Visions Alumni Magazine - Summer 2014 - Southern College of Optometry by Southern College of Optometry

SC VISIONS

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Summer 2014

SCO’s third annual Eye Spy: A Day at the Memphis Zoo event started the summer season by bringing the college’s Community Outreach program to one of the city’s most visited venues. By taking vision activities and awareness-building events into the community, SCO is committed to increasing its local impact. Our Community Outreach program’s reach is growing. Not only do local patients benefit, but our interns also learn by gaining exposure to a diverse patient population.

Your support enables SCO’s progressive clinical program to expand its reach into the local community. Our students also learn the importance of community involvement and the way that optometrists make a difference by giving back to improve the health of our patients..

Call (901) 722-3216 or visit sco.edu to ask how you can make a difference.

INSIDE Homecoming 2014 ................................................................. 5

Commencement 2014 SCO welcomes new graduates. ......................................

Photos from Philadelphia Coverage of SCO’s presence at the AOA meeting. ........................................................

TearWell Opens SCO launches dry eye clinic. ..........................................

6 8

June saw SCO’s first-ever Residents’ Weekend in which residents completed their residencies with COPE-approved presentations. Class of 2013 alumni gathered for one last group photo as residents.

Community Impact ............................................................. 10 Class Notes............................................................................ 12 Visit SCO’s website

World Cup Report SCO graduate travels to Brazil. ..................................

or monthly alumni e-newsletters for updates about upcoming alumni events, including

On Campus Focus................................................................ 16

“Evening with the President,” as Dr. Phillips visits with

Hayes Center Awards .......................................................... 18

alumni in different states.

News Briefs ........................................................................... 19 Nominations for Honorary Degrees.................................. 20

sco.edu | 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT Aiming High The summer season is one of transition in the life of your college. Back in May, we welcomed the newly graduated Class of 2014 into the profession as colleagues and now we’re preparing to welcome a new entering class to campus. From our recent graduates to our new arrivals, they’re seeing a college that is strong. Our academic accomplishments, clinical endeavors and service activities continue to enrich the educational experiences of our students, so they become alumni who will support our profession and their communities. It is the generosity of our alumni and friends that helped us aim high and reach this point. Your commitment and enthusiasm has been and will continue to be vital to our success. After completing our first academic year in our newly constructed academic facility, it’s worth noting that the work continues to advance SCO’s mission to “lead the profession.” Just as the profession of optometry never stops its progression and forward evolution to benefit our patients and local communities where we practice, we cannot stop finding ways to improve. As you’ll learn in this issue, the evidence for our success is out there. An SCO graduate currently leads the American Optometric Association. An SCO student was just honored for not only receiving the highest score in the nation on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Part 1 examination, but she also received the highest score ever recorded. From Tennessee to Louisiana, SCO alumni have proven vital this year in expanding the scope of practice through leadership and advocacy in our state legislatures. These successes underscore the emphasis we’ve placed on encouraging our faculty to lead by example through greater involvement in our profession. We’re in the planning stages of our next State Day event, now emulated by other colleges, to bring professional and state association leaders in direct contact with our students. Your support has helped us establish this culture where SCO’s alumni can see the connection between supporting our alma mater and securing a better future for the profession. Your gifts of finance, time and talent help us enhance the culture and stature of SCO. Earlier this summer, 94 percent of our faculty and staff pledged a record $103,654. If you’re among our alumni yet to make your commitment, we need your support in order to build upon the momentum we’ve enjoyed in recent years. Your presence, too, would mean much to our students. They benefit from your professional insights, encouragement and supportive friendship. I encourage you to consider visiting your alma mater this fall during our Homecoming and CE Weekend. Be a part of Convocation, when our students first don their white coats. Tour our academic and clinical facilities and see why so many of our alumni have learned first-hand that SCO continues to aim high in all that we are accomplishing. Together, we’re achieving great things for SCO and optometry. Thanks to each of you for your part in allowing this to happen!

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Kristin Anderson, OD EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Jim Hollifield SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER

Susan Doyle MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST

Erin Jaffe MULTIMEDIA/GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSISTANT

Philip Tribble 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 www.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

BOARD CHAIR

Jarrett A. Johnson, OD ’90 BOARD MEMBERS

Eugene M. Bane, Jr., OD ’65 Douglas C. Clark, OD Steven L. Compton, OD ’78 Brian Jones, MBA Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ‘80 Ryan H. Powell, OD ’02 Steven T. Reed, OD ’95 James D. Sandefur, OD ’65 Carla D. Sanderson, PhD A. L. Spivey, III, OD ’67 Leticia W. Towns, FACHE Cristie Upshaw Travis, MS Terry L. Tucker, OD ’84 Christopher W. Wroten, OD ’02 FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

Daniel G. Fuller, OD STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Feyi Aworunse, ’16

Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, FAAO

4 | SCOVISIONS

SCO HA

NINGS

Alumni with children interested in optometry are

Come home to Memphis!

encouraged to

2014 Homecoming/Fall CE Weekend

Designed for alumni

Alumni and their guests are encouraged to mark their calendars and register early to secure your attendance at the 2014 Homecoming/Fall CE Weekend, October 9-12, in Memphis. Classes with alumni who graduated in years ending in ‘4’ or ‘9’ will be participating in reunions, several with additional special events being organized by classmates. Here’s an overview of what to expect at this year’s event:

high age or older, the

• A Kick-off party on Thursday, October 9 from 8-10 pm at The Peabody Memphis. • President’s Reception on campus, Friday, October 10 from 5:30-7 pm. • Alumni and Friends Dinner with recognition of reunion classes from 7-8:30 pm at The Peabody Memphis’s Continental Ballroom on Saturday, October 11. • After-Party at the Peabody, featuring a live band and dancing, Saturday evening from 8:30-10:30 on the Peabody’s Rooftop. Alumni and guests are also invited to attend SCO’s All School Convocation and White Coat Ceremony from 10 am through noon on Friday morning. A barbecue luncheon immediately follows on campus. Other events, including a walking tour, Sunday brunch and other activities are also scheduled. Additionally, 19 hours of top quality CE will be offered at the Peabody and on campus. Speakers include Scott Ensor, OD ’01, Tim Fortner, Michael Gerstner, OD ’97, John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, Whitney Hauser, OD ’01, Charles Kinnaird, OD, Chris Lievens, OD, Anne Rowland, MD, Glen Steele, OD ’69, and Walter Whitley, OD.

participate in the annual Alumni/Child Admissions Forum. with children junior program features tours of campus and interaction with students, faculty and administration representatives who can answer questions about optometric education and the registration process. The event will be held on campus from 1:305:30 pm on Friday, October 10.

