UNITED STATES
The information in the press releases on these pages was factually accurate on the date of publication. These press releases remain on this Web site for historical purposes only. CIBA VISION assumes no duty to update the information to reflect subsequent developments. Readers should not rely upon the information in these pages as current or accurate after their publication dates.
Released 02/29/2008
CIBA VISION Academy for Eyecare Excellence™ Launches Globally
Reflects Company’s Ongoing Commitment to Providing Education, Training and Support for Eye Care Professionals
Duluth, GA, Feb. 29, 2008 – As part of its commitment to continually strengthen its partnership with eye care professionals (ECPs) around the world, CIBA VISION has launched an innovative, comprehensive global professional education initiative called the CIBA VISION Academy for Eyecare Excellence™ (CV Academy). Offering state-of-the-art educational programs, the CV Academy will help ECPs stay current with the latest clinical aspects of contact lenses and lens care, manage the business side of their practices, communicate effectively with patients and prescribe vision correction solutions that best meet patients’ lifestyle and eye health needs.
"CIBA VISION is committed to partnering with ECPs to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care,” said Richard E. Weisbarth, O.D. F.A.A.O. and Vice President, Global Head, Professional Development and Partnerships for CIBA VISION. "We believe this means not only offering innovative products, but also focusing our efforts on providing differentiated educational programs. The launch of the Academy for Eyecare Excellence allows CIBA VISION to maximize our support of ECPs around the world, helping them achieve success in both their clinical and business goals."
The CV Academy will develop differentiated education programs on a global basis to ensure best-in-class quality, and will also customize its offerings to truly meet the specific needs of local ECPs and staff in various markets. Programs will target ECPs operating in diverse practice settings and at different stages in their career, and will share “best practices” of highly successful ECPs. Also, to increase the number of ECPs who can benefit from the CV Academy and to help ensure continual learning, outreach will occur in a variety of unique formats, such as seminars, publications, research reports, web sites and regular electronic communications.
An example of the educational support that the CV Academy will provide is the Management & Business Academy (MBA), co-sponsored in the U.S. by CIBA VISION and Essilor of America. The MBA program was introduced in 2005 and, to date, has helped educate more than 1,500 U.S. ECPs on the business management aspects of practice. In 2007, CIBA VISION launched similar programs in the United Kingdom and Australia. Practice development will continue to be one of the major educational focuses for CIBA VISION and the CV Academy, and the MBA concept will launch in other markets during 2008.
"In the U.S., less than 10 percent of an ECP’s professional time is spent on business planning," said Dr. Weisbarth. “The practical information conveyed by the MBA program fills an unmet ECP need for business management education. CIBA VISION is proud to offer programs like the MBA to eye care professionals in other countries, and look forward to continuing this momentum as we introduce this and other new programs around the world.”
CIBA VISION plans to introduce several new programs this year under the Academy for Eyecare Excellence umbrella including a new program endorsed by the American Optometric Association called First Practice Academy™ which is the is the first and only training program designed for independent optometrists who have been private practice owners for three years or less. Other U.S. CV Academy offerings in 2008 will include clinical education on toric contact lenses, and education on prescribing contact lenses based on the specific vision and lifestyle needs of patients.
ECPs throughout the world can access the educational offerings of the CV Academy by visiting the www.cvacademy.com web site, which will be launched in early March.
About CIBA VISION
With a focus on innovation, quality and strong partnerships with eye care practitioners, CIBA VISION is a global leader in the research, development and manufacturing of contact lenses and lens care products. CIBA VISION shares eye care practitioners' passion for healthy vision and dedication to improving the quality of patients’ lives around the world. With worldwide headquarters in Atlanta CIBA VISION is the eye care unit of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS). For more information, visit the CIBA VISION web site at www.cibavision.com.
