Together we can shape the future of optometry and optometric education. Introducing the Vision Institute at the University of Houston College of Optometry.
Can a simple building expansion help advance the profession? In a word, yes. UHCO is prepared to invest in the future of the profession. To do so, we must expand the educational, research and service opportunities available on our campus.
The primary goal of UHCO is to prepare graduates to provide all diagnostic and treatment services by characterizing the general practice of optometry. By extending their competencies, we pave the way for expanding our profession. The proposed ambulatory surgical center is essential to our educational mission, our service responsibilities and our vision of the future of optometry.
Becoming the premier institution in the nation is well within our reach. Already, UHCO ranks among the very best optometric institutions in the world. However, investing in our research efforts and productivity are limited only by space, not by opportunity. The planned expansion will provide critical laboratory space and animal facilities to boost our research capabilities.
The end result of this campaign will be two-fold: to attract and graduate outstanding future optometric leaders as well as to distinguish ourselves with preeminent faculty who are setting the course in education, patient care and novel research. With our Vision Institute, we will secure our place as the premiere U.S. optometric institution, providing valuable care to patients, lending research expertise to a variety of endeavors and serving the needs in of local and international community.
Plans for the 50,000 square-foot Vision institute are already underway. An ambulatory surgical center, MRI Center and Alumni Educational Center will help UHCO better serve its tri-fold mission of education, research and service. The new facilities, estimated at $26 million, will also include innovative laboratories for patient-based research and critical infrastructure for basic research.
UHCO is seeking $15 million from corporate partners, foundations and private donors. Naming opportunities and a donor recognition wall will be established to publicly thank our partners. All additional monies will be raised through Vision Institute revenues, student fees, tuition, patient fees and the annual campaign.
The Doctors of Texas State Optical pledged $1 million toward the TSO Alumni Educational Center located on the first floor. We invite you to join us as we keep an eye on the future.
For more information about the Vision Institute, contact Melissa Mares, Director of Development at (713) 743-1284 or mmares@optometry.uh.edu