Visit sco.edu to learn more about our Homecoming/ Fall CE Weekend line-up and to register. sco.edu | 5

O HAP

Video coverage of the SCO’s 2014 Commencement ceremony may be viewed at SCO’s YouTube Channel, and photos on SCO’s website.

2014 Commencement SCO’s 2014 commencement ceremony moved to the Cannon Center for Performing Arts in downtown Memphis as 115 graduates were welcomed into the profession of optometry. Class President Andrew Bradbury delivered the class address. Former AOA President Dori Carlson, OD, delivered the commencement address in lieu of U.S. Senator John Boozman, OD ’77, who was recuperating from emergency heart surgery. Dr. Carlson received the Doctor of Ocular Science degree; Senator Boozman received his degree in absentia and will be presented with it at a future date. Former Alcon executive Ralph Stone, PhD, received the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Valedictorian was Christina Grosshans, and Salutatorian was Erinn Tolomei.

Legacy graduates: Jeff Goldstein, OD ’76 and Jay Goldstein, OD ’14; William Tantum, OD ’14 and Lloyd Tantum, OD ’78; Howard Levinson, OD ’76 and Keith Levinson, OD ’14; Wendy Goldsmith, OD ’91, Kristal Jones, OD ’14 and Tim Goldsmith, OD ’92; Julie Brewer Dawson, OD ’14 and Tim Brewer, OD ’85

Legacy graduates: Elisse Boiwka, OD ’14 and Roman Boiwka, OD; Andrew Botts, OD ’14 and Robert Botts, OD ’78; Mike Broome, OD ’14 and Paul Wesley Broome, OD; Steven Chado, OD, Sam Chado, OD ’14, and Beverly Chado, OD; Alan Bugg, OD ’82 and Bradley Bugg, OD ’14

6 | SCOVISIONS

Award Sponsors and 2014 Recipients Bays Family Service Award

Stephanie Lew

Eschenbach Optik Award

Erin Kizewski Essilor Crizal Award of Excellence

Emanuela Bercea Essilor Labs of America/ Southern Optical

Leah Beckman Beaver-Visitec International, Inc. Partners in Optometry Award

Jenna Hall Linh Hong

Ooh La La De Paris Award

William Tantum Rafieetary Academic and Clinical Excellence Award

Erinn Tolomei Dr. David P. Sloan Memorial Award

Kathryn Huebner

GP Lens Institute’s Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award

Gary and Ellen Ballard

Joseph Ballard

Gary and Ellen Ballard

Andrew Bradbury SCO Outstanding Clinician Awards

Bret Butterfield Stacey Hoins

Christina Grosshans Designs for Vision, Inc. William Feinbloom Low Vision Award

Adam Young Eagle Vision Super Eagle Practice Builder’s Kit

Todd Christensen

The college is pleased to acknowledge the following 2014 graduates who have had donations made in their honor by their families. A commemorative brick has been permanently placed in front of The Eye Center.

Ashley Ballard

Nathan Stahr

Drs. Fred and Charlene Burnett Student Research Award

COVD Excellence in Vision Therapy Award

Class of 2014 Tribute Gifts

Dr. Bernard L. Kahn Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Adam Young LS&S Group Low Vision Award

Ashley Varakalayil Luxottica Excellence to Service Award

Lekha Samuel Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award

Brandon Hadel Mothershed Endowed Award

Kimberly Orr NBEO Part II Award

Christina Grosshans NoIR Low Vision Award

Lekha Samuel NOSA Award

Jingya Chen Farryl Franklin Brian Knight Chidinma Nwachukwa Adam Young Ocular Instruments, Inc., Award of Excellence

Kristal Jones OEP Clinical Curriculum Award

Jeffrey Coats John Dawson Susan Evans Daniel Foster Christina Grosshans Meaghan Horton Anna Lammers Kristin Schick Sarah Thompson Erinn Tolomei Southern Council of Optometrists Clinical Excellence Award

Mallory Phillips Southwest Contact Lens Society

Douglas Wright Glen T. Steele, OD and L. Allen Fors, OD Developmental Vision Award

Linh Hong Stereo Optical Co., Inc.

Devin Duval Vistakon Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care

Andrew Bradbury Winston Family Endowed Award

Andrew Bradbury X-Cel Contacts Outstanding GP Fitting Award

Jeffrey Coats

Larry and Melissa DeRousse

Bradley A. Bugg

Alan K. Bugg, OD ’82

Samuel Chado

Beverly Chado, OD

Michael J. Connell

Don and Tammy Connell

Bran Dawson

William T. Brewer, OD ’85 and Laurie Brewer

Julie Dawson

William T. Brewer, OD ’85 and Laurie Brewer

Elizabeth Gault

David and Beth Gault

Jay Goldstein

Jeffrey L. Goldstein, OD ’76 and Debbie Goldstein

Keith Levinson

Howard B. Levinson, OD ’76 and Barbara Levinson

Canaan Montgomery Richard and Tara Montgomery

Jennifer Pancoast

Charles and Cathy Pancoast

Kristen Piery Sheila Piery

Nathan Stahr

Jerry and Sue Stahr

Lekha Samuel

P. C. and Kunjumole Abraham

Priya Sheth

Nitin and Nutan Sheth

Annie Hao

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OUT

N O OUT A 1

Ron Hopping, OD, and Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78

Kristin Anderson, OD, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and Chris Leivens, OD, Chief of Staff, The Eye Center

