SCO SNAPS H TO
MEMPHIS ENJOYED NEARLY 98% TOTALITY DURING THE APRIL 8, 2024 ECLIPSE, SO IT WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES TO ENJOY THE SPECTACLE AND ICE CREAM ON THE SITE OF SCO’S FORMER ANNEX BUILDING. SEVERAL FACULTY MEMBERS AND STUDENTS WERE INTERVIEWED BY TELEVISION NEWS CREWS ABOUT THE NEED FOR SAFE VIEWING, WITH THE ABC-TV AFFILIATE BROADCASTING ITS LIVE COVERAGE FROM SCO’S CAMPUS.
Our President
Each year I have the pleasure of presiding over SCO’s commencement ceremony, and every year, I always tell our graduates the same thing ahead of their ceremony: graduation absolutely is my favorite time of the year.
Commencement represents the culmination of the fouryear journey to practicing optometry, but it also represents a lifetime of opportunity for our graduates. That sense of accomplishment is something that stays with optometry school graduates throughout their careers.
According to recent data compiled by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, last year’s graduating class secured an average of $147,000 in starting salaries. Optometry remains a rewarding career, and SCO is committed to strengthening both our
institution and our academic and clinical standards.
The college appreciates all our alumni who recently responded to a survey seeking your input about some ideas that SCO is considering for our future. Thanks to your feedback, including follow-up interviews with donors, faculty, and other supporters of the college, we’re in the process of finalizing some key strategies that will carry us forward into SCO’s centennial eight years from now.
WE’RE EMBRACING A PRAGMATIC, REALISTIC APPROACH. IN SHORT, WE HEARD YOUR DESIRE THAT SCO REMAIN AFFORDABLE WITHOUT BURDENING OUR STUDENTS WITH EXCESSIVE LEVELS OF DEBT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO LEVERAGE OUR STRENGTH AS AN INDEPENDENT, PRIVATE OPTOMETRY COLLEGE TO PROMOTE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT PRIVATE PRACTICE HAS TO OFFER OUR GRADUATES.
Similarly, we’re looking at achievable improvements that will enhance our security and improve our facilities to benefit the academic and clinical outcomes of our students.
Your support will be critical to this effort. Many of you have already joined our President’s Circle level of donors whose gifts of at least $1,000 annually have helped us strengthen the quantity and quality of our scholarship offerings to top students.
With the support of SCO’s graduates and friends, I’m confident that SCO will accomplish even greater things in the years to come. We look forward to sharing some of our ideas and plans with you in the coming months as we prepare to welcome the next generation of optometry students to Memphis.
ALUMNI MAGAZINE Summer 2024
PRESIDENT
Lewis Reich, OD, PhD
VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
George Miller, CFRE
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Jim Hollifield
SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER
Susan Doyle
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL
NETWORKING MANAGER
Erin Jaffe
SENIOR CREATIVE PROJECT MANAGER
Philip Tribble
CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATOR
Melissa Hansbro
BOARD CHAIR
David A. Cockrell, OD ’81
BOARD MEMBERS
Allan L. Barker, OD ’75
Renee Brauns
Betty Harville Brown, OD
Arthur R. Dampier, OD ’97
Anita Davis, PhD
Vicki Farmer
Charles G. Glaser, OD ’74
Mark R. Kapperman, OD ’87
Charles W. Kinnaird, OD
James K . Kirchner, OD
Jennifer E. Lyerly, OD ’11
Stacey J. Meier, OD ’84
Lynn T. Shaw
Stuart R. Tasman, OD ’80
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE
Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Kimberly Pham, ’26
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: Institutional Advancement 1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222 800-238-0180, ext. 4
sco.edu
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LEWIS REICH, OD, PH.D.
COMMENCEMENT2024
SCO CELEBRATED THE GRADUATION OF 131 MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2024 AT THEIR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 7 AT THE CANNON CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN MEMPHIS.
This year, three graduates shared the distinction of being named co-valedictorians for their outstanding academic performance: TORI PIERCE, JESSICA SCHEID, and MALLORY WRIGHT
Class President PAIGE HARVEY and former SGA President ANDREW MURPHY addressed the assembly. The class presented the Teacher of the Year Award to CHRIS BORGMAN, OD, the second year in a row that a graduating class honored him in such fashion.
Former SCO Board member and retired Alcon executive DAVE SATTLER delivered the commencement address
as the recipient of the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the profession of optometry, FRED FARIAS III, OD ’87, received the honorary Doctor of Ocular Science Degree.
A large group of classmates from SCO’s Class of 1974 held their 50-year class reunion and were welcomed as the newest inductees into SCO’s Golden Circle Society, recognizing SCO graduates who have achieved the 50-year mark since their own graduation. BARRY WINSTON, OD ’74, was additionally honored with SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additionally, three graduates were commissioned into military careers: MARK BREZINKA, TANNER HARSIN, and CATHERINE CHU. A recording from the ceremony, along with free, high resolution photos, may be viewed or or downloaded from SCO’s website, sco.edu/commencement
Christopher Bifano, OD, MICHAEL BIFANO, and Rhonda Bifano, OD
EMMA BYERS and Tonya Stewart, OD ’98
John Gallaher, OD ’93, and GRACE
GALLAHER
DILLON PANKEY and Bobby Pankey, OD ’05
Doiless Walker-Puglese, OD ’86, MARY LOU PUGLESE, and Louis Puglese, Jr., OD ’85
Carl Robertson, OD, and SPENCER
ROBERTSON
Jim Gillispie, OD ’90, and GRACE GILLISPIE
Bill Tomasik, OD ’81, and SHAE WILSON
PAIGE
HARVEY and Stephanie Willett, OD ’96
MARCUS
WISE and Valerie Wise, OD
Masherrill Koonce, OD, and DONNIE KOONCE
50-YEAR REUNION CLASS
The Class of 1974 had the largest 50-year reunion in SCO history! A special recognition dinner was held for these Golden Circle alumni the evening before they were honored at commencement.
Class of 2024 Co-valedictorians: (L to R) Jessica Scheid, Mallory Wright and Tori Pierce.
Teacher of the Year Award recipient Chris Borgman, OD and Class President Paige Harvey.
