SCOVISIONS SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY ALUMNI MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2019
Opportunities Summer brought numerous visitors to campus, including the Southern Association of Advisors for Health Professions, undergraduate students interested in optometry via our Eye on Success Program, and high school students through a new Future Health Professionals Program.
SCO is committed to showcasing all that the college has to offer and sharing why optometry is such a great career choice. If you know of a promising prospective student, please encourage them to consider optometry and SCO as we work to recruit SCO’s Class of 2024.
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INSIDE Leadership Message................................................... 4 Fall Homecoming Preview.......................................... 5
Celebrating SCO’s Class of 2019..................................................................
6
AOA Spotlight SCO in St. Louis ........................................................................
8
Class Notes.................................................................................. 12
SCO’s eighth annual Eye Spy: A Day at the Memphis Zoo, enjoyed perfect weather as the popular event attracted the best turnout ever with more than 500 participants learning about optometry and vision health.
On Campus Focus...................................................................... 14 Remembering Nancy Gatlin ..................................................... 15
Hayes Center Profile Recent Graduate Finds Practice Success ................................
16
Mission Trip Reports.................................................................. 17 New Online CE Library Launches............................................. 18 News Briefs................................................................................. 19
Look for SCO at these upcoming events…
August 30
White Coat Ceremony SCO Campus Memphis, TN
October 3-6
Homecoming and Fall Continuing Education Weekend SCO Campus Memphis, TN
October 23-27 Academy 2019 Orlando, FL
Alumni Directory Goes Digital................................................. 20
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From the President Summer is always a point of transition in the life of an optometry school. Right before summer started, we said farewell to the Class of 2019. Midway through summer, we’re preparing to welcome our newest students in the Class of 2023 to
EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Jim Hollifield SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER
Susan Doyle WEBSITE AND SOCIAL NETWORKING MANAGER
campus in late August.
Erin Jaffe
This same time last year, I wrote in this column about the need to explore the strategies we use to recruit and educate top qualified optometry students. In recent years, interest in all healthcare careers has remained soft as we compete for students.
VISUAL DESIGNER
Philip Tribble MARKETING ASSISTANT
Jennifer Sharp CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATOR
At this year’s AOA meeting in St. Louis, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry provided updates about the ongoing “Optometry Gives Me Life” campaign designed to generate greater awareness among undergraduate and high school students about the profession of optometry. So far, the early numbers are promising, as social media ads and targeted messages reach potential students. SCO has joined our sister institutions in helping support this effort.
Melissa Hansbro Visions is a magazine for alumni, faculty, staff, and other friends of Southern College of Optometry. It is published through the Office of Institutional Advancement. A digital version is available online at sco.edu/visions. Please forward comments, address changes, and contributions to: Office of Institutional Advancement 1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222 800-238-0180, ext. 4 901-722-3379 FAX
In terms of the story that SCO shares with applicants, it’s a positive one. Also at this year’s AOA meeting, it was an SCO student, Callie Mashburn, ’20, who received the highest National Board score of any optometry student in the nation. These are the kinds of compelling messages that we share with prospective students. No matter what happens elsewhere within optometric education, SCO remains firmly committed to providing a superior education while working to minimize student debt levels. For nearly 90 years, SCO has embraced the kind of progress that ensures practice success. This past year, we expanded the number of scholarship opportunities, and I’m pleased to report that this effort helped us recruit a number of outstanding prospects for our incoming class. The college is committed to partnering with our students so they have the best possible chance of succeeding. Whether it’s helping us spread the word about our robust program, recommending SCO to good prospective students, or financially supporting our effort to continue SCO’s proven track record of success, thanks to each of you on behalf of our campus community. Your continued support is truly appreciated.
