ASCO President’s Ponderings

ASCO President’s Ponderings

I must admit, starting a year of ASCO presidency on the tail-end (hopefully) of a pandemic is a bit daunting. It is difficult to think of something in the past year, whether it be a daily activity, process of getting something done, or even set plans that didn’t change. We all thought things would be back to normal in summer 2020, which shifted to fall, then the new year — and now, at the beginning of summer 2021 restrictions are beginning to relax, but we are yet far from where we were before this all began.

As I have often said during this time, the only constant is change, and by now, we are getting much better with the uncertainty in all aspects of life and the discomfort change creates. In the past year, we have been stepping into the discomfort of adapting to COVID and in addressing racial inequities. The space where the two meet is where we as optometrists, future optometrists, and our vision care partners reside — eyecare.

Over the past year, you have likely followed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts by ASCO and ASCO member schools and colleges of optometry. Meetings and events, like the joint ASCO/AAO/NOA cultural awareness seminar, SUNY’s three-part Race in Optometry conversation, and Black Eyecare Perspectives Pre-optometry Club national signing day to name a few, have brought the importance of DEI to the forefront at schools and colleges of optometry. I hope we all share the vision to create an inclusive environment in which to work, learn and take care of patients. The thing is, it can be uncomfortable. If we engage trusted DEI experts to guide us on this journey, invite all voices to be part of the conversation, respectfully admit what we do and do not understand while turning our discussions into actions, change can be made for the better.

At the UAB School of Optometry as well as at many other schools and colleges of optometry, DEI activities are being infused across the curriculum and daily activities. This June 19 (Juneteenth, celebrating the end of slavery in the United States), UABSO started a 21-day racial equity habit-building challenge adapted from several existing challenges.* I hope you will consider joining us, even if you start in July when you read this. Each day, an email prompt is sent to encourage setting aside dedicated time to build social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership.

The daily prompts fall into eight categories of activities: read, listen, watch, notice, connect, engage, act and reflect. To make it easier for participants, short optional activities for each category have been pre-selected. An example of the daily prompt is imaged below, and anyone interested can view the 21-day program adapted by UABSO Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Keshia Elder and Ms. Satina Richardson, linked here.

*21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge©, 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge© Educator Edition and the Charlotte Country Day School faculty 21-Day Equity Challenge.

It is my pleasure to represent the schools and colleges of optometry as incoming ASCO president, and I look forward to working with many of you. I believe our diversity unites us when we actively and purposefully strive for inclusiveness every day. We are stronger together.

Best,