Visions_Spring2010 by Southern College of Optometry

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

SPRING 2010

content 3 President’s Corner

Profiles of Success

RICHARD W. PHILLIPS, OD ’78, FAAO President

KRISTIN K. ANDERSON, OD Vice President for Institutional Advancement

JIM HOLLIFIELD Editor Director of Communications

SUSAN M. DOYLE Designer

ERIN JAFFE Photographer

Alumni Focus

SCO Happenings

EUNICE J. HART Writer

trustees Donna Abney, MBA – Chair Germantown, Tennessee

Eugene M. Bane, Jr., OD ’65

Philanthropy Matters

Salem, Virginia

Howard F. Flippin, OD ’59 Searcy, Arkansas

John A. Gazaway, OD ’67

Class Notes

Eagle Grove, Iowa

A. Thomas Hyde, OD ’76 Morristown, Tennessee

James B. Jalenak, Esq. Memphis, Tennessee

SCO Focus

Jarrett Johnson, OD ’90

New Orleans, Louisiana

Brian L. Jones, MBA

Germantown, Tennessee

News Briefs

Out and About

Christopher B. King, OD ’83 Englewood, Florida

Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ’80 Roswell, Georgia

Kenneth L. Mulholland, Jr. Germantown, Tennessee

Richard L. Powell, OD ’68 Lincoln, Nebraska

Steven Reed, OD ’95 Magee, Mississippi

Visions Alumni Magazine is published four times yearly through the Office of Institutional Advancement. Copies are available without charge to alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the college. A digital version is available online at www.sco.edu/visions. Please send comments, contributions and address changes to: Office of Institutional Advancement 1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222 800-238-0180, ext. 4 901-722-3379 FAX

Robert W. Smalling, OD ’74 Warren, Arkansas

Mary Thornley, EdD

Charleston, South Carolina

Jason Duncan, OD ’96 Faculty Representative Memphis, Tennessee

Brigitte Keener, ’11 Student Representative Grand Blanc, MI

pr e si d en t ’ s co rn er Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, FAAO

Spring is traditionally a time of awakening, symbolic new birth, or

offer our graduates the best opportunities to succeed in practice.

a renewal, if you will. In 2010, I hope each of you takes a moment to

I ask you to reconsider your relationship with the college and

reflect upon how you arrived at where you are in your career today.

rediscover SCO and all it has to offer to our profession. We want you

This year, we’re encouraging our nearly 6,000 alumni to rediscover and

to be an active part of our future, just as SCO has been a part of yours.

reconnect with your alma mater.

It’s never too late to make a gift, name a scholarship, a room, or an

As alumni, you deserve to be proud. Our enhanced mission, recognizing our students as our primary stakeholders, has energized our

award. Planned giving and estate planning are other ways that you can contribute to optometry’s future.

campus. The faculty and staff have never been more committed to

For those of you who may think, “Well, I already do that,” we

supporting our students’ development. We want to be the best at

thank you and ask you to share your excitement for the college with

what we do. I’m sure that you, too, want your alma mater to reflect

your peers. I firmly believe that the success of our profession and the

optimal possibilities.

success of our institution are interdependent.

As you rediscover and reconnect with SCO, recall that this

For our alma mater and for our profession, we must: • choose the best students with the character to achieve

institution played a major role in your professional development. Not

and succeed;

all of us recall every day in Memphis fondly, but we received a foundation that made our success possible. Our alumni are

• provide the best education that is forward-thinking, and

community leaders, and leaders within our profession. We

that prepares ODs to practice at a higher level than ever

are advocates for the patients we serve. You represent the best in

before;

optometry .

• ensure that our graduates are committed to serving the As alumni, we are stewards of today’s profession and

community in which they practice as well as the profession

optometry’s future. It would be counterproduc-

itself; and

tive to strive toward building successful prac-

• continue our efforts to transition outstanding graduates

tices only to see them wither without new

into successful practice settings.

As alumni, we are stewards of today’s profession and optometry’s future. generations to be there to add as partners or to transfer this stewardship into the future.

To accomplish all that we need to accomplish, we need you to not only demonstrate the commitment, but instill that commitment

SCO’s Board of Trustees has offered us a challenge.

in others with whom you have influence. As a graduate, I invite you

We must remain at the forefront of optometric education. This re-

to accept the stewardship responsibility to take our profession to

quires updated classrooms, the newest technology, engaged faculty

a higher level. When we do, SCO will, indeed, become the best that

members and facility maintenance. Additionally, we are committed

there is.

to keeping tuition low and affordable so we may remain competitive and reduce our graduates’ indebtedness levels. This combination will

We are so close now. Thank you for what you have done for SCO, and for what you will do for SCO and our future.

Spring 2010

PROFILESOF SUCCESS

SCO is pleased to introduce a new spotlight on our alumni, Profiles of Success. One of the college’s goals is to note the achievements of our alumni. Strong role models are important for encouraging and patterning future professional behavior in our students.

Dr. Byars and his wife, Helen.

T. Joel Byars, OD ’63 A resident of McDonough, Georgia, Dr. Byars is a former president of the American Optometric Association. His service also in-

W h at i s t h e value o f yo u r o p to me t r i c e d u c at i o n?

My optometric education has enormous

cludes SCO’s Board of Trustees during construc-

value, in that it has given me the tools to

tion of The Eye Center at SCO. Dr. Byars received

help others and learn how to appreciate

Look for additional Profiles of Success

SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.

other individuals and their concerns.

stories on our website.

W h e r e d i d yo u r e c ei v e yo u r e d u c at i o n?

University of Georgia If you would like to suggest someone, please contact Carla O’Brian,

Southern College of Optometry: 1963 H o w h a s yo u r o p to me t r i c e d u c at i o n play e d a r o le in yo u r li fe to day ?

Director of Alumni Programs, at

It has given me the opportunity to

cobrian@sco.edu or at

life. It has also taught me to have passion

(901) 722-3216.

interact with individuals from all walks of for all and to be able to listen to others. W h at wa s yo u r g r eat e s t e d u c at i o nal c h allenge an d h o w d i d yo u ov e r co me i t ?

My greatest challenge was how to pay

W h at w o ul d yo u s ay to s o me o ne w h o ’ s un d e c i d e d a b o u t pu r suing a c a r ee r in o p to me t ry ?

Go for it! You will never regret your choice – you will be able to offer a valuable service to people. W h at ma d e yo u r ealize t h e im p o r tan c e o f e d u c at i o n in yo u r li fe ?

The fact that my parents never had the opportunity for higher education was a major motivating factor in my life. They gave me the constant encouragement to reach for the stars!

for my education. I was fortunate to have loans from the Knights Templar

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W h at k ee p s yo u k ee p g o ing?

Educational Foundation. This was pos-

The constant thought that I have been

sible by my father being a Mason. My

given so many opportunities. This keeps

parents gave me all of the financial help

me focused to repay that which has

that they could afford.

been given to me.

Melissa McCulley, OD ’01 Dr. McCulley started the first new optometry practice to locate in Fargo, North Dakota in nearly a generation. Her practice is known for its comprehensive care and fashionable, distinctive eyewear. Dr. McCulley was among the first young alumni to participate in the inaugural program sponsored by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence. W h e r e d i d yo u r e c ei v e yo u r e d u c at i o n?

Southern College of Optometry: OD, 2001; Boston College: BS in Spanish and pre-med studies, 1997 H o w h a s yo u r o p to me t r i c e d u c at i o n play e d a r o le in yo u r li fe to day ?

It has given me the opportunity to have my own business. I never knew that I would be a small business owner, but having this professional career has given me the opportunity to do so and learn so much. There is a big difference between being a clinician and owning a practice. I am constantly seeking out new learning opportunities, whether it is from within the profession or an outside source (Chamber of Commerce events, business owners’ groups.) Treating patients is what I’m passionate about, but adding the optical side to my business gives a fun, fashion-oriented side to my day-to-day role that is really rewarding. W h at wa s yo u r g r eat e s t e d u c at i o nal c h allenge an d h o w d i d yo u ov e r co me i t ?

Melissa McCulley, OD ’01, (center) with her office staff. W h at w o ul d yo u s ay to s o me o ne w h o ’ s un d e c i d e d a b o u t pu r suing a c a r ee r in o p to me t ry ?

I think the heart of what we do is taking care of people, not just their eyes. There are many different levels and settings in which one can practice, but having compassion for doing what’s best for our patients is essential. The four years of optometry school can really show you the wide range of practice settings and specialties of care that an optometrist can practice. I never thought that pediatric eyecare would be my top interest, but

My undergraduate degree was not in science, so I was

now it is! Another great aspect of optometry is that a doctor

concerned that I would be “behind” in the course load

can make their work schedule fit their lifestyle. Anywhere from

compared to my classmates. But fortunately, through the

working for someone part-time to owning and managing a

tutoring program or just the willingness of instructors to hold

practice – a nice wide range to choose from after graduation!

office hours, I was able to keep up with the course load. Plus, my roommate took really good notes and let me read them! W h at i s t h e value o f yo u r o p to me t r i c e d u c at i o n?

My optometric education has given me a career that allows me to take care of people. It is a truly rewarding job. Be it counseling parents on the health of their children’s eyes, working to find the perfect keratoconus gas permeable lens fit, or giving a bit of hope to a patient with macular degeneration,

W h at ma d e yo u r ealize t h e im p o r tan c e o f e d u c at i o n in yo u r li fe ?

Being in a profession that is constantly changing, staying on top of new technology and treatment options is crucial. The more educated I am, the better I can care for my patients. Also, many of the continuing education courses are interesting and practical to everyday practice and office management. W h at k ee p s yo u k ee p g o ing?

my education has put me in a position to treat and comfort the

Being able to come home at the end of the night and feel that

concerns of my patients. Having people put their trust in me to

I have made a difference in someone’s life by providing them

know that I am going to do what is right for them is a gift.

with great care!