Dean Swick, SCO’s Vice President for Information Services, administers the military commissioning oath to Mark Brezinka, Catherine Chu, and Tanner Harsin.
COMMENCEMENT2024
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The highest honor presented to alumni, this award recognizes outstanding achievement to the profession, college and the graduate’s community.
BARRY WINSTON, OD ’74 is a member of one of Tennessee’s longest-practicing, multi-generational optometry families. His father was a 1941 SCO graduate, his brother a 1967 SCO graduate, and his son a 2011 graduate. Collectively, the Winston family has provided optometry care for patients in Knoxville, Tennessee for more than 80 years. Prior to SCO, Dr. Winston attended the University of Tennessee and the University of Memphis. He is a Past President of the East Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians and has held other community leadership positions at a number of Knoxville organizations.
DOCTOR OF OCULAR SCIENCE
Upon approval of the Board of Trustees of the college, this honorary degree is conferred on those who have made outstanding contributions and have rendered distinguished service to the profession of optometry and to the field of visual science
FRED FARIAS III, OD ’87 is President and CEO of 20/20 Vision Care in McAllen, Texas. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he received a Master of Science in Clinical Service Operations from Harvard University. He currently serves as Chairman of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. He has served as President of the Texas Optometric Association, which awarded him the Young OD of the Year and the OD of the Year Award, in addition to being named National Optometrist of the Year by the American Optometric Association. He also is a recipient of SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS
Upon approval of the Board of Trustees of the college, this honorary degree is conferred on those who have made outstanding contributions and have rendered distinguished service to the profession of optometry and to the field of visual science
DAVE SATTLER began his career with Alcon in 1986 as a Sales Representative for the Vision Care Group.
In 1991, he was promoted to Director of National Accounts. In this position he was responsible for sales management and marketing activities for corporate optical chain accounts, HMOs, and optometry schools. In 2001, he assumed the role of Director Professional Relations, and in 2008 he was promoted to Director Professional Relations – Global Optometry. In 2011, Sattler became the Director Professional Relations overseeing Academic Development. After 28 years of service, he retired from Alcon in 2014 and subsequently served eight years on the SCO Board of Trustees.
MIKE ROBERTSON, Senior Director of Admissions & Student Services, was honored with a plaque upon the occasion of his retirement as he assisted at his last commencement ceremony.
SCO APPRECIATES THE GENEROSITY OF THESE GRADUATES WHO DONATED TO THEIR CLASS GIFT:
Addy Adkisson , Derek Anderson , Peter Anderton , Madison Bailey, Sabina Banit , Joseph Bateman , Trenton Bateman , Sydney Biette, Michael Bifano, Kristen Black , Jacob Blackman , Mark Brezinka , Austin Brian , Philip Brock , Lindsey Buckholz , Noble Chun , Kayton Coffee, Grace Dalton , Nancy Fisher, Benjamin Friedman , Grace Gillispie, Zach Groves , Tanner Harsin , Paige Harvey, Morgan Heimes , Patrick Huettemann , Zachary James , Emily Kyle, Kellianne Lambert , David Lee, Linda Luu , Ghazal Mansouri , Serena McArthur, Aideen McEnaney, Olivia Mitchell , Matthew Moe, Emily Moore, Kaitlin Moseberth, Andrew Murphy, Todd Myers, Laura Niederbrach, Shivam Patel , Katelyn Perez , Tori Pierce, Maxwell Prosser, Weronika Przepiora , Samantha Rau, Collin Rounsavall, Jamie Schmauder, Madison Schnell, Emily Seuferer, Amanda Soukup, Ryan Stewart , Kate Stubbs , Andrew Sweeter, Mason Taylor, Tracie Thibault , Samantha Thompson, Cindy Tran , Alexander Vaughn , Nithya Vemula , Marcus Wise, Mallory Wright , Katelyn Yates , and Cory Zwahlen
ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE
Class of 2024 Senior Awards
EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS PART I AWARD
Cory Zwahlen
NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS PART II AWARD
Laura Niederbrach
EXCELLENCE IN ADULT PRIMARY CARE
NATIONAL VISION ENDOWED AWARD
Dao Joanna Nguyen
DR. BERNARD L. KAHN MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Todd Myers
SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRISTS CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Mallory Wright
EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL ACHIEVEMENT
LUCY KATHERINE BONE ORGAIN AWARD
Andrew Murphy
CHRISTINE AND GEORGE DUCOTE, OD ’40 SCHOLARSHIP
Jessica Scheid
DR. ROBERT AND EVELYN HENRY OUTSTANDING CLINICIAN AWARD
Tori Pierce
Alex Smith
EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS
BAUSCH & LOMB ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Zack James
SOUTHWEST CONTACT LENS SOCIETY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Katie Tienabeso
Samantha Thompson
VISTAKONJ&J VISION CARE/ AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC FOUNDATION
“JOHNSON & JOHNSON AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS PATIENT CARE”
Madison Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN LOW VISION REHABILITATION
DR. DEBORAH MOY THEIA VT/LOW VISION AWARD
Daisy Cannon
EXCELLENCE IN OCULAR DISEASE
DR. MOHAMMAD RAFIEETARY ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
OPTOMETRIC RETINA SOCIETY AWARD
EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT RESEARCH
BURNETT ENDOWED AWARD FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN RESEARCH
Tracie Thibault
Katie Tienabeso
Weronika Przepiora
Patrick Schultz
Kate Stubbs
Addy Adkisson
Dao Joanna Nguygen
Jacob Blackman
Zach Groves
Zach Groves Katelyn Perez Tori Pierce
The following graduates were recognized during the Commencement ceremony for their outstanding academic and clinical accomplishments. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends. These graduates received awards, plaques, and optometric equipment to honor their achievements.
EXCELLENCE IN PEDIATRICS AND VISION THERAPY
ALICIA A. GROCE SCHOLARSHIP IN NEURO-REHABILITATION
Emily Faccin
THE SOUTHEAST VT FORUM SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF DR. SAM HORNER JR.
