GOLDEN, Colo.—Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has established a new Board of Directors to oversee the organization, according to an announcement. Dr. Juan Carlos Aragon, president of CooperVision’s Specialty Eye Care Division, is the president of the new board. He previously served as Optometry Giving Sight’s chair of their Advisory Council U.S.A. and the Global Board for several years. Joining Dr. Aragón on the board are: Dr. Howard Purcell, president and CEO of the New England College of Optometry; Yvette Waddell, CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation; Dr. Susan Cooper, former president of the World Council of Optometry; and Dr. Earl Smith, former Dean of the University of Houston College of Optometry.

The OGS board is meeting in Orlando during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry and the World Congress of Optometry.

The past year has been one of transition for Optometry Giving Sight, as it is now focusing most of its fundraising priorities in the U.S. and Canada. The Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation, one of the founding members of OGS, continues as a major implementing project partner. The World Council of Optometry, also a founding member of OGS, continues as a partner.

Dr. Aragon said, “We are very excited for Optometry Giving Sight’s future as we will be building on our strong history of supporting projects that bring accessible and sustainable eyecare to those who are in need in the developing world. We look forward to enhancing our existing relationships in the vision care community and to establishing new partners throughout the industry.”

Currently, Optometry Giving Sight is conducting its largest fundraising campaign of the year, the World Sight Day Challenge. Optometrists, practices and staff, vision care companies and others are all invited to participate in giving sight and hope to thousands of people around the world.