Goodwin College's Ophthalmic Program Accredited

At the October 2, 2016 meeting, the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) approved accreditation for Goodwin College’s Ophthalmic Science Program. Maryann Santos, director of the Goodwin program, reported that it was found to be in compliance with the Essentials of an Accredited Educational Program for Opticianry. The accreditation lasts for two years. This accreditation classification will be in effect retroactive to May 25, 2016 and expiring May 24, 2018. The accreditation status will include all graduates of the program in 2016. This accreditation status will be extended to 6 years when the program is able to demonstrate full compliance with the remaining potential/non-compliant sections of the Essentials. This is standard for newly accredited programs.The commissioners said that they are honored to list the Ophthalmic Science Program at Goodwin College among its accredited programs, according to Santos.

Goodwin College to Run ABO & NCLE Review Courses

On July 28, the Ophthalmic Science Department at Goodwin College will run review classes for the ABO and NCLE exams. The cost: A donation of non-perishable food items for families in need. The department also asks participants not to donate items at or near their expiration date. Aside from that requirement, you need to fill out the form found at this link: SU2016 ABO/NCLE Review Registration. Please complete all boxes on the ABO/NCLE registration form. You must register before July 26 at 11:59 pm. You can submit the registration via a link at the bottom of the SU2016 page above.

Questions? Contact: Maryann Santos, Program Director of Ophthalmic Science at Goodwin College.

Event Date: Thursday, July 28, 2016

Location: Goodwin College
403 Main Street
(corner of Crosby and Main Street)
East Hartford, CT 06118

Time: 5:30 pm Registration and Check-In
6:00-8:30 pm ABO Review
6:00-8:30 pm NCLE Review

New Blog for Opticians

Maryann Santos, the director of the ophthalmic program at Goodwin College in East Hartford, CT, has started What's an Optician, a blog for and about opticians and opticianry. Her first post is a video about what is an optician. She is looking for guest bloggers. If you have an inclination, write her at WhatsAnOptician@gmail.com.

Goodwin College's Ophthalmic Science Department Offering Free ABO/NCLE Test Review on Oct. 18

For the expense of an unwrapped toy or non-perishable food items, individuals in the optical field will receive a six-hour ABO/NCLE test review. Goodwin College will host the event on Sunday, Oct. 18, at its East Hartford campus. Registration will begin at eight. The school will provide lunch, and the afternoon sessions will end at four.

Do you want to attend? You will need to pre-register by emailing Maryann Santos msantos@goodwin.edu, who is the director of Goodwin's Ophthalmic Science Department. You will receive a registration form by email that must be filled out and submitted in advance.

Registration on Oct. 18	8:00-8:30
ABO Review by Rebecca Soto	8:45-11:45 1:00-4:00
NCLE Review by Maryann Santos	8:45-11:45 1:00-4:00
Lunch provided by Goodwin College’s Ophthalmic Science Department

Remember. Goodwin's Ophthalmic Science Department is offering this opportunity only for the cost of an unwrapped toy or non-perishable food, which it will distribute to underprivileged families in the East Hartford community.

Goodwin Ophthalmic Science Program Helps Mother of Two to Change Careers

Michele Miller, single mother of two, decided she wanted a new career after a dozen as an oral surgery assistant. She enrolled in Goodwin College’s Ophthalmic Science program. The college's evening program enabled her to work full-time in order to support her family. Meanwhile, the program has already allowed her to get into the ophthalmic field. Even though she has two semesters to go, Miller landed a full-time position in the field. “I was encouraged by my professors, I put my resume out there, and I got the job,” Miller stated in a recent issue of Goodwin ENews. She advocates for the program, noting that individuals thinking about enrolling shouldn't "shy away from the program because of your age. I’ve met students from all walks of life here, and I’ve learned something from everyone. If you have doubts, come visit Goodwin. You’ll understand.” Read more.

Goodwin's Ophthalmic Science Department to Open Optical Training Store

On May 11, the Ophthalmic Science department of Goodwin College will open its Optical Training Store, licensed by the Connecticut's Department of Health. Under the direct supervision of a clinical instructor, the department's students will use the skills learned during their previous three semesters to assist with and to fit eyewear for Goodwin College students, the college's employees, and on-campus employees of Goodwin contractors. Naturally the store will model a setting of a traditional optical practice. The store will operate on a walk-in basis to patients presenting prescriptions less than a year old. It will not work with insurance plans, but the store says that it will offer "substantial" discounts. To find out more about the optical training program and the store, go to Ophthalmic Science department of Goodwin College.

Goodwin College Welcomes First Optical Class

First class in Goodwin College's Ophthalmic Science Program.

Seven students at Goodwin College, East Hartford, started their second semester in the school's new Associate-degree Ophthalmic Science Program. The school is administered by Program Director Maryann Santos and Practicum Coordinator Rebecca Soto, both licensed opticians in Connecticut. They have set up an optical training store, fabrication lab and contact lens clinic. OPS’s first year students are studying anatomy,

Soto and Santos in Goodwin's optical training store.

physiology and pathology of the eye, introduction to ophthalmic science, and ophthalmic fabrication and dispensing 1.