Bailey Kargo
GLEN T. STEELE, OD AND L. ALLEN FORS, OD DEVELOPMENTAL VISION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Kayton Coffee
Emily Kyle
Tracie Thibault
FOR COMMITMENT OF SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE
BAYS FAMILY ENDOWED SERVICE AWARD
Morgan Heimes
CLASS OF 1967 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Andrew Murphy
SUSAN GRISSOM MEMORIAL ENDOWED AWARD
Zach Groves
Paige Harvey
DR. MARC A. KRANZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Tori Pierce
MAULDIN FAMILY MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Amanda Soukup
SECO PAST PRESIDENTS ENDOWED AWARD
Nithya Vemula
SOUTHWEST COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Macy Lewis
SPARROW, EVANS, WAYMON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Kyle
JAMES “BEAU” WILLIS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Derek Anderson
Emily Moore
TO HONOR A GRADUATE’S COMMITMENT TO PURSUING PRIVATE PRACTICE OPTOMETRY
DR. WILLIAM M. DICKERSON ENDOWED LEADERSHIP AWARD
Andrea Bell
DR. JAMES D. SANDEFUR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Nancy Fisher
EDELSTEIN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP Tori Pierce
Jessica Scheid
TOM AND LOUIS HYDE SCHOLARSHIP
Cory Zwahlen
DR. FRED H. MOTHERSHED ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Tracie Thibault
KEVIN ROGERS, OD ’08 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AWARD
Serena McArthur
Dao Joanna Nguyen
HALPERN FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD
Emily Moore
SPIVEY FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD
Addy Adkisson
Jessica Pearson
WINSTON FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD
Tracie Thibault
We’re pleased to introduce the Class of 2024, along with their home state and academic honors.
Over the past four years, this year’s graduates worked with The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence to explore placement opportunities.
Alumni are invited to post practice opportunities on our site, Optometry’s Practice Connection at sco.edu/opc
[SUMMER 2024]
Addy Adkisson Savannah, Tennessee
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Alexis Anderson Fort Collins, Colorado CUM LAUDE
Derek Anderson Knoxville, Tennessee
Michael Bifano South Lyon, Michigan
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kristen Black Maumelle, Arkansas
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Jacob Blackman Fayetteville, North Carolina
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Mark Brezinka Little Falls, Minnesota
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Austin Brian Louisville, Kentucky
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Philip Brock Bartlett, Tennessee
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Lindsey Buckholz Kansas City, Missouri
Grace Gillispie
Mount Juliet, Tennessee MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Mallory Gilmer Woodstock, Georgia SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Natalia Gorski Crofton, Maryland
Zach Groves Longview, Washington MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Tanner Harsin Syracuse, Nebraska SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Paige Harvey Little Rock, Arkansas
Morgan Heimes Norfolk, Nebraska
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Kayton Coffee Bentonville, Arkansas
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Cameron Cramer Arlington, Texas
Kelsey Daberkow Lincoln, Nebraska
CUM LAUDE
Grace Dalton O’Fallon, Illinois
CUM LAUDE
Connor Deen Conway, Arkansas
Kara Detsch Saint Marys, Pennsylvania
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Lauren Dole Omaha, Nebraska
CLASS OF 2024
Sydney Biette Shelbyville, Indiana
Emma Byers Clinton, Mississippi
Julia Clancy Memphis, Tennessee
Richard Clark Long Beach, Mississippi
Patrick Huettemann Mobile, Alabama
Donnie Koonce
Jenna Getman Naples, Florida
Kaitlyn Moore West Palm Beach, Florida
Kaitlin Moseberth Keystone Heights, Florida
Collin Rounsavall Greenville,
Landon Sturdivant Natchitoches, Louisiana
Brooke Penn Overland Park, Kansas
Marcus Wise Black Mountain, North Carolina
“ EVERY SCO GRADUATE SHOULD THINK OF AOA MEMBERSHIP NOT AS AN OPTION, BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY. THE AOA IS THE ONLY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR OUR PROFESSION.”
1995 Graduate Leading the AOA
At Optometry’s Meeting in Nashville in June, STEVEN REED, OD ’95, will become the next president of the American Optometric Association (AOA). Dr. Reed, who practices at Family Vision Clinic in Magee, Mississippi, is a longtime AOA member who says he will advocate for optometric scope of practice expansion and vision plan reimbursement and coverage fairness.
“I consider having this opportunity to be the president as an honor, and not a privilege,” Dr. Reed says. “I have focused hard to be the best leader that I can because I recognize AOA members trust me in this.”
As Dr. Reed becomes the 15th SCO graduate to lead the AOA, he took time to talk about his journey to the AOA presidency and the importance of working together to strengthen the profession.
Dr. Steven Reed, ’95, and his wife, Kendra Reed.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE AOA?
When I graduated from SCO, I immediately joined the Mississippi Optometric Association and was put on a committee. In 2004, I was sent to Optometry’s Meeting to serve in the House of Delegates. From then on, I went every year, which led to being on an AOA committee.
One year the MOA executive director asked me what my future goal was for AOA involvement. I said, ‘I think I’d love to be president one day.’ But it’s not something you decide one day and the next day you’re on the board. I worked for 10 years to get my leadership skills to the point where I was confident to run for the board in 2016.
YOUR ELECTION FOR THE BOARD WAS A CONTESTED ELECTION. HOW DID YOU DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM YOUR OPPONENT?
I talked a lot about the value of paraoptometrics in our offices. That’s huge to me. I’ve maintained that we have to have well-trained and certified staff members. If you don’t invest in your staff, you’re going to have a lot of turnover and a lower-functioning team. A well-trained staff helps provide better care.
They’re also advocates for the profession. When we ran our scope of practice bill in Mississippi, our paraoptometric group was highly involved in passing that legislation. They talked directly to legislators and their staff. Suppose an office has five employees. Think about those employees and their families who are all constituents. That’s leverage.
HOW HAS THE AOA’S SUPPORT OF PARAOPTOMETRICS CHANGED OVER TIME?
When I started out, we didn’t know that paraoptometrics would be involved in scope expansion. That happened within
my board tenure. We’ve also continually beefed up our education. I focus on paraoptometrics not as a job, but as a career. They want to help patients, grow themselves, and grow with their practice.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR YOUR ONE-YEAR TERM AS AOA PRESIDENT?