BOARD CHAIR
James D. Sandefur, OD ’65 BOARD MEMBERS
Amanda Brewer-Lord, OD ’97 David A. Cockrell, OD ’81 Steven L. Compton, OD ’78 Anita Davis, PhD Jennifer Lyerly, OD ’11 Ryan H. Powell, OD ’02 Carla D. Sanderson, PhD Dave Sattler Lynn T. Shaw, AWMA A. L. Spivey III, OD ’67 Stuart J. Thomas, OD ’84 Leticia W. Towns, FACHE Terry L. Tucker, OD ’84 Christopher W. Wroten, OD ’02 ALUMNI COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
Stacey J. Meier, OD ’84 FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE
Wilson McGriff, MPH, OD STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Lewis Reich, OD, PhD
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Marie Huegel, ’21
Join Us for Homecoming 2019 SCO alumni from all years are invited to SCO’s 2019 Homecoming and Fall CE Weekend, a perfect opportunity to reconnect with classmates, friends, faculty, and family! Honored guests this year include the Class of 1969, celebrating its 50th anniversary milestone reunion, as well as other classes ending in a ‘4’ or ‘9’. The schedule includes: F R I DAY- S U N DAY
COPE-approved continuing education courses all three days. TH U R S DAY, OC TO B E R 3
A kick-off party at The Peabody Hotel.
F R I DAY, OC TO B E R 4
A “Taste of Memphis” barbecue on campus with family fun, music, and other activities for kids of all ages. The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence will also host a on campus “meet and greet” event for ODs to mingle with our third and fourth-year students, a perfect event if you’re looking to add an associate or sell a practice. SATU R DAY, OC TO B E R 5
Alumni are invited to participate in our 2nd Annual Eye Serve Memphis, an alumni/student service project. A Walking in Memphis Tour is another optional event providing attendees with tours of downtown points
of historic or cultural interest. Saturday evening brings the big alumni event at The Peabody Hotel –
An Evening of Memphis, Memories & Music, as guests are invited to show off your “inner Elvis” by wearing your blue suede shoes to dinner and dancing! • Allan Barker, OD ’75, will receive SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and Matt Jones, OD ’09, will receive the Young Alumni Award. • Register early to lock in your Peabody Hotel reservations. • Visit SCO’s Homecoming section for full course descriptions and other registration details available as a menu option under “Milestone Events” on the SCO website.
SEE YOU OCTOBER 3-6 IN MEMPHIS! sco.edu | 5
outhern College of Optometry awarded 130 doctor of optometry degrees during the college’s annual commencement ceremony held at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis.
Ronald Blum, OD ’72, delivered the commencement address and received the Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of his significant contributions
to optometry as a renowned inventor. Co-Valedictorians were Brian Chado and Larissa Krenk. The class address was given by Class President Amrik Tiwana. The Class of 2019 included a number of legacy students following their parents or grandparents into optometry. Genevieve Schade was promoted to U.S. Army Captain the day before commencement.
FULL PHOTO COVERAGE CAN BE VIEWED ON SCO’S WEBSITE, AND A RECORDING OF THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY CAN BE FOUND ON SCO’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
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S E NIO R R E CE P T ION
ACA DEMIC AWA RDS SPONSORS A ND RECIPIEN TS ACA D E M I C A N D C LI N I CA L E XC E LLE N C E
E XC E LLE N C E I N LOW V I S I O N R E H A B I LITATI O N
NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY PART II HIGHEST SCORE Kelly James
LS&S GROUP LOW VISION AWARD Minh Nguyen
LUCY KATHERINE BONE ORGAIN AWARD Heather Ashley Amanda Lorencz SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL OPTOMETRISTS OF GEORGIA Kara Clark E XC E LLE N C E I N D I S P E N S I N G S K I LL S
NOIR LOW VISION AWARD Taylor Ficek ESCHENBACH OPTIK LOW VISION STUDENT AWARD Elizabeth Davis DESIGNS FOR VISIONS, INC. WILLIAM FEINBLOOM LOW VISION AWARD Heather Ashley
ESSILOR LABS OF AMERICA AWARD Jake Lewis
OPTELEC EXCELLENCE IN LOW VISION AWARD Jessica Jankiewicz
E XC E LLE N C E I N CO NTAC T LE N S