Spring 2010

ALUMNI FOCUS

David Evans, OD ’94

An Eye on Hollywood: Graduate’s Movie Idea Springs to Life Although he’s an optometrist by profession, David Evans, OD ’94, believes he’s found his creative calling by helming his first motion picture production. As an SCO student, the Bentonville, Arkansas native joined Calvary Church in Memphis. After graduation, Dr. Evans joined Total Eye Care in Memphis and became an SCO preceptor in 1997. Outside his practice, he immersed himself in his church by producing the church’s annual Passion Play, with a different story presented each year. His experience prepared him for producing a new movie, The Grace Card, starring the Academy Award-winning actor, Louis Gossett, Jr. Although Dr. Evans had enjoyed producing his church’s play, he felt he was limited since the productions had a short run and most of the participants had careers outside their participation. After he heard about two independent, faith based-films that had been produced outside the Hollywood system with community volunteers in Georgia, Dr. Evans decided to take his ideas from a church play and turn them into a movie script. “I said, ‘I can make this into a screenplay and make this even better,’ because you have limitations to what you can do on a stage, but, if it’s a movie, man, you can go all out,” he said. After 15 years of producing church plays, Dr. Evans was ready to delve into the production of an actual feature film. He began work on a screenplay. A year ago, the Commercial Appeal in Memphis wrote an article about his efforts to have the film produced. The newspaper article was seen by an executive at Sony Pictures, distributors of Fireproof, one of the independent films that originally inspired Dr. Evans to write his movie. When the executive e-mailed and asked for more information, Dr. Evans sent Sony the script. “They really liked the story, and they felt like if we could strengthen the dialogue a little bit more, the movie could go a lot farther than it would with an inexperienced screenwriter such as myself,” Dr. Evans says with a laugh. Not offended by the critique, he welcomed the help of screenwriter Howie Klausner, who wrote Space Cowboys starring Clint Eastwood. Klausner had been looking for an opportunity to work on an inspirational film. After reworking the script, they held Memphis auditions in May 2009. Volunteers were solicited from 50 churches throughout the community. A local casting agency recruited some of its actors to work as volunteers. “Once we had a chance to explain to everyone the story and the whole focus here, just to do something positive for our city, a story about healing, about forgiveness [they understood],” Evans said.

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Next the team organized a crew of 40 professionals, many of whom were local veterans of movies previously filmed on location in Memphis. Because the film’s main characters are Memphis Police officers, Dr. Evans and his team received approval from Memphis Police Department Director Larry Godwin to use the department’s logo, vehicles and actual officers as extras. Dr. Evans said Godwin had been burned before but, after reading the script, felt nothing but good could come out of this film. The production also received the help of Hospital Wing for a scene where a victim needed to be airlifted to the hospital. Hospital Wing volunteered to fly the crew around for free to capture aerial shots of the city. For a movie set, St. Francis Hospital volunteered an entire floor of its hospital that was being renovated. St. Francis gave permission to use its name and outside shots of the hospital within the film. The final coup was casting legendary actor Louis Gossett, Jr., to the cast. “In our auditions, no one stood out as ‘Wow, that guy would be great as Grandpa George’,” Dr. Evans recalled. After considering other actors, Dr. Evans came across information about Gossett and his non-profit organization, Eracism. He decided Gossett fit the bill, and his beliefs were in line with the message of the movie. Within 48 hours of receiving the script, Gossett’s agent was impressed enough to let Dr. Evans know that he was having dinner with Gossett that night and would pitch it to him. Gossett was impressed. Negotiations began soon after and an agreement was reached for him to appear in the movie. Filming began on October 16, 2009 and finished prior to Thanksgiving. Now owner of Total Eye Care, Dr. Evans relied on his capable staff while taking time off to film. Gossett came to Memphis in November and filmed all of his scenes within three days. “He’s incredible, he’s excited about the story, and he can’t wait for it to come out,” Evans said of the actor. Called The Grace Card, the movie is currently in post-production and editing. Negotiations are underway with a few major film companies for distribution. Dr. Evans’ goal throughout has been to shed a positive light on Memphis by producing a film with a message of inspiration and encouragement. His goal was also to produce a film the entire family could see together and discuss afterward. By faith, an optometrist was able to open many doors on his quest to heal his community.

SCO to Honor Young Alumni Outstanding young alumni will be recog-

“We’re excited to recognize outstanding

nized through SCO’s Young Alumni Award, a

young alumni,” said Kristin K. Anderson, OD, Vice

new honor to be bestowed during this Fall’s

President for Institutional Advancement.

Homecoming program.

“SCO has seen a significant number of our

“The recipient will reflect the college’s

younger alumni honored as ODs of the Year by

mission of fostering a personal commitment to

their state associations in recent years, so our

service by making a significant, positive impact

graduates are clearly becoming active in the

on the global or local community,” said Carla

profession and making positive contributions

O’Brian, SCO’s Director of Alumni Programs.

that deserve to be noted by their alma mater,”

in patient care, research or teaching in the field

Any graduate from within the last 10 years

of optometry. Recipients must also support SCO

will be eligible, so alumni, professional friends of

and its mission by displaying visible involvement

the college or members of the SCO community

Lifetime Achievement Award Nominations Sought

through volunteerism, support of SCO’s annual

may nominate young alumni who have

SCO is now accepting

campaign and/or the enhancement of the

graduated since 2000.

Recipients must also demonstrate excellence

college’s image.

she said.

“It’s fitting that the recipient will come

nominations for the college’s 15th Annual Lifetime Achievement

from the first decade of the 21st century as our

Awards. The highest honor

profession’s scope continues to evolve,” Dr.

presented to alumni, these

Anderson added.

awards recognize outstanding

A nomination form may be found on the

achievement to the profession,

SCO website at www.sco.edu. A nomination

college and the graduate’s

letter must detail specific examples of how the

community.

nominee’s qualifications fulfill the award cri-

Any SCO graduate may

teria. Supporting documentation is strongly

nominate fellow alumni for

encouraged.

this award. The 2010 Lifetime

All completed nominations must be

Achievement Award nomination

received by the Office of Institutional

form may be found at www.sco.

Advancement no later than May 1, 2010.

edu. Completed forms may be

Nominations may be submitted elec-

mailed, emailed, or faxed; details

tronically or by mail to Carla O’Brian, Director of Alumni Programs, Office of Institutional Advancement, c/o SCO, 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104. Email her at cobrian@sco.edu

are at the end of the form. All nominations must be received by April 30, 2010. Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (901) 722-3216 for additional information.

Spring 2010

SCO HAPPENINGS Seen during SECO 2010…

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Faculty Presentations at SECO 2010 Daniel G. Fuller, OD, Assistant Professor White Dot Syndromes Betty Harville, OD, Professor Recurrent Bilateral Anterior Uveitis Secondary to Bisphosphonate: A Case Study Zakiya Nicks, OD, Instructor Ocular and Systemic Management of Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

Jennifer Sanderson, OD, Assistant Professor The Flu and You (and your Practice) – an OSHA/ CDC Primer for the Optometric Physician Jennifer Sanderson, OD, Assistant Professor, and Carrie Lebowitz, OD ’06, Instructor The Case of the Missing Cup: Diagnosing Glaucoma with Concurrent Optic Nerve Head Drusen Anna Schlesselman, MS, OD, Instructor, and Mandi Smith, ’10 Teenager with Bilateral Disc Edema of Surprising Etiology

Spring 2010

philanthropy matters

Ramona Porter Clifton, OD ’46

Why I Give Working in the college library, she came across another option that she felt might be more successful for her than medical school. She saw a group of optometry publications. Flipping through their pages, she soon became fascinated with what she read. “There was a story about World War II fighter pilots’ field of vision being improved with training at Ohio State,” she recalls. “It was a new school of thought where they could identify the type of plane they saw only briefly through the clouds.” Soon Dr. Clifton came to realize optometry schools wanted students with so many young Ramona Porter Clifton, OD ’46, talks about her career as nonchalantly as she would a grocery list,

She also felt optometry would facilitate the

adventures didn’t take her to exotic, far-off lands, her

type of family life she would eventually want while

journey did take her through the trials of establishing

enabling her to become a doctor.

Dr. Clifton was raised to believe she could do whatever she wanted to do.

to family life, good hours and clean,” she says. “I just didn’t know which way it was going to turn.” She applied and eventually attended SCO.

instilled in me that I could do anything I wanted,”

Because graduation happened at the end of different

she said.

semesters during the era, she was one of four

majoring in pre-med with the goal of becoming a

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“This seemed to be professional, more conducive

“Mother owned a photographic studio and

So Dr. Clifton went to the University of Louisville,

for students during the war,” she said.

no matter how amazing it may seem. While her

a career of her choosing in the 40s and 50s.

people off fighting overseas. “They were really crying

women among more than a dozen graduates at her commencement ceremony.

doctor even though she knew getting into medical

She returned to Kentucky to start a practice in

school was not a guarantee for women at the time.

Bardstown. The only other optometrist had to travel

Dr. Clifton says medical associations controlled

from Louisville for special visits. She was the first

medical schools and wanted to limit the number of

female optometrist in Nelson County, something of

women entering the field.

a novelty in the area.

“If women majored in much of anything, you got

“I had people come in and see what I looked

out and you took business courses and became a

like,” she says of those first days. Although the local

secretary,” she says.

civic clubs did not allow women, she still managed

to gain patients through word of mouth and the

Together, the Cliftons established the Dr. Ramona

encouragement of a local physician at the health

Porter Clifton Endowed Scholarships at SCO. She says

department.

their preference is for helping Kentucky women to use

“People don’t realize the difference 50 or 35 years make in the acceptance of women,” Dr. Clifton says. “I couldn’t get the links that men did; I had to make my contacts in other ways.”

the scholarship to attend SCO and have a chance at the type of career, and life, that Dr. Clifton has had. Whether it was trailblazing new paths in optometry, providing care to her patients or providing

She eventually persevered in building her patient

scholarships for future optometrists who will carry on

base. After trial and effort, she received a loan on her

the profession, Dr. Clifton is the embodiment of service

own in 1956 to construct a building for her practice.

to others through her philanthropy.

Dr. Clifton is the embodiment of service to others through her philanthropy.

She also established Vision Therapy departments with a local health professional and a school for children who needed more help with reading and academics. After becoming friends with many teachers and psychologists, she participated in research with Spaulding University’s Psychology Department on convergence and reading. She also met her husband, Rev. Farris Clifton. They married in 1957 and later had two children, one of whom died young. In many aspects, the Cliftons were a latter day 20th Century family, raising two children with two careers. Dr. Clifton says she did all the things a mother and wife would do as well as running her optometry practice. In 1955, Rev. Clifton took over the Christian Care

’67, ’83 Classes Tops in Phonathon Results The 2009 Phonathon that ended December 31 offered bragging rights to the class that gave the most in donations and to the class with the highest percentage of participation. In the category of total dollars donated, the Class of 1967 raised $12,400 and outpaced the Class of 1974, their closest rival, by taking the lead away from them during the last two weeks of the contest! In the category of Highest Percentage of Participation, the Class of 1983 took the honors, with 12.5% of the class making a gift and edging out the Class of 1978 by a mere 0.1%.