As a board, we have a strategic plan. Our top priority now is vision plan abuses—reimbursement and coverage fairness. The top vision plans have policies in place that aren’t good for our patients or our offices. They might say, ‘You can’t use your own lab for a patient’s glasses. You have to use our laboratory.’
But let’s say it’s Friday afternoon and a patient’s glasses are broken. If you have to send them off, it’ll be a week before they get them back. That’s not good patient care.
Also, many of the plans require us to give discounts on non-covered services when we’re trying to run small businesses. Or we might want to serve on a medical plan, but we can’t unless we’re also on the vision plan. Ultimately, these policies are harmful to our patients.
Also, we’re always working with our states to enhance the scope of practice. The AOA can’t pass state legislation, but we know what it takes to pass it. We work with state leaders to help them cross the finish line.
DO YOU HAVE AN OPTOMETRIC SPECIALTY?
I don’t have a specialty, but I’m in a very unhealthy state. Most of what I do revolves around ocular disease as it relates to systemic disease. The eyes are part of the overall system. Eye care should be integrated within healthcare. There are over 270 diseases that have manifestations in the eyes. My service
to patients is not just checking their eyes, but talking about everything that might be affecting them and working with other doctors to make sure they’re getting holistic care.
Something that bothers me is that we pass these state scope expansion bills, but not everyone uses them. Just a small percentage of doctors in a state will embrace scope expansion. If we have a law that lets us expand our scope, we should be practicing to the highest level. People get so comfortable with what they’re doing that they don’t want to add that level of service in their practice.
WHAT HAS MOTIVATED YOU TO STAY INVOLVED WITH AOA FOR SO LONG?
Contribution is extremely important. This is a way I have found to give back to the profession. At the same time, I get the opportunity to be around so many high-level people. In most organizations, the volunteers are going to be the people who are high achieving. Those are the people I wanted to hang out with. I have made a lot of good friends over the years being a volunteer.
WHY SHOULD NEW OPTOMETRISTS JOIN THE AOA?
Every SCO graduate should think of AOA membership not as an option, but as an opportunity. The AOA is the only national association that advocates for our profession. If we didn’t have the AOA, optometry would not exist, or we would be some kind of subservient refractionists under the care of ophthalmology. We’re not saying you have to be on a committee or run for the board, but at least be part of the national association that is making our profession better.
Embracing Life to the Fullest
While JADE COATS, OD ’16, was preparing to graduate from SCO and considering whether to pursue a residency, she got news that instantly rearranged her priorities: her younger brother, Caton, was in a coma after a car crash.
Caton eventually awakened, but a few months later was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer —osteosarcoma of the jaw — that would take his life within the year. While Dr. Coats was with her brother in the hospital, his doctors mentioned that it was rare for a sarcoma to appear in the jaw. Usually, they said, it grew in the leg.
“I was literally holding my leg at the time,” Dr. Coats says, “because it hurt and had been aching for years.”
experience,” she says, “because had it not been for that then I might not travel the world.”
Today, Dr. Coats lives a full, active life that she plans her work around — not vice versa. “I work around my life,” she says.
An aspiring optometrist since the fifth grade, Dr. Coats was inspired by her hometown optometrist, Annette Webb, OD ’95, who owns Webb Eye Care Associates in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Dr. Coats attended SCO thanks to the school’s prestige, and the lure of Memphis barbecue, meeting her future husband, Jeff Coats, OD ’14, at a trivia night fundraising event.
“He was on the winning team; I was on the second-place team,” she says. “I had to introduce myself so I could be on the winning team next time.”
Dr. Coats, who is now working toward her fellowship in ocular disease, is a doctor at McDonald Eye Associates in Rogers, Arkansas, where she focuses on perioperative care, premium lens implants, LASIK, and patients with medical needs. She also speaks to other optometrists or optometry students on behalf of pharmaceutical and device companies. Her husband is an owner-optometrist at Bentonville Eye Care, which has two locations in northwest Arkansas.
Advocacy is another integral part of Dr. Coats’ life. Based on her brother’s experience as a young adult who was fortunate enough to be covered by his parents’ insurance at the time of his medical catastrophe, Dr. Coats speaks to young people about the importance of end-of-life care and preparation.
Two weeks after her brother died, her left leg still painful, Dr. Coats visited her own doctor with the cancer specialists’ voices echoing in her head. As it turned out, in what doctors have dubbed purely a coincidence, Dr. Coats had a seveninch chondrosarcoma tumor inside her tibia bone.
Though treatment options included a below-the-knee amputation, Dr. Coats’ doctors instead employed a cutting-edge treatment and bone support that rid her body of cancer without sacrificing the leg.
After a harrowing year of loss and fear, Dr. Coats had a new lease on life. “It’s been the worst, most terrible thing, but also the greatest
The couple became travel buddies, visiting Nicaragua, Honduras, Colombia, and Belize during optometry school to give free eye exams. They still travel together quarterly, most recently returning from two weeks backpacking in Turkey. Other highlights have included touring Croatia and scuba diving in Bonaire.
She also serves as a board member for Hope Cancer Resources and Circle of Life Hospice in Northwest Arkansas. In addition, Dr. Coats assists her mother with their nonprofit, “Caton’s Cubs,” which works across the state with Arkansas Hospice to preserve a patient’s heartbeat recording within a teddy bear that is given to loved ones of pediatric hospice patients.
An active board member of Women in Optometry, YoungOD Connect, the Arkansas Optometric Association, and the Intrepid Eye Society, Dr. Coats supports young optometrists through education and collaboration. “They have a direct line of communication. I’m an open book,” she says. “I love and appreciate mentorship because that’s how I got where I am.”
Jeff Coats, OD ’14, and Jade Coats, OD ’16, at SCO’s Fall Homecoming 2022.
ADAM RAMSEY, OD
’12, and friend Darryl Glover, OD, started Black EyeCare Perspective in 2019, a nonprofit that connects Black students with the tools and resources they need to be competitive optometry school applicants.
Supporting more than 100 students nationwide from high school and beyond, the nonprofit helps with Optometry Admission Test preparation, practice school interviews, resume refreshes, and even issues like imposter syndrome. Black EyeCare Perspective also links students with local optometrists to shadow and assists with scholarships.
