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World Council of Optometry names new President
World Council of Optometry names new President
04 June 2007
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) named Robert Chappell, OBE MPhil DSc(hon) FCOptom of the United Kingdom (UK) its new president during the General Delegates Meeting held in Mexico City on April 26, 2007.
As WCO president, Chappell will manage an international organization representing over 200,000 optometrists from 73 member organizations in 40 countries. The WCO’s mission is to facilitate the enhancement and development of eye and vision care worldwide. The WCO is a member of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and maintains official relations with the World Health Organization.
Mr. Chappell will strive to implement the WCO’s new strategic plan and communications
policies while strengthening membership recruitment and retention. He recognizes the critical
function of national and regional associations in creating a unified voice for optometry. He stated, “It is my belief that the strength of WCO lies within our regional structure as a conduit to country members – and we have to seek ways of reinforcing this link.”
Mr. Chappell has vast experience in professional and political matters pertaining to optometry. He is a past president of the College of Optometrists and served as its treasurer for many years. He is also a member of the General Optical Council, the United Kingdom’s regulatory body for optometrists and dispensing opticians. He is the immediate past president of the European Council for Optometry and Optics.
WCO Executive Director Melissa Padilla says, “Mr. Chappell’s expertise and skills provide optometry with visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to improving eye and vision care worldwide. He will advance the organization’s goals while fostering collaborative partnerships to reduce the burden of blindness and improve public health.”
During his acceptance speech, Mr. Chappell emphasized the importance of building partnerships across borders, professions and agencies to “ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care for their needs at an affordable cost both the patient, and where appropriate, the government.” He reinforced WCO’s commitment to collaborative initiatives that optimize limited resources while improving social welfare worldwide.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) named Robert Chappell, OBE MPhil DSc(hon) FCOptom of the United Kingdom (UK) its new president during the General Delegates Meeting held in Mexico City on April 26, 2007.
As WCO president, Chappell will manage an international organization representing over 200,000 optometrists from 73 member organizations in 40 countries. The WCO’s mission is to facilitate the enhancement and development of eye and vision care worldwide. The WCO is a member of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and maintains official relations with the World Health Organization.
Mr. Chappell will strive to implement the WCO’s new strategic plan and communications
policies while strengthening membership recruitment and retention. He recognizes the critical
function of national and regional associations in creating a unified voice for optometry. He stated, “It is my belief that the strength of WCO lies within our regional structure as a conduit to country members – and we have to seek ways of reinforcing this link.”
Mr. Chappell has vast experience in professional and political matters pertaining to optometry. He is a past president of the College of Optometrists and served as its treasurer for many years. He is also a member of the General Optical Council, the United Kingdom’s regulatory body for optometrists and dispensing opticians. He is the immediate past president of the European Council for Optometry and Optics.
WCO Executive Director Melissa Padilla says, “Mr. Chappell’s expertise and skills provide optometry with visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to improving eye and vision care worldwide. He will advance the organization’s goals while fostering collaborative partnerships to reduce the burden of blindness and improve public health.”
During his acceptance speech, Mr. Chappell emphasized the importance of building partnerships across borders, professions and agencies to “ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care for their needs at an affordable cost both the patient, and where appropriate, the government.” He reinforced WCO’s commitment to collaborative initiatives that optimize limited resources while improving social welfare worldwide.