DR. LEWIS REICH LOW VISION ENDOWED AWARD Cayley Hyder
JOHNSON & JOHNSON AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS PATIENT CARE Abagail Kirk GP LENS INSTITUTE CONTACT LENS CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Jessica Vickery X-CEL CONTACTS OUTSTANDING GP FITTING AWARD Julie Ervin VALLEY CONTAX AWARD Jaelyn DeBerry Lindsay Estel Zachary Shriver Morgan Thorson SOUTHWEST CONTACT LENS SOCIETY Zachary Burroughs
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E XC E LLE N C E I N P R I M A RY CA R E
MARCHON EYEWEAR PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AWARD Jediah Harrison ALCON CASE STUDY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Will Sawyer SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRISTS CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Shelby May DR. BERNARD L. KAHN MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Julia Kitchens HOYA VISION CARE AWARD Shelby Kruse
NATIONAL VISION, INC. AWARD Jennifer Stewart
OEP CLINICAL CURRICULUM AWARD Will Sawyer
SHOPKO OPTICAL AWARD Kelly James
STU D E NT R E S E A RC H
E XC E LLE N C E I N OC U L A R D I S E A S E
DRS. FRED AND CHARLENE BURNETT STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD Kamil Hill Jennifer Nguyen Genevieve Schade
OCULAR INSTRUMENTS, INC. AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Royce Miles KATENA / EAGLE VISION Mary Chivetta KATENA / EAGLE VISION Rebecca Lassley KATENA / EAGLE VISION Brian Chado RAFIEETARY ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Eric James E XC E LLE N C E I N P E D I ATR I C S A N D V I S I O N TH E R A PY
GOOD-LITE AWARD Zachary German COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRISTS IN VISION DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE IN VISION THERAPY Kaley Stinnett DRS. GLEN T. STEELE AND L. ALLEN FORS DEVELOPMENTAL VISION SCHOLARSHIP Alicia Genilo DR. W.C. MAPLES AWARD Stephanie McMillen STEREO OPTICAL CO., INC. Lindsey Brise
O UT STA N D I N G C LI N I C I A N AWA R D
Alicia Genilo Larissa Krenk Shelby Kruse Aubrey Long Kassidy Nelson Will Sawyer Caroline Seger Brittany Smith Laila Tawfik Amber Thulin FO R CO M M ITM E NT O F S E RV I C E TO TH E P RO F E S S I O N O F O P TO M E TRY A N D TH E CO M M U N IT Y AT L A RG E
SUSAN GRISSOM MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Blair Flint SECO PAST PRESIDENTS ENDOWED AWARD Jeromica Ward BEAU WILLIS ENDOWED AWARD Amrik Tiwana DR. DAVID P. SLOAN MEMORIAL AWARD Kaley Stinnett
FA MILY CE L E B R AT ION
L E G A C Y G R A D U AT E S BAYS FAMILY SERVICE AWARD Minh Nguyen SOUTHWEST COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRY ENDOWED AWARD Nicolas Vu
Daniel Boone, OD '91 Daniel Boone, OD
Sam Scott, OD Sallye Scott, OD '78
OPTOMETRIC LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD Sarah Kenning CLASS OF 1967 ENDOWED AWARD Kelsey Newcome
Bill Harrison, OD '84 Jed Harrison, OD
MARK J. MURPHY ENDOWED AWARD Jonathan Hoaglund
Beverly Chado, OD (PCO '84) Brian Chado, OD Steven Chado, OD (PCO '83)
SPARROW, EVANS AND WAYMON SCHOLARSHIP Laila Tawfik TO H O N O R A G R A D UATE ’ S CO M M ITM E NT TO P U R S U I N G P R I VATE P R AC TI C E O P TO M E TRY
Nathaniel Hitt, OD Bill Hitt, OD '91
Lisa Davis, OD (ICO '87) Elizabeth Davis, OD Roger Davis, OD (ICO '87)
DR. SIDNEY EDELSTEIN MEMORIAL AWARD Sarai Williams THE WINSTON FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD Savannah Hammer MOTHERSHED ENDOWED AWARD Donald York
Shelby May, OD Kris May, OD '01
HALPERN FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD Heather Bae
Stephanie Rice, OD Steve Rice, OD (UMSL '87)
DR. JAMES SANDEFUR ENDOWED AWARD Ashley Anastasio SPIVEY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Matthew McBride EUROPA EYEWEAR Heather Bae
Steve Moore, OD '77 Spencer Moore, OD
Scott Williamson, OD (UAB '89) Zach Williamson, OD
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SCO Students Earn Top Honors at 2019 AOA Meeting
SCO students were in the spotlight at this year’s American Optometric Association (AOA) meeting in St. Louis. Their accomplishments signify the national recognition that our students have enjoyed this year for their outstanding accomplishments.
