College of Optometrists of Ontario Registrar Announces Departure

Dr. Paula Garshowitz announces she will be departing from her role as Registrar of the College of Optometrists of Ontario this summer.

Dr. Pooya Hemami, President of the College said, “The College expresses its immense gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Garshowitz for her dedication to serving the public interest, and for her principled and effective management of the College’s operations.  Her presence at the College will be deeply missed by Council, College staff, and the many stakeholders she has worked with during her tenure.  We wish the very best for Paula as she moves on to future opportunities.”

Since her appointment as Registrar eight years ago, Dr. Garshowitz has ensured that the public of Ontario was protected by guiding the profession through a number of regulatory changes and has overseen significant advancements in optometric regulation.  Throughout her time with the College, Paula has been a leader in the profession and was involved in several North American optometric and health regulatory organizations.

Dr. Garshowitz said, “It has been a privilege to hold the position of Registrar at the College and to work with our dedicated staff team and volunteers for the past eight years. As a result of their collective hard work,  the College is in a strong position to face the challenges of the future and to ensure that the public of Ontario receives safe quality optometric care in the coming years and beyond.”

Dr. Garshowitz graduated from the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in 1980. She was in private practice for 20+ years prior to joining the College of Optometrists of Ontario as Assistant Registrar in 2003. Paula was appointed as the Registrar of the College in 2011.