SOUTHWEST OPTOMETRIC SOCIETY ANNUAL CE
September 22 & 23, 2026
Earn up to 10 hours of continuing education and enjoy our amazing host hotel! All courses are pending COPE accreditation.
Bedford Springs Resort
2198 Sweet Root Road Bedford, PA 15522
Join us at the beautiful Bedford Springs Resort for our educational conference. Take advantage of discounted room rates available through August 24, 2026, and enjoy convenient access to the exhibit hall, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. Make the most of your stay by extending your visit to experience the resort’s renowned spa, championship golf course, and exceptional amenities.
Event Schedule
All courses are pending COPE Accreditation.
TIME
EVENT
HOURS/CE
September 22, 2026
8:00 am ā 8:30 am
Check-In and Breakfast
8:30 am ā 10:10 am
Latest Advances in Eye Care Technology – Innovations in Early Detection and Management
Greg Caldwell, OD, FAAO
2 HoursĀ
10:10 am ā 10:30 am
Exhibit Hall and Coffee Break
10:30 am ā 12:10 pm
Course TBA
Nora Conway, OD
2 Hours
12:10 pm ā 1:30 pm
Lunch – Exhibit Hall
Industry Product Theater Talk (30 min)
1:30 pm ā 3:10 pm
Course TBA
James Deom, OD, FAAO
2 Hours
3:10 pm ā 3:30 pm
Exhibit Hall & Coffee Break
3:30 pm ā 5:10 pm
Glaucoma Update Purpose-Driven Pearls for Clinical Practice
Greg Caldwell, OD, FAAO
2 Hours
Conference Adjourns ā Enjoy Your Evening
TIME
EVENT
HOURS/CE
September 23, 2026
8:00 am ā 8:30 am
Check-In and Breakfast
8:30 am ā 10:10 am
Opioid Prescribing Integrating Patient Care and Practitioner Responsibility
Greg Caldwell, OD, FAAO
2 HoursĀ
10:10 am ā 10:30 am
Exhibit Hall and Coffee Break
10:30 am ā 12:10 pm
Child Abuse Act 31
Cheryl Gonsman
2 Hours
Conference Adjourns ā Enjoy Your Evening
Event Speakers
James Deom, OD, MPH, FAAO
Dr. Deom is a practice owner of a growing two location multi-specialty group in Northeastern Pennsylvania called Hazleton and Stroudsburg Eye Specialists. Dr. Deom enjoys a vast array of clinical focuses including scleral lenses, dry eye, brain injury, and the public health implications of systemic disease management by the Doctor of Optometry. Dr. Deom is a proud member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Associationās Board of Directors, and has held numerous other leadership roles in organized optometry. He continues to be a voice within the American Optometric Association as one of 50 Federal Advocacy Representativeās throughout the country. Dr. Deom co-hosts a weekly podcast entitled Try Not to Blink covering a vast array of optometry related topics. Dr. Deom is a proud Father and husband to his daughter Brynn, Son Franklin, and wife Jillian. Dr. Deom is an avid triathlete having completed numerous marathons, triathlons and 5 Ironman Triathlonsāwith one on deck for September 2020 in Chattanooga TN.
Nora Conway, OD
Dr.Ā Nora ConwayĀ is a 2014 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Prior to graduation, Dr.Ā ConwayĀ completed her externships in different locations and specialties including primary care, eye disease, contact lenses and Pediatrics. In 2020, Dr.Ā ConwayĀ completed a Residency in Pediatrics, Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation through Pacific University. In 2018 and 2022, Dr.Ā ConwayĀ was awarded Southwestern Pennsylvania Young Optometrist of the Year.
Dr.Ā ConwayĀ is the current president of the local Southwest Optometric Society, is active with the Pennsylvania Optometric Association and is a member of the American Optometric Association. She completed the AOA and POA leadership programs in 2022. After completing her residency, Dr.Ā Conway opened a private practice in Ebensburg, PA, which emphasizes diagnosis and treatment of binocular vision disorders.
Greg Caldwell, OD, FAAO
Greg Caldwell, O.D., 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), a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO), member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS), and member of the Optometric Wellness and Nutritional Society (OWNS). He currently works in Duncansville, Pennsylvania as an ocular disease consultant.
Dr. Caldwellās primary focus is the diagnosis and management of anterior and posterior segment ocular disease, and he has been a participant in multiple FDA investigations and trials. Dr. Caldwell has integrated nutrition, prevention, and wellness into his patient care. He practices integrative optometry. Dr. Caldwell is a co-founder of Optometric Education Consultants and co-administrator of OCT Connect on Facebook. Dr. Caldwell has lectured extensively throughout the county and over thirteen 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.
Cheryl Gonsman
Cheryl Gonsman is currently employed with Family Services Incorporated. She has been with family services for almost 23 years. She initially started her career as a volunteer. After serving as a volunteer for a year she was then hired as the legal advocate for the Victim services Program. She also served as the agency Development Director and the Community Liaison.
Her current position is as the Victim Services Direct Services Supervisor and has held this position for 8 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Penn State University. She has also had extensive training in various areas of victimization from noted organizations such as Pa Coalition to Advance Respect (formerly Pa Coalition Against Rape), Pa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and National Center for Victims of Crime. She is approved by the state to be a Trainer for the Mandated Child Abuse Reporter training.
Cheryl Gonsman is currently employed with Family Services Incorporated. She has been with family services for almost 23 years. She initially started her career as a volunteer. After serving as a volunteer for a year she was then hired as the legal advocate for the Victim services Program. She also served as the agency Development Director and the Community Liaison.
Her current position is as the Victim Services Direct Services Supervisor and has held this position for 8 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Penn State University. She has also had extensive training in various areas of victimization from noted organizations such as Pa Coalition to Advance Respect (formerly Pa Coalition Against Rape), Pa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and National Center for Victims of Crime. She is approved by the state to be a Trainer for the Mandated Child Abuse Reporter training.