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The Vision Care Institute™ of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Unveils New Training Theatre, Expanded Teaching Facility
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (August 15, 2005) — The Vision Care Institute™ of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. (TVCI), today announced an expansion of its Jacksonville facility that will allow TVCI to reach a broader audience of students and eye care professionals.
The centerpiece of the expansion is the Sullins Training Theatre, named in honor of Navy Rear Admiral W. David Sullins, Jr., O.D. Dr. Sullins was the first optometrist to attain the military rank of Rear Admiral, and also served as President of the American Optometric Association.
The 105-seat Theatre is dominated by a 7-by 12-foot projection screen. The screen is linked to six technologically advanced examination rooms, where more than 100 students can observe TVCI faculty guiding students through a variety of real-world scenarios. The curriculum provides participants the skills necessary to meet patient needs and prepare for successful practice. The Theatre also provides an environment for long distance learning by videoconference or satellite transmission, opening the door for remote lectures and demonstrations from around the world.
Four additional instructional areas were also named:
- The Armstrong Conference Room, named after Dr. Mollie Wright Armstrong, who was among the first female optometrists in the United States. Dr. Armstrong began her practice in Brownwood, Texas in 1899. She served as president of both the Texas Board of Examiners and the Texas Optometric Association. Dr. Armstrong was the first editor of the Texas Optometrist and was instrumental in organizing the Texas Women’s Auxiliary to the American Optometric Association, to which she was later named a trustee.
- The Mertz Conference Room honors Dr. George Mertz, a 2003 inductee in the Optometry Hall of Fame. A world-renowned clinical researcher who was recognized for his landmark work on the ocular physiological response to extended wear soft contact lenses, Dr. Mertz worked in professional education programs in the contact lens industry for more than 25 years and was director of Academic Affairs for VISTAKON®, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
- The Ingraham Conference Room is named in honor of Dr. Terrance “Terry” Ingraham, a gifted clinician, researcher, teacher, administrator and volunteer. In 1978, he became the first African-American to graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, College of Optometry. Dr. Ingraham was known for his extraordinary rapport with students and served as the associate dean for student affairs at Nova Southeastern University, College of Optometry. In addition, he was a ten-year member of the VISTAKON team.
- The Frontier Conference Room was named for Frontier Contact Lenses, a small contact lens company in downtown Jacksonville, Fla. The company was established by Dr. Seymour Marco, whose focus on customer service and manufacturing excellence drew the attention of Johnson & Johnson. In 1981 the company purchased Frontier Contact Lenses and renamed it VISTAKON.
“This expansion will allow us to meet the ever-increasing need for training, while helping us provide a broad range of topics to a wider audience,” says Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O, Senior Director, The Vision Care Institute. “Optometry is a continuously evolving science and we hope to equip eye care professional with the knowledge and experience necessary to meet growing patient demands.”
The Vision Care Institute™ in March 2004 and hosts senior optometry students from schools across the country for three-day, hands-on seminars without charge. Classes cover clinical training in decision-making, problem solving, prescribing specialty contact lenses and instruction on improving communications skills. Eye care professionals, leaders in the industry, facilitate classes, give lectures and provide guidance and feedback.
Since its launch, The Vision Care Institute has hosted more than 1,000 students from all 19 of the schools and colleges of optometry throughout North America. According to Dr. Purcell, this year more than 1,000 of the approximately 1,200 optometric graduates are expected to attend the program.
“The mission of The Vision Care Institute is to help prepare students for their careers as eye care professionals and maximize patient satisfaction,” said Purcell. “The state-of-the-art facility gives participants a rare opportunity to experience the latest in vision diagnostic and treatment technologies through hands-on instruction.” In addition to clinical training, participants concentrate on communication skills.
The Vision Care Institute™ of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. recently launched its first international facility, in Brazil, and plans to launch similar educational facilities in other countries.
For more information, please visit us on the web at http://www.thevisioncareinstitute.com/ or call our toll-free hotline at
1-800-874-6690.
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