On February 1st, the Waterloo School of Optometry welcomed Dr. Murray Turnour as the new Director, International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP). He succeeds Dr. Susan Cooper who has been Director of the program since its inception in 2004.
Dr. Turnour received his OD from Waterloo in 1975 and went on to complete his Masters degree in 1979, studying with Dr. Emerson Woodruff. Following graduation, Murray began practice in Cambridge with his father and was there until 2009. He now practices part-time in Gravenhurst.
Murray has remained a constant contributor to optometric education at Waterloo. From 1975 – 1982, he was a Clinical Instructor and continues today as an associate professor in undergraduate teaching, delivering a course in optometric jurisprudence to optometry students.
In 1991 Dr. Turnour started as Assistant Registrar at the College of Optometrists of Ontario and went on to serve as Registrar for 12 years. During this time, Murray was involved in developing the International Optometric Bridging Program and helped its establishment at Waterloo as a recognized program that helps bridge and prepare foreign trained professionals for the licensing exam that will allow them to practice optometry in Canada. Waterloo Optometry is pleased to have Dr. Turnour on board to help us evaluate and enhance the program.