The purpose is not only to support Black students as they pursue a career in optometry, but also to connect them with like-minded peers. “They may be the only student that looks like them that wants to go into this profession in their whole school,” Dr. Ramsey says. “If nobody else
wants to do it, it makes you second guess why you’re doing it. But then you jump on a Zoom and see 50 to 75 other students all trying to go after the same goal. It’s everybody lifting everybody up.”
Born in Trinidad and raised outside Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dr. Ramsey knew he wanted to pursue a career in health care. But it wasn’t until a routine visit to the optometrist during his junior year of college at the University of Florida that Ramsey settled on his path. While waiting for his eyes to dilate, Dr. Ramsey heard his doctor chatting in the hallway with a colleague. Our afternoon schedules are empty, the optometrist said, so how about a round of golf?
“I’m like, ‘You can just do that?’” Dr. Ramsey says. “I don’t even play golf. But [I realized] I could work for myself and set my own schedule. I’d still get to do health care. I said, ‘I’m going to be an optometrist.’ Six months
Expanding Optometry’s Reach
later, I was vice president of the pre-optometry club on campus.”
Dr. Ramsey emphasizes that he found his way to optometry without mentorship. SCO’s recruiting effort helped make the connection for him in 2008 when Sunnie Ewing, SCO’s Director of Student Recruitment, visited his college.
When Dr. Ramsey applied to SCO, only 3 percent of full-time doctor of optometry students in the country identified as Black, according to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. That number had risen to 4.3 percent for the 2022-23 school year but still lags in comparison to the 14 percent of the U.S. population for the demographic.
Once in Memphis, Dr. Ramsey threw himself into preparation for his future career. After introducing himself to a group of optometrists meeting on campus, Dr. Ramsey collected their business cards, pinned them to a map of the United States, and spent his free time visiting each practice, treating the doctor to a meal with every stop.
“I drove for hours,” Dr. Ramsey says. “I wanted to learn. I was inquisitive. Other than going to the eye doctor, I had little exposure to optometry.”
In 2016, Dr. Ramsey started his private Palm Beach Gardens optometry practice, Socialite Vision, which focuses on headaches, dry eye, allergies, and contact lenses. Dr. Ramsey, who says he’s the only Black optometrist practicing in Palm Beach County, Florida, continues to advocate for future generations of Black eye doctors.
“They need a leg up because we don’t have legacy students. I only know two Black optometrists who have a parent who was an optometrist,” he says. “It’s the right thing to do.”
Adam Ramsey, OD ’12, wife, Chrissi, and daughter Leilah, at SCO’s Fall Homecoming 2022.
KELLY STEELE , OD ’15, is a Georgia native. Interestingly, before optometry school Kelly was very unfamiliar with optometry and eye care in general. “I’d always had great vision and had never seen an optometrist.”
As her graduation from college approached, she began researching career options and discovered optometry. She was drawn to the breadth of opportunities and the possibility of being dynamic throughout her career. She fondly recalls that she really was learning about what she would be doing for the rest of her life after actually getting to school and endearingly describes her disappointment for the amount of math involved.
The future Dr. Steele was a second-year student the day Army recruiters visited campus and after listening to the opportunities the military offered, she signed up for a two-year scholarship. Following graduation she began her career in active duty at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. There, she saw patients in the clinic and worked toward repaying her student loans.
Following her two-year commitment, Dr. Steele accepted a four-year extension to her active duty status and was relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska.
As part of her service in the Army, Dr. Steele has been able to go on several medical missions throughout the world, the most recent of which was in July 2023 when she was deployed to Guam with six other optometrists. She and her husband remained in Fairbanks after her transition to reserve status where they currently live with their two young children. After her time spent on active duty, she described herself as “back at the drawing board” in the civilian world.
Military Optometry Leads to Career in Alaska
As part of her Army transition classes, she created a LinkedIn account and began looking at her career options in Fairbanks. After spending some time on LinkedIn she was contacted by the prison system in Alaska to see if she may have any interest in serving. “It just fell into my lap.” There was little hesitation to accept. Dr. Steele had been looking for something flexible as a new mom and it was perfect.
Dr. Steele travels between the towns of Fairbanks, Wasilla, and Palmer in Central and South Central Alaska. She packs mobile equipment including a phoropter, tonometer, basic lensometer and a set of 8-10 frames for the inmates to choose. Her tours are anywhere from 1-5 days depending on location and she is able to schedule these around the demands of daily life and motherhood. She emphasizes, “I absolutely have to have my retinoscope. I depend on it for all of my refractions!”
In the words of a Georgia native, “I’m not much of a snow person.” She and her family look forward to the summer months when they can enjoy fishing and gardening.
Dr. Steele has been able to fulfill her desires of movement and variety that this profession offers. She has been able to see the world and is very satisfied with the profession. Her career is a testimony to the beautiful combination of fulfillment, service and flexibility that optometry allows. She would encourage all optometrists new and experienced to just “stay open to different opportunities out there and remember how valuable your skillset is.”
Dr. Steele explores Alaska with her children.
Welcome Regan Scholarship Established
First-Time SCO Donors
SCO is pleased to welcome the following first-time contributors to the SCO donor ranks. Listed below are those who gave generously between January 1 and April 26, 2024.
ALUMNI
Richard White, OD ’50
Gerald P. Birkmann, OD ’68
R.M. Raynor, OD ’85
Tracie P. Ray, OD ’87
Stephen Richardson, OD ’87
Natalie Nibert, OD ’21
Hannah M. Fairchild, OD ’23
Jacqueline Malish, OD ’23
Morgan Mathis, OD ‘23
FRIENDS
Timika Blakely
Jay and Tina Brezinka
Tiffany Brown
James E. Franklin
Diana Hartbank
Zachary Mngo, PhD
Reginald Pegues
Eric Williamson
Dr. Valerie and Mark Wise
Alexandres Wright
Please contact Lauren Trowbridge, SCO’s Director of Development, at (901) 722-3339 to start making an impact on the next generation of optometrists. You may also give online today at sco.edu/give
When he was concluding his commencement address after receiving the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2023, MARTY REGAN announced to the assembly that he was making a gift of $10,000 to assist future optometry students at SCO.