Nancy Moss, Gary Moss, OD ’78, Carol Casella, Tom Casella, OD ’78

Marty Carpenter, OD ’03, wife Gwen, and children, Reese and Emma

Katie Kerr-Niermann, OD ’13, and Utham Balachandran, OD ’13

Erin Bales, ’16, Hunter Chapman, ’16, and Megan Stanford, ’16

Martha Rosemore Morrow, OD ’74, and Andrea Thau, OD

Linda and Cary Vincent, OD ’78

Joe and Whitney Hauser, OD ’01, and their children, Andrew and Alice Cate

Betty Harville, OD, Zakiya Nicks, OD, and Reena Lepine, OD ’11

SCO students cheer on Trent Gaasch, ’16, at the Student Bowl

AOA 2014, Philadelphia SCO Graduate Serves as AOA President Photo coverage of SCO’s 2014 events at the AOA may be accessed via this QR code.

8 | SCOVISIONS

David Cockrell, OD ’81, was formally inaugurated as American Optometric Association President at the AOA meeting in Philadelphia, becoming the 13th SCO graduate to lead the AOA. Dr. Cockrell joined President Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, in addressing alumni at SCO’s annual reception for alumni and friends. Make plans to join SCO next summer in Seattle. Visit SCO’s photo galleries on the college’s website to view event photos

SCO Launches Dry Eye Clinic

M ON CA

New Innovations

FOCUS

Southern College of Optometry recently opened a new clinic dedicated to the treatment of dry eye. The

TearWell Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Center is located in the college’s new research suites

in the first floor of the 11-story tower. “TearWell provides SCO with a facility that functions as a premier private practice in an academic setting,” explained Whitney Hauser, OD ’01, TearWell’s Clinic Development Consultant. “This effort lets us enhance SCO’s efforts to enable clinical research to be situated in a service model featuring technology not typically available in most smaller practices.” From an educational perspective, TearWell gives SCO’s interns an opportunity to observe the doctor-patient interaction firsthand. Students also may work on research projects in the field. The new clinic utilizes the cutting-edge LipiFlow® treatment, the only FDA-approved treatment for dry eye disease, along with other standard dry eye treatments. Alan Kabat, OD, serves as TearWell’s Clinical Care Consultant. “Dry eye is a prevalent issue, especially among older adults,” Dr. Kabat said. “The condition is often exacerbated by allergic reactions, making Memphis a tough climate for people suffering from dry eye. That’s one reason we are so proud to open this clinic.” Dr. Alan Kabat, Clinical Care Consultant and Dr. Whitney Hauser, Clinic Development Consultant

Dr. Kabat has lectured internationally and is recognized as an expert in ocular disease

management. Dr. Hauser worked in private practice for ten years before joining SCO in 2013. Her emphasis was on diagnosis and treatment of dry eye and pre-/ post-surgical care. One of TearWell’s first patients was former NFL football player Barry Wilburn, who played for the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII. “I’m a big fan of the treatment I’ve received,” Wilburn said. “I’ve seen a great improvement from the procedures that Dr. Hauser has provided me.” Prior to the July 1st launch, the local news media profiled the new clinic’s start-up with articles that appeared in the Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Daily News and the Memphis Business Journal. The advance coverage alone generated several dozen calls and inquiries from prospective patients eager to learn more about dry eye treatment options.

Dry Eye Syndrome is said to affect 60 million Americans.

Visit TearWell’s website at tearwell.com and follow the clinic’s news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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N I T Y-

Thousands of newspaper readers voted this summer and named The Eye Center at SCO their favorite eyecare facility in Memphis. Last year, The Eye Center was first runner up in the Commercial Appeal’s “Memphis Most” reader survey. Being named the best a year later demonstrates the progress that the college continues to make in spreading its influence throughout the local community. SCO’s advances are part of a coordinated effort. As Clinical Programs expand their impact, community outreach initiatives are coordinated with appropriate service-learning opportunities,

Simply the Best SCO’s Influence Grows Across Memphis

Programs. “Our patients in turn benefit from the college’s commitment to the community.” Each external initiative simultaneously helps generate greater awareness of SCO’s prominence as a healthcare provider and one of the leading colleges in Memphis, a fact noted by Mayor A C Wharton, Jr., during a recent campus-wide address to faculty, staff and students. “SCO is really making a difference in the lives of our citizens,” Mayor Wharton said. “The work you do here has an impact by making Memphis a better place to live.”

SCO’s Expanding Reach In just the first half of 2014, these outlined initiatives reflect the college’s concerted efforts to expand patient care and educational opportunities at the local level: • An increasingly active Community Vision Health Services program, led by Aaron Kerr, OD ’98, coordinates several different areas as noted below. • SCO’s School Screenings Program, coordinated by Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07, screened 12,101 local schoolchildren in 80 schools throughout Shelby County; 23.7% of these children failed their screenings. • SCO’s Community Outreach Program, coordinated by Zakiya Nicks, OD, has increased its annual number of events to more than 40. The program recently partnered with St. Jude and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital to provide a “Dream Night at the Zoo” for terminally ill children. • SCO’s Nursing Home/Assisted Living Program, coordinated by Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04, recently added five new facilities to the service, with three more to be added this fall. • University Eye Care, a full service clinic modeling a small, private practice, is about to start its first full academic year serving the University of Memphis campus with four exam lanes.

Children with low vision were invited to a daylong Saturday event on campus to coordinate resources that benefit them or their families.

10 | SCOVISIONS

which in turn are supported through an effort to secure funding opportunities via Institutional Advancement’s development work with foundations and other partners. “We are committed to providing our student interns with exposure to diverse patient populations structured as part of the college’s long-standing commitment to superior clinical education,” said James E. Venable, OD ’89, Vice President for Clinical

University Eye Care.

