Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Local optometrist head of national association

A national professional organization has a Prince George practitioner at the helm. Dr. Michael Dennis is now the president of the The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO). "Dr.

A national professional organization has a Prince George practitioner at the helm.

Dr. Michael Dennis is now the president of the The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO).

"Dr. Dennis served on the board of the College of Optometrists and is a past president of the British Columbia Doctors of Optometry," said a statement issued by the CAO. "Named as the British Columbia provincial representative to the CAO Council, he spent four years on council prior to becoming president."

Dennis is one of the eyecare professionals at the Prince George branch of FYidoctors, as is his wife Dr. Julie Louie.

Together they have raised two children in Prince George where they are active in the community in such organizations as Rotary, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, downhill and cross country skiing, and the dance community.

Dennis is originally from Fort Frances, Ont. He established his Prince George practice after graduating from the University of Waterloo's School of Optometry in 1981.

"Dr. Dennis has a keen interest in diabetes and its impact on the eyes and has helped Diabetes Canada assist those living with the disease," said the CAO.

"He is a past regional chair for Diabetes Canada and a past member of the National Advocacy Council. Diabetes Canada honoured him with the National Volunteer of the Year award in 2010."

Now he takes on the responsibility of chairing the national association for his medical profession.

He is only the fifth optometrist with a B.C.-based practice to be CAO president since such records were kept dating from 1953 (the association has existed since 1941).

Dennis is not the only local doctor on the CAO's board.

The province's designate to the director's table is Dr. Surjinder Sahota, raised in Williams Lake where she now has her practice.

"Dr. Sahota has been the president of the British Columbia Association of Optometrists since February 2011 and has served on the CAO board since 2008," said the association.

"She has a passion for public education and has worked with the public relations committee in helping educate patients about the importance of eye health and preservation of vision."