Global Ambassador: David Berkow

Tell us about yourself:
I am 70 years old, married and since qualifying in 1978 have been in private practice. Have practiced in different optometric environments over the years. From a clinic to a large optometric practice in a shopping centre and doing a full circle 10 years ago and returned to where I started- an optometric clinic. Today I practice general optometry as well as special contact lens fitting. I have always had a passion for contact lens fitting and fortunately I have been able to take this optometric speciality to the highest level. I make use of all the platforms the BCLA make available to its members enabling us to enhance our contact lens knowledge thus enabling us to offer our patients the best treatment possible.

What encouraged/inspired you to join the BCLA? 
I joined the BCLA many years ago knowing then that to become a better contact lens practitioner I would learn a great deal from more experienced contact lens practitioners and learn from them better contact lens fitting skills which would benefit my patients and enhance my knowledge. After attending my first BCLA Congress, many years ago I became even more enthusiastic about the BCLA.
Ever since, I have tried to attend every annual Conference, knowing what a great event it is. On different occasions if I was in London in November, I attended the day meeting too. Always enjoying the event and enriching my contact lens knowledge.

What do you hope to achieve by representing the BCLA as a Global Ambassador? 
It is an honour to be nominated as a BCLA Global Ambassador. As having been a member of the BCLA for over 35 years and a Fellow since 19 I feel that the BCLA has helped me to improve my contact lens fitting skills, via the BCLA annual Congresses which I attend, by enabling me access to a range of professional resources and networking with other BCLA members. Therefore, as a Global Ambassador I hope to convey my enthusiasm and personal benefits from my membership to other optometrists and will try to convince them to become a member of the BCLA and enjoy the benefits. “They won’t be sorry”

Biography: 
I qualified as an optometrist in 1978, at the Technikon in what was then Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa. I have been in private practice ever since.
In 1982 I joined the BCLA and in 1983 became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
I am a Fellow of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics (F.E.A.O.O.)
Fellow of The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (F.I.A.C.L.E.)
Fellow of the College of Optometrists F.C. Optom. (U.K.)
And a fellow of The British Contact Lens Association (F.B.C.L.A.)