Pediatric Initiatives Elsewhere in the community, SCO is creating a program to support the Third Grade Reading Collaborative Action Network, a nationwide effort. By partnering with a local Achievement School DisA partnership with a mobile vision unit allows SCO to take care directly to local trict elementary school, a moschoolchildren. bile clinic will be set up within the school to provide eye examinations to screen children from K-2. Children from five neighboring schools will be transported to the mobile clinic and another participating school. Increased reading proficiency levels will be studied to assess the effort’s success. SCO received a Healthy Eyes Healthy People grant to fund the “See to Read” Vision Awareness Program. Eye exams will be provided to children at two local libraries in partnership with a local mobile vision unit operated by Project SAVE. Thanks to a Community Foundation’s GIVE 365 program, SCO also has worked with a partnering organization to facilitate scheduling of care at Frayser Elementary School.

hundred in-patient substance abuse residents from the local Synergy treatment facility. The program expanded this year to provide examinations and vision care to HIV patients as well. Negotiations are also underway to look for opportunities to partner with other service providers to determine the feasibility of incorporating exposure to neighborhood homeless residents in a summer term’s Foundations of Service-Learning Workshop.

Collaboration with Healthcare Providers The college has actively been exploring other opportunities to expand its reach in the local community. • Dialogue continues with a local hospital regarding the provision of clinical low vision and rehabilitative services on-site in the hospital, including discussions regarding credentialing. • Service Chiefs from The Eye Center met with members of the Occupational Therapy Team of LeBonheur Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Germantown to explore collaborative opportunities in patient care and clinical education. • Meetings have also been held with the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center investigating collaborative efforts in interdisciplinary education and research regarding diabetes. • Representatives of The Eye Center met this year with representatives from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital regarding referral protocols for patients of the hematology education department. • Funding proposals are being developed to seek support for providing community-based care to aging Memphians. • A tool kit of information is being created to provide to organizations where SCO is unable to participate because of scheduling conflicts.

Service Learning In July, SCO launched its second year of service-learning via a Saturday Service Experience drawing interns and staff volunteers to assist faculty. The first year’s program saw several

SCO students assist an inpatient resident of Synergy Treatment Centers in selecting eyewear during a Saturday Service Event at The Eye Center.

Enthusiasm and energy for SCO’s expanding influence runs high among the college’s interns, faculty and staff. Faculty member Cynthia Heard, OD, for instance, traveled at the start of summer to the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis, Illinois for a RAM clinic that saw nearly 1,000 individuals receiving care. From traditional venues such as RAM to SVOSH trips, SCO has long demonstrated a commitment to traveling to provide care around the globe. That same energy now drives an increased emphasis on providing care – and more learning opportunities for interns – at the local level. As the readers of the local newspaper have noted, SCO’s clinical presence is simply the best.

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1972

CLASS N

1950 Robert

Greenberg, OD,

recently celebrated his 90th birthday in Florida, where he continues to practice. He was joined at a party by Michael Fregger, OD ’82 (left) and Hugh Hudson, OD ’60.

1951 Fred Mathews,

OD, delivered the commencement address in May at Southwestern Michigan College, where he’s the longest serving Board of Trustees chair in the nation. Dr. Mathews has led a number of civic organizations in Michigan through the years. He and his wife, Thelda, have been married 61 years and have two sons and six grandchildren.

1956 Jim Welborn, OD,

and his wife, Helen, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They have three daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

1965 James Sandefur,

OD, SCO Board member, helped lead the Optometry Association of Louisiana’s recent centennial celebration. Dr. Sandefur was also named this year’s recipient of the Virgil Deering Executive Director Award of Excellence at the AOA meeting in Philadelphia.

1967 Joe B. Rupe, OD,

recently announced his retirement. His plans are to pursue his ranching and golfing activities, and spend more time with his grandchildren.

12 | SCOVISIONS

The Arkansas Optometric Association awarded its Lifetime of Excellence Award to Harry Harrell, OD, and Herman Ginger, OD, at the ArOA’s Spring Convention.

1976 Mark Mather, OD,

recently retired after nearly 40 years of practice in Muscatine, Iowa. He and his wife, Becky, plan to spend time boating and caring for elder family members.

1977 Thomas A. Roberson, OD, traveled

to Haiti, where his medical team screened 1,500 patients, distributed 1,200 pairs of glasses, detected 25 glaucoma patients, and arranged and provided 70 patients with cataract surgery and another 12 for ptergyium surgery.

1978 SCO President

Richard W. Phillips, OD,

has been appointed to the Federal Relations Committee of the American Optometric Association. He also has been named President-elect of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

Sallye Scott, OD, Glenn Goldring, OD, and State Senator David Parker, OD ’95,

co-hosted an “Evening with the President” event as Dr. Phillips joined alumni in Como, MS.

1981 Jonathan

Shrewsbury, OD, received the Clifford Leadingham Award at the Kentucky Optometric Association’s spring meeting. Bill Reynolds, OD ’85, received the 2014 Visionary Leadership Award. Incoming KOA President is David Jaco, OD ’94, and Immediate KOA Past President is Matt Burchett, OD ’02.

1982 Alan 2002 Ryan Powell, OD, Tilson, OD, and Bill Gordon, OD,

pictured, just happened to be in Memphis on the same day, and as luck would have it, they both ran into each other when they stopped by SCO to visit their alma mater. As alumni, you’re welcome to visit campus when you visit Memphis. Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement if you would like to arrange a guided tour of The Eye Center and our new academic facility.

1984 Bryant Ashley, OD, was appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe to the State Board of Optometry.

1986

David Shannon, OD, recently completed 23 years of service to the Association of Optometrics Council in the UK. He also spent 10 years on the Board, with three served as Chair.

1987 Fred Farias III, OD,

Texas Optometric Association President, wrote Fourth of July eye safety articles for the press in Texas.

