2 0 2 1 ANNUAL REPORT
SCO’s Tower as seen when it opened in 1970.
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
A MESSAGE FROM SCO PRESIDENT LEWIS REICH, OD, PHD This year marks SCO’s 90th anniversary. Even as we reflect on our institutional accomplishments through the years, SCO always keeps moving forward. In this annual report, we highlight the progress that we made in 2021, our first full year of tackling the challenges posted by the pandemic. Our campus returned to in-person experiences while navigating the waves caused by new variants. Through it all, our mission of educating optometry students continues. SCO students are performing well and earning national recognition. Thanks to alumni support, more scholarships were presented to our students in 2021 than at any point in SCO’s history. Our students are deeply appreciative of supportive alumni who view optometric education as a worthwhile investment in our profession’s future. As you review the highlights presented here about last year’s progress, I invite you to join us as we look to the next steps ahead of us on our countdown to SCO’s centennial. Just as today’s students benefit from the foresight and vision of previous generations of optometry leaders, today’s planning will prepare our students for professional success in the years to come.
ANNUAL REPORT
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YO U R S U P P O RT P R O M OT E S
G R A D U AT E SUCCESS SCO’s students are grateful to alumni rooting for them to succeed. Alumni are vital to the college, from recommending good prospective students to job shadowing or serving as externship preceptors. This vibrant network of support has enabled SCO to expand our national reach as the optometry school with the most states represented by our student body.
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
SCO’s Doctor of Optometry degree program was reaccredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education in 2021. The next scheduled site visit will occur in 2029.
Of the 23 Optometry Schools
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SCO leads with the most states represented by students
SCO’s Ultimate National Board Passage Rate
SCO’s student loan default rate
99.24%
0%
Highest of all 23 Colleges of Optometry
25th year in a Row
Nathan Keyes, ’22, was named the AOSA’s Student of the Year, the third consecutive year that an SCO student received this national honor. ANNUAL REPORT
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TWO
C L A S S E S,
TWO COMMENCEMENTS
The past year uniquely saw two different commencement ceremonies as the Class of 2021 celebrated its in-person ceremony and a majority of the Class of 2020 gathered for its ceremony postponed in the early days of the pandemic unfolding.
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
One hundred members of the Class of 2020 gathered during Fall Homecoming and CE Weekend for its ceremony at the Memphis Peabody, including Aaron Tollett, OD ’20, whose son, Rhett, had been born since his dad’s official graduation the year prior. The Class of 2021 became the second graduating class in a row to experience the pandemic as fourth-year externs. They celebrated with an in-person ceremony at FedEx Forum.
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One of the challenges of returning to normal in the COVID-19 era involved looking for ways to encourage safe student networking and social events. Thanks to the generosity of several ophthalmic partners, SCO funded several “Fresh Start” events including food trucks, a campus scavenger hunt, and other activities that brought students together. SCO’s Student Ambassadors, pictured at right, continued to lead campus tours for prospective students and visitors.
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
F U L LY PR EPA R E D FO R
P RAC T IC E
Alumni often speak about how they made lifetime friendships during their time at optometry school. The relationships that our students forge today sustain them as they work together through the four-year program. Building upon this foundation, SCO’s didactic and clinical faculty worked harder than ever to prepare students for their optometry careers. The didactic curriculum’s results speak for themselves, as SCO once again led the nation in outstanding national board scores. This solid preparation is further enhanced by a wide range of clinical experiences providing high numbers of patient encounters for each intern by graduation. I think the difficulty of the degree is a great balance,” wrote one fourth-year student. “Critical thinking skills, time management, adversity, and well-rounded thinking makes for an education that isn’t always appreciated, but in my opinion, can be more important than outright book knowledge or test scores. Now that I have seen my share of patients, it opens my eyes to just how sharp you have to be, because each 15 minutes is a completely different patient.
ANNUAL REPORT
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STUDENT PRAISE When asked which aspects of SCO’s program are most
Meeting the Needs of Our Students
beneficial, students cited: Hands-on learning Patient, knowledgeable staff Learning from different faculty Rotating through different
Alumni support enables SCO to provide technology upgrades
Rotating through different
that benefit students. In 2020,
modes of practice
the first floor instructional
One-on-one tutoring
labs added the capability to
with upperclassmen
combine and share video screens and audio to create a single, integrated teaching space.
