website at www.wix.com/natoptstudentassoc/nosa. Also, visit our Facebook page! Just type "National Optometric Student Association" in the search engine.
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Sincerely,
Camille F. Cohen ’14
NOSA Chapter President,
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
| To reach this student organization: NOSA@salus.edu | ||
|---|---|---|
| President | Camille Cohen | Class of 2014 |
| Vice President | Jennifer Luckie | Class of 2014 |
| Treasurer | Kennard Herring | Class of 2014 |
| Secretary | Adrian Sutton | Class of 2014 |
| Parlimentarian | Shazeen Manji | Class of 2014 |
| Community Service Chairperson | Yolanda Wiggins | Class of 2014 |
| Fundraising Chairperson | Xavier Thompson | Class of 2014 |
| Historians | Constance Berryman | Class of 2014 |
| Charita Smith | Class of 2014 | |
| ODs of Tomorrow Chairperson | Whitney Roberson | Class of 2014 |
| Link to www.natoptassoc.org | ||
NOSA Member of the Month March 2012
Ruchi Shah Class of 2014
Undergrad Institution: University of Delaware
Major: Biology
Interesting fact about yourself: I speak three languages and can only wink with one eye ;).
Why you became a member of NOSA: I joined NOSA because it is an organization that reaches out to people in need.
NOSA Member of the Month February 2012
Tara Bucklew Class of 2014
Undergrad Institution: Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Major: Biology
Interesting fact about yourself: I have been hang gliding in the Outer Banks!
Why you became a member of NOSA: I decided to become a member of NOSA because it seemed like a great opportunity to serve within the local community, as well as a way to meet other optometry students outside of the classroom setting. I love working with people because each individual has a unique personality with which I must strive to effectively communicate. It is my hope that if I can connect with my community while in optometry school, I will then be able to use these experiences as a springboard for community vision care education and involvement throughout the remainder of my professional career.
NOSA Member of the Month January 2012
Cerina Buchanan
Undergrad Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
Interesting fact about yourself: I lettered as a freshman during the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) track meet in the 4X4m relay.
Why you joined NOSA: I love NOSA because it provides a service-learning springboard for ambitious, like-minded students, who aspire to helping those in underserved communities improve their plight. I am proud to have joined an organization that strives to provide effective, preventative eye care - be it through general education or screenings - to people who might not have the resources for, or access to, this type of care otherwise. This organization’s admirable mission drew me in, and I immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of its endeavors. NOSA also gives me a unique enrichment experience, allowing me, along with my peers, to gain professional skills, serve our new community, network, and create friendships that will last well beyond our years at PCO at Salus.
News & Activities
November, 2011
NOSA and ODs of Tomorrow
In November, the PCO chapter of NOSA (National Optometric Student Association) visited the Isaac A. Sheppard Elementary School in Philadelphia for a Science Discovery Day/Optometrists of Tomorrow event.
Third and fourth graders participated with a fifth grader who accompanied her younger sister to school. One of the day’s highlights was the dissection of cow’s eyes, which allowed the students to identify its structures. The students also learned about different eye conditions and diseases and were able to ask questions of the NOSA members, who enjoyed the event as much as the students.
Participants included NOSA members Tara Bucklew, Jennifer Luckie, Whitney Roberson, Charita Smith, Adrian Sutton, Xavier Thompson, and Yolanda Wiggins, all Class of 2014, and Class of 2015 members Shanee Chandler, Candace Ellis and Ruchi Shah.
Photographs courtesy of Charita Smith.
PCO Eyedol
The annual NOSA PCO Eyedol fundraiser was held in the Hafter Student Center on November 11. Faculty Melissa Trego, OD ’04, Elizabeth Tonkery, OD ’09 and Rachel Brackley, OD ’09 judged the open talent show featuring both students and faculty while students Shanee Chandler ’15OD and Candace Ellis ’15OD served as emcees. Event sponsor, Hoya Vision Care, donated an iPad2, a 32GB iPod touch and an 8GB iPod touch as prizes for the top three contestants.
According to NOSA president Camille Cohen, ’14OD, the exciting event was an opportunity for all classes and programs to come together and showcase their various talents to over 150 people in attendance . This year, the competition included a blend of songs and dances and an original tune about retinoscopy and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Act one featured the “Strabizmus” dance team consisting of Kristina Ngo ’15OD, Jason Cheung ’15OD, Ada Noh ’15OD, and Jerson Desiderio ’15OD and Vijal Shah ’14OD. Two non-competing acts: The Worth 4 Dots consisted of Terrence Roberts ’13OD, James Carson ’13OD, Keion Mark ’13OD and Keston Regis ’13OD and The Eye Divas were Whitney Roberson ’14OD, Constance Berryman ’14OD and Camille Cohen ’14OD. Singers included Bryttani Sylvain ’15OD, James Carson ’13OD, Dustin Asay ’13OD and Tiffany Pao ’13OD.