Mark Kapperman, OD,

recently spoke to SCO’s Practice Management Class following his participation when the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence Advisory Board held its meeting on campus.

1989 Dan Snead,

OD, recently opened a new practice, Essential Eyes in Columbia, TN.

1997 Shelly Finchum Shaw, OD, received the

Distinguished Alumni in Professional Achievement Award from Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN.

successfully competed and finished in this year’s Boston Marathon.

Chris Wroten, OD, was on

hand to witness Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal sign legislation expanding scope of practice in his state.

2004 Emily Sprague,

OD, was named the U.S. Navy’s Junior Optometrist of the Year.

2006

James Hertzog, OD, received the 2014 Special Service Award at the Spring Convention of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

2009 Tori Gengenbach, OD, and Eric Gengenbach, OD, welcomed a baby girl, Abigail Harper, born May 9.

Ashley Schuelke Reddell, OD, and Jonathan Reddell, OD ’11, have added a second location to their private practice in Kansas.

Christina Vranich, OD, was

recognized by the Oakland, Tennessee Regional Chamber of Commerce as the 2013 Small Business of the Year for her practice, Fayette Family Vision Care.

2011

Nicole Kosciuk, OD, recently became engaged to Andrew Brauer, OD ’12. They plan to wed on June 6, 2015. Joanne Smith, OD, and

her husband welcomed a baby boy, born May 7, pictured. He weighed 6 lbs., 8 ozs., and measured 19.5 inches long. Dr. Smith serves on SCO’s faculty.

2012 JJ Lant, OD,

pictured, and his wife, Heather, recently welcomed their third child, a son, Nolan Richardson, who

weighed 9 lbs., 9 ozs., and was 22.5 inches long.

2013 Robyn Christenson,

OD, married Cole Epley on July 13 in Shelby, Iowa.

Kristin Reed, OD, is practicing at a Super Target in Omaha, Nebraska.

2014

Several Class of 2014 graduates are among new residents in the 2014-15 residency program. On-campus residents include: Susan Evans, OD, Tina Grosshans, OD, Lekha Samuel, OD.

Keri Cassels, OD, recently

married Matt Hartsell and has accepted a position at Cairo Eye Care in Georgia.

Jennifer Pancoast, OD, married Ethan Luebbe on May 24 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She is practicing at Custom Eyes in Lenexa, Kansas and living in Overland Park.

New Graduate Moves Abroad to Provide Care In the weeks prior to this year’s commencement, William Tantum, OD ’14, reached out to the campus community in support of one of his classmates. He shared news that Alisha Duffy, OD ’14, would be moving to Guatemala after graduation to open a clinic and care for residents in the nation’s San Andres region. One of the highlights of this year’s Senior Banquet was the surprise presentation of a $3,800 check that resulted in the campus community rallying to Dr. Duffy’s cause. The native Minnesotan cites her volunteer work with SVOSH and RAM trips as helping her realize the opportunity to provide care for Alisha Duffy, OD ’14, hugs classmate William Tantum, a region where 75% of the population is estimated to earn less OD ’14, as she accepts a check than $1 a day. from the SCO community to aid her dream of taking eyecare to Dr. Duffy will be providing exams at Clinca Medica, built Guatemala. in 2010 to provide low cost medical care to the indigenous Mayan communities. Her eye exams mark the first full-time eye care the community has known with equipment made possible by the generosity of donors supportive of her work. If you would like to support Dr. Duffy’s effort, click the “donate” button on the home page at alittlemoresalt.com.

Passing the Torch Private Practice Lives on Through Alumni Generations

INMEMORIAL Saul Silverman, OD ’47 Stanley Vogelfang, OD ’47 Robert L. Ward, OD ’48 William Dobbs, OD ’50 Wallace Early, OD ’50 Troy Lester, OD ’51 LaVern Powers, OD ’56 Jim Eaton, OD ’67 Gregory W. Hunter, OD ’69 Oliver C. Sindersine, III, OD ’73 Warren Eisenstein, OD ’79 John P. Lyles, OD ’80

Marjorie Ross, OD ’51,

died May 15 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dr. Ross was the first woman to receive SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A former AOA Trustee, she was also the first woman to serve as President of the Michigan Optometric Association and the first woman to chair the Michigan Board of Examiners in Optometry.

The Clarksville, Arkansas practice founded 40 years ago by Donald Baker, OD ’74, has been passed on to the care of one of Dr. Baker’s former patients – and fellow SCO graduate – Becky King, OD ’09. It’s somehow fitting that Dr. King ended up taking the reins of the practice. She was a fifth grade student interested in marine biology when she visited Dr. Baker for an exam and eyeglasses in the early 1990s. She became so interested in what she saw in Dr. Baker’s practice that she switched a school career project from marine biology to optometry. Dr. Baker was raised in Searcy, Arkansas and like Dr. King, he became interested in optometry as a student when his twin brother got a pair of glasses. He conducted a science project on how eyes and camera lenses work. Later he graduated from Harding University before moving to Memphis to attend SCO. He settled in Clarksville after graduation. In four short years, his practice grew enough to warrant a move to an office building in the city’s downtown. In a newspaper interview chronicling his retirement and Dr. King’s buying the practice, Dr. Baker attributed his success to meeting the needs of his patients in a small town perfect for raising families. Dr. King noted that the timing worked out perfectly for her to take the next step in owning her private practice. She consulted resources offered by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence in helping outline her business plan. Returning to her hometown to practice is a dream come true for Dr. King. She notes that she often looks at her daily schedule and sees the names of people she knows from her childhood. Meanwhile, Dr. Baker and his wife, Rena, plan to spend time traveling and with their 10 grandchildren.

sco.edu | 13

In the middle of the action, Dr. Otten captured the exciting World Cup build-up as USA lead 2-1 over Portugal before the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

1977 Graduate Attends World Cup in Brazil

By Larry Otten, OD ’77

Brazil

This year’s World Cup attracted record audiences around the world as soccer fever frenzy rose. In his own words, Larry Otten, OD ’77, shares what it was like to travel to Brazil to see the action first-hand.