Widows and Orphan’s Home in Kentucky and spear-

An honorary mention goes to the Classes of 1974 and 1978, who were a close

headed a campaign to expand the community. It is

second in Total Dollars Donated and Highest Percentage of Participation, respectively.

now home to a campus for older adults needing differ-

These numbers reflect phonathon gifts; totals including non-Phonathon gifts may vary.

ent levels of care, including independent living, assisted living and nursing homes with several other locations across the state. Rev. Clifton currently lives in a nursing

Congratulations to all classes who supported SCO by talking with student callers and taking action by making a gift to our most recent Phonathon sessions.

facility while Dr. Clifton lives on the same campus in assisted living.

Spring 2010

Mid-Year Donor Report Our special thanks to the following donors who made a donation between July 1 and December 31, 2009. 1220 Exhibits, Inc Abbott Fund Donna Abney, MBA Trey Adams Advent, LLC Arthur J. Afanador, OD ’65 Ginny L. Ahrens, OD ’08 Robert P. Aitken, OD ’84 Paul Ajamian, OD Anthony L. Aker, OD ’81 Stephen P. Akre, OD ’75 Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Michael W. Alexander, OD ’80 Timothy P. Allen, OD ’70 Allergan, Inc. American Optometric Foundation Cathy Q. Anderson, OD ’97 Daniel S. Anderson James F. Anderson, OD ’84 Kristin K. Anderson, OD and Christopher Lievens, OD, MS Lisa C. Anderson Gary S. Appel, OD ’79 Sara K. Armand, OD ’06 William S. Ashley, OD ’80 Jo-Ann B. Augustine C. Brantley Aycock, OD ’65 Kara M. Bachus, OD ’95 Scott L. Baer, OD ’93 J. Dean Baggett, OD ’83 Zahra Bagheri, OD ’02 Cynthia E. Baker, OD ’83 Donald Lee Baker, OD ’74 Merle C. Baker, OD ’81 Paula L. Baker R. Dianne Balazsy Sarah S. Baldwin, OD ’03 Danny B. Baltz, OD ’85 Ron M. Bannister, OD ’77 Currie Dean Barker, OD ’58 Rick D. Bartlett, OD ’81 Joseph J. Beaman, OD ’68 Kathryn M. Beggs, OD ’85 Eugene and Sandra Bell Joseph L. Bertagna, OD ’83 Ray D. Bess, OD ’63 Seema Bhula, OD ’07 Lyndle C. Bierman, OD ’54 Randy Birt, OD ’02 John D. Bishop, OD ’74 Larry E. Blackmon, OD ’68 Robin S. Blair, OD ’74 Alan L. Blatterman, OD ’73 Errol M. Bloom, OD ’80 Larry W. Bloomingburg, OD ’75 Burton P. Bodan, OD ’53 Eric K. Botts, OD ’92 Robert E. Botts, OD ’78 Keith P. Bowen, OD ’73 Randall D. Bowling, OD ’71 Randy Brafford Delrita Branch Jon A. Brethorst

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Ashley R. Brooks, OD ’08 William B. Brookshire Daniel J. Brothers, OD ’79 Cassie Brown Rebecca Jean Brown, OD ’03 Jill C. Browning, OD ’99 Larry H. Bryan Kristen C. Bryant, OD ’08 J. Wayne Buck, OD ’78 Alan K. Bugg, OD ’82 Roger L. Burch, OD ’72 Marilyn S. Burich, OD ’95 Charlene Burnett, OD ’83 and Frederick R. Burnett, Jr., OD ’80 Tracy D. Burroughs, OD ’95 J. Gordon Butterfield, OD ’54 George N. Butterworth, OD ’04 T. Joel Byars, OD ’63 James M. Byrn, OD ’49 Winona M. Caldwell J. Bart Campbell, OD ’87 Orman Campbell, OD ’49 Eugene R. Cantwell, OD ’49 Mary Shackleford Carlton, OD ’83 Raymond M. Carozza, OD ’06 Thomas V. Casella, OD ’78 Steve T. Cauble, OD ’78 Joe A. Chambers, OD ’70 Russell H. Chambless, OD ’85 Freddy W. Chang, OD, MS, PhD Camile L. Chiasson, OD ’81 Darby Chiasson, OD ’99 Edward E. Cho, OD ’84 Robert N. Christen, OD ’03 Douglas M. Christman, OD ’99 Lynn H. Church, OD ’62 Patricia Cisarik, OD Veurmer L. Clark, OD ’87 Wesley R. Clark, OD ’80 Jerry L. Clay James O. Cloepfil, OD ’82 Fred S. Cloninger, OD ’65 Louis A. Cloutier, Jr., OD ’84 James R. Coats Mark G. Coble, OD ’77 Glenn M. Cochran, OD ’80 William E. Cochran, OD ’68 and Mrs. Carolyn Cochran Jeffrey H. Cohen, OD ’72 Brian E. Colletto, OD ’01 Janet Provencal Collier, OD ’96 Steven L. Compton, OD ’78 Donald W. Connell, OD ’08 Charles G. Connor, Jr., MA, PhD, OD James V. Cornetta, OD ’81 Andrew Bartholow Costello, OD ’07 Dennis L. Cowart, OD ’80 Melanie A. Crandall, OD ’77 Robert M. Cress, OD ’75 Michael Scott Croft, OD ’06 Gary G. Crook, OD ’72 Alicia K. Crooks, OD ’08 Troy L. Currier, OD ’97 Colby Blair Curtis, OD ’07 David H. Curtis, OD ’78 Polly B. Cuzzort Angela L. Dabbs, OD ’06 Robert M. Dacus, OD ’77

David A. Damari, OD and Mrs. Rita Frumento Damari Ira N.B. Davis, Jr., OD ’80 R. Daniel De Jarnatt, Jr., OD ’85 Horace Deal, OD ’97 James F. Deavers, OD ’78 William R. Dellinger, OD ’64 Paul W. Derrick, OD ’70 James W. Devine, OD ’83 Eula Dickerson William M. Dickerson, Jr., OD ’79 Velma J. Dickson Shawn P. Doherty, OD ’83 Karen Joyner Douglas, OD ’00 and Joseph Kent Douglas, OD ’00 Max M. Downey, OD ’81 Susan M. Doyle Robin J. Drescher, OD, MS Matthew Theodore Drew, OD ’04 Tommy J. Ducklo, OD ’78 Kelly F. Duke, Jr., OD ’77 Janette D. Dumas, OD Jason D. Duncan, OD ’96 Craig W. Dunlap, OD ’94 Van M. Dunn, OD ’79 Erin D. Dunphy, OD ’97 Jeremy Michael Durham, OD ’03 Sidney M. Edelstein, OD ’55 William Edmondson, OD Max Edrington, OD ’72 Gerald A. Eisenstatt, OD ’84 J. Grady Elliott, Jr., OD ’92 Norman L. Elliott, OD ’65 Joe E. Ellis, OD ’86 M. Scott Ensor, OD ’01 Robert M. Epstein, OD ’74 Chevron L. Ergle, OD ’04 Cheryl E. Ervin, OD Essilor of America, Inc./Varilux Patricia Estes Walker, OD James S. Eubank, OD ’66 Tressa F. Eubank, OD Melvin C. Evers, OD ’72 Sunnie J. Ewing Eyecare Associates Of Kentucky David H. Faulks, OD ’96 Alan Fertel, OD ’86 Bradley W. Fielding, OD ’84 Ann Z. Fields Pamela L. Finley, OD ’95 Alan P. Fisher, OD ’75 Elizabeth Fisher, MS David Fisher, Jr., OD ’90 Carol A. Fleming Sadie M. Fleming Howard F. Flippin, OD ’59 Laura L. Flockencier, OD ’94 L. Allen Fors, OD ’69, MEd David L. Foutch, OD ’87 Phillip Patrick Fowler, OD ’03 Benjamin J. Franklin, OD ’00 Pateaka Franklin Stephen C. Franzblau, OD ’66 Cecily Freeman Alvin L. Frey, Jr., OD ’81 Paul T. Fulghum, OD ’83 Stacy L. Gandy, OD ’92 and Jimmy S. Gandy, OD ’92

Ronald B. Gantt, OD ’67 John M. Garber, OD ’76 Cindy Garner Thomas J. Garrity, OD ’74 Wesley E. Garton, OD ’80 John A. Gazaway, OD ’67 Phillip A. Gelwick, OD ’76 Chris Geswein Frank S. Gibson, OD ’68 Alan L. Ginsburg, OD ’76 W. Carter Glass, OD ’76 Thomas K. Gober, OD ’83 Steven E. Goldenberg, OD ’97 Glenn I. Goldring, OD ’78 Roy L. Gooch, OD ’61 Good-Lite Co. Rosemary E. Gordon William D. Gordon, OD ’82 James A. Gould, OD ’78 Martha Rosemore Greenberg, OD ’74 Tonyatta T. Hairston, OD ’01 Arthur Andy Haley, OD ’90 Sandra G. Hall David B. Hallahan, OD ’69 Samuel R. Halpern, OD ’07 Debra A. Hammerer, OD ’82 and John R. Hammerer, OD ’82 L. Shepard Hamrick, Jr., OD ’81 Jeffrey S. Hankin, OD ’78 Scott E. Hannah, OD ’72 Paul L. Harman, OD ’86 Matthew H. Harpin, OD ’01 Kathryn A. Harrington Kendall B. Harris, OD ‘81 Nancy and Tom Harris Betty J. Harville, OD Michael R. Hassell, OD ’83 Whitney H. Hauser, OD ’01 and Joseph H. Hauser, MBA Cynthia Heard, OD Heine USA, Ltd. Marc S. Helmy, OD ’08 Max P. Hergott, OD ’01 Robert M. Heston, OD ’68 Melanie H. Hill, OD ’98 and Cory D. Hill, OD ’98 Richard L. Hill, OD ’67 Jack R. Hillard, OD ’51 Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Hodges Courtney G. Hoffman, OD ’00 and Matthew E. Hoffman, OD ’00 Edward R. Hoge, Jr., OD ’67 Scott B. Holcomb, OD ’96 Jim Hollifield Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge Holt Gary S. Holtzman, OD ’92 Donald R. Hopper, OD ’77 William Hopper Richard L. Hopping, OD ’52 Max M. Horner, OD ’74 Daniel C. Horton, OD ’01 Elizabeth T. Howard, OD ’95 and Andrew W. Howard, OD ’96 Mona G. Howard Charles R. Hughes, Jr., OD ’86 Russell A. Hughes, OD ’81 Courtney K. Humphrey, OD ’05 John J. Hutnick, OD ’80