Callie Mashburn, ’20, received the highest National Board score of any optometry student in the nation. Aaron Tollett, ’20, was named AOSA Student of the Year in recognition of his leadership, especially related to his home state of Arkansas. When SCO became aware of the impending awards to be presented at the meeting, the exhibit hall booth was redesigned to play up each of these two students’ achievement. They’re pictured in front of the final design bearing their likeness and communicating their success. Also at the AOA meeting, Noelle Schmitter-Schrier, ’21, was honored as the grand prize winner of the 2019 Walmart/Sam's Club Project Foresight national scholarship competition. In addition to being named one of 19 $2,000 winners, Noelle also was presented the $5,000 grand prize and traveling trophy held in the photo by SCO President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD,as they were joined by representatives of Walmart.
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Dr. Steele Inducted into Hall of Fame SCO Professor Glen Steele, OD ’69, was
inducted
into
the
National
Optometry Hall of Fame at this year’s AOA meeting. His induction marked
his half-century of service to his profes-
Dr. Steele was joined by his family
the second year in a row that an SCO
sion and for sharing his knowledge
as friends and colleagues added their
alumnus has enjoyed this honor; last
with thousands of optometry students
congratulations on the occasion of this
year SCO Board member David Cockrell,
and many more around the globe.
fitting recognition.
OD ’81, was inducted.
He was also recognized as one of the
As
SCO’s
longest-serving
faculty
member, Dr. Steele was recognized for
founders of the InfantSEE program, now celebrating 15 years of providing care.
2019 AOA Reception Snapshots
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1950 Robert Greenberg,
1974 Paul King, OD, and
their son for an SCO tour, their
Rob Szeliga, OD, and his
OD, recently celebrated his
his wife, Ana, recently visited
first time back since graduation.
practice, Spring Hill Eyecare, was
95th birthday with a birthday
SCO for the first time since his
They own a private practice,
named one of Coopervision's
salutation from SCO. He
graduation 45 years ago! The
Joslin Eye Center, in Seymour,
2019 Best Practices. Spring Hill
practiced in Tallahassee, Florida
Kings reside in California.
Tennessee.
Eyecare was also voted Best
for more than 60 years and served as President of the Florida
Healthcare Provider in the
1976 Daryl Gossett, OD,
Advertiser News Best Of Spring
Greenberg served many years
and Catherine Ward, OD
Choice Awards.
as the official OD for the Florida
’78, were awarded the Private
Highway Patrol, checking vision
Practice of Excellence Award by
for recruits, and he had the
the Professional Vision Group
first integrated waiting room in
of Doctors for the South East
Tallahassee.
Region.
Optometric Association. Dr.
1977 Don Bagwell, OD, has retired from Martin Army Community Hospital. He and his wife, Brenda J. Bagwell, PhD, plan to spend a lot of time traveling and gardening.
1983 1962 L.E. Indianer, OD, has published a new book, Boy From Foggy Bottom, about an American teenager who is rescued in Iran by a mysterious CIA agent.
Cynthia Baker, OD, was named Louisiana’s Optometrist of the Year.
was recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award
1985 Bill Reynolds, OD, became AOA President-Elect at this year's AOA meeting in
1995 Chad Overman, OD, has joined 20/20Now.
by Neosho County Community College.
Steven Reed, OD, is continuing his service as an AOA Trustee.
1997 Brian Joslin, OD, and Bryce Hickman Joslin, OD ’98, recently came to campus with
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2001 Tonyatta Hairston, OD, was named top eye doctor in the Best of Jackson, Mississippi publication reader survey.
2003 Marty Carpenter, OD, received the Admiral David
2006 Hayley Woodall, OD, recently joined Conestoga Eye in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Sullins Jr. InfantSEE Award at the AOA meeting in St. Louis.
2009 Adam Phelps, OD
Sarah Barnes Fratesi, OD, has
recently held a ribbon-cutting
been appointed Mississippi's
ceremony for his new practice,
InfantSEE State Advocate.
Phelps Eye Care, in Henderson, Tennessee. He will be following
St. Louis.
1967 C. Ellis Potter, OD,
Hill/Thompson's Station Reader's
2005 Scott Lewis, OD, and his family recently visited
in the footsteps of Larry
Bloomingburg, OD ’75, who recently retired.
campus. He is the team OD for Boise State University baseball team.
2011 Adam Rudd, OD, and his wife, Tiffany, visited campus recently for the first time since graduation. The Rudds live in Utah.