14 | SCOVISIONS

My 6th grade teacher would send us to the school library to research a country for a written report. In my case, the report was usually copied from the World Book Encyclopedia. One had to be careful to end with Brazil, and not continue with what was next, Brazil Nuts. Back then, Brazil was a developing country in South America. Brazil is the world’s 5th largest country in both size and population. It is also home to one of the world’s largest cities, Sao Paulo, at more than 11,250,000 people. It is home to the Amazon River with the world’s largest rain forest. Thirty-six hours was about the time involved from leaving home and arriving at our apartment in Paraty. Paraty sits on a beautiful ocean setting

between Sao Paulo and Rio Janeiro. Paraty will be remembered as our first real day in Brazil where we were taken to a rum factory on our way into the jungle. There we found inviting pools of water from which we could jump from rocks which bordered the waterfall. Following that excursion we tested the local bus system which took us to the pristine beach community of Trindade. It was good for beachcombing and swimming. Memories from the 60s and 70s quickly emerged, as this community is also home to many surviving love bugs and VW vans left over from that time long ago. One flowered van had a bumper sticker reading: “God Save the Freaks,” and out came a flower child.

Rio de Janeiro One could probably enjoy a couple of days in Rio had one of the kids not left their passport, credit card, and cash on the bus following our long ride from Paraty. Our Rio time was absorbed with taxi rides into endless traffic jams, with return visits to the bus station, a visit to the police station, two separate trips to the American Embassy to obtain a temporary passport without the Brazilian visa. We did have one highlight, where on the Copacabana Beach we watched USA defeat Ghana 2-1 at a Fan Fest event. It was exciting being part of thousands of spectators getting revved up to the enthusiasm of World Cup. Travelers’ advice: do not try to accomplish anything in Rio while Brazil is playing a World Cup game. The city will shut down for about five hours. One would think that a plane ride from Rio to Curitiba should be uneventful. In aviation, when a pilot encounters a serious storm, he may elect to divert from the original flight plan. As we tried to side-step a storm, we encountered turbulence. The bouncing and tipping wings had now transformed into what seemed an endless free fall. As this repeated for several minutes, my mind began to convince myself that perhaps this is how it ends. While my face is in cold sweat, my mouth filled with saliva, I said my prayers of forgiveness and beg for redemption. And just like that, the storm was over. Whew! Fos do Icuaca is near Brazil’s border with Argentina and Paraguay. One evening while on the city bus, the kids were in search of a bar featuring the Chile v. Spain soccer match. With keen eyes they spotted people wearing Chile’s national colors. To our surprise, we sat near a section mutually shared by both Chile and Spain. With each Chilean goal and eventual win, we witnessed their national pride and character with their proud chants of glory. As the match progressed, their ambitious and enthusiastic celebration now began to extend beyond borders, sharing in one’s goodwill for the love of soccer. At first it was shared bottles of fine Chilean wine. As the wine disappeared, several pitchers of a sweet Brazilian lime and rum drink emerged. As the win was assured and high-fives with congratulatory hugs were exchanged with our new amigos from Chile, Chilean anthems were being sung.

Cataratas do Icuacu Big Water. In high school, I was able to take photography in place of a dreaded art class. Our first assignment was to make a pinhole camera from a used coffee can. An amazing image can develop from such a simple device. My combined interest in optics, biology, and physics led to my career in optometry. As we age, nearly all eyes develop a clouding of the crystalline lens. As the cataract matures, one would notice a slight haze or misting of vision. Eventually, the cataract is as if one is looking through a waterfall.

Dr. Otten snapped this photo of the spectacular Cataratas (aka Iguazu) Falls.

The Falls are beyond description, a world wonder. At 1.7 miles wide, one side is in Argentina, the other Brazil. The falls are actually many, with the largest drop 269 feet. We were escorted down to an area of motorized rafts where we slipped on our rain gear, and I was given a life jacket. I didn’t prepare for the white water part of this, but became immersed into an ultimate and grandeur experience. It was a soaking. To go overboard would have been fatal, but again, all of that was simply overridden by the experience. Video and photos just cannot capture an event of this proportion.

The Match We traveled to Manaus, city of two million people, carved out of the Amazon Jungle. It was like a Memphis summer day of 90+ degree heat and a 90%+ humidity factor. This was the site of the USA v. Portugal match. Like this entire trip, I cannot accurately describe the jubilance of a world sporting event. The scene started with a USA party the night before. The people donning their red, white, and blues, were definitely in the mood for a party, and ready for victory and anticipation to advance to the knock-out portion of the World Cup. A Brazilian news station broadcast the party live. The kids and I were captured by television in pre-celebration. There were many songs and chants to show American spirit; one of my favorites was the familiar song, “When the Yanks Come Marching In.” Many watched the match on television and know that Portugal scored a goal at the very end to tie the game at 2 goals each. Twelve days. Ten flight segments. 2:30 am, 3 am, 4 am, 4:50 am and 5:30 am are times we arrived or departed from hotels and connected with flights. I lost count of taxi rides. Exhausting, but an experience of a lifetime.

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Faculty News Marie Bodack, OD, gave CE and workshop presentations at the European Academy of Optometry & Optics annual meeting in Warsaw, Poland.

Chris Borgman, OD, published several guest editorials in the Memphis Daily News in May on cataracts, diabetes and macular degeneration. He was also interviewed about vision care by WYPL-FM radio in Memphis.

Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, and Gabriel Fickett, ’16, presented a Vision Sciences Society poster titled, “Perception of Illusory Motion in the Rotating Snake by the Aged: Pupil Size and Retinal Illumination.”

Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04, has been named Coordinator of the Nursing Home/Assisted Living Program.

Janette Dumas, OD, recently coordinated SCO’s annual Success in Sight program for minority high school students interested in optometry. Erika Cox, OD ’07, visited with the students to share her experiences in optometry.

