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Learn About Our Society
Eye doctors who love God’s word
Our signature event has been our annual meeting which takes place in late July or early August each year. This event is family friendly with events for spouses and children. You'll find great fellowship, scientific lectures, a mission's day and more . . .
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First Class Medicine
Practicing our profession in a spirit of love
Founder, J. Lawton Smith never actually used the phrase "practicing first class medicine in a spirit of love", however this represents what he shared with his fellows. Striving for excellence in all things we do is important in a precise field like ophthalmology. It becomes even more important to bring glory to the one who gives us our gifts . . .
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Servant Eye Care
Following the greatest example
Matthew 20:34 states that "Jesus touched their eyes and had compassion on them. Immediately they received their sight and followed him." Our eyesight is so precious that the process of restoring it has the power to change lives. The bar is set high here for eye care providers certainly . . .
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We are passionate about Sight and Light
We believe all ophthalmologists should work hand in hand with God. For vision to occur, one needs sight and light.While ophthalmologists work on the first part, if God were to turn out the light, we're all without a job!
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2020 COS Virtual Annual Meeting Archive
- Details
COS VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING
The 2020 COS Annual Meeting was virtual and was held on over Zoom on June 13th with the theme -- "His Perfect Light in the Darkness".
The meeting featured internationally-acclaimed speaker Stuart McAllister from the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. With the recent passing of the founder of RZIM, Ravi Zacharias, we were thankful to hear from Stuart's heart and receive encouragement in these challenging times.
Stuart McAllister serves as Global Support Specialist for RZIM. Prior to serving in his current role, Stuart held positions at RZIM including North American Regional Director and Vice President of Training at international headquarters in Atlanta.
Born in Scotland, Stuart saw his life changed by Christ at the age of twenty. His desire to serve the Lord led him to join Operation Mobilization in 1978. Stuart has since served as general secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance and has been involved with the European Lausanne Committee. He joined RZIM in 1998 as the International Director. Stuart speaks worldwide with a passion for the gospel.
Another highlight was a wonderful scientific talk by Dr. Dave Hardten, MD, on the 'Ocular Manifestations of COVID-19'. Dr. Hardten is a founding partner of Minnesota Eye Consultants and lectures throughout the world on refractive surgery and research. He has published hundreds of textbook chapters, articles, and abstracts on cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
As director for Minnesota Eye Consultants’ Clinical Research Department, Dr. Hardten leads research projects surrounding LASIK Eye Surgery, refractive surgery, complex case management, cataract surgery, natural lens replacement surgery, glaucoma management, corneal transplantation, iris reconstruction, surgical instrumentation and drug therapies.
Dr. Hardten has received numerous awards for his dedication to the eye care industry including the 2011 Casebeer Award for outstanding contribution to the research and development of refractive surgery from the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the 2011 Allina HOPE (Hospital Outstanding Patient Experience) Award, and the 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology Lifelong Education for the Ophthalmologist Continuing Education Recognition Award.
We also were privileged to hear the inspiring story of a Family Practice physician - Dr. Chris Sudduth who survived COVID.
If you attended the virtual meeting live or later, 1.5 hours of CME including 1 hour of ethics CME has been approved* and is offered FREE OF CHARGE. To receive this CME, simply click here to submit your review and claim the 1.5 hours.
Don't miss the presentation of the J. Lawton Smith award which was given to Dr. Jono Pons of eSwatini (former Swaziland) and presented by Dr. Brad Farris.
* This activity was planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Medical Association of Georgia through the joint providership of Georgia Society of Ophthalmology and Christian Ophthalmology Society. Georgia Society of Ophthalmology is accredited by the Medical Association of Georgia to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Georgia Society of Ophthalmology designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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Support the Ministries of COS When You Shop on AmazonSmile!
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Amazon has created a simple way for shoppers to give back to nonprofit organizations. When you shop on AmazonSmile, you can disignate 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchases to be automatically donated to the Christian Ophthalmology Society.
How Does AmazonSmile work?
When you shop at smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com, and choose the Christian Ophthalmology Society as your supported non-profit organization, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the COS! All donations from AmazonSmile will go to our ministry funds to help those in underserved areas around the world receive better eye care.
How Do I Set Up AmazonSmile to support the Christian Ophthalmology Society?
- Visit smile.amazon.com in your browser.
- Follow the prompts and select the "Christian Ophthalmology Society" as your supported non-profit organization.
- Shop on smile.amazon.com every time you want to make an Amazon purchase.
Thank you! The more money Amazon donates to the COS, the more money goes to help those in need of life-changing eye care.