PCO Eyedol jump starts NOSA’s annual week-long Thanksgiving drive, which collected 300 canned goods, stuffing and drinks to be combined with donated turkeys for baskets. This year, 19 baskets were arranged on Saturday, November 19 and delivered to needy families in the Elkins Park area on November 22.
October, 2011 - NOSA Mural Tour
Members of NOSA (National Optometric Student Association) participated in a Philadelphia Mural Tour in October.
Mary Jo Baum, OD '79, was the tour guide, providing a thorough history of each of the 30 murals, allowing members to better view the murals and gain in-depth knowledge about them.
Sponsored by Walmart, the event provided the more than 25 NOSA members in attendance with an opportunity to learn more about ordering equipment, the benefits of doing a residency, and how to open multiple successful practices. Todd Pierzchala, OD '92, a Walmart optometrist, gave a presentation and answered students' questions. NOSA is hoping to make this tour an annual event. To see all the photos...
NOSA National News
At the annual National Optometric Association meeting this summer, student officers were inducted. Congratulations to Erica Turner ’13OD, 2011-2012 NOSA National President and Andrew Williams ’12OD, 2011-2012 National Treasurer.
Kennard Herring ’14OD, was elected as the 2012-2013 NOSA National Treasurer and Jennifer Luckie ’14OD, as 2012-2013 NOSA National Recording Secretary.
While attending the conference, PCO NOSA members had the privilege of meeting NOA co-founder Dr. C. Clayton Powell.
July, 2011 - NOSA at the National Optometric Association Annual Meeting - San Diego
PCO was well represented at the 43rd Annual NOA Convention in sunny San Diego, as NOSA members attended the three day conference from July 27-31.
During the convention, the annual NOA induction ceremony for this year’s national officers was held. Last year’s PCO NOSA chapter president, Erica Turner ’13, was inducted as NOSA national president, and Andrew Williams ’12 was inducted as the NOSA national treasurer.
Additionally, elections were held for national office for the 2012-2013 terms. Kennard Herring ’14 was elected as the NOSA National Treasurer, and Jennifer Luckie ’14 was elected as the NOSA national recording secretary.
To cap this exciting news, NOSA PCO SU was also named NOSA CHAPTER OF THE YEAR for 2010-2011!
April, 2011
25th Annual Awards Banquet
Tthe PCO chapter of the National Optometry Students Association (NOSA)held its 25th Annual Awards Banquet at the Blair Mill Inn, celebrating 25 years of service to the community. Dr. Karen Jones, former NOSA PCO chapter president (1997-1998) and PCO alumna (2000), was the event's keynote speaker. The 82 guests enjoyed a buffet dinner, as well as music and dancing.
25 Years of Community Service
The chapter celebrated 25 years of community service at the annual NOSA Awards dinner on April 15. Held this year at the Blair Mill Inn in Hatboro, PA, the dinner featured speakers Dr. Thomas L. Lewis, president of the University and Dr. Karen Jones ’00, who gave the keynote address. Awards were presented to NOSA members and the NOSA Member of the Year award was given to Camille Cohen ’14.
An induction ceremony was held for the incoming officers, all members of the Class of 2014:
- President - Camille Cohen
- Vice president - Jennifer Luckie
- Treasurer - Kennard Herring
- Secretary - Adrian Sutton
- Vision screenings/
- Community service chair - Yolanda Wiggins
- ODs of Tomorrow chair - Whitney Roberson
- Fundraising chair - Xavier Thompson
April, 2011 Dodge Ball Event
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March, 2011
Pediatrics Presentation
Dr. Ruth Shoge, TEI instructor and PCO alumna, presented on pediatric optometry. Dr. Shoge discussed the expected binocular vision findings, gave a summary of diagnostic findings for common accommodative binocular vision disorders, as well as the best treatment approach by diagnosis. The information she provided will prove to be invaluable in clinical practice.
Networking Event
Dr. Ruffin's networking presentations provided useful information that students could utilize at any networking event. She discussed establishing a relationship; seeking knowledge and retaining information; dressing appropriately, and the importance of making eye contact and having a firm handshake. Dr. Ruffin also discussed traits that an effective networker should possess, such as being confident, having a positive attitude, and being genuinely interested in the conversation. The evening was hosted by Wal-mart, who provided dinner for the attendees.
2010 Archive News Stories