of the Presented by Dean Kelly Nichols
To understand, preserve, restore and enhance the precious gift of sight.
To educate optometry students, residents and future vision scientists; discover and broadly communicate new principles and concepts in eye care and vision research; translate these ideas into clinical practice; and provide care with integrity and compassion.
Preparing our optometric students to practice at the highest level of evidence-based patient care and advance the profession through clinical research. Providing graduate students with an in-depth understanding of vision science and the principles of scientific inquiry.Â
We received accreditation for the next eight years by the American Council on Optometric Education. The longest time permitted by ACOE policies. No recommendations were made for several standards identified by the ACOE, including Curriculum, Research and Scholarship, and Clinical Management and Patient Care.
195
10
30
17
11
382
81 114 20
82% female
323 150 49
3.6
317
Optometric Educator of the Year American Optometric Association
Educator of the Year Alabama Optometric Association
President's Award for Teaching UAB
The Class of 2020 was the first to begin CEVS courses at the end of the first year rather than at the beginning of the second year of optometric education. This means they get more patient encounters and that they spend more time honing their clinical skills beforehand.
We offer three programs for students wanting to diversify their education. OD/MBA program is in its second year, and its the first program like it in the nation. Nicole Roddy (Class of 2020) wants to go into private joint practice, so she is pursuing a business education.
Developing new resources and optimizing existing ones in order to achieve our vision and mission, while nurturing the growth and success of faculty, residents, students, staff and alumni.
The plans for the Henry Peters Building are student-centered, and decisions made are based on input from faculty, staff and students. We’re in Phase II of construction. In 2017, this included: first floor renovations, modifications to UAB Eye Care and the initiation of the second- and third-floor renovations, which will include three revamped classrooms, a new student lounge and a student locker room.
At the inaugural scholarship luncheon in April, we honored the recipients of 53 scholarships and the donors who established them. We also recognized the donors of three new scholarships. Scholarships let students focus on their education, allowing them to be more well-rounded clinicians and leaders in the profession of optometry.
Advancing the knowledge and science of vision through research and discovery.
$4.65 millionÂ
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42
9
3rd 2nd
We also have faculty who are exploring topics such as retinal diseases, ocular biomechanics, photoceptor signaling and cataract formation.Â
Our faculty are conducting studies in a number of areas, including pediatrics and binocular vision, dry eye, contact lenses, myopia development and concussion studies to help understand how the brain and eye are affected in head injuries.
Dry eye affects up to 20 million Americans, and we are leading the nation in dry eye research through: Faculty- and student-led studies Basic research examining pathophysiology Clinical research aimed at finding new diagnositscs and treatments Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, studying meibomian gland dysfunction with five-year, $1.9 million R01 grant
14 faculty 6 residents 1 postdoctoral fellow 1 graduate student
In 2017, our faculty and students published more 26 by faculty and students 2 identified as "hot topics"
than 50 peer-reviewed publications.
All four vision science research cores supported by a P30 NEI grant are now located in Volker Hall following the closure of Worrell. This will facilitate collaboration among researchers.
Develop and cultivate productive, collaborative relationships with diverse partners to achieve exceptional outcomes in education, research, clinical and community services that enhance the School’s mission.
We partner with the Jefferson County Department of Health to bring free eye exams and glasses to lowincome and underinsured Birmingham residents. Since the program began in 2014, nearly 1,000 patients have been served at no cost. The annual event is coordinated by Community Eye Care and is sponsored by VSP, Remote Area Medical, Alabama Lions Sight and Allergan.
Community Eye Care partnered with UAB Employee Wellness to serve the UAB community through a number of on-campus events. During the Fall into Health event, we provided screenings at various UAB locations and gave lectures on eye wellness and diabetes and the eye during Diabetes Awareness Month. Work was done in 2017 that will position us to partner with Student Health Services in 2018.Â
We served as a go-to resource for safe viewing practices of the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Tamara Oechslin, OD, PhD, gave several interviews and even showed her patients how to view the eclipse safely. UABSO welcomed the community to Hire Plaza for a viewing party.
Our partnership with the UAB Ophthalmology and UAB Athletics provides all student-athletes with comprehensive eye care, acute game-time care and state-of-the-art baseline concussion testing. Optometry faculty and students were on sidelines of athletic events, provided eye exams for studentathletes in the clinic and gathered data for concussion research.
Providing comprehensive, evidence-based, personalized eye care to our patients through a practice model that enhances the educational experience while providing the highest quality of care to the patient.Â
21,388
551
31
3
4
25
Our faculty practice relocated from its 9th Avenue South location to the Henry Peters Building. UOG patients have kept their same optometrists and are greeted by the same UOG staff.Â
The newly renovated space allows providers to see up to 57 patients a week, a 63 percent increase. The space has capacity for 2,500 therapy visits a year. Staffed by Drs. Kristine Hopkins, Tamara Oechslin and Sara Galt.
CEC increased its presence at Western Health Center from three days a week to four. The community outreach group also improved its technology at Western with seven new computers and a direct network connection to UAB campus.
Thanks to decades of research at UAB, we can provide three methods of myopia control for patients, and we’re educating the community on how and why to control myopia. Andrew Pucker, OD, PhD, heads the clinic. Students are getting hands-on clinical experience in an area that will feature prominently in future optometric practice.
This clinic, led by Jillian Ziemanski, OD, MS, has grown significantly in 2017. We’ve taken steps to offer a more tailored approach to dry eye relief through the clinic, because we know that everyone is different.
Many of our graduates are working hard across the country to improve and advance the profession of optometry.
Dr. Hammonds was elected president of SECO International— the first woman to hold this position since 1933.Â
Nearly one-fourth of the nominees for the American Optometric Association's 2017 award were UABSO alumni
Kristin Sullins, OD (Class of 2007)
Ryan Wally, OD (Class of 2008)
Katherine Osborne, OD (Class of 2006)
Scott Sikes, OD (Class of 2009)
Johndra McNeely, OD (Class of 2009)
Amber Hurley, OD (Class of 2012)
Jennifer Stevens, OD (Class of 2010)
1,556
913
81%
$9,687,803
uab.edu/optometry/deansreport