UIWRSO Captures EyeBowl IV at TOA
Austin, Texas, site of the 118th annual Texas Optometry Association Conference (TOA) and host to the 4th annual EyeBowl competition. For the second time in 3 years, the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry (UIWRSO) celebrated an EyeBowl victory by defeating the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) by a final score of 39,000-100.
After opening a commanding early lead through the first round, UIWRSO continued their strong performance into the second round building a lead of 12,200-3,400. UHCO was able to rally late with the help of a Daily Double creating some excitement in Final Jeopardy. UIWRSO closed out the competition by correctly answering a 2-part question on the topic of Glaucoma.
The 3 person team of Chris Darilek (4th year), Sarah Flanagan (3rd year), and Molly Wilson (2nd year) helped to lead UIWRSO to a decisive victory.
The Eye Bowl is an annual Jeopardy-style trivia game whereby representatives from UIWRSO and UHCO compete through two rounds of challenging questions. Topics for the competition included Ocular disease (anterior segment, posterior segment, glaucoma, Retina & Neuro) and pediatrics. The judges for this year's competition were a panel of ODs consisting of Dr. Greg Caldwell, Dr. Kara Tison, Dr. Seema Nanda, Dr. Christopher Wolfe, and Dr. Richard Castillo.
Spanning the weekend of Feb. 22-25, 2018, optometrists, optometric staff, students, and industry convene in order to exchange ideas, showcase the latest in optometric products and technology, and participate in extensive professional development opportunities. While this conference serves to aid in the continuing education of practicing optometrists, it also provides the opportunity for both current and future students to create professional networks.
Students attending the conference gain critical insight into the importance of TOA as an advocate for the future of the profession. To encourage and support the significance of this professional relationship, UIWRSO fully funds 100% student membership in the Student Texas Optometric Association (STOA). Additionally, UIWRSO suspends all academic instruction each year on the Friday of the conference to maximize our student and faculty participation.
Congratulations to the winners on behalf of the faculty, staff, students, and the entire UIWRSO community!