Matt Willis, OD, and his wife,
He weighed 9 lbs., 1 ozs., and
Spencer McConkie, OD, Chrissy Ulrich, OD, Ashley Toland, OD, Joseph Brewer, OD, and Gabe Fickett, OD, held
was 21 inches long.
a mini Class of 2016 reunion at
Rosemary, welcomed a son, James Patrick on June 11.
the AOA meeting last month.
Gustavo Rodriguez, OD, has
The Arkansas Optometric Association (ArOA) Board of Directors recently elected the following alumni to the board or officer positions:
joined the optometry clinic at
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Toppenish Medical-Dental Clinic in Toppenish, Washington. Several members of SCO's Class
2012 Justin Johnson,
of 2018 gathered for this group
OD, has joined the staff of
as 47 SCO residents were
Mercyhealth Vision Center in
recognized ahead of completing
Rockford, Illinois.
their residency programs.
photo during Residents' Weekend
Veilleux, OD, welcomed a on April 9.
2016 Gabe Fickett, OD, is
Thompson, OD, and her husband, Tyler Thompson, recently welcomed a son,
joined by his daughter, Juniper Grace, as she sports her SCO
weighed 8 lbs.
shirt noting her proud dad's
9 ozs., and was
alma mater.
20.75 inches long.
2018 Jason Foote, OD, has
Melia Robertson, OD ’10 (Russellville) BOARD DIRECTOR
2019 Savannah Hammer, OD, has accepted a position
accepted a position at a practice
at Volunteer Eyecare in East
in St. George, Utah.
Tennessee.
Nicole Lamb, OD, and Jonathan Allee, OD, recently became engaged. They're
deployed to Kuwait as the
pictured during Residents'
only currently assigned Army
Weekend where Dr. Lamb was
optometrist supporting our
one of the participants.
troops in the Middle East.
SECRETARY/TREASURER
2017 Danielle LeBlanc James, who
Trent Gaasch, OD, recently
VICE PRESIDENT
Joe Sugg, OD ’09 (Heber Springs)
2014 Stephanie Lew daughter, Claire Emily Veilleux,
Jeff Netzel, OD ’02 (Bentonville)
INMEMORIAL Dixie L. Mayes, OD ’47 Marshall Hoyt Bates, OD ’49 W. Marlin Payne, OD ’49 Thomas J. Gallaher, OD ’51 Richard Stuller, OD ’54 George H. Wright, OD ’58 Robert P. Scholl, OD ’60 Charles Lawler, OD ’64 Leon Renaud, OD ’73 John D. Tumblin, OD ’54
Dr. Tumblin was a former SCO Board of Trustees member whose numerous leadership positions culminated in serving as AOA President in 1987.
Eric Robbins, OD ’01 (Conway) BOARD MEMBER
Rusty Simmons, OD ’83 (Benton) BOARD MEMBER
Alex Bell, OD ’09 (Rogers) Awards presented include: Alex Bell, OD ’09 (Rogers) as the Young Optometrist of the Year and Chevron Ergle, OD ’04 (Jacksonville) as a 2019 Distinguished Service Award recipient.
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On Campus Focus Faculty Promotions
to schoolchildren about vision care during the team's Education Day. Other faculty members interacted with the public at a booth representing SCO.
Faculty promotions became effective July 1. Congratulations to: • Mary Hoang, OD ’14, and Julie Shalhoub, OD, both of whom were promoted from Instructor to Assistant Professor; • Christina Newman, OD, who was promoted from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor; and • Mike Christensen, OD, who was promoted from Associate Professor to Professor.
Dr. Hoang
Dr. Shalhoub
Dr. Newman
Malinda Fitzgerald, MS, PhD, Professor, was among the faculty members who recently participated at the ARVO meeting in Vancouver. She's pictured with colleagues who represent a number of ARVO committees and Gold Fellow award recipients. Dan Fuller, OD, Professor, published an article, “Extended Depth-of-Focus Optics: A Guide for Optometrists,” in Review of Optometry.
