Orlando 2022 Recap 

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING

While outstanding clinical education is important, we at OEC also feel that the experience is equally important. We design conferences to allow attendees flexibility in getting outstanding clinical continuing education and the opportunity to enjoy the facilities and surrounding area. In addition to securing golf and spa credits for attendees, we also plan lectures to ensure enough time to enjoy Scottsdale and surrounding areas, lay back and relax, and make travel home easier with an early end time.

THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS

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Optometric Education Consultants Exhibitor | Maximeyes
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SUPPORTER

Optometric Education Consultants Exhibitor | Maximeyes
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EDUCATION

Courses

Friday, June 10, 2022

Utilizing Diagnostic and Therapeutic Advancements to Effectively Manage Ocular Surface Disease
Derek Cunningham, OD
COPE: 74517-AS
FL: 20-907420 
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Review of Systems
Joseph Pizzimenti, OD
COPE: 77890-SD
FL: 20-901448 
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Age Related Macular Degeneration Update
Joseph Pizzimenti, OD
COPE: 77891-TD
FL: 20-901450 
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Clinical Case Challenge
Joseph Sowka, OD and Greg Caldwell, OD
COPE: 77889-GO
FL: 20-901452
Course Notes (6x Slides)


Saturday, June 11, 2022

Real World Retina
Jaya Kumar, MD
COPE: 77893-TD
FL: 20-901454 
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Angle Closure Glaucoma
Danica Marrelli, OD
COPE: 73693-GL
FL: 20-901456 
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Rapid Fire Grand Rounds
Danica Marrelli, OD
COPE: 77897-GO
FL: 20-901768
Course Notes (6x Slides)

 


Sunday, June 12, 2022

Systemic Prescribing for the Primary Care Optometrist
Danica Marrelli, OD
COPE: 77898-PH
FL: 20-901770
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Ocular Disease- Interpretation and Utilization of New and Old Technologies
Greg Caldwell, OD
COPE: 77894-TD
FL: 20-901458 
Course Notes (6x Slides)
Course Notes (Full Slides)

Prevention of Medical Errors (Florida required)
Joseph Sowka, OD and Barry Frauens, OD
COPE: 75147-EJ
FL: 20-901460 
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Grand Rounds: Improving Eye Care and Outcomes for Patients
Greg Caldwell, OD
COPE: 77895-TD
FL: 20-901462 
Course Notes (6x Slides)
Course Notes (Full Slides)

Florida Jurisprudence (Florida Required)
Joseph Sowka, OD and Barry Frauens, OD
COPE: 74589-EJ
FL: 20-901464 
Course Notes (6x Slides)

HIV and AIDS: What Every Optometrist Needs to Know
Joseph Sowka, OD
COPE: 77896-SD
FL: 20-901466
Course Notes (6x Slides)

Education Sponsored By:

 

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Greg Caldwell | Optometric Education Consultants

Greg Caldwell, OD, FAAO

Greg Caldwell, OD, is a 1995 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He completed a one-year residency in primary care and ocular disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO).

He currently works in Duncansville and Johnstown, Pennsylvania as an ocular disease consultant. Dr. Caldwell’s primary focus is the diagnosis and management of anterior and posterior segment ocular disease and he has been a participant in multiple FDA investigations. Dr. Caldwell has lectured extensively throughout the county and over twelve countries internationally. In 2010 he served as President of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) and served on the AOA Board of Trustees 2013-2016. He is President of the Blair/Clearfield Association for the Blind.

Joseph Sowka | Optometric Education Consultants

Joseph Sowka, OD, FAAO, Diplomate

Dr. Joseph Sowka is an attending optometric physician at Center for Sight in Sarasota and Venice, Florida, a large medical-surgical practice where he focuses on glaucoma and neuro- ophthalmic disease management. He is the residency education coordinator at Center for Sight. He is also Director of Optometric Business Development for US EYE. He was formerly Professor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry for 28 years where he served numerous academic and administrative roles. Dr. Sowka is a founding member of both the Optometric Glaucoma Society and Optometric Retina Society. He is also the Founder and former Chair of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders in Optometry Special Interest Group for the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Sowka is a Glaucoma Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry. In 2021 and 2022, he was ranked #4 optometrist in the US by Newsweek magazine “America’s Best Eye Doctors” list. He is a partner and co-owner of Optometric Education Consultants.

Joseph Sowka | Optometric Education Consultants

Danica J. Marrelli, OD, FAAO, AAO Diplomate (Glaucoma)

Danica Marrelli received her doctor of optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO), and completed a residency in hospital-based optometry at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. She is currently a clinical professor at UHCO, where she serves as Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and staffs the glaucoma, retina, and general eye disease clinics. In the classroom, Dr. Marrelli teaches in the ocular pharmacology, glaucoma and case-based learning courses. Dr. Marrelli became a diplomate in the ocular disease (glaucoma) section of the American Academy of Optometry in November 2009 and is the vice president of the Optometric
Glaucoma Society.