Bill Edmondson, OD, MAT, was among the faculty publishing in the Spring Newsletter of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators available online at AOCLE.org.

Dan Fuller, OD, presented several lectures at the Southern Eye Associates Spring CE program and at the West Florida Optometric Association’s Spring CE meeting in Destin. He also published a book review in Visual Performance Today.

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Michael Gerstner, OD ’97, and Al Kabat,

John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, recently co-

OD, gave two one-hour lectures to Memphis area ODs entitled, “New Horizons in Ocular Surface Disease Detection and Management.”

authored an article on GP lens discomfort in Contact Lens Spectrum.

Paul Harris, OD lectured earlier this summer via teleconference to a group in Greece, where the group heard an OEP course, “Introduction to Behavioral Vision Care.” He traveled to Mexico to present two one-hour lectures at the Colegio de Optometritas Estado de Guanajuato, A.C. Dr. Harris also published an article about cornea ulcers in Advanced Ocular Care and edited Literature Reviews from Around the Globe, an OEP Foundation publication. Dr. Harris and Glen Steele, OD ’69, were also featured in a recently published Hoya Kids Panel White Paper.

Cynthia Heard, OD, was named to the Notable Alumna list by her alma mater, The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Dr. Heard and Sharon Lee, OD, traveled to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma this summer to participate in the ASCO Low Vision SIG meeting.

Alan Kabat, OD, co-authored an article entitled “Collateral Damage” in the February issue of Review of Optometry, “GCA: More than a Headache” in the magazine’s April issue, and “NVG: A Titantic Disaster,” in the magazine’s May issue.

Chris Lievens, OD, MS, presented lectures for Alcon Laboratories on Dailies Multifocal lenses and co-authored an article about Systane® eye drops for the March issue of Eye Contact Lens. Dr. Lievens also has been accepted into the Optometric Glaucoma Society.

Zakiya Nicks, OD, recently was interviewed about her work with SCO’s Community Outreach Program for an article in the AOA’s new Focus Magazine.

Pam Schnell, OD ’01, gave a workshop at the Ontario Association of Optometrists titled, Intro to Binocular Vision and Pediatrics for the Practical Optometrist.

Glen Steele, OD ’69, recently traveled to Burlington, Ontario to lecture at an Optometric Extension Program Foundation seminar attended by 25 ODs and therapists. The topic was “The Importance of Vision in Overall Development.” He recently lectured on infant evaluation and management at Southern Eye Associates in Memphis. Dr. Steele also was recognized as the recipient of the Visionary Award at the West Division’s midyear meeting of the Tennessee Public Health Association for his work with pediatric vision and the InfantSEE program.

Marc Taub, OD, MS, has published several articles in recent months, including one with Paul Harris, OD, in the May

AOA P H I L A D E L P H I A LECTURES

issue of Visual Performance Today. He also published an article about insurance coverage for vision therapy in Optometry and Visual Performance.

Marie Bodack, OD

Melissa Zarn, OD, participated in a review panel for the Congres-

Glen Steele, OD ’69

sionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and in two review panels for proposals to benefit healthcare initiatives in the military and VA populations.

Amblyopia Diagnosis and Treatment Made Simple Risk Factors in Infants and Young Children

Vision Development in the Infant and Toddler Insights into Infant Examination POSTERS

Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07; Zakiya Nicks, OD Typical Sectorial Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Case Report

Faculty Promotions Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, was promoted from Vice President for Academic Affairs to Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1. He will also serve as acting CEO when Dr. Phillips is away from campus. A new department, Interprofessional Education, is also being formed and will report directly to Dr. Reich.

Betty Harville, OD Cystoid Macula Edema in a Diabetic Patient after Cataract Surgery: A Case Report

Other faculty rank promotions include: PROFESSOR

• Kristin Anderson, OD • Paul Harris, OD ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

• Mary Bartuccio, OD • Scott Ensor, OD ’01, MS • Pam Schnell, OD ’01

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

• Michael Dasinger, OD • Jeung H. Kim, OD, PhD • Wilson McGriff, OD, MPH • Christina Newman, OD

Faculty Presentations SCO faculty, along with residents and students, made presentations at the following national meetings: A RVO POSTERS

Malinda Fitzgerald, PhD Visual Acuity and Genetic Classification of Individuals with either Type I or Type II Oculocutaneous Albinism

Jeung Kim, PhD, OD; Trent Gaasch, ’16; Andrew Shum, ’16

Reena Lepine, OD ’11; Joanne Smith, OD ’11 A Presentation of Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

Zakiya Nicks, OD; Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07 Assessment of Eye Health Awareness through Community Engagement: Eye Spy…A Day at the Zoo

Amanda Phelps, OD ’13, Resident; Beth Sparrow, OD ’98 Fighting the Silent Killer: Gaining the Victory over Hypertensive Retinopathy Traumatic Anisocoria-More than Cosmetics: Providing a Solution to a More Substantial Issue

Jennifer Snyder, OD ’12; Andrew Neighbors, ’16; William Edmondson, OD, MAT Comfort and Cost Comparisons of Ketotifen Anti-Allergy Drops

Comparison of the Electronic Versions of Ishihara Pseudoisochromatic Plates with the Printed Version CSLS

Nancy Chan, OD, Resident; Dan Fuller, OD; Brenton Smith, ’16 The Utility of Scleral Lens Center Thickness as a Biometric Ruler

Andrew Neighbors, ’16; Stacey Hoins, ’14; Christina Newman, OD; William Edmondson, OD, MAT Are Experienced Contact Lens Clinicians and Staff at Increased Risk to be Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) Carriers?

John Moonan, ’15; Stacey Hoins, ’14; William Edmondson, OD, MAT

Kara Tison, OD, Resident; Marie Bodack, OD Septo-Optic Dysplasia

Visual Acuities of Custom Silicone Hydrogel Toric Contact Lenses vs BVA Spectacle Rx?

