• The Bedford Eye Care Centre Team
• Careers with Bedford Eye Care Centre

Team Members

Avila Cox B. Sc., OD.

Profile

Avila was born and grew up in Halifax. She attended Dalhousie University for four years where she completed an honours degree in Physics and Biology. Not feeling as though this was the right career path for her; she began to think more seriously about applying to Optometry school, something she had first become interested in while in High School.

After completing the Optometry program at the University of Waterloo she wanted to practice in Nova Scotia so she could be close to her family and friends. She was delighted to find out Drs. Mandelman and Dobson were looking for a third doctor and Avila joined their practice in September 1998.

On a more personal note, Avila was married in the spring of 2001. She and her husband Robertson have 3 beautiful little boys, Ethan, Joshua and the newest arrival, Dylan. With such a young family any free time is mainly spent on family activities such as camping, spending time each summer at the family cottage located on Porter's Lake, and visiting her in-laws farm in the Annapolis Valley.

We are very fortunate to have Dr. Cox as part of our eyecare team, continuing our tradition of providing the very best in vision and eye health care.

Education

Dr. Cox attended Dalhousie University from 1990-1994. She obtained her combined honours Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Physics & Biology, graduating with first class honours. She then enrolled in the University of Waterloo's four year Optometry program, obtaining her Doctor of Optometry (OD.) in May 1998.

Awards & Scholarships

• Vistakon Award for Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care, May 1998
• William Feinbloom Low Vision Award from Designs for Vision Inc. May 1998
• Optometric Services Inc. award for Leadership in the areas of Professionalism and Communication Skills, May 1998
• Chosen to attend Alcon's NOVA program in Fort Worth Texas, February 1998.
• Wesley-Jessen Contact Lens Award, 1997.
• University of Waterloo Faculty of Science award for overall achievement, 1995
• NSERC summer study awards, 1992 and 1993

Work History

September 1998 - Present
BEDFORD EYECARE CENTRE, Bedford, Nova Scotia

Dr Cox has worked as an associate with Drs Mandelman and Dobson since September 1998, and became a partner in January 2004. Dr Cox areas of interest include vision training to improve eye coordination, contact lenses and refractive laser surgery pre and post operative care.

August 1997 - December 1997
Omni Eye Specialists, Baltimore, Maryland

Dr Cox worked at the Omni Eye Specialist referral center for four months during her optometric training. The center employed five ophthalmologists, each with a different specialty-cataract/PRK, retina, glaucoma, oculoplastics and ocular immunology. She had the opportunity to observe several laser procedures and surgeries at this site

Professional Involvement

Dr. Cox has been a member of the Nova Scotia Association of Optometry (NSAO) since 1998. Since this time she has been involved with the Low Vision and Practice Enhancement committee. To increase awareness of Optometry within the community Dr Cox has written articles for the Bedford-Sackville News, as well as the Seniors Advocate. She was also interviewed for a news clip about the importance of sunglasses that aired on the local news program "Live at Five".