Dr. Christensen
Dr. Anderson Accepts Alcon Position Kristin Anderson, OD, left SCO in June to become Director of Professional Education at Alcon. After joining the faculty in 2000, Dr. Anderson led a number of programs, including CE and the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, before being named VP for Institutional Advancement in 2008. During her leadership, her numerous list of impressive accomplishments included: • Leading the most successful capital campaign in SCO's history and helping to secure the college's largest single gift;
John Mark Jackson, MS, OD ’99, Professor, contributed a column about "Troubleshooting Toric GP Lens Optics" for Contact Lens Spectrum. Chris Lievens, OD, MS, Professor, recently presented two posters, one at ARVO on "Intensity of Lid Wiper Epitheliopathy Staining with Alterations of Dye Amounts and Timing of Observation," and another at BCLA: "Low Levels of Ex Vivo Total Cholesterol Extraction and the Maintenance of Pre-Lens Tear Film Stability and Comfort with EOBO Regimens throughout 30 Days of Lens Wear." Dr. Lievens also joined a group of SCO alumni for a workshop hosted by the group practice of Steven Elliott, OD ’02, in Knoxville.
• Engaging the Memphis community to support our students and the patients we serve; • Securing employee financial support at participation levels unmatched in higher education; • Teaching seven unique didactic and laboratory courses and securing five Teacher of the Year awards; • Providing supervision and training for five SCO residents; • Fostering partnerships with local, state and national organizations to position SCO as a leader in educational and service initiatives. "Please join me in thanking Dr. Anderson for the dedication, enthusiasm, and personal commitment she has shared with the college," said SCO President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD. "She will be missed, but we wish her the best as she enters this new chapter in her optometric career." Lisa Rossmeyer Wade, OD '84, MPA, is leading Institutional Advancement in the interim until a successor is appointed; she served as VPIA for many years before leaving the college in 2006 to go into business.
Faculty News Chris Borgman, OD, Associate Professor, published an article about hyphema secondary to iris neovascularization in Primary Care Optometry News. Dr. Borgman, a former college baseball player, started the summer by throwing out the opening pitch for a Memphis Redbirds game, where he spoke
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Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, was named to this year's Power Players list by Inside Business Magazine. Dr. Reich also was named a finalist in the Memphis Business Journal's Healthcare Heroes Awards for administrative excellence, while SCO Professor Glen Steele, OD ’69, is a finalist for the Lifetime Achievement category. Several faculty members joined Dr. Reich as they recently toured the Orbis Flying (Teaching) Hospital, pictured below.
Jennifer Sanderson, OD, Associate Professor, Andrew Rixon, OD, and Jim Williamson, OD '97, published an article, “The Ins and Outs of Pressure Gradients,” in the July Review of Optometry. Amanda Tompkins, OD ’13, also recently departed the faculty to accept a position on the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. She’s blogged about her summertime road trip/move as she traveled across the country throughout the month of July, visiting scenic routes on her way to Bristol Bay Area Health Cooperation in Dillingham, Alaska. Dr. Tompkins will be one of two optometrists at Kanakanak Hospital serving 30 native villages in the surrounding 50,000 square miles. Melissa Zarn, OD, Assistant Professor, helped organize Camp FHP: Future Health Professionals, an inaugural event created by the Midsouth Interprofessional Health Education Collaborative. Approximately 40 high school students visited SCO and other local colleges to learn more about healthcare careers. As Director of Interprofessional Education, Dr. Zarn was also joined by Alicia Groce, OD, Assistant Professor, in helping coordinate an interprofessional education event held on the University of Memphis campus in July for SCO students and U of M students from the Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, Nursing, and Public Health programs. The group's activities included teambuilding exercises and case simulations to discuss the different aspects of patient care required of 21st century healthcare practitioners.
HCPE News The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence expresses its appreciation to Luxottica for presenting a check totaling nearly $20,000 in support of HCPE's programming and mission. Pictured L-R are HCPE Program Coordinator Mike McKeever, Luxottica's Leo Ranieri, and Lisa Rossmeyer Wade, OD ’84, MPA, HCPE Director.