Arthur Thomas Hyde, OD ’76 Nicole Marie Irick, OD ’07 John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, MS Susan Jackson Erin Jaffe James B. Jalenak, Esq. W. Michael Jamison, OD ’82 Barbara Jennings, OD and Dennis E. Mathews, OD Gordon W. Jennings, OD ’81 Jobson Publishing Co. John-Kenyon American Eye Institute Jolynn and Kenneth Johnson Linda D. Johnson, OD Scott E. Johnson, OD ’88 Cynthia O. Jones, OD ’89 Jennifer L. Jones, OD ’06 Roger I. Jones, OD ’81 David L. Jordan, OD ’81 Robert B. Jordan, OD ’88 Amy Lynn Kadavy, OD ’07 Brian A. Kahn, OD ’87 Michael B. Kane, OD ’78 Eugenia Y. Kao, OD ’01 Mark R. Kapperman, OD ’87 Christopher Keats, OD ’99 Lynn Stone Kebert, OD ’83 Keeler Instruments, Inc. Marie C. Kelly, OD ’85 Kentucky Optometric Foundation Aaron Kerr, OD ’98 Marzuka Khan-Jalal, OD ’08 Michael D. Kiihnl, OD ’81 Helen J. King, OD ’83 and Christopher B. King, OD ’83 Amy J. Knickerbocker, OD ’99 Norman Krell, OD ’53 William Kress, OD Austin C. Krohn, OD ’07 Kendall L. Krug, OD ’85 Gerald A. Krumbholz, OD ’65 Joseph A. Lamendola, Jr., OD ’62 Katherine H. Laney, OD ’99 Harold L. Lashlee Lawrence J. LaTour, OD ’80 Charles D. Lawler, OD ’64 Mike Lawson Louis J. Layton, OD ’67 Lorry W. Lazenby, OD ’86 Cornel H. Leblanc, OD ’77 Carrie D. Lebowitz, OD ’06 Howard B. Levinson, OD ’76 Don C. Lewis, OD ’75 Jim D. Lewis, OD ’62 Treg M. Long, OD ’87 Gregory D. Loose, OD ’06 Lynn A. Lowell, OD ’08 LS&S Group, Inc. Gary B. Lukes, OD ’83 Aaron Lyles, OD ’09 Scott L. Lyon Jill L. Magargee, OD ’08 Manchester Lions Club Gary L. Mancil, OD ’82 Willis C. Maples, OD ’68, MS Marchon Eyewear, Inc. Kathy J. Marcoe, OD ’02 Dr. Carl Marquess and Lil Marquess

Janell Andermann Martin, OD ’03 and Louis L. Martin, OD ’03 Erie Mathena Mark E. Mather, OD ’76 Sherry D. Mattingly William Maxwell John A. May, OD ’63 Lara E. May, OD ’00 Gerald A. Mayer, OD ’73 James Shawn McBride, OD ’92 Lenward R. McCalla, OD ’85 Robert W. McCullough, OD ’77 James B. McDaniel, OD ’08 Troy McKay, OD ’00 Douglas V. McKillip, OD ’70 Janice McMahon, OD ’98 Ron M. McMinn, OD ’67 Michael S. McQuaig, OD ’77 Lorie M. McReynolds, OD ’00 Allyson P. Mertins, OD ’97 Paul D. Michalove, OD ’66 Charles David Miller, OD ’78 Henry B. Miller, OD ’77 David H. Mills, OD ’78 Markus K. Minder, OD ’97 John H. Mohr, OD ’61 Tiffany Kay Monahan, OD ’00 Michael M. Monson, OD ’04 Lee R. Moore, Jr., OD ’80 Sandra C. Morgan Darwin L. Mormon, OD Paul D. Mormon, OD ’01 Christopher Morris, OD ’99 Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ’80 and Billy S. Moscow, OD ’78 Dale J. Moser, OD ’86 Giovanna Marie Moses, OD ’02 Gary M. Moss, OD ’78 Tyra L. Moss Daniel O. Mosser, OD ’81 Kenneth Mulholland, Jr. Haylie Lynne Mulliniks, OD ’07 John Michael Neal, OD ’07 Maryke Neiberg, OD Erin D. Newman, OD ’98 James M. Newman, III, OD ’73, MS Philip L. Nicholson, OD ’95 Zakiya Nicks, OD Daniel A. Nielsen, OD ’00 Richard D. O’Connor, Jr., OD ’75 Ocular Instruments, Inc. David Olive, OD ’99 Keith M. Oliver, OD ’79 Larry Otten, OD ’77 Brady M. Palmer, OD ’01 Ralph E. Parkansky, OD, MS, MBA Douglas F. Parker, OD ’66 James L. Parkerson, OD ’77 Randall T. Parrish, Jr., OD ’78 Cara J. Patterson, OD ’08 Nicole A. Patterson, OD ’02 W. Stan Peacock, OD ’84 Brenda and Greg Pearson John S. Peery, OD ’84 G. Worthy Pegram, Jr., OD ’53 Wesley O. Persell, OD ’03 Jaimie M. Pfeifer, OD ’03 Brenda M. Phelps

Harold Chandler Phillips, OD ’07 Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78 Rene J. Pigeon, OD ’54 Guy R. Pike Francis L. Pinard, OD ’87 Laura B. Pittman, OD ’07 Charles E. Porch, OD ’79 Geoffrey Ryan H. Powell, OD ’02 Precision Optical Laboratory, Inc. Michael L. Presley, OD ’99 Alan E. Pressman, OD ’61 Charles R. Pruden, Jr., OD ’59 Mark A. Pulliam, OD ’83 Wayne W. Pyeatt Gary E. Radish, OD ’69 Brenda H. Rakestraw Rod L. Rallo, OD ’80 William K. Ramsay, Jr., OD ’86 Randall S. Ramsey, OD ’75 J. Gregory Reasons, OD ’87 Steven T. Reed, OD ’95 Douglas V. Reeves, OD ’81 Gregory E. Reeves, OD ’06 Leslie R. Reeves, OD ’07 Lewis Reich, OD, PhD Joseph W. Remke, III, OD ’76 Robert D. Remke, OD ’87 Leon A. Renaud, OD ’73 William T. Reynolds, OD ’85 Lisa M. Rhodes, OD ’02 Peggy Rhodes J. Scott Richardson, OD ’75 Rhett H. Richardson, OD ’83 Kendra C. Ridgeway, OD ’07 Tchula M. Ripton, OD ’98 Gary A. Roach, OD ’72 Edward L. Robbins, OD ’51 Bob G. Roberts, OD ’74 Michael N. Robertson, MEd Robertson Optical Laboratories, Inc. Nathaniel D. Robinson, OD ’91 Richard Rogers, OD ’78 Stuart D. Rogers, OD ’82 Frank A. Romano, OD ’78 Frank E. Roofe, III, OD ’80 Walter S. Rose, OD ’90 Marion Rosemore Kelly Gillihan Ross, OD ’98 and Jonathan B. Ross, OD ’98 Michael S. Rothschild, OD ’97 Mark J. Roy, III, OD ’02 Joe B. Rupe, OD ’67 Sain Construction Company James D. Sandefur, OD ’65 Jennifer Sanderson, OD and Andrew J. Rixon, OD Richard Savoy, OD James H. Sawyer, OD ’86 Anna Schlesselman, OD, MS Claire S. Schmidt, OD ’08 Kenneth G. Schneider, OD ’73 Allan G. Schoen, OD ’72, MEd Thomas Scibiur, Jr., OD ’84 David M. Sclar, OD ’82 Valerie B. Seligson, OD ’83 E. Michelle Sellers Kristie S. Semrow, OD ’06 Seymour R. Marco Family Foundation

Travis K. Sharpe, OD ’06 C. Wayne Shearer, OD ’50 Andrea E. Shelton, OD ’03 Denise Q. Shepard, OD ’79 Kristie L. Shepard Dean N. Shissias, OD ’82 Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Shouse Jonathan L. Shrewsbury, OD ’81 Kimberly A. Shropshire Michael R. Sigmon, OD ’89 William D. Simmons, OD ’62 Gary C. Simpson, OD ’64 J. Scott Simpson, OD ’75 William D. Sizemore, OD ’81 Mary K. Smart Robert W. Smalling, OD ’74 April D. Smith, OD ’98 and Brian D. Smith, OD ’98 Charles M. Smith, OD ’79 Dennis L. Smith, OD ’81 Frank G. Smith, III Gary L. Smith, OD ’69 Tony S. Smith, OD ’97 Larry D. Snider, OD ’76 Gary R. Snuffin Gary M. Soifer, OD ’80 Hosea J. Soileau, Jr., OD ’79 Southern Eye Associates, PC Thomas Soviar, OD ’83 Bernard I. Sparks, III, OD ’77, MS Sylvia E. Sparrow, OD ’98 A.L. Spivey, III, OD ’67 Scott L. Spivey, OD ’94 William R. Spooner, OD ’76 Alta I. Spurrier, OD ’68 Kevin D. Stallard, OD ’96 Scott A. Steel, OD Glen T. Steele, OD ’69 and Brenda Steele Stephen C. Steilberg, OD ’76 Audra D. Steiner, OD ’00 Sandra Stephens Sidney J. Stern, OD ’71 Karen J. Stevens Tim L. Strayer, OD ’76 Anthony L. Stubits, OD ’82 Jerome Sude, OD ’72 Leslie Sullins Jerry M. Sullivan Mary Grace Summers, OD ’92 and Jeffrey L. Summers, OD ’92 J. Craig Swaim, OD ’77 Dean Swick Terrence M. Swinger, OD ’64 Sharon E. Tabachnick, PhD Mike Tannehill, OD ’75 Marc Taub, OD Mark A. Taylor, OD ’97 William B. Teague, OD ’08 Lisa M. Temple Tennessee Optometric Association D. W. Thaxton, III, OD ’66 The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. The Jelks Family Foundation, Inc. Charles E. Thomas, OD ’84 Robert E. Thomas, OD ’54 Malissa J. Thompson Mathis, OD ’97 William T. Tillar, III, OD ’64

Charlie P. Tillman, Jr., OD ’83 Elizabeth Drysdale Todd, OD ’83 and Patrick K. Fahey, OD ’83 Jean Ann Toomey, OD ’85 Lisa C. Tracy Kevin Tran, OD ’02 Jon E. Treadway, OD ’84 Hal Trimmier, OD ’50 Howard W. Tucker, Jr., OD ’63 J.C. Tumblin, OD Mathew E. Turner, OD ’01 William L. Turner, OD ’79 Sue and Mark Utley Laurel L. Van Horn, OD ’99 Tarra L. Vander Leest, OD ’04 S. Michael Veach, OD ’76 Brooke C. Vegas, OD ’07 Abner Velasco, OD ’99 James E. Venable, OD ’89 Bree S. Vickers, OD ’02 Vision Service Plan Christina Rae Vogel, OD ’03 Wal-Mart Optical Division Penny K. Walker Wesley J. Walker, OD ’82 Mark C. Ward, OD ’86 Carolyn J. Warren Terry M. Warren, OD ’79 Annette G. Webb, OD ’95 Daniel L. Weinberg, OD ’84 Welch Allyn, Inc. David West Jerry D. West, OD ’72 Lee Anne Whitworth, OD ’97 and Patrick Whitworth, OD ’97 Emily L. Williams, OD ’08 James D. Willis Roger C. Wineinger, OD ’76 Ryan C. Wineinger, OD ’03 Barry A. Winston, OD ’74 Jerry M. Winston, OD ’67 DeAnne F. Witherspoon, OD ’82 and David E. Witherspoon, OD ’82 Neta B. Wood, OD ’77 and Douglas R. Wood, OD ’77 Hayley L. Woodall, OD ’06 Katy L. Woodall, OD ’07 James E. Yarbrough, OD ’72 William J. Yearta, OD ’72 William L. Yoos, OD ’92 Anton L. Young, OD ’62 Cynthia Lynn Zara, OD ’03

Scholarships and Named Rooms

Tributes Donations between July 1 and December 31, 2009.

In Honor of… Ron M. Bannister, OD ’77 Laura B. Pittman, OD ’07

D. Winston Thaxton, III, OD ’66 Peggy Rhodes Lisa Rossmeyer Wade, OD ’84 Martha Rosemore Greenberg, OD ’74 Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ’80 and Billy S. Moscow, OD ’78 Marion Rosemore

Kathleen and Claude Bartlett Rick D. Bartlett, OD ’81

In Memory of…

Dr. Timothy Brown Peggy Rhodes

L. Wayne Brown, OD ’63 Ron M. Bannister, OD ’77

James H. Burke, OD ’77 Gary R. Snuffin

Shelvy Coats James R. Coats

T. Joel Byars, OD ’63 Ron M. Bannister, OD ’77 Joseph F. Crosby, OD ’67 Peggy Rhodes

Jeanette Damari James M. Newman, III, OD ’73, MS Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78 SCO Faculty and Staff Marc Taub, OD

Dr. and Mrs. W. L. Fielding, Jr. Bradley W. Fielding, OD ’84

Irving L. Dunsky, OD Tressa Eubank, OD

Howard F. Flippin, OD ’59 Martha Rosemore Greenberg, OD ’74 Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ’80 and Billy S. Moscow, OD ’78

Richard A. Goodson, OD ’66 Lisa M. Temple

L. Allen Fors, OD ’69 Willis C. Maples, OD ’68 C. Jeff Foster, OD ’81 Peggy Rhodes Brad Friedman’s Father Brian A. Kahn, OD ’87 Albert Gallini William E. Cochran, OD ’68 and Mrs. Carolyn Cochran Dina Gerson Brian A. Kahn, OD ’87 Michael D. Gerstner, OD ’97 Paul D. Mormon, OD ’01 Frank Gibson, OD ’68 Ron M. Bannister, OD ’77 David B. Hallahan, OD ’69 Pamela Hallahan Coolidge Holt Peggy Rhodes Representative Gary Odom Peggy Rhodes Dr. Jesse Overall Peggy Rhodes

Jared T. Powelson, OD ’96 The following have established Paul D. Mormon, OD ’01 and/or made a new pledge for a Ennis Rhodes scholarship or named a room in Peggy Rhodes The Eye Center between July 1 and December 31, 2009. Cathy Schwartz Brian A. Kahn, OD ’87 The Winston Family Endowment Glen T. Steele, OD ’69 Barry A. Winston, OD ’74 Willis C. Maples, OD ’68 Jerry M. Winston, OD ’67

R. Daniel De Jarnatt, Jr., OD ’85 James S. Eubank, OD ’66 Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Hodges Edward R. Hoge, Jr., OD ’67 Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge Holt Manchester Lions Club Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78 Robert D. Remke, OD ’87 The Remke Family Claudia Ryan Sain Construction Company Mary K. Smart A.L. Spivey, III, OD ’67 Scott Spivey, OD ’94 D. W. Thaxton, III, OD ’66 Nancy Thessing J. C. Tumblin, OD Bruce Rossmeyer Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78 Norman Rubin, OD ’50 Hal Trimmier, OD ’50 Charles A. Schaible, OD ’74 Roger C. Wineinger, OD ’76 Ryan C. Wineinger, OD ’03

Wilbur E. Hallahan, OD ’55 David B. Hallahan, OD ’69 and Pamela Hallahan

Jimmy N. Sheridan, OD ’97 Mark A. Taylor, OD ’97

Edward B. Hammett, OD ’55 Terrence M. Swinger, OD ’64

John W. Sprinkel, III, OD ’00 Audra D. Steiner, OD ’00

Frank Holland Frank A. Romano, OD ’78

W. David Sullins, Jr., OD ’65 Ron M. Bannister, OD ’77

Westwood H. Holliday, OD ’49 Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78

Mark Teichner’s Father Brian A. Kahn, OD ’87

David Hutchinson, OD ’99 Darwin L. Mormon, OD

W. Scott Whitaker, OD ’01 Jill C. Browning, OD ’99

Cheryl D. Johnson, OD ’82 Tressa Eubank, OD Jolynn and Kenneth Johnson Richard Rogers, OD ’78 Lisa M. Temple

Larry Wolfe Brian A. Kahn, OD ’87

Roy Jolly, OD ’68 Darwin L. Mormon, OD Alberta Lovell The Norma Futrell Sunday School Class at West Jackson Baptist Church John R. McRay, Jr, OD ’67 Ron M. McMinn, OD ’67 Carter Norman, OD ’49 Hosea J. Soileau, Jr., OD ’79 Serapio N. Oliveira, OD ’50 Hal Trimmier, OD ’50

Every effort has been made to correctly list the names of all donors. If your name is listed incorrectly or has been omitted, please notify the Office of Institutional Advancement at (800) 238-0180, ext. 4.

Travis M. Pierce, OD ’52 Scott E. Hannah, OD ’72 Virgil L. Rhodes, OD ’50 1220 Exhibits, Inc Advent, LLC J. Dean Baggett, OD ’83 Sandra and Eugene Bell Polly B. Cuzzort

Spring 2010

CLASS Notes

Send us news of your accomplishments along with a photo. Items will appear in the magazine or in our monthly alumni e-newsletter, SCOnline. Send news to the Office of Institutional Advancement, 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104-2222; fax 901-722-3379 or email alumni@sco.edu.

’50s

Ellis Speaks at State Day Event American Optometric Association (AOA) President-elect Joe Ellis, OD

Nathan Ford, OD ’50, was recently honored as this year’s recipient of the Cocke County (Tennessee) Education Foundation’s Celebrate Our Success Award for his contributions as an OD, legislator and educator. Norman Krell, OD ’53, reports that he has retired after 54 years of practicing optometry. William Hendrix, OD ’55, was honored with a Resolution noting his many years of service to SECO at this year’s House of Delegates meeting at SECO 2010.

’86, was the keynote speaker at SCO’s second State Day event for students. Dr. Ellis gave the keynote address at two separate sessions for SCO students. He offered an overview of healthcare reform legislation and AOA advocacy efforts to ensure that optometry is favorably included in the final version of any legislation sent to President Obama. He also outlined the increased role of the AOA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) in working with lawmakers to safeguard optometry AOA President-elect Joe Ellis, OD ’86, speaks to students.

privileges gained over the past several decades.

Dr. Ellis encouraged students to become involved in pro-optometry PACs sooner, rather than later, to establish a high level of engagement with lawmakers. Fostering these relationships will yield positive dividends through the complexity of any healthcare reform legislation in the future, Dr. Ellis added. He was joined by representatives from state associations from across the country. Together, they interacted and networked with students during a trade show format. The event marked SCO’s second State Day event to provide students with information they need to plan their futures and to become involved with organized optometry. “There is no topic more pressing than healthcare reform and it is only fitting that our program address the considerations that this may have on the profession of optometry,” noted Dr. Kristin K. Anderson, SCO’s Vice President for Institutional

Dr. Hendrix was presented the award by outgoing SECO President Jonathan Shrewsbury, OD ’81.

’60s Gerald Krumbholz, OD ’65, recently celebrated his 44th year of continuous practice and serving the vision needs of his community in Tampa, Florida. Don Williamson, OD ’67, was this year’s recipient of SECO’s Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Williamson has been active in Florida and AOA leadership and is a former AOA OD of the Year. William Earle Malone, OD ’69, has been named SECO’s Optometrist of the South. Dr. Malone practices in Mississippi, where he was very active in the post-Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

SCOVisionS

Advancement. “We were privileged to have this message delivered to our SCO students by one of our own, Dr. Joe Ellis. Our appreciation goes to him, the AOA and all of state and regional organizations that participated in this event for our students.”

’70s William (Billy) Pike, OD ’72, was recently inducted into the Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame. He now is in four Hall of Fames, including East Tennessee State Athletic’s Hall of Fame and the Northeast Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Dudley Christie, OD ’73, was recently elected vice president of the Georgia State Board of Optometry.

Martha Rosemore Greenberg, OD ’74, has been elected board president of Optometry’s Charity The AOA Foundation. Bob Smalling, OD ’74, was recognized by ARBO at this year’s SECO meeting for his service and contributions over many years as chair of the ARBO Southern Regional Meeting. Jeff Eger, OD ’75, authored an article in the December 2009 issue of Primary Care Optometry News.

Mississippi Optometric Association Past President David Parker, OD ’95, addresses students.

Dr. Eger wrote about his research into managing keratonic cases. Additional information about his research can be found at www.allamericansportsvision.com. Whitman Lord, OD ’76, was reappointed to the Georgia State Board of Optometry. U.S. Congressman John Boozman, OD ’77, has entered the race for the GOP Primary for the U.S. Senate in Arkansas. Visit www. boozmanforarkansas.com for more information.

IN Memoriam Robert McCullough, OD ’77, was recently appointed to the Georgia State Board of Optometry. He is a past president of the Georgia Optometric Association. Mark Guggenheim, OD ’79, visited SCO’s booth during SECO 2010. He has served a number of years as Clinical Director of Optometry at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

’80s Andy Cook, OD ’81, was recently appointed by Governor Bev Perdue to the North Carolina Board of Optometry for a five-year term. Dr. Cook was also previously named OD of the Year by the NC State Optometric Society and currently serves as the PAC Treasurer and on the Legislative Committee. He also serves on the Education Committee for SECO and is a Past President as well. Keith Kleinert, OD ’86, continues to fly the skies over Habersham County Georgia and reports that he otherwise endeavors to persevere.

