Click here for Manitoba Para-Optometric Association Spring CE, AGM & Tradeshow
 

Manitoba Association of Optometrists

Tradeshow
Continuing Education
Annual General Meeting
President's Celebration (WAG)
RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave, Winnipeg

May 10-11, 2023

Click here to go to the online registration form

NOTE: Full CE Registration $455 after April 8, 2024

Registration closes April 29, 2024

Schedule & Course Outlines

Friday, May 10, 2024
RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg
Room 4/5 RBCCC

8:00 am - 8:30 am   Buffet Breakfast  Sponsored by Coopervision

8:30 am - 9:30 am   The Mind's Eye: The Psychology of Optometry and the Future of Eye Care - Dr. Richard Maharaj   Sponsored by Sun Pharma
This lecture explores the perception of optometry and the role of optometrists in shaping that perception today and in the future. How can understanding optometry's psychological tendencies help practitioners navigate challenges such as recommending treatments and managing patient expectations effectively. It also touches on issues of specialization within optometry, productivity, burnout, and finding a balance between professional success and personal well-being. Overall, the talk emphasizes the importance of leveraging our psychological traits to improve patient care and practitioner satisfaction within the optometric profession.

9:30 am - 10:30 am  The use of Artificial Intelligence in Eyecare - Dr. Henry Reis
Join Dr. Reis for a discussion about the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in eye care, where he dissects its practical applications in diagnostic enhancement and personalized therapeutic approaches, as well as the ethical and regulatory considerations of this emerging technology.

10:30 am - 10:45 am   Coffee Break 

10:45 am - 11:45 am   Evidence-based Myopia Control - Dr. Henry Reis
In this lecture, Dr. Reis walks us through the roadmap to mastering myopia control, from understanding its importance to discussing current and emerging treatment modalities.

11:45 am - 1:00 pm   Lunch  & Awards Ceremony

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm   A Journey Through the Dry Eye Multiverse - Dr. Richard Maharaj and Dr. Diana Nguyen
This session will give learners a new lens to see the clinical and practice management approaches in the dry eye multiverse. Ocular surface disease cases from across different branches of eye care will be discussed in a conversational format that cover clinical approaches to episodic, chronic and recalcitrant DED as well as business cases to uncover revenue opportunities within the dry eye specialty space.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm  Manitoba Northern and Remote Committee - Dr. Cody van Dijk and Dr. Blake Chartier
This lecture is to educate members regarding the newly formed Northern and Rural Optometry Committee. It will inform members of the recently opened exam lane at the Churchill Health Centre, as part of a pilot project in collaboration with UWOVS. Further, it will educate members about travelling/itinerant optometry in Manitoba from a variety of angles, including logistics, remuneration, Provincial and Federal coverage, and equipment. We will address the need for more travelling optometrists and aim to help members considering this work overcome the obstacles.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm  Incorporation, What you need to know - Sarah Karasiuk, CPA, CGA
This session will cover the advantages of incorporating, things to consider when incorporating, how to incorporate, record keeping process, tax planning considerations, start-up and annual fees involved. The session will wrap with the time for questions and answer.

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm   Opening Reception  Sponsored by Alcon

5:00 pm - 9:00 pm   Tradeshow   (Room 2/3 RBCCC)
Tradeshow doors open at 5pm-9pm where there are a record number of exhibitors this year including 11 Annual Sponsors and 5 new vendors! Bring your draw ticket to the MAO booth for a chance to win great prizes throughout the night and fill out the tradeshow quiz for a chance to win one of the grand prizes including a signed Jets Jersey! Stop by the MAO/OVC booth to meet Dave Vankoughnett, new OVC Manager and enter for a chance to win a signed Bomber Jersey!

Saturday, May 11, 2024
RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg
Room 4/5 RBCCC

8:00 am - 8:30 am   Buffet Breakfast  Sponsored by Bausch + Lomb

8:30 am - 9:30 am   Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders - Dr. Santiago Ruano
This session will review the presentation of Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorders (CCDD) and their differences, discuss difficulties in their management, explore treatment options for each individual diagnosis and summarize the different CCDD.

9:30 am - 9:45 am   Coffee Break  

9:45 am - 12:00 pm   ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm   Joint Luncheon with MPOA (meeting room 3) Sponsored by Essilor Luxoticca

1:30 pm - 4:30 pm   CPR Level C (meeting room 6-8)
Recertification, Red Cross, training provided by First Aid Training Centre.

6:30 pm - 12:00 am   President's Celebration at the Winnipeg Art Gallery
Join us for this all new Interactive evening of celebration with colleagues. Upon entering Ilavut Hall, our kick off reception will be surrounding Qaumajuq, the three-story glass Visible Vault filled with thousands of carvings from the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art. Mingle and take in some amazing Optical Illusions from a local slight of hand magician.

Progressing into the main hall around 8pm, there is no assigned seating tonight, you will have the continued opportunity to mix and mingle with everyone while tasting delights from various stations. Take a rest in the lounge area or show off your moves on the dance floor!