SCO REMEMBERS NANCY GATLIN Nancy Gatlin, SCO’s longest-serving librarian, passed away on June 13, 2019, after battling cancer. A native of New Albany, Mississippi, she received degrees from The University of Mississippi and Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. When Gatlin joined SCO as the Library Clerk in 1968, Emma Turpin was about to retire after having served the college as Library Director since 1940. During her first year or two at SCO, she spent a significant amount of time converting the college’s 2,000 volume collection from the Dewey Decimal System to the Library of Congress numbering system. In 1970, Gatlin helped oversee the move to the fifth floor of the college’s new tower and later recalled how students used wheelbarrows to help move books into the new location. Although most of the collection focused on optometryrelated topics, a grant helped secure additional books on history, music, art, and literature as part of the administration’s goal of encouraging a broad education for optometry students. In 1976, she was named Director of Library Services around the time that the only index available for optometric literature stopped publishing. The National Library of Medicine’s medical literature database, MEDLINE, generally didn’t include much material about optometry, so Gatlin developed a new service as she indexed journal articles and circulated the lists at first to faculty. A custom computer program helped manage Gatlin’s new system, and by 1986, technological improvements allowed other optometry colleges to connect by modem to the database, known at the time as LION (Library-On-Line). In 1997, the system was renamed VISIONET and became available off-campus via remote access for faculty and residents. In 2000, VISIONET expanded access to others around the world. After nearly 40 years of service to SCO, Gatlin retired in January 2008, although she continued indexing for VISIONET the rest of that year. In later years, the database had expanded to include 160,000 journal article citations related to optometry and was absorbed into the library’s catalog. She earned the respect and friendship of many former students who continued to reach out to SCO’s library for research or other information assistance. One friend from afar was David Shannon, OD ’86, who lives in England. “I have really fond memories of Nancy,” Dr. Shannon said. “We used to meet occasionally at AAO meetings and have a fine meal. I still have the waggly head Elvis she gave me for my consulting room! It became a handy ophthalmoscopy aid.” Gatlin was the recipient of an honorary degree from SCO and was believed to be the only librarian ever awarded honorary Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. She was survived by her wife and a nephew.
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2018 SCO Graduate Successfully Transitions to Private Practice Owner also provides routine and pediatric eye exams as well as laser procedures. The practice is also an InfantSEE provider. Now happily married and expecting a child as this story went to press, Dr. Franklin is a successful businesswoman who is giving back to her community through her private practice while providing for her future family. Her goal for her practice is to continue to be present for her patients, maintain personalized care for patients while having up-todate technology, and one day own a larger practice. She also has some advice
With the help of The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, Jillian Duhon Franklin, OD, ’18 successfully transitioned from recent optometry school graduate to private practice owner. Dr. Franklin is the proud owner of Acadian Eye Care and Optical, Inc., a small-town practice located in Jennings, LA. Originally established in 1994, the practice has provided vision care for thousands of Jefferson Davis Parish patients for over 25 years.
Dr. Franklin worked there while pursuing her undergraduate degree and while attending SCO as a first-year student. She later bought the practice in October 2018. “I decided to come back home to practice optometry because I always wanted to come home and give back to the community that has been so giving to me,” said Dr. Franklin. While attending SCO, Dr. Franklin took advantage of valuable Hayes Center resources such as the placement
employment services, classroom instruction, and networking opportunities. She also had the opportunity to take director Lisa Wade’s (OD ’84) business course and learned different types of business structures and models, the daily ins and outs, and financial details associated with owning a private practice. “I learned that there will always be something new to learn and experience,” said Dr. Franklin. “As a student, you have to look for and use resources.”
“…DON’T BE SCARED TO TAKE THE JUMP; CHALLENGE YOURSELF AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES…THE REWARD WILL ALWAYS BE GREATER THAN THE CHALLENGES.”
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Acadian has two exam rooms and an in-house optical. The medical-style practice
for students who are looking to own a private practice in the future. “Follow your dreams and don’t be scared to take the jump; challenge yourself and take advantage of the opportunities,” said Dr. Franklin. “The reward will always be greater than the challenges.”
SCO Mission Trips Take Care Abroad SCO’s May mission trips continued the college’s long-standing tradition of students, faculty, residents, and alumni collaborating abroad to provide vision care to those in need. SVOSH groups traveled to Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Mexico.
The SVOSH trip in Colombia benefitted from the involvement of faculty member Paul Harris, OD, who was able to get a patient follow-up care with an ophthalmologist for a corneal chemical burn. Meanwhile, the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists club was also active this past May. Dr. Alicia Groce joined nine
SVOSH President Hannah Fann, ’21, reported these impressive statistics:
5,877
pairs of glasses were dispensed
1,557
pairs of sunglasses were dispensed
Meghan Elkins, OD '10, was one of the alumni who accompanied SCO students to Campeche, Mexico. She documented the group’s volunteer work with a widely viewed video shared on social media, so don’t forget to follow the college on Facebook and Instagram, in particular, if you’re interested in seeing this kind of coverage – it’s a great way of keeping informed almost in live time about SCO events.