Regan, who has served as SCO’s long-time legal counsel for nearly 40 years, recalled that when he began working with SCO in 1985, there were zero scholarships or endowments for students.
“There are a lot of things that SCO has done to enhance the educational capacity and ability of SCO to grow to meet the needs of students now and in the future,” Regan noted about the progress SCO has made since then.
“Your ongoing support of SCO through gifting and estate planning assures that your alma mater will continue to provide the best education and the most affordable tuition and remain the best school in the country for optometry,” he added.
Inspired by Regan’s gesture of support, several current and former Board of Trustees members and other key supporters of SCO added to his $10,000 gift. Just one year later, the funds have been secured to begin providing the next generation of optometry students with a scholarship in Regan’s honor starting in 2025.
“MARTY’S DEDICATION TO OPTOMETRIC EDUCATION AND CONCERN FOR THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTION HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN ESTABLISHING SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY AS ONE OF THE NATION’S PREMIER COLLEGES OF OPTOMETRY.”
— SCO PRESIDENT EMERITUS
— BILLY COCHRAN, OD ’68.
“His gift during our 2023 commencement meant a lot to everyone in attendance that day,” said SCO President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD. “Marty Regan’s support of SCO goes beyond the invaluable service he provides to the college, so the entire SCO community is appreciative and heartened by the good work that he has put into motion through his generosity.”
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Alumni and friends turned out in great numbers for SCO’s annual reception at SECO in March. Congratulations to all our alumni who were honored, including T. JOEL BYARS, OD ’63 (SECO Distinguished Service Award), HORACE DEAL, OD ’97 (President), MATT BURCHETT, OD ’02 (Treasurer), and CHRISTINE COOK, OD ’98 (Immediate Past President).
Daryl Gossett, OD ’76 and Catherine Gossett
Madison Angell, OD ’23, and Andrew Barrows, OD ’22
Sarah Sumida, ’26, and Thea Spencer, ’26
Lindsey Tillery, OD ’23, Lewis Reich, OD, PHD, and Coralis Millien, OD ’23
Dan Geary, OD ’15, Amanda Radeke, OD ’15, Ashlee Henderson, OD ’15, Rebecca Briggs, OD ’15
Horace Deal, OD ’97
Len Brown, OD ’74
Joe Sugg, OD ’09, and Vicki Farmer
Gay Popham, Ray Popham, OD ’78, and John Popham, OD ’18
Kim Foutch, and David Foutch, OD ’87
Samantha Macchio, OD ’20 and Conner Kapperman, OD ’20
Michael Lam, OD ’15, Ryan Tieu, OD ’16, and Karan Shah, OD ’16
Hayes Center Celebrates Decade of Practice Excellence Awards
The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence marked 10 years of bestowing its prestigious Practice of Excellence Award at its April ceremony. The award recognizes younger SCO alumni for the pursuit of excellence in private practice optometry.
This year’s recipients included CHRISTINA SCHILLER, OD ’14, BLAKE JARRARD, OD ’14, and CHRISTOPHER HERRING, OD ’17
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Dr. Schiller was honored with the New Practice Award for Summit Vision Center in Issaquah, Washington.
Dr. Jarrard was given the Practice Acquisition Award for Progressive Eye Center and Boutique in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. Herring received the Partnership Award for Mississippi Eye Care in Meridian, Mississippi.
All three spoke to SCO’s third-year students as part of the annual Bon VoyEyes program in April. Representing the Hayes Family Foundation were Nathan Hayes and Natalie Hayes Schmook, children of Jerry Hayes, OD ’73.
Gratitude is extended to CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, VSP Vision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision for their sponsorship of the program.
Alumni interested in learning more about the services that the Hayes Center can provide to SCO graduates may email Mike McKeever, at mmckeever@sco.edu or visit Optometry’s Practice Connection placement service at sco.edu/opc.
Nathan Hayes, Dr. Christopher Herring, Natalie Hayes Schmook
Nathan Hayes, Dr. Blake Jarrard, Natalie Hayes Schmook
Nathan Hayes, Dr. Christina Schiller, Natalie Hayes Schmook
1949 Herb Lipe, OD, celebrated his 100th birthday on February 10, 2024. Dr. Lipe lives in Oklahoma with his wife of more than 60 years, Donna. They have three children and three grandchildren.
1968 W.C. Maples, OD, was honored by the Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association with its 2024 Festschrift Award. He was also honored by the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland, where he co-founded the optometry college there 40 years ago.
1973 Joel Orton, OD, recently retired after practicing for 50 years. His daughter, Lisa Orton, OD ’00, and Heather Hope, OD ’05, are carrying on the practice.
1978 Al Covington, OD, was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Richmond Community College’s Foundation.
1979 Bob Barrett, OD, recently joined East Georgia Healthcare Center.
1981 Andy Cook, OD, was selected as this year’s recipient of the AOA Distinguished Service Award.
Bill Thompson, OD, was appointed to the Texas Optometry Board.
1982 Jim Cloepfil, OD, retired after 41 years of practice in Iowa. Laurel Heskett, OD ’23, joined Jacob Muller, OD ’15, in carrying on the practice’s patient care.
1985 Kendall Krug, OD, presented a poster at the World Council of Optometry meeting in Australia.
1986 Joe Ellis, OD was selected by the AOA to be inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame.
1987 Fred Farias III, OD, was named the recipient of the 2024 Mollie Armstrong Leadership Award presented by the Texas Optometric Association.
1988 Charles Shidlofsky, OD, was named President of the new Executive Board for the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association.
1989 Gary Beaver, OD, was honored last winter as the Kansas Optometric Association’s OD of the Year. He’s pictured with Wayne Gilmore, OD, KOA Board President.
1997 Mark Taylor, OD, was named Executive Director of the Utah Optometric Association.
2000 Crystal Brimer, OD, was named Chief Medical Advisor of MDelite.
2002 Curtis Shaffer, OD, was promoted to Full Bird Colonel (O-6) as Commander of the 186 Medical Group in the Mississippi Air National Guard.