This evening is made possible thanks to our event sponsors: Johnson & Johnson Med Tech, Hoya, and Westgroupe.

One Ticket included with full CE registration or $104.76 + tax each ($110)

Featured Speakers

Richard Maharaj, OD, FAAO is the managing partner of Prism optometry services and director of interventional dry eye clinics at the Prism Eye Institute, the largest provider of medical and surgical eye care in Canada. He is a clinical adjunct faculty for the University of Waterloo School of Optometry, the Canadian Association of Optometrists Section Chair for Ocular Surface Disease, Editorial Board Member for The Journal of Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Disease, and Chief Education Officer at MyDryEye.ca and co-founder for the Canadian Dry Eye Summit - a national conference dedicated to educating eye doctors in dry eye disease management. He also serves as the chief scientific officer for AI4Eyes, developing artificial intelligence diagnostics for eye care. As a published international speaker and clinical scientist on diseases of the ocular surface and the psychology of health care, he remains an active member of both national and international professional associations.

Henry Reis, MD, MBA is a physician, author, editor and educator from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he graduated from the University of Brazil (UFRJ), with a summa cum laude Ophthalmology degree. Dr. Reis is the owner of Integra Eyecare, with clinics located in Vancouver and Burnaby, BC. Dr. Reis has served as the BCDO Vice-President, Chair of the Provincial Telehealth Committee, Editor Emeritus of the CRO Journal, Medical Advisor for I-MED Pharma and professional affairs consultant for multiple industry partners. Dr. Henry Reis’ recognitions include the 2018 Top 40 under 40 ODs in Canada, the BBOT Top 5 Businessperson of the Year Award in 2019 and 2020 and the 2020 Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award.

Diana Nguyen, OD, received her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at McMaster University and then went to complete her Doctor of Optometry at the University of Waterloo. She practices full scope optometry with a keen interest in dry eye and myopia control. Dr. Nguyen enjoys integrating the latest in dry eye technology for her patients in Winnipeg and she serves as a consultant for various companies such as Thea Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma and Labtician. She was also on the planning committee for the Dry Eye Summit - a Canadian conference that centered on ocular surface disease. While outside of the clinic, Dr. Nguyen is currently training in dance styles consisting of hip-hop, afro-beats, dancehall and heels - find her at Drop In Winnipeg!

Sarah Karasiuk, CPA, CGA, has a diverse background which includes over 10 years of extensive experience in public practice in multiple sectors. She is responsible for the oversight and delivery of compilation, review engagement and assurance engagements; with strong background in corporate and personal tax. During her time in public practice, Sarah has worked extensively in the assurance areas, gaining vast experience in review engagements including numerous non for-profit organizations. Sarah also has substantial experience with Board structure and governance.

Santiago Ruano Valenzuela, MD, MSc is a Pediatric ophthalmologist in Manitoba. He graduated with a medical degree in Monterrey Mexico followed by a masters in Global Health from Karolisnka Institutet in Sweden. He then went on to complete Strabismus fellowships in Mexico City, UT Southwestern in Texas, and then at the U of Manitoba before taking up practice full time in Winnipeg.

Venue Details

Accommodation 

The Tradeshow, Continuing Education and AGM will be held at the RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave, Winnipeg. Hotel rooms are available at the Delta Hotel, 350 St. Mary Ave. Update April 3, 2024, The Delta is now sold out on some nights. 

Fairmont Winnipeg is offering a competitive rate to any guests still needing a reservation. Phone 204-957-1350.

Block at a rate of 169.00 for your Spring Conference
Passkey link :  https://book.passkey.com/e/50814610
Kindly note that there is a 7 Day Cancellation Policy:  reservations cancelled less than 7 days before arrival will be charged a cancellation fee of 1 night's Room & Tax

Meals

Breakfasts & lunches are complimentary for CE attendees in Rooms 4/5, Main floor of the RBC Convention Centre.

The Joint Luncheon with MPOA will be in Meeting Room 3, Main Floor of the RBC Convention Centre.

Hospitality Suite

Hospitality on Friday and Saturday will be in the Manitoba Suite on the 17th Floor of the Delta Hotel, 350 St. Mary Ave.

Tradeshow

Opening Reception 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sponsored by Alcon

Friday, May 10, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Room 2/3, Main Floor of the RBC Convention Centre
Free with MAO or MPOA full CE registration or $35/person without CE

Continuing Education

Rooms 4/5, Main Floor of the RBC Convention Centre

Annual General Meeting

Saturday, May 11, 2023, 9:45 am - 12:30 pm
Rooms 4/5, Main Floor of the RBC Convention Centre
Arrive on time to earn 1 hour of CE credit for attendance!

CPR

Rooms 6-8, Main Floor of the RBC Convention Centre

President's Celebration

Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 12:00 am
Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd, Winnipeg
Tickets ($104.76+ tx) $110 (one ticket complimentary with full MAO CE registration)

Sponsored in part by Johnson& Johnson Med Tech, Hoya and Westgroupe.