430
referrals were made
1,556
pathology cases were diagnosed
students and resident Katlyn Martin at a boys’ orphanage in San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic. The group saw a total of 950 patients.
If you were active in SVOSH or FCO and want to be involved or help support our students’ work with gifts or other ways, please let the college know of your interest for planning ahead of next year’s trips. sco.edu | 17
SCO OFFERS NEW ONLINE CE COURSES SCO's new Online CE library was soft launched in May. This refreshed resource includes 14 hours of COPE-approved continuing education with enhanced focus on the end-user experience. The website features video preview clips, the ability to sort by instructor and COPE Category, view or download handouts in PDF, and the added convenience to stop and start course media to allow extended time for course completion. A number of faculty members appear in the line-up of these online continuing education video courses. Take time to visit the site and learn more about the course titles and other details. Faculty lecturers include: Drs. Marie Bodack, Chris Borgman, Patricia Cisarik, Lindsay Elkins ’07, Scott Ensor ’01, Shaleen Ragha ’16, Glen Steele ’69, Melissa Zarn, and Jessica Haynes ’15. Topics include: • Linking Vision to Overall Development in Today’s World, • Nutritional Issues in the Elderly, • Oral Medications in Optometry: When and How to Prescribe, • Ordering and Interpreting Macula OCT, • Pediatrics for the Non Peds OD, • Stroke Management 101, and • The Top Five Optometric Considerations for Sleep Apnea. If you have questions or need additional details about SCO’s Online CE Library, please contact Jeanie Snider, Program Manager, in SCO’s Department of Continuing Education at jsnider@sco.edu.
18 | SCOVISIONS
NEWS BRIEFS
The college recently added tile outside the older second floor classrooms to provide a seamless match leading into our atrium and newer academic complex.
The night before this year’s commencement, SCO arranged to have both of the city’s Mississippi River bridges turn blue and gold, the school’s colors, to celebrate our graduates. The Mighty Lights program puts on an increasingly popular animated light show each night. The SCO version was so well received that it’s being planned as an annual tradition.
SCO students play an active role in helping represent the college and promoting the profession of optometry back in their hometowns, undergrad alma maters, and even around Memphis. Sam Ellingson, ’21, and Tyler Willis, ’21, represented the college at the Ridgeway Middle School College/Career Fair. Alumni can do their part, too, so please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement if you’re interested in promoting optometry school to prospective students.
awareness about the value of district institutions like SCO within ' ""the city’s downtown and midtown medical corridor.
SCO recently bid farewell to Brenda Phelps, who retired after 21 years of working in our Optical department. She was joined by fellow retirees Kathy Harrington, Jo-Ann Augustine, and Carol Fleming, who also retired earlier this year. SCO appreciates its retirees who have been part of many students’ learning experiences throughout the years! SCO’s bookstore recently received a makeover, with new paint, fixtures, and a greater assortment of SCOrelated products. SCO summer work study students, pictured, assisted with the renovation. When you attend Homecoming, CE programs, or other on-campus events, be sure to visit our bookstore and show your school pride!
Married faculty members Halie Cottrill, OD ’16, and Tyler Kitzman, OD ’16, came to work on a bicycle built for two as participants in a Bike to Work event. The Memphis Medical District Collaborative hosts different events to help raise
OTH E R N E WS
• SCO took home two trophies at the Volunteer Memphis Awards. Janice Frazier-Scott (pictured left) from SCO's Human Resources team was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for her extensive community engagement. SCO was also named a Corporate Citizen award recipient in the medium-sized organization category recognizing local impact. • SCO’s chapter of Gold Key International Honor Society inducted The Eye Center’s Gary Snuffin as an honorary member in recognition of his contribution to
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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY 1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Memphis, Tennessee Permit Number 151
SCO Launches New Alumni Directory SCO’s new Online Alumni Directory is now live on the SCO website! This service allows graduates to search for fellow alumni and connect with previous classmates. At minimum, your name and class year will be displayed, and you can choose to keep additional information private. VISIT THE ALUMNI DIRECTORY ON THE SCO WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE.