About the College
We are a College of scholars and practitioners that care for one another. Our faculty members act as mentors helping to ensure student success. Our students flourish in an environment dedicated to excellent educational experiences in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in clinical education settings. Our graduates go on to become ODs with a shared vision of our core values of humanism, caring, and scientific excellence.
Living Our Core Values of Humanism, Caring, & Scientific Excellence
Message from the Dean
Western University of Health Sciences has a distinguished history, and has set out to be known as a distinctive institution, as expressed by its Institutional Mission Statement: To educate, in a humanistic tradition, health care professionals and produce biomedical knowledge that will enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities.
The SWAGÊÓƵ College of Optometry builds upon this rock-solid foundation by providing an inclusive environment in which our students thrive in educational, clinical, and research programs. I’m so very proud of our graduates who are strong, resilient, and compassionate doctors of optometry.
Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPH
The SWAGÊÓƵ College of Optometry builds upon this rock-solid foundation by providing an inclusive environment in which our students thrive in educational, clinical, and research programs. I’m so very proud of our graduates who are strong, resilient, and compassionate doctors of optometry.
Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPH
Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional Practice and Education (IPE) provides an integrated, interdisciplinary, discussion-based approach to learning. IPE occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes. Once students understand how to work interprofessionally, they are ready to enter the workplace as a member of the collaborative practice team. This is a key step in moving health systems from fragmentation to a position of strength.
Give and Receive
Help us continue to help our students succeed as Doctors of Optometry dedicated to a scientific and humanistic approach to healing. We will all benefit by having healthier communities around us.