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clinic specialties
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
Diverse exposure to patients with various medical diseases Boards practice rooms
WHEN AN UNPRECEDENTED SERIES OF THREE SUCCESSIVE WINTER STORMS STRUCK MEMPHIS
Attentive, dedicated educators
IN FEBRUARY 2021, THE WEATHER
make all the difference. SCO
TOOK A TOLL ON THE COMMUNITY.
has many such educators. SCO
BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES
prepared us well to practice
RESULTED IN BURST PIPES AND NO WATER PRESSURE IN SPOTS AS REPAIRS BEGAN.
optometry. Working with students from other schools on externs has confirmed this for me. I felt competent and knowledgeable
Meeting the needs of numerous affected
while on my rotations; some
students meant that SCO placed them in
fourth-years from other schools
local hotels and covered the costs. Students in those 15 hotel rooms stayed from one to five days, depending on when they were able
did not express this same confidence. I am thankful to SCO for my solid education.
to return to their apartments. “I truly believe SCO hears and listens to concerns, which is comforting and made me feel at home,”
- A fourth-year student
wrote one student.
ANNUAL REPORT
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YO U R S U P P O RT R E WA R DS
CLINICAL EXCELLENCE For the first time in SCO history, 2021 marked a new milestone as 80 percent of the entering class received either a scholarship, a state contract seat, or in some instances, both. From the first scholarships being created more than 30 years ago, growth in this area was made possible by the generosity of alumni who recognize that a robust scholarship program helps recruit top qualified applicants. In turn, donor support allows SCO’s students to graduate with less debt and the flexibility to pursue their practice dreams after graduation.
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
STUDENT RECRUITING
Recruiting top applicants continued to be a college priority in 2021. Scholars Day drew invited prospective students and guests to campus for a classroom
First-year Scores
experience, a visit to FocalPoint at
338
Crosstown Concourse, and a night
Highest OAT score in SCO history for the Class of 2025
game at the Memphis Redbirds. Monthly webinar series were introduced prior to the pandemic, but the virtual format has proven more popular than ever as prospective students can interact with current students, faculty, and staff to ask questions or learn more information. Alumni also participated last year, including two 2017 graduates, Drs. Erick Henderson and Erin Keim, who talked about life after optometry school. The college also made strides in the areas of Diversity and Inclusion. The entering
117 Number of recruiting presentations made to 106 different campuses in 34 states
Class of 2025 was 70 percent female, and 28 percent represented minorities, a new record high for an SCO class. The college recognized veterans and first-generation college students in November as part of our effort to educate the campus population about different backgrounds represented by the SCO community.
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INCREASING OPTOMETRY’S EXPERTISE For the 2021-22 academic year, SCO enhanced the curricular content of Anterior Segment Ophthalmic Laser (ASOL) procedures and implemented recommendations for utilization of Clinical Technology in patient care.
The Class of 2022 will be the first SCO graduates to have completed at least 12 simulated human model procedures including YAG Capsulotomies, Peripheral Iridotomies, and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasties. The new OPT 319 Optometric Surgical Procedures and Perioperative management course brought the curriculum to a total of 195 credit hours.
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
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students participated in SCO’s 2021 Summer Research Program.
SCO research studies included newly available presbyopic drops.
Interprofessional Education course collaboration allowed students from the Class of 2024 to participate with students from the University of Memphis and University of Tennessee Health Sciences in an online series. A task force consisting of clinical faculty was created to develop exposure to Telehealth related to eye health and vision care, including virtual contact lens progress exams. The college partnered with nearby state associations to provide training on injections, minor surgical procedures, and ophthalmic laser procedures. In July, the SCO campus hosted the Mississippi Board of Examiners Advanced Procedures and Laser Certification. From interns to alumni and other OD colleagues, SCO continues to support advancing the scope of our profession.