’90s Perry Giles, OD ’93, has been hired as the lead optometrist for the University of Georgia. He sold his private practice of 15 years and now resides in Athens, Georgia with his wife, Lori, and two daughters, Abigail (15), and Maggie (10). David Faulks, OD ’96, has been working as a board member to launch The Dickson Academy, a new private Christian school for middle school students. The school is scheduled to open in August in Dickson County, Tennessee.

Jason Clopton, OD ’99, is serving as developmental optometrist and director of the Center of Vision Development in Cookeville. Dr. Clopton recently spoke to SCO’s COVD chapter.

Armand. Jonah was born October 31, 2009 and weighed 9 lbs., 4 ozs.

1946

Travis Sharpe, OD ’06, was recently named a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

1948

’00s

Jared Hadlock, OD ’07, reports that his wife, Katrina, gave birth to their third daughter on December 13, 2009. Kate Abigail weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz., and was 19 inches long. Mother and baby are doing well.

Emile Bernard, OD, New Orleans, LA Richard Heaton, OD, Cary, NC Peter Mitchell, OD, Bakersfield, CA Jack Phillips, OD, Ft. Worth, TX

Cindy Elam-Corbin, OD ’01, and her husband, Donnie Corbin, announce the birth of their daughter, Karington Elle Corbin, on May 6, 2009. Karington joins her older sister, Ava Grace Corbin. Dr. Corbin has a private practice in Barbourville, Kentucky. Matthew Buczko, OD ’03, has joined Progressive Vision Center in Canton, Illinois. Jen Weigel, OD ’04, was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Optometric Association. She continues to serve as Membership Committee Chair. She recently began a term as President of the Kiwanis Club of Manassas, and she became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She and her husband live in Fairfax, and she practices in northern Virginia. Melissa Schwebach, OD ’05, was awarded South Carolina Optometric Association’s Young OD of the year at the annual December meeting in Hilton Head. She was recognized for her commitment to moving optometry forward by serving on the SCOA Board of Directors (2nd year), as a legislative keyperson, and on the Board of Directors of Second String Santas, among other activities. Deborah A. Long, OD ‘80, noted, “I am proud to say she joined my practice immediately after graduation from SCO.” Sara Armand, OD ’06, and her husband, Cade, announce the birth of their first child, Jonah Cade

Jacob Moll, OD ’07, and Megan McDonald Moll, OD ‘09, recently opened a new private practice, Hilltop Eyecare PLLC, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Brooke Vegas, OD ’07, achieved Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry in November. Lesley (Horan) Olswing, OD ’08, has joined Dr. Becherer and Associates in Swansea, Illinois. Dr. Paul D. Becherer is a 1975 SCO graduate. Amy Elizabeth Coburn, OD ’09, reports that she and her husband, Walker, recently welcomed their first child, a son, William Walker. He was born October 24, 2009. Dr. Coburn is living in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she joined Highland Clinic, working with Richards and Hinrichsen Pediatric Eye Specialists Group. Tori Gengenbach, OD ’09, and Eric Gengenbach, OD ’09, celebrated the birth of their first child, Olivia Reese Gengenbach, born January 6, 2010 at 3:44 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs., 3.75 ozs, and was 19.5 inches long.

Jennings Cook, OD, Waco, TX Frederick Millis, OD, Knoxville, TN

1949

1950

Jack Nowell, OD, Jackson, TN

1951

John Barksdale, OD, Opelika, AL

1955

Edward Hammett, OD, Cape Coral, FL

1963

Ralph Maynard, Jr., OD, Hickory, NC Joe Wright, OD, Denton, TX

1964

Robert Bryan, OD, St. Petersburg, FL

1965

Charlie Collins, OD, Laurel, MS

1978

James Earl Clark, OD, Griffin, GA

1981

Rick Laird, OD, Woodward, OK James E. Hamilton, OD ’50, died December 31, 2009 in Aberdeen, South Dakota. A World War II veteran, he attended SCO and later earned masters degrees at Indiana University and the University of Texas at Houston. He became a research optometrist at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine. During the 1960s, he served as manager at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, where he was the personal optometrist assigned to the astronauts during the Apollo program’s lunar landings. Dr. Hamilton served on the faculty of the University of Houston and as Chief of the Optometry Branch, Indian Health Service in Aberdeen. He was survived by his wife, Priscilla.

Spring 2010

STUDENT LIFE

Eye Examination Saves Patient’s Life The 21-year-old had no idea the turn her life was going to take when she arrived for her exam at The Eye Center.

surgery, spending two days in the ICU. Her recovery is going well. Doctors say that there’s a 60 percent chance that the tumor

After preliminary examination by Mai Vu,

could return but that the rate goes down every

’11, she knew something was seriously wrong.

five years. Dr. Neiberg said Reynolds has been

Vu could also tell. “This patient demonstrated

cooperative in letting Vu’s classmates learn more

significant visual field loss,” Vu said.

about her condition.

Maryke Neiberg, OD, Assistant Professor,

“Her sense of humor and her stubborn

attending staff doctor, then examined Reynolds.

streak are what got her through and will get her

The examination confirmed Vu’s suspicions of

through,” Dr. Neiberg said. “She’s a fighter and I

visual field loss and papillary abnormalities.

like that.”

Ashley Reynolds, seen here with a group of

“Her optic nerves were elevated,” Dr. Neiberg

The diagnosis gave Vu first-hand experience

SCO clinic interns, thought her headaches might

said. “Whenever we see nerves that are that

with a condition she had only read about. She

be caused by her job or poor diet. She wore

elevated, it’s very suspicious for a brain tumor.”

was grateful to learn and help save a patient’s

glasses after a 2007 eye exam found her eyesight

Dr. Neiberg sent Reynolds to Methodist

life. “To be involved in such a case is a privilege

was not 20/20. With some urging from her

Hospital where she was given an MRI and

and a challenge,” she said. “You always want to

mother, she decided to have her eyes checked

diagnosed with Pleomorphic Xanthoastro-

help patients do the best and get the best care.”

again.

cytoma (PXA), a benign tumor which typically

“My vision was getting blurry, and I had these really bad headaches,” Reynolds said.

presents in children and young adults. Although she was hesitant, Reynolds opted for brain

State Clubs Flourish at SCO SCO’s students have enthusiastically embraced the administration and faculty’s call to greater involvement in organized optometry. Over the past year, two different State Day events brought more than a dozen representatives from state organizations to campus. Speakers stressed the importance of networking and getting involved earlier, rather than later, in organized optometry. Mark Schaeffer, ’11, has been spearheading an effort with Institutional Advancement to organize the effort as State Liaison. He worked to develop a series of State Club emails that profile each state or regional club and their activities. “We’ve seen a record number of students get involved with state clubs with our incoming class, a record high number of state clubs, and record number of states represented,” he said. Fifteen clubs now represent approximately 30 states. Excitement has particularly centered around new clubs, Kentucky, Missouri, and the Western States Club. To r e c ei v e SCO ’ s S tat e Clu b These emails were shared with students and the SCO community. An email s , p lea s e s en d yo u r effort is being made to share these emails with state leaders as well. r e q ue s t to alumni @ s co. e d u o r co n tac t t h e O ffi c e o f “The members of these clubs have young leadership and are looking to I n s t i t u t i o nal A d van c emen t state leaders to help them get more involved,” Schaeffer added. “We hope f o r m o r e in f o r mat i o n at that you will help our students become more aware of the landscape and (9 01) 7 2 2 -3216 . the importance of organized optometry.” Joe Hauser, Vice President for Student Services, is helping spread the word about the increased interest in state clubs. “It’s heartening to see that our students have responded to our goal of emphasizing just how

SCOVisionS

important it is to be involved early in optometric education,” he said. He noted that during this year’s SECO meeting in Atlanta, John Smith, OD ’84, shared that he’s heard from three SCO students interested in recruiting alumni to help revitalize a South Carolina club. “If you are a member of a state or regional association, or an officer, please help us spread the word about SCO’s growing community of state and regional clubs,” Hauser added.

Mark Schaeffer, ’11, seen here speaking to SECO President Ron Bannister, OD ’77, during SECO Day, is working as State Club Liaison to increase student involvement in organized optometry.

Tate says the SCO tutors have helped tremendously with mathematics, which she feels is the most challenging at the elementary level. “The tutors have come in and worked closely with our teachers to make the math fun and applicable,” she said. “The tutors are very knowledgeable and have added tremendously to our program.” Tate says she looks forward to continuing the partnership working with VMS and the SCO tutors.

SCO Students Teach Others Through Tutoring Program Not only are SCO students learning, some are teaching as well. Several SCO students are participating

Other SCO student tutors include Heather Guydo, ’11, at Southern Avenue Charter School; Diana Mikhail, ’12, and

in a tutoring program through Volunteer Mid-South, the Mid-South Region’s full service volunteer action

Maya Sinuligga, ’12, at Memphis Academy

center. Its mission is to develop, promote and support volunteerism.

of Health Sciences; Rachana Shah, ’13,

Marilyn Rabinowitz, Program Director for the Academy Tutoring Project, says Volunteer Mid-South has

at Circles of Success Learning Academy;

always supported literacy initiatives. Since the late 1990s, VMS has had programs such as “Raising Readers”

and Do Nguyen, ’12, Truc Ly Nguyen, ’12,

and “Our Children Our Future” that sent volunteers into the Memphis City Schools. The program SCO

and Lankhanh Pham, ’13, at KIPP

students currently participate in began in 2003.

Diamond Academy.

“In 2003, the Hyde Family Foundation, a strong supporter of innovative education approaches,

To date, 50 elementary and middle

funded VMS to develop a similar tutoring program in two new public charter schools – the KIPP Diamond

school students have received tutoring

Academy and the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences,” she said.

support from SCO tutors this academic

Since then, the program has grown to include three elementary schools: Southern Avenue Charter School, STAR Academy and Circles of Success Learning Academy. Rabinowitz says Janette Dumas, OD, Assistant Professor, has always been a strong supporter of the program. “Dr. Dumas sent email blasts to her students encouraging them to volunteer in the tutoring program,” she said. Two SCO work-study students began working on the project as summer interns in 2009. “Since a percentage of Federal Work Study monies can be used to support community literacy programs, we asked the SCO Financial Aid staff if funding would be available for SCO work study students to tutor during the 2009-2010 academic year,” Rabinowitz said. “We were allocated thirty hours a week for the first semester – that amount has been increased for the spring semester.” Sixteen SCO students were trained and began tutoring this past fall. Ten additional tutors were trained

year. Rabinowitz said they have received nothing but rave reviews from the principals. “The five school principals are thrilled to have the tutors,” she said. “They believe they have made a significant difference in the children’s attitude and academic performance.” She is looking forward to the program continuing and training new SCO students to become tutors in the future.

this past January. “Given their hectic schedule, most SCO students tutor one to two hours a week,” Rabinowitz said. “Many provide one-on-one tutoring, though several tutor small groups of children.” Dr. Kia Tate, Principal at STAR Academy, is impressed by the SCO students placed at her school. They include Alan Arabi, ’13, Gloria Ding, ’11, and Danielle Davis, ‘11. Tate says it’s been a pleasure having them volunteer. “The tutors have shown great commitment and dedication to our students,” she said. “Our students simply love them!”