Joseph Sowka | Optometric Education Consultants

Barry J. Frauens, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Barry J. Frauens graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in 1996 and thereafter completed a one-year residency program in Primary Care optometry at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

Dr. Frauens is a full-time faculty member at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry where he holds the rank of Associate Professor and serves as the Chief of the Primary Care Service at the N. Miami Beach Clinic. Dr. Frauens served as Chair of the Department of Clinics as well for nearly a decade.

Dr. Frauens is a past President of the Florida Optometric Association and the Broward County Optometric Association. He is the 2002 recipient of the BCOA ‘Optometrist of the Year’ award, the 2003 ‘NSU Distinguished Alumni Achievement’ award, the 2006 FOA ‘Optometrist of the Year’ award and the 2017 FOA Edward K. Walker ‘Optometrist of the Decade’ award.

Dr. Frauens has published numerous journal articles in the refereed literature. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a fellow of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, a Fellow of the Optometric Retina Society and is one of the first Optometrists in the profession to become Board Certified by the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Frauens has lectured locally, regionally, nationally and internationally covering numerous subjects in anterior and posterior segment ocular disease management as well as prevention of medical errors. His current research interests include glaucoma.

Joseph Sowka | Optometric Education Consultants

Joseph J. Pizzimenti, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Joseph Pizzimenti is an internationally-recognized speaker and author, and a Fellow of both the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and the Optometric Retina Society (ORS). He served as ORS President from 2012-2014.

Dr. Pizzimenti has completed funded clinical research in the areas of diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, vitreomacular adhesion, and low vision. His scientific articles and have appeared in a host peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Pizzimenti co-authored a chapter on Diabetic Retinopathy in the textbook entitled Diabetes in Black America.

Dr. Pizzimenti enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his wife, Dr. Claire Pizzimenti, and their three children.

Joseph Sowka | Optometric Education Consultants

Jaya B. Kumar, M.D.

Dr. Jaya B. Kumar is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon at
Florida Retina Institute. She practices in 5 locations across central Florida including Orlando, Lake Mary,
Daytona, Orange City, and Lady Lake. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Louis University with
an Honors Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctorate of Medicine. Dr. Kumar completed an internship
in internal medicine at Saint Louis University and ophthalmology residency at Duke University in Durham,
North Carolina. Following residency training, Dr. Kumar completed a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery
and diseases at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

 

Derek Cunningham, OD, FAAO

Dr. Cunningham’s advanced research cover a vast spectrum of eye are and neuroscience including; dry eye treatments, glaucoma medications and surgeries, retinal disease, cataract and lasik surgeries, cosmetic treatments and products, vision enhancement and sports vision. His innovative research has been presented at all major meetings ranging from the American Retinal society, the Academies of Ophthalmology and Optometry, to the American College of Sports Medicine. His research has been featured in many medical journals and showcased in publications such as Sports Illustrated and Forbes Magazine.

In addition to having been an associate professor at Texas Tech School of Medicine, Dr. Cunningham also held adjunct professor status at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and University of Waterloo, University of Houston, and University of Incarnate Word.

Dr. Cunningham is an internationally recognized educator, having provided continuing education lectures to eye doctors throughout the world. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is board certified by the American Board of Optometry.  He is also the founding Chair of the Integrated Ophthalmic Task Force for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 

Dr. Cunningham is the director of the Dry Eye Institute at Dell Laser Consultants (DLC) and is well published in the areas of advanced dry eye treatments and facial aesthetics.  He has presented to and educated leading ophthalmologists, corneal specialist and optometrist in the United States and numerous countries around the world.   Many of Dr. Cunningham’s dry eye protocols are being used by academic institutions around the country and his eye disease grading scales are even research standards in other countries. 

Dry eye milestones
- Cunningham was one of the lead authors for the only peer reviewed published optometric dry eye guidelines in North America.
- Cunningham was a co-host of The Dry Eye Summit. A meeting of the top 50 leading dry eye optometry experts in North America. 

Dr. Cunningham has a special interest in Sports Vision and Performance, and is the former Chair of the American Optometric Association’s Sports Vision Section. He currently consults and provides vision training services to numerous professional and NCAA teams.  This work will often have Dr. Cunningham presenting and attending meetings such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers Association meetings. 

Dr. Cunningham is the creator of a popular line of surgical and ophthalmic instruments including:
- The Cunningham Ring Curette®
- The Cunningham Punctal Probe®
- The Cunningham Meibomian Gland Expresser®

As Director of Optometry and Research at Dell Laser Consultants (DLC), Dr. Cunningham specializes in the evaluation and management of vision correction surgery patients and coordinates DLC’s clinical research studies. He oversees the dry eye clinic, including advanced dry eye and facial rejuvenation programs.