It has been an honor for SCO to work with the MOA and the Mississippi Board of Examiners in providing a course of advanced procedures. It is so rewarding to provide this training to our colleagues in Mississippi who have taken on the challenge of learning, as well as bearing increased responsibility for not only moving our profession forward but also providing the very best care of their patients. - Dr. David Hall, SCO Associate Professor
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This academic year, the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, in conjunction with VisionSource, began piloting CONNECT, a mentorship program involving 51 firstyear students and 47 OD mentors from across the U.S. Additionally, the Hayes Center’s Summer Shadowing Contest encouraged second-year students to network with practicing ODs and observe various modalities of practice. Daisy Martin, Lauren Dole, and Paige Willett were selected as winners. 15
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
HAYES CENTER NUMBERS Here are some 2021 statistics showing the Hayes Center’s reach in providing career placement and career services to students and alumni.
1,743
the number of new opportunities listed on the Hayes Center’s career placement website.
181
the number of CVs and resumes reviewed to assist students with residency applications and securing practice opportunities after graduation.
300+
the number of career counseling sessions and meetings given to thirdand fourth-years.
229
the number of employment contracts reviewed on behalf of fourth-year students.
151
the number of consultations provided to alumni regarding practice operations and transitions.
122
the number of employment contracts reviewed on behalf of alumni and residents.
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HCPE Practice of Excellence Award recipients: Kristin Reed, OD ’13, Jon Reid, OD ’12, and Barrett Brown, OD ’13. ANNUAL REPORT
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HARD WORK. D E T E R M I N AT I O N .
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For 90 years, SCO has prepared men and women to thrive as ODs. The past year demonstrated that no matter the challenges or obstacles, optometry students continue to demonstrate a determination to put in the hard work to achieve their goals of joining other successful alumni in practice.
From the AOA to SECO, the American Academy of Optometry, and other state or regional meetings, SCO’s students are encouraged to be involved in a profession where alumni provide leadership and support to future colleagues.
Last year saw two alumni recognized nationally – Belinda Starkey, OD ’04, was the AOA’s OD of the Year, while Erick Henderson, OD ’17, was Young OD of the Year. Our alumni are great role models for students to emulate.
SCO likewise encourages fiscal responsibility, providing our students’ needs while keeping tuition the most affordable of any of the nation’s private colleges of optometry.
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
To support our students, SCO’s 2021-2022 Faculty Staff Campaign raised more than $80,000. A majority of the Class of 2021 donated to its Class Scholarship Campaign, with the SGA providing an additional $10,900. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, three new recipients – all from the Class of 2024 – were awarded the SCO Achievement Scholarship for academic excellence, recognizing students who did not enter SCO with a scholarship or state contract seat. And thanks to the support of SCO Board of Trustees, SCO paid off the bond held since the construction of The Eye Center in 2001. This early debt retirement allows SCO to reinvest in other critically important programs.
I think The Eye Center itself and the amount of patients we were able to access during our second and third years is what made us so successful during our fourth-year externship. – a Class of 2021 graduate
The faculty and staff made all the difference! – a Class of 2021 graduate
I loved every professor and staff doctor I had while at SCO. They were all amazing and helped me integrate from the classroom into clinic. – a Class of 2021 graduate
ANNUAL REPORT
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D O N O R I M PAC T Alumni have many reasons to take pride in the accomplishments that SCO is making: Our graduates exceed national board passage rates. Students’ average annual debt increases averaged 1.05% for the Classes of 2017-19, 2.12% for the Classes of 2018-20, and 0.69% for the Classes of 2019-21. Retention targets are being met; 99.2% of the Class of 2022 are into their fourth year. SCO ranks in the top third of optometry colleges in entering class average OAT scores and GPAs.