Spring 2010

SCO FOCUS

Stay Connected SCO wants to hear from you. And if you want to hear from us, it’s never been easier to stay connected with your alma mater. Over the past year, the college has developed a number of social media tools to communicate with alumni and friends of the college. >> Are you on Facebook? More than 100 million people access it daily. Check out SCO’s official page to become a fan. Follow the college and receive regular updates and reminders about upcoming meetings, news from SCO and other information important to you. >> SCO’s blogs provide additional perspective into the life of the college. A number of student bloggers regularly write about the student experience. If you’re interested in what it’s like for today’s students, they’ll tell you. >> Have you been appointed to a position in your state or local association? Active in your community? We want to share your story with the SCO community and prospective students looking for role models in optometry. The Alumni News blog showcases the accomplishments of our graduates. >> The SCO News blog also provides updates on visitors to campus, promotions and other news from within the on-campus community. Dr. Phillips also has a blog, and the college recently launched a Residency blog for residents and supervisors to write about their experiences. >> Register your email address with alumni@sco.edu to receive SCOnline, the college’s monthly e-newsletter. You will also receive updates about Spring CE, Homecoming and Fall CE, and other important reminders. SCO does not sell email addresses, and we try to limit our emails to official reminders about upcoming meetings or need-to-know events. >> SCO maintains an Alumni Directory where you can post your personal contact info, practice location, family stats, or share other information about yourself with your classmates. >> SCO has created a State Club e-newsletter for our students. The newsletter will provide updates and information about active state clubs. If you would like to receive an email copy to learn more about students interested in your state, email alumni@sco.edu and request to be added to the mailing list.

Later this year, SCO plans to conduct an alumni survey to gauge your interest and concerns. If you’re contacted, please give your honest opinions. We want to know what you think about the college, how we’re doing, what we can do better or what you like best.

SCO Alumni/Child Admissions Forum

when

who’s invited

events include

Friday, July 30, 2010 Children of SCO alumni who have completed a minimum of their junior year of high school. • Admissions information • Application information • Academic and clinical observation • Student-led Q&A panel • Campus tour • Breakfast and lunch • Reception with faculty, students and President Phillips

For registration information, contact Joe Hauser or Sunnie Ewing at (901) 722-3228 or acaforum@sco.edu

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Lt. Gov. John Wilder: Friend of Optometry Former Lt. Gov. John Wilder was widely lauded for his many accomplishments in his long tenure in the Tennessee Legislature when he was laid to rest in January. One of his little known accomplishments was the passage of scope of practice legislation in 1993 which impacted how optometry is practiced in Tennessee. Wilder died January 1 after suffering a massive stroke. He had spent 36 of his 44 years in the state senate as its speaker and lieutenant governor. Drs. Fred and Charlene Burnett believe much that was written about his fairness and commitment to Tennesseans was true. “We think it was this commitment to fairness and doing what was best for all Tennesseans that brought about his fellow senators electing him to be lieutenant governor for a record number of years. It was with this same commitment to fairness and wanting what was best for all Tennesseans that he was always willing to meet with and listen to optometrists and to discuss legislative issues,” they said. The Burnetts, who work together in private practice in Jackson, Tenn., worked with Wilder and Charles Haddad, OD ’63, of Somerville on legislation that amplified the therapeutic scope of optometry practice in Tennessee from 1992-1993, even though Wilder’s brother was an ophthalmologist. “We were always impressed that Senator Wilder seemed genuinely interested in legislation that he felt would improve the lives of Tennesseans. In that regard, he was open to listen to many viewpoints from his constituents,” the Burnetts said. The Burnetts met with Wilder many times in Nashville, his law office in Somerville and even the Longtown Restaurant in Mason to discuss the amplification bill and how they felt expanding Tennessee optometrists’ scope of therapeutic practice would improve all Tennesseans’ access to affordable quality therapeutic eye care. “Ultimately it was then Lt. Gov. Wilder’s support that helped pass optometry’s bill to amplify our therapeutic scope of practice,” they said. The bill changed the landscape of eye care in Tennessee by allowing primary eye care procedures for the treatment of conditions or diseases of the eye or eyelid to be determined by the Board of Optometry. It also allowed for procedures that could be performed in the optometrist’s office or other health care facility that U lt imat ely i t wa s would require no more than a topical anesthetic. Injections, laser surgery and radial keratotomy were t h en Lt. G o v. W il d e r ’ s su pp o r t t h at h el pe d specifically excluded. pa ss o p to me t ry ’ s “This legislation was very significant for two reasons: first it allowed optometrists to practice in b ill to am pli f y o u r Tennessee more to a level of their education and training, and secondly it gave authority to the State t h e r a peu t i c s co pe o f pr ac t i c e . Board of Optometry to determine what would be considered appropriate primary eye care optometric procedures in Tennessee,” they said. “This expanded our scope of practice to allow treatment of glaucoma and the use of topical and oral medications including steroids, oral antibiotics and analgesics that would be appropriate for primary eye care.” The friendship between optometry and Wilder didn’t cease with the passage of this bill. The Tennessee Optometric Association, in turn, actively campaigned for Wilder whenever his re-election came up. Likewise, Wilder called upon the TOA to campaign for other candidates whom he felt only had the best interest of Tennesseans at heart. In recognition of his optometry support, SCO presented him with an honorary degree in 1999. The Burnetts don’t believe that progress in the practice of optometry will decrease or cease with the death of Wilder. They believe it continues by holding the collaboration of the Burnetts, Dr. Haddad and Wilder as an example of how to move progress forward. They say optometry has always relied on grassroots efforts working one on one with legislators and it will be no different without Wilder. “This effort continues with each new legislative session, educating all legislators, incumbents and those newly elected, on the profession of optometry and the services we provide. We do not believe there will be less priority for optometry legislation with the passing of John Wilder unless optometry becomes passive regarding its legislative agenda,” they said. The Burnetts feel the relationship between state and national legislators must continue in order to make sure optometry is on an equal footing with ophthalmology when it comes to access to patient care.

Spring 2010

SCO FOCUS

Faculty Promotions Daniel G. Fuller, OD, Assistant Professor, was recently named Chief of Cornea and Contact Lens Services at The Eye Center at SCO.

Care and Premium IOL’s. The three-hour, COPE-approved lecture was followed by grand rounds, which included eight patients that just had cataract surgery. Co-presenters were Patricia Estes-Walker, OD, Assistant Professor, Scott Ensor, OD ’01, Assistant Professor, and Michael Gerstner, OD ’97, Associate Professor, Dr. Powelson has delivered several other recent lectures,

Faculty Highlights J. Bart Campbell, OD ’87, Professor, presented a paper entitled Implementation and Analysis of a Quality Assurance Program Applied to an Activity Logging System for Multiple Residency Programs at the fall Academy meeting. Charles Connor, MA, PhD, OD, Professor, recently presented a paper entitled Managing Contact Lens Intolerance with Testosterone Cream at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium. Bill Edmondson, OD, MAT, MS, Professor, presented a poster on the Miotic Effect of Brimonidine Taratrate 0.1% Ophthalmic Solution in Normal Eyes at the fall Academy meeting. Co-authors were colleagues from the Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry, where Dr. Edmondson was recently named Professor Emeritus. He joins W.C. Maples, OD ’68, as the second SCO faculty member to be honored with that distinction. Pinakin Gunvant, BS Optom., PhD, Assistant Professor, was recently interviewed by the University of Memphis campus newsletter about his glaucoma research collaboration with researchers there. An online video of the interview may be seen in the archived February news items in the SCO News blog at www.sco.edu. Cynthia Heard, OD, Associate Professor, was one of three ODs interviewed and featured in an article entitled, Pharmaceutical Report: Switching Medications When the Formulary Says ‘No.’ The article appeared in the February 15, 2010 issue of Review of Optometry. Sharon Lee, OD, Instructor, and Andrew Rixon, OD, Assistant Professor, became Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry at last fall’s Academy meeting. Chris Lievens, OD, MS, Associate Professor, has been named to the 2009/2010 edition of Strathmore’s Who’s Who. W.C. Maples, OD ’68, visited Poland last fall to lecture to optometry students there. He was invited to a week-long course on functional vision and vision therapy by the Adam M University and Polish Optometric Association. Approximately 100 Polish ODs and faculty from across the country attended. Dr. Maples has traveled to the country for more than 20 years to teach, advise and offer clinical supervision. He went back in March to help observe the 25th anniversary of optometry being established at the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Science’s Department of Optometry. Jared Powelson, OD ’96, Assistant Professor, recently lectured to the faculty on Transitioning to Full Co-management With Cataract Post-Operative

SCOVisionS

including one on private practice management and other options for the student chapter of the Tennessee Optometric Association. He also spoke at John Mark Jackson’s, OD ’01, Associate Professor, Contact Lens Seminar on contact lens fitting in private practice. Dr. Powelson also spoke to a combined meeting of the Kentucky and Georgia clubs on private practice in a rural setting. Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, Professor, presented a paper entitled Predicting the Impact of OAT Rescaling at the fall Academy meeting. Beth Sparrow, OD ’98, Assistant Professor, recently joined students SCO’s Gamma Omicron chapter in volunteering to help the Millington, Tennessee YMCA clean their pool in preparation for the organization’s Polar Plunge fundraiser. Glen Steele, OD ’69, recently attended the American Public Health Association meeting in Philadelphia. He was the second author on two posters and helped develop another presentation on InfantSEE. He also joined in accepting the Outstanding Scientific Project Award for InfantSEE. Dr. Steele has been on the road teaching a course in Mississippi and representing InfantSEE at the Zero to Three Conference in Dallas. He also recently presented an original paper entitled Vision Development and the Link to Development Milestones at the Kraskin Invitational Skeffington Symposium in Washington DC and was interviewed on WYPL-FM in Memphis. Marc Taub, OD, Assistant Professor, authored an editorial in Optometry and Vision Development (Vol. 40, 2009, Number 6) entitled, Mentoring: Giving Back to the Profession. Dr. Taub was also recently named an at large member for the Tennessee Chapter of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER). Dr. Taub and Scott Steinman, OD, PhD, published an article in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry (Vol. 20, 2009, Number 6) entitled, The Effect of Colored Overlays on Reading Eye Movements in Adults. Daniel Taylor, OD ’06, MS, Instructor, recently received a $5,000 grant from the Memphis and Educational Research Institute (MERI) for SCO’s educational use such as 2010’s first-year cadaver labs. Dr. Taylor spent the winter break traveling to Peru. Dr. Taylor visited as part of the Go World Missions organization. He saw nearly 200 patients and dispensed more than 100 pairs of glasses to needy people in the Canete province and Lima area. James E. Venable, OD ’89, Assistant Professor, was recently named chairelect for the Clinic Director and Administrator’s SIG of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).

