2012 Transitions Retailer of the 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Melissa Rieger
Manuel Solis
Havas PR
Transitions Optical
412 456 4307 tel
800 533 2081 tel 7196 ext
melissa.rieger@havasww.com
msolis@transitions.com
Transitions Optical Announces 2014 Diversity Advisory Board Members
Board to Contribute to Expanded Efforts to Provide Eye Health Education for At-Risk Groups
NEW YORK, March 28, 2014 — Transitions Optical, Inc. has announced the renewal of its
Diversity Advisory Board members for 2014. These eye health and cultural experts will continue
to help guide efforts through the Transitions Cultural Connections™ initiative. Throughout 2014,
the Board members will contribute to a number of new initiatives planned by Transitions Optical,
including increased efforts to raise eye health awareness among at-risk populations through
partnerships with community- and health-based organizations.
For the past three years, Transitions Optical has partnered with the National Council of Negro
Women (NCNW) to raise eye health awareness among African Americans on both a national
level and within local communities. In the coming months, Transitions Optical will formally
announce a new partnership with a health-based, professional organization dedicated to
improving the overall health and quality of life for Hispanic Americans. Also in 2014, Transitions
Optical will explore ways for the general health sector and optical industry to work together to
further promote eye health among all groups at greater risk through a roundtable event.
“While certain groups are hit hard when it comes to eye health issues and vision problems,
these same groups are not always getting the care they need – or they may be waiting until the
problems are so severe that eye damage is irreversible,” said Manuel Solis, marketing manager,
labs and strategic partnerships, Transitions Optical. “We are fortunate to have found strong
partners in our Diversity Advisory Board members, who share our commitment to increasing eye
-moreTransitions Optical, Inc. 9251 Belcher Road Pinellas Park Florida 33782 727-545-0400 tel 727-546-4732 fax
www.Transitions.com
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health awareness. We are honored to work with them throughout 2014 as we strengthen our
outreach efforts and introduce new professional and patient education resources.”
The Diversity Advisory Board is comprised of nine eyecare professionals and cultural experts
who have a vast knowledge of the largest and fastest-growing demographic groups in the
United States. Returning members include:

Allert Brown-Gort – Faculty Fellow, Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies,
University of Notre Dame; Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Work and the Economy

Brian Chou, O.D., F.A.A.O. – EyeLux Optometry, San Diego

Edwin Marshall, O.D. M.S., M.P.H. – Professor Emeritus of Optometry and Former Vice
President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, Indiana University

Drake McLean – Optician, President, Dietz-McLean Optical Company, San Antonio, TX

Charlotte Parniawski, R.N., M.S.N., C.N.E. – Cultural Diversity Trainer, National
Multicultural Institute; Nurse Educator, Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing at Bridgeport
Hospital, Part of the Yale New Haven Health Care System

Kirk Smick, O.D., F.A.A.O. – Chief of Optometry Services, Clayton Eye Center, Atlanta

Madeline L. Romeu, O.D., F.A.A.O. – President, Dr. Romeu Eye Associates, West New
York, NJ

David K. Yoo, Ph.D. – Professor and Director, Asian American Studies Center, University of
California at Los Angeles

Vincent K. Young, M.D. – Chairman, Division of Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein Medical
Center, Philadelphia
For additional information about the Diversity Advisory Board or to request images or interviews,
please contact Christina Wetzel at (412) 456-4301 or chritsina.wetzel@havasww.com.
ABOUT TRANSITIONS CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Transitions Optical is dedicated to promoting healthy sight worldwide. Together with its industry
partners, the company supports programs that encourage people to establish healthy eye habits
today – such as getting regular eye exams and wearing the right eyewear – to protect and
enhance their eye health for the future.
While vision problems can affect anyone, many ethnic minority populations are more likely to
develop eye and overall health issues that can take a serious toll on their vision and quality of
life. Research has shown that these same groups are often less likely to take preventive steps
to protect their eye health, and language and cultural barriers can make it even more
challenging for them to receive adequate eye care.
-more-
2014 Diversity Advisory Board – 3
Through the Transitions Cultural Connections™, Transitions Optical strives to raise awareness
of the eye health risks faced by growing ethnic minority populations, driving them to their
eyecare professionals for more information; increase consumer understanding of the role that
higher-performing vision wear options, like Transitions® lenses, can play in enhancing and
protecting eyesight; and support eyecare professionals with the education and tools they need
to better serve and improve communication with their culturally diverse patients.
In addition to reaching culturally diverse consumers directly through national advertising and
consumer outreach efforts, Transitions Optical also provides its industry partners with tools,
programs and resources to support their individual education efforts. These resources are
available free of charge to optical professionals at MyMulticulturalToolkit.com.
ABOUT TRANSITIONS OPTICAL
Since Transitions Optical, headquartered in Pinellas Park, Fla., was founded more than 20
years ago, the company has been driven by an innovative spirit and a commitment to
partnership. As the leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers, Transitions
Optical offers state-of-the-art light management technology in virtually every major lens design
and material encompassing a family of everyday adaptive lenses and performance sun lenses.
Everyday lens options include Transitions® Signature™ lenses, the most responsive lens with
full indoor clarity; Transitions® XTRActive® lenses which provide superior darkness outdoors;
and the revolutionary Transitions® Vantage™ lenses, the first and only photochromic lenses to
darken and polarize outdoors.
Transitions Optical’s performance sunwear line includes a range of products customized in
partnership with other best-in-class brands. Understanding that the right equipment can provide
an advantage, the products are all designed to improve depth perception, clarify color and
increase contrast for specific outdoor activities.
Transitions Optical is dedicated to promoting healthy sight worldwide and to supporting its
partners and optical professionals with tools, programs and resources to aid in their individual
efforts and help strengthen industry growth. For more information, visit TransitionsPRO.com, or
contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 2542590 (Canada).
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