Dr. Scott Mundle Archives - Eye Care Business Canada

Dr. Scott Mundle provides a historical perspective on Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), its mission and current activities. He and Eyes Wide Open Host, Roxanne Arnal, talk about the benefits of giving and how contributing to social programs can help personal happiness and make business sense. Dr. Mundle, UW (’83) has been active in the service of Optometry since early in his career. He is the past-president of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists and the Canadian Association of Optometrists, and Past President of the World Council of Optometry. Dr. Mundle serves as the OGS Canada Member Representative.

About the Guest

While officially “retired” Dr. Mundle, continues to serve the profession as a delegate of the World Council of Optometry (WCO) to the International Agendy for the Prevention of Blindness.

Married to University of Waterloo, School of Optometry classmate Dr. Michelle Georgi, the couple has three children. On chance that any other free time presents itself, Dr. Mundle dedicates it to sporting activities, including cycling and fishing.

Episode Notes

Dr. Scott Mundle provides an update on his active “retirement” with Roxanne Arnal, including his recent personal and professional travel agenda in support of the World Council of Optometry.

He provides an overview of the 2003 founding partners of the Optometry Giving Sight (OGS), and how its mission and priorities have shifted over time since he was first invited to chair the OGS National Committee by Dr. Scott Brisbane.

Dr. Mundle outlines the substantial activities of OGS in reaching over 8 Million patients, training 14,000 Eye Care professionals while establishing 130 vision centres in 40 different countries around the globe.

Among OGS activities is support in the foundation of Optometry Schools in developing countries, including Kenya, Eritrea, Vietnam and Haiti, the later of which was undertaken in collaboration with partners including VOSH and University of Montréal. Notwithstanding the recent civil strife in Haiti, the project contiues to train Haitian ODs successfully.

Dr. Mundle reviews the various ways that Canadian Optometrists can (and should!) participate to support OGS funding, including how his own Manitoba practice enthusastically undertook efforts.

He encourages optometry students to get involved. He detailed the friendly competition that has ensued between University of Waterloo and Univerity of Montreal CAOS chapters to creatively one-up each other in generating support for OGS.

Finally, the discussion goes toward the benefits of funding by providing research facts on how social causes influence consumer choices of business and services. Dr. Arnal references a recent “must read” book called “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending“, on how spending money can elevate our happiness (See Resources).

Resources

ROXANNE ARNAL,

Optometrist and Certified Financial Planner

Roxanne Arnal graduated from UW School of Optometry in 1995 and is a past-president of the Alberta Association of Optometrists (AAO) and the Canadian Association of Optometry Students (CAOS). She subsequently built a thriving optometric practice in rural Alberta.

Roxanne took the decision in 2012 to leave optometry and become a financial planning professional. She now focuses on providing services to Optometrists with a plan to parlay her unique expertise to help optometric practices and their families across the country meet their goals through astute financial planning and decision making.

Roxanne splits EWO podcast hosting duties with Dr. Glen Chiasson.

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About the Guest

Having dedicated years in service of the Optometry profession, Dr. Mundle, continues to serve in the capacity of Trustee of the World Optometry Foundation (WOF), a nonprofit organization that finances the development of optometry around the world to reduce avoidable blindness.

Episode Notes

Dr. Scott Mundle reflects upon his years of service with the WCO providing insights into the global politics and “turf wars” of vision care and the importance of the United Nations “Vision for Everyone” resolution that was ratified by the United Nations (UN) in 2021.

Dr Mundle explains why the UN resolution has consequences for Optometry, not only in developing countries, but also in more developed countries, including Canada.

He shares how his experience has heightened his awareness and appreciation of the importance of optometry leadership in past years that facilitated the development of the profession in Canada, especially when juxtaposed to the current situation in other countries, including less developed and even developed countries e.g. France, where Optometry is not yet recognized.

Dr. Mundle talks about the mission of the World Optometry Foundation and his current pursuits as Trustee.

Their conversation turns to reflections on the role of profit in the context of Optometry advocacy and at the individual practice level, including the important role of large industry players. They also touch on the meaning of “wealth” beyond dollars and cents.

He shares his views on athletic pursuits and how sports and his opportunity to attend several Olympic Games has impacted him.

Finally, he imparts words of wisdom to young Optometrists who aspire to get involved and continue to advance the profession of Optometry. Inspiration indeed.