2004 Emily Sprague, OD, was promoted to the rank of Captain (0-6) in the U.S. Navy.
2009 Matt Jones, OD, was named the AOA’s 2024 OD of the Year.
2012 Heidi Bell, OD, and her partners at Elite Eye Care recently opened a new practice in Norwalk, Iowa. Gabrielle Magee, OD ’22, is one of the primary ODs.
2012 Justin Johnson, OD, brought his family for his first visit back to SCO since graduation and was one of several alumni who participated in last winter’s St. Jude Marathon.
2013 Bridgette Adorno Connorton, OD, recently published her first novel, a suspense thriller called Their Secrets Revealed, available on Amazon under her pen name, B.A. Cross.
Robyn Epley, OD, recently opened a new practice location in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Seth Jenkins, OD, also recently brought his family to see SCO during a visit. One daughter was an infant and two were born during his time at SCO. He practices in Rawlins, Wyoming.
2015 Jessica Haynes, OD, was named the TAOP’s 2023 Young OD of the Year for Tennessee.
Amy Puerto, OD (right), and Madison Wall Hayes, OD ’16 (left), were among the alumni who networked with SCO students like Annie Gremillion, ’25, during the AOA’s Capitol Hill advocacy effort in April.
2017 Erick Henderson, OD, was named a Fellow of the Scleral Lens Society.
Tindall Morrison, OD, was named the recipient of Mississippi State’s Emerging Leader award.
Ibrahim Qattan, OD, opened a new practice in Coppell, Texas.
2018 Jamie Jacobs, OD, Stephanie McMillen, OD ’19, and Stephanie Jones, OD ’21, were named Fellows of the Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association.
Alex Leong, OD, joined the Emory Eye Center optometry practice at Grady Hospital’s Camp Creek Campus in Atlanta.
2019 Mallory Collins, OD, recently opened a new practice in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Elizabeth Davis, OD, and Nicolas Vu, OD, have started volunteer faculty positions in the optometry department at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where they’re teaching the Advanced Contact Lens course for third-years and Clinical Skills Labs for second-year students.
Victoria Howard, OD, recently joined Highlands Optometry in the Bristol, Virginia area.
2020 Katelyn McGee, OD, and Christopher Muegge, OD, recently rebranded their practice, Eyes of Athens and announced an expansion project to open a second location, Eyes of Cleveland this summer in East Tennessee.
Trevor Shealy, OD, recently joined Tift Regional Medical Center in Georgia.
Aaron Tollett, OD, was named president of the Nashville, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce.
Mary Kate Walters, OD, was appointed to the Texas Optometric Association’s Board of Trustees. She also recently opened a private practice in Brenham, Texas.
2022 Haley Bolden, OD, has joined the practice of George Steven Malone, OD ’80, in Tazewell, Tennessee.
2023 Braiden Werth, OD, completed his purchase of the practice owned by Dan Schmidt, OD ’85. Dr. Werth is now the solo owner of Werth Eye Group PA, with Dr. Schmidt continuing to work at the office in a limited capacity.
In Memoriam
J. Carl Norris, OD ’45
Lou Miller Gencay, OD ’47
Donald A. Brooks, OD ’50
C. Wayne Shearer, OD ’50
Charles Schooler, OD ’51
Glade Whitworth, OD ’53
Tully Patrowicz, OD ’56, MD
Glenn W. Brown, OD ’60
Casper J. Weiss, OD ’60
William Costner, OD ’61
Norden Davis, OD ’61
Richard Morgan, OD ’61
James Musgraves, OD ’61
Bobby D. Cope, OD ’62
Roger Wiley, OD ’63
Gerald Krumbholz, OD ’65
William Benkelman, OD ’67
Robert Herrin, OD ’67
Daniel A. Watson, OD ’67
Donald Manzo, OD ’68
Rogelio Berdeal, OD ’69
Bob Bisanar, OD ’69
Jessie B. Rivers, OD ’69
Richard Q. Griffin, OD ’70
Jack Tonge, OD ’72
Frank Romano, OD ’78
Edward C. Johnson, OD ’79
Gregory Kane, OD ’83
Manuel de la Rua, OD ’85
John Pino, OD ’86
David Blackstock, OD ’87
Roberto Simeon, OD ’87
Mark Musto, OD ’15, and Jordan Holt October 14, 2023
Meghan Elkins, OD ’10, and Sebastian Parsley February 24, 2024
Ashley Stowe, OD ’15, and Jeremy Richardson April 20, 2024
Kimberly Santillan, OD ’22, and Wesley Heilman October 27, 2023
Chandler Bryant, OD ‘22, and Stephanie Mottat October 8, 2023
Jake Boehme, OD ’20, and Caitlyn Stakeley, OD ’21 January 14, 2024
Katelyn Marks, OD ’21, and Tyler Wills, OD ’21 October 7, 2023
Arianna Schabauer, OD ’21, and Joseph LeMay, OD ’21 October 6, 2023
Lauren Goettemoeller, OD ’22, and Grant Phillips September 23, 2023
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Shaleen Ragha, OD ’16, and George Abbott September 23, 2023
Katy Hutchins Hezel, OD ’18, and husband Kris: Katelyn Olivia, October 28
Ashley Anastasio Delcambre, OD ’19, and husband Josh: Lily Florence, September 14
Alexis Williams Smith, OD ’21, and husband Brandon: Parker Lynn, March 7
Onyale Warnock, OD ’22, and husband Ash: Eliza Lynn, October 5
Pooja Alloju, OD ’21, and husband Garrett: Kailash
Brittany Beers, OD ’19, and husband David: Otto, October 20
Scott Moscow, OD ’13, and wife, Anna: Maddie, December 2023
Laura Aelvoet Stromgen, OD ’18, and husband Caleb: twins Hannah and Harper, October 30
Cassity Youssef, OD ’22, and Josh West September 3, 2023
Kate Allen, OD ’16, and husband Jessie: Grant Jackson, October 10
RETIREMENTS
SCO’s longtime Vice President for Clinical Programs, James E. Venable, OD ’89, is set to retire effective June 28, 2024. SCO expresses its appreciation to Dr. Venable for leading the college’s Clinical Programs over the last 15 years.