Questions? Send us a note at info@cosw.org.
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Grant Recipient Video Testimonial - Max Su
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Max Su is currently a COS Board Member and serves as the "Resident Board Member." He is also a COS Annual Meeting grant recipient and he wanted to tell other medical students, residents, and fellows what receiving a grant to the COS Annual Meeting has meant to him....
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Regional Refresh
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What is a Regional Refresh?
The COS realizes that not everyone is able to make it to the Annual Meeting every year, and we don’t want ophthalmologists, residents, and fellows to miss out on connecting with other like-minded doctors – especially those who might be living in the same area.
The Regional Refresh events are like a scaled-down COS Annual Meeting or a COS small group ministry with some great discussion topics, speakers, and engagement with other doctors from the area. We are bringing what is experienced at the Annual Meeting to the regional level. These events are also a great opportunity to introduce ophthalmologists to the ministry of COS -- the annual meeting, discipleship and mentor opportunities, missions connections, etc.
It is always encouraging to meet doctors who are living out their faith while practicing ophthalmology, and by coming to a Regional Refresh we hope you will be challenged and inspired just as those physicians who come to an Annual Meeting.
Look for a Regional Refresh coming to your area. If you don’t know of one, consider hosting one...we would love to partner with you! You can contact us at info@cosw.org.
- COS Board and Staff
Regional Refreshes 2020
- East Texas - September
- South Florida - September
- North Carolina - September
- Southern California - September
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Hurricane Dorian Update
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The support from the Christian Ophthalmology Society in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Dorian on the island nation of the Bahamas has been tremendous. The pictures and words in this update convey some of what is being done by COS Board Member Dr. Duranda Ash, the people in her practice, and the volunteers and donations made by the COS and many others.
His Gift of Sight (HGOS) Social Clinic is a socially conscious ophthalmic clinic operated by the Ash Eye Institute and during the first week of January, they hosted a Free Vision Outreach for evacuees and other people that were directly affected by hurricane Dorian. The outreach was held on two islands -- New Providence and Grand Bahama.
Duranda writes, “The team consisted of 3 missionary ophthalmologists, 1 missionary optometrist and 19 volunteers (including RNs and the staff of Ash Eye Institute). We had the pleasure of serving and providing treatment to almost 800 people during the outreach (turned away much more than we saw), as well as distributing over 250 glasses. The outreach enabled us to identify individuals that needed vision threatening eye care and glasses.
“It was a privilege to partner with the Christian Ophthalmology Society (COS) and Vision Outreach International (VOI) to provide services and glasses free of charge to these individuals. There were many people who were screened that has required follow up care. The eye care needs, especially in Freeport Grand Bahama, are great (multiple eye diseases).”
The screening personnel included Duranda Ash, M.D. and her staff, (Bahamas); Carol Johnston, M.D. and Carol Smith, O.D., (North Carolina); Mark Cichowski, M.D. and his wife Jan, (Washington); and Roger Cabe, MNA (Michigan). It was truly a combined effort.
On one particular day they had the opportunity to drive out to an area of severe devastation. The eastern side of the Grand Bahamas was totally destroyed. Electrical poles for over 50 miles were flattened. After months of recovery, many are still without electricity and living in tents as they try to rebuild their lives.
Roger Cabe from VOI, writes, “There were a multitude of stories about God’s protection in the midst of flood waters, home destructions, and total loss. The aftermath has been almost as devastating as the hurricane. The stress and
pressure of rebuilding lives and businesses with no money or insurances has caused anxiety, PTSD, and premature death for family and loved ones.
“YET, there is still HOPE in the midst of depression. Each day we would pray before our screening with doctors, staff, and patients. Each station of service was not only a place for screening, but for encouragement, prayer, counsel, and hope.
“There are REAL PEOPLE with real problems. Their needs exceeded our abilities in eye care. That’s when it is pertinent to know and share that GREATER HOPE beyond and above our abilities to bring healing. The hope and healing of the Holy Spirit. It also reminded us of the POWER OF A FRIEND. Just knowing that someone is out there who loves you unconditionally, is available and willing to walk by your side, hold your hand, and help you, gives HOPE for future days.”
From Duranda...”We extend our thanks and sincere gratitude to you for your generosity in support of those affected by hurricane Dorian. It is because of organizations like [the COS and VOI] that HGOS has been able to provide necessary eyecare for free to the Dorian Evacuees. May the Joy of the Lord be your strength, Duranda”
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Paducah, KY 42001 - 269-697-1COS
- info@cosw.org