I’m proud to support SCO because I can see that my gifts are helping support our profession. I believe SCO continues to move in the right direction. - A 1982 Graduate
LEADERSHIP DONORS Our Leadership donors represent a group of alumni, friends, and corporate partners who demonstrate their commitment and generosity with annual gifts of $1,000 or more. Our special thank you to the following donors who gave at a leadership level in 2021:
Scott Ensor, OD ’01 and Lisa Ensor Patricia Estes Walker, OD Vicky Farmer and Dennis Farmer David L. Foutch, OD ’87
Stephen P. Akre, OD ’75
J. Bart Campbell, OD ’87 and Dawn Campbell
Cecily Freeman
Timothy P. Allen, OD ’70, MS and Mary Frances Allen
Camile L. Chiasson, OD ’81
John A. Gazaway, OD ’67 and Suzanne Gazaway
Lanell Alphin Eugene M. Bane, Jr., OD ’65 and Becky Bane Ivan B. Bank, OD ’83 Allan L. Barker, OD ’75 and Susan Barker Mary Bartuccio, OD Kim Baxter and Nancy Baxter Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ’80 and Billy S. Moscow, OD ’78 Ronald D. Blum, OD ’72 and Kay Blum Christopher Borgman, OD Delrita Branch Kim A. Branscomb
Darby Chiasson, OD ’99 Michael Christensen, OD Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD William E. Cochran, OD ’68 and Carolyn Cochran Cherry B. Cockrell, OD ’81 and David A. Cockrell, OD ’81 Steven L. Compton, OD ’78 and Jane Compton Nora L. Cothran, OD ’13 Gary G. Crook, OD ’72 Anita A. Davis, PhD and Stacy Hopwood Michael T. Dorkowski, OD ’04
Michael D. Gerstner, OD ’97 and Jennifer R. Gerstner Charles G. Glaser, OD ’74 and Cathy Glaser Glenn I. Goldring, OD ’78 and Jamie Goldring William D. Gordon, OD ’82 and Charvie Gordon Martha S. Gore, OD ’89 Mark A. Greer, OD ’87 Paul Harris, OD Joseph H. Hauser and Sara Hall Cynthia Heard, OD Paul H. Heavner, OD ’91
Tommy J. Ducklo, OD ’78
Erick A. Henderson, OD ’17 and Erin K. Henderson, OD ’17
Bonny Lou Eads, OD ’69
Jim W. Herman, OD ’86
William B. Brookshire
William Edmondson, MAT, OD
Gerald Hoffman, OD ’52
Charlene Burnett, OD ’83
Emily K. Eisenhower, OD ’17
John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, MS
Charles A. Callaway, OD ’83
Lindsay M. Elkins, OD ’07
Brian Jones
Amanda Brewer-Lord, OD ’97 and Stephen F. Lord, OD ’89
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
Elsewhere, UnitedHealthcare provided a generous $250,000 grant to provide eligible patients with access to vision care at no cost through SCO’s Clinical Programs. You help play a part in meeting our strategic objectives for student and graduate success. Your support made the difference more than ever during Savannah Hinzman, ’25, was the recipient in 2021 of the William C. Oliver Family Endowed Scholarship donated by Bill Oliver, OD ’63, and his wife, Nancy.
these recent challenging times. SCO is proud to acknowledge these leadership donors for thier support in 2021.
Successfully achieving SCO’s mission is made possible in no small measure by the generous support of our alumni and friends throughout the ophthalmic industry. Numerous industry partners funded student organization events over the last year.
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS Mark R. Kapperman, OD ’87 and Anita Kapperman
Richard C. Orgain, OD ’77
Joseph Sugg, OD ’09 and Ali Sugg
David L. Parker, OD ’95 and Ashleigh Parker
Dean Swick
Peter Kehoe, OD, FAAO, FNAP
Geoffrey Ryan H. Powell, OD ’02 and Amy Powell
Marc Taub, OD, MS
Helen J. King, OD ’83 and Christopher B. King, OD ’83
Jared P. Quesenberry, OD ’12
William L. Thomas, OD ’66
James K. Kirchner, OD and Dee Kirchner
Rod L. Rallo, OD ’80
Gerald A. Krumbholz, OD ’65
Steven T. Reed, OD ’95 and Kendra Reed
Carrie D. Lebowitz, OD ’06
J. Martin Regan, Jr.
Tracy and Mark Lindow
Lewis Reich, OD, PhD and Diane Reich
Lisa Rossmeyer Wade, OD ’84 and Martin Wade
Gregory D. Loose, OD ’06
Kevin A. Rogers, OD ’08
Tom Watkins, OD ’90
Jennifer E. Lyerly, OD ’11
Michael S. Rothschild, OD ’97 and Christy Rothschild
David and Susan West
Gregory C. Russell, OD ’97
Mary Gayle Wilkins
Aaron Kerr, OD ’98 and James Hutto
Michelle and Bob Malish Erie Mathena
Dr. and Mrs. Mohammad Rafieetary
Charles E. Thomas, OD ’84 Francesco Valentino James E. Venable, OD ’89 Cary J. Vincent, OD ’78 and Linda Vincent
Keith E. Whaley, OD ’96
Ted A. McElroy, OD ’93 and Kristin McElroy
Jennifer Sanderson, OD and Andrew J Rixon, OD
Cheryl E. Mengelt, OD
Richard Savoy, OD
George and Rachel Miller
Pamela H. Schnell, OD ’01 and David Schnell
David H. Mills, OD ’78
Sallye Sawyer Scott, OD ’78
Paul D. Mormon, OD ’01
E. Michelle Sellers
Martha Rosemore Morrow, OD ’74
Ty H. Smith, OD ’18
Deborah L. Moy, OD ’84
Glen T. Steele, OD ’69 and Brenda Steele
Sarah Futch Wroten, OD ’03 and Christopher W. Wroten, OD ’02
David Olive, OD ’99
Kurt T. Steele, OD ’95
J. Alan Yates, OD ’94
Morgan Ollinger, OD
Sandra Stephens
Melissa Zarn, OD
Lauren Windham, OD ’10 Barry A. Winston, OD ’74 David L. Wolf, OD, PA Gregory S. Wolfe, OD Jarod R. Wood, OD ’02 and Amanda Larson, OD ’02
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LEADERSHIP DONORS C O R P O R AT E A N D F O U N D AT I O N PA R T N E R S Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
First Horizon Foundation
Kroger
Allergan, Inc.
First Mid Wealth Management
Lakeland Lions Foundation
Amazon
Fort Atkinson Community Foundation
Luxottica Group
American Academy of Optometry
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
Safilo
American Optometric Foundation
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Scholarship America
Arkansas Eye Associates, Inc
George & Frances London Educational Foundation
SECO International, Inc.
Arkansas Optometric Association
Harney County Suppoting Our Students
Southeast Optometric Vision Forum
Autozone
Healthy Vision Association Charity Fund
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation
Briggs Vision Group
Hot Graphics Printing, Inc.
St. David’s Foundation
CooperVision
Jefferson Co. Health Center Auxiliary
The Peabody Memphis
Dallas Jewish Community Foundation
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Union City Rotary Foundation, Inc,
Davie Community Foundation
Kentucky Optometric Foundation
Vision Service Plan
Essilor of America, Inc.
Keplr Vision Services
Vision Source
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY’S SUCCESS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONTINUED ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT OF OUR ALUMNI, FRIENDS, INDUSTRY PARTNERS, EMPLOYEES, AND STUDENTS.
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF 2021 DONORS, PLEASE VISIT SCO.EDU/2021DONORS
PRESIDENT LEWIS REICH, OD, PHD
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL J. BART CAMPBELL, OD ’87
BOARD CHAIR CHRISTOPHER W. WROTEN, OD ’02
VICE PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
BOARD MEMBERS AMANDA BREWER-LORD, OD ’97 BETTY HARVILLE BROWN, OD DAVID A. COCKRELL, OD ’81 STEVEN L. COMPTON, OD ’78 ANITA A. DAVIS, PHD VICKI FARMER MARK R. KAPPERMAN, OD ’87 JAMES K. KIRCHNER, OD JENNIFER E. LYERLY, OD ’11 STACEY J. MEIER, OD ’84 DAVE SATTLER LYNN T. SHAW, AWMA TERRY L. TUCKER, OD ’84
VICE PRESIDENT, STUDENT SERVICES
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL DORKOWSKI, OD ’04
VICE PRESIDENT, CLINICAL PROGRAMS
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ANNA BRITT, ’23
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE
JOSEPH HAUSER
TRACY LINDOW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES GEORGE MILLER VICE PRESIDENT, INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT DEAN SWICK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INFORMATION SERVICES JAMES E. VENABLE, OD ’89
DAVID WEST AND ADMINISTRATION
sco.edu @SCOnews @southerncollegeofoptometry southerncollegeofoptometry SCOedu ANNUAL REPORT
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY
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