news briefs

learn more about the benefits of a postgraduation residency. Cheryl Ervin, OD, Associate Professor and Director of the Residency Program, facilitated the event. She outlined a number of positive reasons to consider applying for a residency, including greater clinical experience and higher salaries. SCO has been

Third-Year Student Examines Famed Actress When Academy Award-winning Actress Kathy Bates recently visited The Eye Center, Sam Winston, ‘11, enjoyed the privilege of examining her eyes with Dr. Chris Lievens, Chief of Staff. Winston reports that Bates was very friendly and personable during her visit. “She asked where I was from and about my wife,” he said. “She had a sense of humor and was joking by the time we finished.”

working to expand the number of participating programs, including private practice opportunities. A number of residency supervisors were in attendance, including David Talley and Jim Williamson, OD ’97.

Willis Elected to AOSA Post Matt Willis, ‘11, seen here with his fellow officers, was recently elected the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) National Executive Council Secretary for 2010-2011. Some of Matt’s major responsibilities will include being editor of the AOSA Foresight

The Residency Program recently launch-

magazine and maintaining the AOSA web-

ed its own blog from the SCO web page in

site at theaosa.org. The AOSA is committed

which residents and superviors will provide

to enhancing the education of optometry

additional information about SCO’s program.

students by representing optometry stu-

A full list of programs can be found at http://

dents throughout North America.

www.sco.edu/residency/.

In fact, when Bates met Dr. James Venable and President Phillips following her exam, she joked that Winston seemed ready to graduate, in her opinion. “I’m very impressed by this young man and your facilities,” she added. Word spread quickly to his relatives back in Knoxville about his celebrity patient en-

Welcome Back to Spring’s Seniors

counter. Winston is the son of Barry Winston,

A reception was held to welcome

OD ’74, the nephew of Jerry Winston, OD ’67,

fourth-years back to campus for their spring

and the grandson of Harold Winston, OD ’41.

semester clinical internship at The Eye Center. A large number of faculty joined the group of interns, among whom were Erica Musgrove, ’10, and Danielle Horn, ’10, above with Dr. Rob Drescher. President Phillips encouraged the interns to enjoy their internship experience. A number of improvements have been made

SCO Promotes Residency Opportunities A large number of students recently attended Residency Information Night to

to enhance the program after suggestions from students. He also emphasized that students should consider a post-graduation residency to continue their education.

SCO Group Tours Civil Rights Museum A group of nearly 20 students, staff and faculty members recently gathered to tour the National Civil Rights Museum in downtown Memphis. The group tour was coordinated by SCO students from NOSA and the SGA.

Stop Hunger Now More than 53,000 pounds of prepared food were packaged by volunteers from SCO and the Rotary Club over two days in February. The volunteer effort was

Spring 2010

»»»

NEWS BRIEFS coordinated by Stop Hunger Now, an organization that facilitates food to needy areas or countries. The work marked the second

Students Observe MLK Day by Erin Swichkow, ’11, SGA Secretary In order to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther

time that SCO has offered its campus and volunteers for the effort. Organizers said

King, Jr. for his commitment to social justice and

February’s food would most likely be head-

community values, SGA wanted to find a way

ed to Haiti.

to give back to the citizens of Memphis on MLK Day this year. Instead of using his birthday as an extra day off from school, this year we decided it was important to celebrate his life by reaching out to our local community. With help from Volunteer Mid South, we organized a community service project at the

David Marco, president of Marco Ophthalmic, Inc., visited with Dr. Glen Steele at the West TOA meeting.

Paul Mormon, OD ‘01, president of the

another to paint the hallways at MAHS.

Tennessee Optometric Association (TOA),

It was a great day full of enthusiasm and eagerness to make an impact on the community

was among those in attendance at a recent

in Memphis. Fox News even paid a visit and the project was highlighted on the 9 o’cock eve-

joint meeting between the West Tennessee

ning news. (Photos can be found on Flickr, accessible from any of SCO’s blogs on the SCO home

Optometric Society and the student chapter of the TOA.

Students Attend Career Program

page). Some may ask how painting school hallways can make a difference. The director of MAHS, Curtis Weathers, urged the SCO volunteers not to underestimate the impact of a fresh coat of

SCO’s third-year students recently at-

paint. He insisted that it would influence the attitudes of the students and staff at MAHS. It is

tended a Career Advocate Program hosted

important for the students to realize that people in the community support them and believe in

by Brad Williams, OD, FAAO, from the Williams Group. The event was designed to complement the practice management

what they are doing. This year marked the first MLK Day of Service at SCO. It is our hope that the SCO family will

course taught by Dr. Gerald Eisenstatt.

continue to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by working together to serve our very

Dr. Williams shared practice management and

own Memphis community.

business strategies. The program was sponsored by the American Optometric Association and The Vision Care Institute, a Johnson & Johnson Company.

Gerald Eisenstatt, OD ’84, Assistant Professor, and Brad Williams, OD.

Memphis Academy of Health Sciences (MAHS). Students, faculty, and staff worked alongside one

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The OEP Core Curriculum meeting was held at SCO in Memphis. OEP Clinical Instructor Bob Hohendorf, OD, pictured, lectured to COVD students and to the VT course while on campus.

with a reception attended by her colleagues

Optometric Foundation and the Molinari

and a large group of friends. Linda’s hus-

Family.

band, John, sang in a barbershop quartet to

— President Richard W. Phillips, OD ‘78, was

serenade Linda and the group. The couple

recently elected to the Board of Trustees

met while working together in a local stage

of the Tennessee Independent Colleges

musical production several years ago. Linda

and Universities Association.

also performs as a member of the Sweet

— SCO recently received a significant

Adelines singing group. Congratulations to

grant from Allergan. Charles Connor,

Linda Kinney for her devotion to optom-

OD, MA, PhD, Professor, took the lead in

etric education and best wishes upon her retirement.

authoring the proposal. — The Eye Center recently became a

In Other News…

member organization of the Tennessee Disability Coalition. Marc Taub, OD,

— Erin Hocking ‘11, has been named the

Assistant Professor, will serve as SCO’s

2009 Antoinette M. Molinari Memorial

representative on the organization’s

Scholarship recipient by the American

Board.

Capstone Program Update As part of SCO’s effort to transition fourth-years to successful postgraduates, SCO has L-R: Drs. Heard, Lee, Schlesslman, and Eubank (SCO faculty), Star Center Founder and Director Margaret Doumitt, STAR Center supporters Charlene Burnett, OD ’83, Fred Burnett, OD ’80, and Brad Priester, MD, a referral source for low vision at the center.

Cynthia Heard, OD, Associate Professor, Sharon Lee, OD, Instructor, and Tressa

developed its first week-long Capstone program for the Class of 2010. Transitional education establishes SCO as a partner in a young graduate’s maturation. SCO’s new Capstone 2010 program is the first of its kind in the college’s 78-year history. It is designed to be a model for providing supplemental education and professional considerations in preparation for practice.

Eubank, OD, Professor, traveled to the STAR

The preparation of confident, career-minded and clinically competent graduates will be the

Center in Jackson, Tenn., to put on a CE

result. The program is also designed to position SCO as a post-graduation resource on which our

program titled, The Vision Rehabilitation Spectrum: Low Vision to Brain Injury. Nearly 40 ODs, MDs and technicians attended the event at STAR, where SCO has treated 243 low vision patients since January 2008.

alumni can rely. The week prior to commencement, the Class of 2010 will return to Memphis for a program that includes lecture series, facilitated discussions and small group interactive sessions utilizing alumni and other content experts from optometry. By establishing a pattern of life-long learning for optometrists, SCO will foster a successful transition from student learning into optometric practice. Creating a smooth transition provides a sound conclusion to the fourth-year experience and begins the pursuit of continuing education as part of post-graduation learning. The week’s schedule includes information on new pharmaceutical treatments and technologies, grand rounds sessions, a laser lab, refractive surgery update, recent graduate testimonials, information on the InfantSEE program, building OD/MD relationships, billing and coding, the benefits of organized optometry, financial information,

Kinney Retires from Library Linda Kinney, a 15-year veteran of SCO’s Library, retired in February. She was honored

customer service training, a farewell lunch, and much more. Graduates will be surveyed in November 2010 to evaluate the success of the Capstone program and to find ways to improve and design the 2011 program.

Spring 2010

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY

PAID

1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222

Memphis, Tennessee Permit Number 151

Return Service Requested

Stay Connected! After many alumni requests, SCO is pleased to offer five-year interval reunions at this fall’s 2010 Homecoming and Fall CE Weekend. If you graduated in a year ending in “0” or “5,” it’s time to plan your reunion! Join the festivities as SCO hosts the classes of 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985, 1980, 1975, 1970, 1965, 1960, and 1955. Scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 3, Homecoming’s activities will include a Kick-Off party at the Peabody Memphis, Homecoming on campus, reunion dinners and an after-party at the Peabody, Convocation, and 16 hours of CE. Watch for online details and a registration brochure late spring, but it’s never too early to plan to be in Memphis!

Out and About SCO is committed to interacting with its alumni. We hope to see many of you at:

April 9-11 SCO Spring CE Weekend Memphis, TN

April 15-18 Arkansas Optometric Association Little Rock, AR

April 22-25 Kentucky Optometric Association Lexington, KY

April 25-29 Capstone Program Week Memphis, TN

April 30 SCO 2010 Commencement Memphis, TN

May 14-15 SCO Board of Trustees Meeting Memphis, TN

June 12-13 Optometric Association of Louisiana Lafayette, LA

June 16-20 2010 AOA Meeting Orlando, FL