A new panel discussion at Vision Expo West 2025 will draw attention to the role of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in shaping the future of optometry. Cohosted by Latinos en Optometry and ZEISS, the event will focus on initiatives that aim to increase representation, reduce care disparities, and advance equitable practices in both clinical and educational settings.

Title: Prospects for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in Optometry
Date & Time: Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Location: Main Stage, Exhibit Hall | Vision Expo West
Admission: Free and open to all eyecare professionals and students

The session is positioned as a forum for addressing structural gaps in optometric care and leadership. Topics will include strategies to diversify educational pipelines, support underrepresented groups in the profession, and integrate DEIB principles into day-to-day practice.

Ashley Mills, Chief Executive Officer of The Vision Council, will moderate the discussion. Featured panelists include:

• Dr. Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, FNAP – President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry and Cofounder of Latinos en Optometry

• Dr. Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO – Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Clinical Professor, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science

• Maricruz Garza – Regional Business Development Manager, Carl Zeiss Vision, Inc.

“Optometrists, alongside the broader eyecare industry, have a vital role to play in driving meaningful and lasting change,” said Gary Rosenblum, President and CEO of Zeiss Vision Care US in a press release from Latinos en Optometry. “This discussion will spotlight the strategies, challenges, and commitments needed to create a more inclusive and representative profession.”