Mike Christensen, OD, PhD, retired in May after serving on SCO’s faculty for 13 years. Dr. Christensen previously served as SCO’s Director of Clinical Research after serving in a similar role at Alcon.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
Marie Bodack, OD, was installed as president of the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association for a second term during the recent OVDRA (previously COVD) annual meeting.
Drs. Marie Bodack, David Maze, and Morgan Ollinger, accompanied by Clinical Research Coordinator Elaine Turcotte, won two national awards at the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group Winter Study Group meeting in Tampa. The awards were for 100% follow up for two research studies (IXT-7), which looks at full-time patching for the treatment of intermittent exotropia, and (ATS-22), which looks at glasses alone v. glasses with patching as initial treatments for amblyopia.
Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07, was named by the Memphis Business Journal to the publication’s list of Higher Education Women Who Lead, recognizing accomplishments of women in leadership roles at higher education institutions.
David Hall, OD, (pictured below at left) organized and hosted the first ever Academy Ophthalmic Laser & Surgical Procedures Educator’s Forum held on SCO’s campus.
Barbie Jodoin, OD ’15, recently completed her Master of Jurisprudence in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago.
Drs. Chris Lievens, Elyse Rayborn (’20), Catherine Hogan (‘17), and Michael Christensen and other colleagues published an article, “Refitting contact lens dropouts into a modern daily disposable contact lens,” in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics
Drs. Lievens and Rayborn also wrote about improving patient lens hygiene for Optometric Management
Drs. David Maze, Trish Walker, and Brian Knight (’14) accompanied Tennessee students to the annual Day on the Hill event in Nashville.
Dr. Wil McGriff coordinated SCO’s post-pandemic return to volunteering by assisting homeless and at-risk populations with eyecare at the 901 Counts event, formerly known as Project Homeless Connect. SCO’s involvement was featured on local TV news stories about the event’s success.
Drs. Morgan Ollinger and Natalie Nibert (’21) wrote an article about near visual acuity optotypes within a pediatric population for the Journal of COVD
Dr. Karen Squier recently teamed with Sight Savers America to provide equipment and training to several low vision pediatric patients.
Drs. Glen Steele (’69, Professor Emeritus), Cynthia Heard, Marc Taub, Brian Knight (’14), and Lisa Wade (’84, not pictured) represented SCO at the AOA Leadership Summit meeting.
Marc Taub, OD, recently was named Chair Elect of the Optometry Academy of the National Academies of Practice. He also edited a new book, From Fracture to Function: Clinical Insights into the Visual Aspects of Acquired Brain Injury
Dr. Gregory Wolfe participated in several TV interviews ahead of the April eclipse to talk about the importance of safe eclipse viewing. His appearances included the Live at 9 program on News Channel 3.
Melissa Zarn, OD, was named Chief of the Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Service, effective July 1, 2024. Additionally, She was also named Vice President for the new Executive Board of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association and appointed to the ASCO Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Committee.
COVD | SAN FRANCISCO, CA
FACULTY
Brianna Aheimer (’25); Drs. Lisa Koehler; Marc Taub
Evaluation of Intra-Grader Reliability of Three Tests of Visual Motor Development
Drs. Patrick Fiddler; Marc Taub How is the Index, a New Vision Therapy Tool, Used at SCO?
Dr. David Maze
Survey of Student Interest at SCO in Binocular Vision and Rehabilitation Care
Katie Perez (’24); Drs. Patricia Cisarik, PhD; Paul Harris
Reading Eye Movement Performance
During Extended Reading in Young, Healthy Adults
RESIDENTS
Drs. Alexis Lambert; Patrick Fiddler Reframing Recovery: Vision Therapy and Tints in Post Trauma Vision Syndrome
Dr. Antonia Lettrick
An Unusual Case of Acquired Cranial Nerve Three Palsy
Drs. Shelby May-Parmley; Marc Taub Roprioception and Tactile Input: The Case of the Disappearing Exotropia
Drs. Jayci McCrory; Marc Taub; Adam Werner (’25) Field of Dreams: Navigating Binocular Vision Through Kinetic Visual Fields
Drs. Jayci McCrory; David Maze Insights Into Neuroplasticity: Vision Therapy and Cortical Blindness Rehabilitation
Dr. Nina Shimunov
Two Cases of Lyme Disease Masquerading as a Benign Visual Condition
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
HOA | KANSAS CITY, MO
FACULTY
Dr. Jacqueline Fiddler
Incision and Curettage of a Chalazion
Dr. Jennifer Jones; Bryanna Hall (’25) Cone-Rod Dystrophy
Dr. Sylvia Sparrow; Jewel Eck (’25)
A Confounding Case of Pseudo-Foster Kennedy Syndrome
Dr. Michelle Yan; Ghazal Mansouri (’24); Drs. Daniel Fuller; Patricia Cisarik, PhD Assessment of Eyelid Laxity in Adults
RESIDENTS
Dr. Madison Angell
Jaw Dropping! Ischemic Optic Neuropathy After Jaw Surgery
Dr. Aprile Doubt
A Case of Idiopathic Anterior Uveitis
Dr. Tyler Keller
A Case of Fuchs’ Dystrophy Before Cataract Surgery – Perioperative Considerations
Drs. Katie Kwan; Pamela Schnell Things Look a Little Different: A Pediatric Case Report of Ocular Trauma
Drs. Shelby May-Parmley; Lisa Koehler Rare and in Your Chair: Pediatric Myasthenia Gravis
Dr. D’Ajanee Smallwood Through Thick and Thin: A Case of Keratoconus Management with New Onset Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy
ARVO | SEATTLE, WA
Gabrielle Canant (’26); Dr. Patricia Cisarik, PhD
Achromatic and Blue Contrast Sensitivity with 2 Differently Filtered Contact Lenses
SCO recently welcomed two new members to the college’s Board of Trustees:
STUART TASMAN, OD
’80, owns Wildwood Eyecare in Marietta, Georgia. A 1974 graduate of the University of Tennessee, he is a past president of the Greater Atlanta and Georgia Optometric Association.
RENEE BRAUNS is an organizational strategic and alignment specialist. She previously assisted SCO with developing its strategic plan. She previously served as AOA Associate Executive Director.
HOMECOMING AND FALL CE WEEKEND | SEPTEMBER 26-29, 2024