Luxottica Announces eyeFWD Class of 2018

(Mason, OH) – Luxottica today announced the eyeFWD Class of 2018. Thirty students from 17 schools will participate in the immersive 5-day OD business development program to be held in Cincinnati in November.

eyeFWD, designed to provide resources, both real-life and data-driven, gives students a broader understanding on how to build and maintain a successful practice upon graduation. A combination of classroom instruction, lectures from practicing ODs, interactive learning activities and work sessions, eyeFWD students should leave the program with a working business plan in hand. Periodic check-ins after the program will connect students with working ODs to continue to fine-tune and expand their Proforma.

Business learning begins before students arrive in Cincinnati with assignments that allow them to take full advantage when they arrive for the in-person program. These assignments push students to evaluate the type of practice they want to open and articulate their personal program objectives. The program leaders can then tailor instruction to address their individual career goals.

“Luxottica Eye Care developed this program with students’ needs in mind,” says Carl Spear, OD, Senior Vice President. “It’s adding to what they’re getting at schools by supplementing their education with real world business knowledge.”

The program covers a range of topics including:

eyeFWD builds in opportunities throughout the five days for students to connect with experienced ODs who can answer questions and give real-life perspective. OD mentors will continue to check-in with program participants after the program to flush out their business plans and fill in gaps.

“Building a business doesn’t happen overnight,” says Spear. “It’s a thoughtful process that is made easier with experienced insight.” OD mentors were carefully chosen based on their business models, experience and expertise.

Lorenzo Anderson, University of Houston College of Optometry
Brandon Bzovey, University of Waterloo
Maiya Cooper, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
Breck Dakin, Kentucky College of Optometry
Kristen Dzierwa, Illinois College of Optometry
Michelle Espanto, NOVA Southeastern University
Libby Fisher, The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Astiney Franklin, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services
Allison Guindon, PCO at Salus University
Justin Kendall, University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry
Madilyne Kevany, University of Waterloo
Jonathan Lau, University Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry
Ariel Lenning, Southern College of Optometry
Tara Mahvelati, SUNY College of Optometry
Erin Major, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
Hayden Matz, NOVA Southeastern University
Nitya Murthy, Kentucky College of Optometry
Diana Ngo, Western University of Health Sciences
Heer Patel, NOVA Southeastern University
Sandip Patel, New England College of Optometry
Jacques Peter, University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry
Melissa Pongratz, Southern College of Optometry
Aaron Ransome, University of Houston College of Optometry
Kevin Stieb, Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
Ben Taylor, Southern College of Optometry
Peter Tran, Inter-American University Puerto Rico – School of Optometry
Mallory Troyer, Southern College of Optometry
Sarai Williams, Southern College of Optometry
Selena Zamarripa, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University
Anna Zhang, University of Houston College of Optometry