CAO Leadership

Dr. Martin Spiro

President

Dr. Martin Spiro completed his doctorate of optometry at the University of Montreal in 2014. He was the recipient of the Optometric Association’s prestigious student of the year award. Dr. Spiro holds a bachelor of science in human physiology from McGill University, where he also completed an internship in cancer research. In the optometric field, Dr. Spiro’s clinical research was honored by the Allergan Society’s prize of excellence. With a strong passion for eye care and an emphasis on inter-personal skills, Dr. Spiro is an active participant in the optometric community and was recently named by Johnson & Johnson as one of Canada’s top 40 optometrists under 40. Dr. Spiro enjoys providing vision care to the west island community of Montreal at Optika Eye-Care Center. He also shares his time with the Montreal Association of the Blind (MAB-Mackay) working with patients suffering from visual impairment and has collaborated in humanitarian efforts travelling to South-America to provide eye-exams.

Dr. Allison Scott

Vice President, Nova Scotia

Dr. Allison Scott graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2006. She has been practicing in the Halifax area since graduation and enjoys working in a family practice, sometimes seeing multiple family generations. She has also recently started a specialty contact lens practice. Dr. Scott has been on the NSAO council since 2011 and has served many roles, including president. Dr Scott has served on their public education and continuing education committees. She is also an official with Skate Canada and enjoys volunteering at local events in the capacity of figure skating judge.

Dr. Surjinder Sahota

Treasurer, British Columbia

Dr. Surjinder Sahota graduated from the Doctor of Optometry program at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) and was then accepted into a prestigious residency program at the Illinois Eye Institute in Ocular Disease/Primary Care. She had the unique opportunity to work with world renowned ophthalmologists from the University of Chicago. After completing her residency, Dr. Sahota went back to her hometown of Williams Lake to practice. Dr. Sahota has served on the board of the British Columbia Doctors of Optometry since 2008, including serving a term as President. 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.

Dr. Harry Bohnsack

Past-President

Dr. Harry Bohnsack practices in Fredericton, NB along with his wife and partner Dr. Paula Steffler. A UWSO graduate, Dr. Bohnsack started his practice in Oakville, ON. He relocated to Fredericton NB where he has practiced for close to two decades in a full-scope setting. Dr. Bohnsack has served the NBAO as Media and Public Relations Chair for many years, as President from 2003-2005, and currently serves as Government Relations Chair and CAO Delegate. His other interests include music, travel, languages, books and gardening. He has been a member of Rotary for 25 years and has served in various capacities including club president. 

Dr. Troy Brady

Alberta

Dr. Troy Brady grew up in Pinawa, Manitoba and graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1999 with a BSc and a Doctor of Optometry (Dean’s Honours List).  Immediately following his graduation, he moved to Edmonton and began practicing at a full scope optometric practice, Optometrists’ Clinic Inc. He takes a special interest in ocular disease, contact lenses and family practice.  He is a past-president of the Alberta Association of Optometrists, serving on the AAO Council since 2010.

Dr. Brady enjoys coaching his two daughters in their sporting activities and remains active in his own right. He is an avid golfer and still plays hockey once a week. This includes playing in the Alzheimer’s Faceoff Pro-Am hockey tournament during which he and his team have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help find a cure for dementia.

Dr. Devan Trischuk

Saskatchewan

Dr. Devan Trischuk was born and raised in Yorkton, SK. He completed his Bachelor of Science – Honours Physiology degree at the University of Alberta in 2007 and his Doctor of Optometry – Dean’s Honour List at the University of Waterloo in 2011. He received the Michael Gutwein Memorial Award for his graduating class at Waterloo.Dr. Trischuk’s interest in optometry started from a young age with yearly visits to his optometrist for stronger glasses due to his rapidly progressing myopia. Myopia Management has become one of his main areas of interest and he enjoys working with children and families in an attempt to control and slow its progression to ensure years of health vision for his youngest patients.
Dr. Trischuk has taken his interest in Myopia Management a step further and has begun lecturing across North America to other optometrists and health care professionals on this topic.
He is a proud father of four children, Emma, Desmond, Willa and Rose & husband to his wife Jen. He enjoys getting outdoors and being active with his family in his free time!

Dr. Luke Small

Manitoba

Dr. Luke Small graduated with a BSc in Environmental Science from Texas Christian University and his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of California Berkeley School of Optometry. Upon graduation from Berkeley, he returned to Canada for two years before returning to the  United States, practicing in Santa Barbara and gaining valuable experience working in numerous different modes of optometric practices including private, corporate, refractive surgery and hospital-based optometry. He also served as the president of the Tri-County Optometric Association (a chapter of the California Optometric Association). Dr. Small returned to Canada in 2007, continuing the nearly 100 years of optometric service that Armstrong and Small Eye Care Center has provided to the Winnipeg community. A volunteer with the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), Dr. Small has been involved with trips to Peru, Philippines, Ukraine, and Baja Mexico. He was voted ‘Optometrist of the Year’ by his fellow Manitoba Optometrists for his volunteer work with Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Siloam Mission, and the Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO). He currently serves on the board of the provincial chapter of the CNIB. As a member of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists, Dr. Small sits on the Public Relations and Communications committee and serves as the provincial liaison to the CNIB.

Dr. Krista Bruni

Ontario

Dr. Krista Bruni graduated from the Michigan College of Optometry in 2010. She is from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and currently enjoys practicing full scope in her hometown. She is committed to advancing eye care and ensuring the success of optometry in Canada. In 2016 she received her Fellowship designation from the American Academy of Optometry.  Dr Bruni is actively involved in mentoring aspiring optometrists, helping them create a path towards fulfilling careers and instilling in them the importance of compassion and integrity. In 2023 she was elected as a board director to the Ontario Association of Optometrists. In her spare time, she can be found at various sports facilities with her 4 children. 

Dr. Alexandra Fortier

Québec

Dr. Fortier works in an optometrist-owned, private practice in Gatineau, QC. She completed her Doctorate in optometry at the University of Montréal in 2019. That same year she was named student of the year by the AOQ. During her studies she was co-author on two research papers in the field of dry eyes. Before pursuing her Doctorate of Optometry she also completed a Bachelor's in Business Administration at University Laval in Quebec City. More recently Dr. Fortier, had been serving as the Outaouais region representative for the AOQ. She is also a trustee on the board of the Canadian Optometric Education Trust Fund (COETF). 

Dr. Jessica Wood

Prince Edward Island

Dr. Jessica Wood is from West Devon, Prince Edward Island. She attained a Bachelor of Science from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2014, and a Master of Science in Clinical Vision Science from Dalhousie University in 2018. She completed her Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Waterloo in 2022, receiving the Good-Lite Pediatric Optometry award. Dr. Wood currently practices in Summerside and Alberton, PEI, where she sees patients of all ages but has a special interest in pediatric optometry. She has been a volunteer vision screener with Special Olympics since 2017. In her free time, she can be found walking the beautiful trails around PEI.

Dr. Bronwyn Mulherin

New Brunswick

A graduate of the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science, Dr. Mulherin practiced first in Ottawa, where she served as co-president of the local Ottawa Society of Optometrists.  Dr. Mulherin moved to Fredericton in 2007 and is an active member of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists (NBAO), sitting on its Council and serving as the NBAO rep to CAO’s Council.  

A general practice OD with a special interest in treating Dry Eye, Specialty Contact Lenses and Myopia Management, Dr. Mulherin owns and manages her practice, which includes four associate optometrists and a fabulous support team.  When spare time permits, Dr.  Mulherin enjoys hiking, skiing, cycling and weightlifting.

Dr. Trudy Metcalfe

Newfoundland and Labrador

Dr. Metcalfe graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2001 and obtained her Doctorate of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005. Upon graduation, she returned home to St. John’s to begin a full scope optometry practice, where she takes a special interest in ocular disease and family eye care.
Dr. Metcalfe has served on the board of directors for the provincial branch of the CNIB, and has held numerous positions with the NLAO, including president (2018-2020).
A passionate advocate for access to eye care, She has served on a multi-stakeholder committee to improve diabetic eye care in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and has lectured at Memorial University School of Medicine.
Dr. Metcalfe volunteers her time with clinics for The Special Olympics, The Association for New Canadians, and local organizations Choices for Youth and The Gathering Place. She has traveled to Haiti for several mission trips with Team Broken Earth, and in 2019 was named a Melvin Jones Fellow for services to humanity by the Lions Clubs International.
In 2022, Dr Metcalfe was named the NLAO’s inaugural recipient of the Vision Beyond 2020 Award, recognizing services to her community and profession. 
In her spare time, Dr. Metcalfe can be found cheering on her husband and two girls at the soccer field, cooking up a scoff, or hiking the East Coast Trail with her dog, Winnie.
 

Rebecca Treen

Student Representative

Growing up in rural Saskatchewan, Rebecca Treen graduated with a Bachelor in Life Science Major and French Studies Minor from Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, in 2022. She is now a third-year student at State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry and will be completing her doctorate in 2026. Her ambition is to return to Canada to practice optometry after graduation. In addition to being student representative on the Council, Rebecca is President Elect of the Canadian Association of Optometry Students (CAOS) at SUNY Optometry. After clinical experience in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and the United States, Rebecca has a keen interest in strengthening the bond with Canadian students across all provinces and borders, to provide proper resources to prospective students and increase awareness for the wide array of services that optometrists can offer to the general population in Canada.

François Couillard

Chief Executive Officer

François Couillard was born and raised in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Early in his professional career he worked for Johnson & Johnson in various progressively responsible Sales and Corporate Marketing management roles before moving to MDS Nordion in senior roles in Canada and Europe, including as General Manager for the MDS European Operations in Belgium. After various executive roles at the Canadian Red Cross and VON Canada, along with running a successful management consulting practice largely focused on business innovation and organizational mentoring, he moved to become the CEO of the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists, until 2019 when he joined the CAO. François is pleased to continue to work in the area of health care, where his deep advocacy, stakeholder engagement and marketing/communications expertise can continue to be leveraged on behalf of eye health and vision care in Canada. He also serves as the Co-Chair of HEAL (Organizations for Health Action). François graduated from the University of Sherbrooke with a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering), and from McGill University in Montreal with an MBA in Marketing and International Business. He is also a Certified Management Consultant (CMC).