ABOUT
History
The Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF) was established by the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) in 1977. A registered charitable organization, the COETF supports optometric research, education and professional development through unrestricted cash awards to individuals and institutions. Since 1977, the COETF has awarded over two million dollars in grants and financial support. In 2014, the COETF moved to an independent management structure and is currently managed by the Board of Trustees and various Provincial Fundraising Chairs. The Board of Trustees consists of five members of the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) and the term for each Trustee is three years.
Please click here to review the COETF Bylaws revised in 2020.
Board Of Trustees:
Dr. Joshua Smith
CHAIR
Dr. Joshua Smith has been in private practice in eastern Ontario since 2013, primarily in the rural township of Alexandria. Dr. Smith completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Waterloo in 2013 after completing a M.Sc. at the University of Calgary and a B.Sc.(Hon.) at Mount Allison University. He has a special interest in visual neurorehabilitation, particularly in cases of stroke, working with the stroke rehabilitation unit at the Glengarry Memorial Hospital in Alexandria. Dr. Smith served on the board of the Ontario Association of Optometrists from 2014-2021, including as President from 2018-2020. He also served for three years as Ontario’s representative on the Council of the Canadian Association from Optometrists and is currently a Trustee of the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund. Dr. Smith takes a pause each year from practice to serve on medical mission trips abroad, with his seventh mission having been to Ghana in November 2019.
Dr. Michael York
Treasurer
Dr Michael York received his Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo School of Optometry in 1992. He is currently in private practice with FYI doctors – Atrium Optometric Group in Saskatoon, SK where he has been since 1994 with his wife Diane and their three children. Throughout his time in Saskatchewan, Dr York has been actively involved in his provincial optometry Association. He was elected to Council in 2002 and held every available portfolio including SAO president from 2009 to 2011, and continues to serve on a number of Association committees and advisory boards. Dr York was awarded Saskatchewan’s Optometrist of the Year in 2007.
As an optometrist in private practice since 1991, Dr. Cheryl Letheren has served on many boards and committees; she has also served as a consultant for PABICOP, a pediatric brain injury program, and for the Fowler Kennedy Physiotherapy Centre at Western University. She is a member of the COVD, OEP, OAO, AAO, CAO, ICBO, COVT&R, ONS, and OCCR.
She completed her fellowship with AAO in 1995 and is currently working on NORA and COVD fellowships.
She has more than 20 years of experience treating brain injury patients and is a co-founder of the Parkwood Hospital Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Clinic, the first of its kind in Canada. At Parkwood, she assesses acute in-patient and out-patient brain injury patients, as well as complex care and stroke patients.
In her private office, Dr Letheren does consults for patients with chronic conditions, motor vehicle injuries, head injuries, developmental conditions, learning disabilities and concussions in adults and children. Dr Letheren provides assessment and treatment for binocular vision problems, strabismus, amblyopia, learning difficulties, autism, and sports vision. Her practice provides complete ocular and health examinations using the most up-to-date technology and the full scope of Optometry care including glasses, sunglasses, vision enhancement aids, safety and sports glasses, specialty contact lens fitting and training, myopia control, and vision therapy.
Continuing education is a high priority for Dr. Letheren and she is always enrolled in a course (or teaching one), whether to improve her abilities as a brain injury specialist or for personal interest. She loves travel and is ready to hop on a plane for her next adventure at a moment’s notice!
Dr. Allison Scott
CAO Liaison
Dr. Allison Scott, originally from Gander, Newfoundland Labrador, completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Mount Allison University. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 2006, where she was awarded the COETF Dr. Margaret Hansen des Groseilliers Leadership Award.
Dr. Scott is an active member of the community. She has held leadership roles with both the Canadian Association of Optometry Students and the Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists and is currently the Nova Scotia counsellor and vice president for the Canadian Association of Optometrists. Dr. Scott truly loves her profession and enjoys being able to grow as an optometrist through these roles.
Dr. Scott values spending time with her patients to understand and educate how best to improve their vision, including fitting scleral contact lenses. These lenses support patients with corneal disease, high prescriptions, and dry eyes.
Outside of work, you’ll find Dr. Scott staying active by hiking, yoga, gardening, and playing ultimate frisbee. Dr. Scott is a figure skating judge and was Skate Canada Nova Scotia’s Official of the Year in 2018.
Dr. Alexandra Fortier
Trustee
Dr. Fortier has been working as an optometrist for the past three years in an optometrist owned private practice in Gatineau. She completed her Doctorate in optometry at the University of Montréal in 2019. That same year she was named student of the year by the Quebec Optometric Association. During her studies she was co-author on two research papers in the field of dry eyes . Before pursuing her Doctorate of Optometry she also completed a Bachelor's in Business Administration at University Laval in Quebec City.
Dr. Fortier works with a diverse clientele in her practice ranging from young children with amblyopia to elderly patients with chronic conditions like Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy. She enjoys working in an environment where each patient’s condition has its own specific requirements. This has shown her the importance of research in optometry since, in order for every patients needs to be fulfilled, optometry has to constantly move forward. Therefore she is thrilled to participate in an organization that supports the optometric profession and it's development through education and research.
Lucy Jaber is a third-year optometry student at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science. She completed three years of her undergraduate BSc degree at the University of Alberta before moving to Waterloo. As the current President of the Canadian Association of Optometry Students (CAOS), Lucy is dedicated to advocating for the interests of optometry students across Canada and enhancing the student experience. She is excited to collaborate with the COETF team this year to support initiatives in optometric research and education.
Anne Stacey
Executive Director
Anne Stacey has been supporting non-profit associations for almost 20 years. Her career started at Chambers of Commerce in both Lindsay, ON and Mission, BC and extended to multiple National non-profit associations over the past several years. Anne built a knowledge around business affairs, supporting members and donors, and developing both communication and marketing strategies. She looks forward to working with COETF Trustees to maximize the positive impact of COETF initiatives.