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Hayes Center Awards Announced • Dr. David Mitchell, Class of 2004, recipient of the Long-Term Graduate Award for the years 2003-2006. Dr. Mitchell practices at Mitchell Family Eye Care in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Jerry Eisenstatt, OD ’84, recently returned full-time to his private practice. Glenn Goldring, OD ’78, has been named Interim Director of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence.

The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence at Southern College of Optometry recently announced its inaugural recipients of its Practice of Excellence Award. The award identifies and rewards successful practices, recognizes achievements of SCO graduates and helps foster joint relationships that benefit SCO’s alumni and current optometry students. Three different $5,000 awards were designated to honor recent alumni at different stages of their optometric careers. All three recipients own their own practices and exemplify the private practice principles embodied in the Hayes Center’s mission encouraging practice success. Recipients include: • Dr. David Hite, Class of 2013, recipient of the Recent Graduate Award for the years 2010-2013. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from SCO and practices at North Range Eye Care in Commerce City, Colorado. • Dr. Micah Thomason, Class of 2009, recipient of the Mid-term Graduate Award for the years 2007-2009. Dr. Thomason practices at Advanced Family Eye Care in Springdale, Arkansas.

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“These alumni demonstrate the qualities and attitudes of successful private practitioners who excel at managing the business side of their practices,” said Dr. Jerry Hayes, who co-founded the Hayes Center at his alma mater with his wife, Cris, in 2005. The awards process attracted nearly 20 initial nominations, all of whom are highly successful in their practices. The inaugural awards were selected by members of the Hayes Center Advisory Board. “I want to thank all the applicants and congratulate the three outstanding young ODs who have distinguished themselves as the winners of our first annual Practice of Excellence Awards by demonstrating financial and business success in the private practice of optometry,” said Dr. Hayes. “While optometry is our profession, private practice is a business in every sense of the word. It’s our mission at the Hayes Center to help students and graduates learn how to do a great job of managing the business side of practice so they can thrive in the real world and maintain the heritage of independent optometry.” Recipients were judged on their practice’s ability to excel as documented via profit and loss statements, most recent balance sheet, office meeting agendas or minutes, and other key metrics, including gross collected receipts, proper staff management, and a written explanation of how the practice maximizes net income. All three recipients shared their private practice experiences with SCO’s graduating class during the college’s Capstone educational program prior to commencement in May.

SCO Student Scores Record

SCO’s online CE presence now includes online course listings so users may benefit from improved navigation. Visit SCO’s website to learn more about the online COPE-approved CE course opportunities available. Several courses from SCO’s Spring CE program have been posted to the college’s online CE course library as well. SCO’s CE program will be incorporating a new model over the next few months and will partner more with the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence to expand course offerings. Jeanie Snider will serve as CE’s program manager, working with faculty to implement CE programs. Selected faculty members will serve as Course Masters for each educational program as they develop content, recruit speakers and determine the best delivery methods for each program.

SCO Promotion Announced Haynes is a native of Manchester, Tennessee. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University in 2011. She is the daughter of Sherry and Mark Taylor, also of Manchester.

Entering Class Numbers SCO’s fall entering class was selected after 294 interviews from 790 applications. With 136 students selected, the average GPA stands at 3.56 and a 328 average on the OAT. The class is 62 percent female. SCO’s recruiting team made 92 campus visits last year to 26 states and two Canadian provinces. Although the applicant pool was down by 9 percent, the college is committed to making inroads in new areas. SCO will be represented at the 12th Annual

Dean Swick was promoted to Executive Director of Information Services, effective July 1. He joined the college in 1997 and has served several tours of duty in recent years as an U.S. Army Reserves officer. (He’s pictured officiating at this year’s Flag Day Ceremony on campus). Prior to joining SCO, he served as Director of Information Systems for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Reflecting the increasing electronic nature of libraries, SCO’s Library Services will move into the Information Services’ area of responsibility under Swick’s leadership. He will report directly to President Phillips.

Following this year’s S commencement ceremony, BR IEFS four new graduates were commissioned into their optometric military careers: Drs. Jordan Paul, Amy Combs, Todd Christensen, and Andrew Loudon, pictured. Congratulations to these members of the Class of 2014 who are serving their countries and profession with pride and distinction. W

Online CE Update

Graduates Commissioned

SCO student Jessica A. Haynes, ’15, has been named the recipient of the 2014 Dr. Norman E. Wallis Award for Excellence in recognition of receiving the highest score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Part I Basic Science Examination this year. The award was established to honor Dr. Wallis’ 25 years of outstanding service as Executive Director of the NBEO. It consists of a personalized plaque as well as a full refund of the Part I registration fee. The Award was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) by Dr. Alan J. King, President of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, pictured with Jessica and President Phillips.

Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professions National Conference in October and has been marketing to college healthcare advisors. The application cycle for next year is now open, so alumni are encouraged to use your influence to help guide promising prospective students to apply.

Eight SVOSH Trips Made The summer started with eight mission trips for SCO’s SVOSH members. Several alumni joined 106 SVOSH members in traveling to Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, Colombia, Honduras and Haiti. Eye examinations and glasses were given to 7,575 patients. The teams dispensed 6,678 pairs of glasses and 3,188 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, 683 referrals were also made.

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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

Call for Honorary Degree Nominations SCO is seeking submissions for names of distinguished optometrists and other individuals for consideration of honorary degrees to be awarded at commencement in 2015. The college invites you to submit names and accomplishments of those to be considered; anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Recipients must be of sufficient stature and character as to honor the college. Specific criteria must include at least two of these: • Distinguished record of scholarship • Outstanding contributions to society through humanitarian efforts, public service or education • Outstanding contributions to optometry or the optometric profession. Nominations and supporting details should be sent to Academic Affairs (Honorary Degrees), c/o SCO, 1245 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 or to degrees@sco.edu.

The deadline is October 31.