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Dr. Michael Nelson received his Optometry degree in Waterloo, ON and completed a family practice & low vision residency at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He served as the continuing education chair for the Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO), and was the president of the MAO from 2000-2003. Recently he was the co-chair for the Canadian Association of Optometrists Congress hosted in Winnipeg in 2011. His interests lie in low vision, contact lenses and management of ocular diseases. He loves to keep up-to-date on the latest in ocular research, diagnostic equipment and lens technology. Dr. Nelson is also the clinical director of Eye Canada, a center dedicated to eye research and helping individuals with vision impairments.
Dr. Michael Dennis attended McMaster University where he obtained his BSc in biology. He was accepted to the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and graduated with his OD in 1981. Since then he has practiced in Prince George, BC. He enjoys general practice and the opportunity to care for the people of Northern BC. Dr. Dennis has a keen interest in diabetes and how it affects eyes and has helped Diabetes Canada assist people living with diabetes. He is a past president of the BC Doctors of Optometry and served on the board of the College of Optometrists.
Dr. Barry Thienes graduated from the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo in 1975. He was on the Council of the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists 1979-93 and was involved with the rewriting of the Optometry Act of 1985. He has held a range of leadership positions including President of the SAO, Registrar of the SAO, Chairman of the SAO Discipline committee as well as Chairman of Saskatchewan Optometric Foundation and Optometric Lliaison to National Health and Welfare for Saskatchewan. In addition to these contributions to the profession and his role on CAO's governing council since 2007, Dr Thienes has run a successful private Optometry practice in Saskatchewan since 1975.
Dr. Kim Bugera graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science in 1996, the recipient of various awards, scholarships and honours. In addition to serving on the Board of the Alberta Association of Optometrists, Dr. Bugera was an active member of the council for the Alberta College of Optometry, including serving a term as President. Dr. Bugera spearheaded the efforts of the Boyle McCauley Health Centre Optometry Clinic to help those less fortunate in downtown Edmonton, and has shared that passion for helping others through her involvement in vision care missions in more than ten developing countries, including Kenya, Peru and the Philippines.
Dr. Surjinder Sahota graduated from the Doctor of Optometry program at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) and was then accepted into a prestigious residency program at the Illinois Eye Institute in Ocular Disease/Primary Care. She had the unique opportunity to work with world renowned ophthalmologists from the University of Chicago. After completing her residency, Dr. Sahota went back to her hometown of Williams Lake to practice. Dr. Sahota has served on the board of the British Columbia Doctors of Optometry since 2008, including serving a term as President. She has a passion for public education and has worked with the public relations committee in helping educate patients about the importance of eye health and preservation of vision.