Southern College of Optometry Student Organizations 2023-2024

WELCOME CLASS OF 2027!

WelcometoSCO,Classof2027!

OnbehalfoftheAmericanOptometric Student Association,congratulationsonyour acceptancetoSouthernCollegeofOptometry!Allofyourhardworktogettothispoint has paidoffandbroughtyouhereforthemostchallenging,but rewardingfour yearsof yourlife.TheAOSA isheretosupport you;today’sstudentsandtomorrow’sDoctorsof Optometry.

TheAOSAisthestudentdivisionoftheAmericanOptometricAssociation,which advocates forandprotects theprofessionofoptometry. TheAOSA’smissionis “Empoweringstudentstothriveasdoctorsofoptometry.” Wevalueloyalty,respect, foresight,integrity,andcollaboration.TheAOSAis hereforyou!Ourgoalistoassistyou withanyobstaclesyoumayencounter onyouroptometricjourneythrougheducational resources,networkingopportunities,suchasAOA+LeadershipLink,andtheknowledgeto launchyouintoasuccessfulcareer.

TheAOSAatSCOhostsmultipleeventseachyear forourstudentmembers.Theseevents include Optifest, State Day, Student Bowl, and World Sight Day.Wealso promoteand supportnationalconferenceslikeOptometry’sMeetinginNashvillethisyearandAOAon Capitol HillinWashingtonD.C.Weprovidethousandsofdollars’worthof travelgrantsto helpsendyoutothemostimportantmeetingsoftheyearsothatyouhaveevery opportunitypossibletolearnandgrow.

ThemostexcitingpartaboutAOSAatSCOisthat you are all members! Youare automaticallyenrolledasamemberbecausethecollegepaysyourduesforyou. So,you alreadyhaveaccesstoalloftheincrediblebenefitsthatAOSAhastooffer! I’msoexcitedfor youtogettoexperienceallofthewonderfulaspectsoftheAOSA, hereatSCO, and ona nationallevel.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabout theAOSA,pleasedonothesitatetoreach out!

JessicaCummings

jessicajones@sco.edu

AOSA

Trustee

EmilyGibson

egibson@sco.edu

AOSA

Trustee-Elect

BETA SIGMA KAPPA

Welcome to the Class of 2027!

BACKGROUND

Beta Sigma Kappa was founded in 1925 by a small group of optometrists in Illinois Now, BSK has student chapters in every school and college of optometry in the United States, with two in Canada and one in Puerto Rico Membership in BSK is offered via invitation to those students with a GPA of 35 or higher at the culmination of each academic year Additionally, BSK membership lasts for a life time.

MISSION

BSK supports and works with student chapters to develop programs that foster academic excellence Our mission is to stimulate scientific attainment, the ethical practice of optometry, and to provide financial support for worthy research projects relating to vision care and the eyes

ACTIVITIES

The SCO chapter of BSK organizes mock practicals for 1st and 2nd year students to help them simulate the environment of the real practicals. In addition to mock practicals, BSK is also involved in blood drives, maintaining study guide resources for students, and voting on annual teacher of the year awards Membership in BSK is an honor, and we are excited to meet you all in a few weeks! On behalf of our school's chapter of Beta Sigma Kappa, welcome to Southern College of Optometry!

Best, Tara Kinder

Beta Sigma Kappa President Class of 2025

AT A GLANCE

WELCOME TO SCO, CLASS OF 2027!

COVD Is an international organization that focuses on improving visual function with vision therapy. Vision therapy is commonly prescribed to treat binocular vision disorders, strabismus, double vision, dyslexia, strokes, and head injuries It retrains the brain to help patients see more efficiently with less stress on their visual system Using evidence-based research, vision therapists change the lives of their patients every day

As a student organization, we aim to educate and excite students about vision therapy During each meeting, we hear from vision therapy specialists from across the country who treat children, adults, and even professional athletes

Along with meetings, we hold school-wide fundraisers and events throughout the year like distributing Boo Pops at Halloween, selling Peds Packs in the spring, and holding the VT Olympics!

2023-24 EXEC BOARD

PRESIDENT: Elizabeth Beers

VP: Jessica Perry

SECRETARY: Kennedy Corey

TREASURER: Cameron Dunn

STUDENT LIAISON/SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR: Rachel Peebles

MEETINGS FOLLOW

Student organization devoted to support and educating women in Optometry

Classof2027

Classof2027

Classof2027

Congratulations Class of 2027! We are so excited to have you as part of the SCO family and we wishes you the best as you take on your new journey!

Our Goal Our Goal Our Goal

Our goal in Gamma Omicron is to empower and uplift women in optometry. Our meetings and events provide opportunities to learn from successful and inspiring women that are making a difference in the optometry community.

Dear Class of 2027,

On behalf of Gold Key Optometric Honor Society, welcome to Southern College of Optometry! You are about to embark on a very exciting chapter, and we congratulate you on this step forward in your academic professional career. It is my sincere hope that these next four years are filled with experiences that contribute to your personal and professional growth.

The mission of Gold Key is to recognize optometry students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their college and profession. Membership to Gold Key is limited to 10% of the graduating class. The American Optometric Association recognizes Gold Key membership as “the highest honor for leadership a student of optometry can achieve”.

Rising fourth years are chosen for membership by their peers based on contributions they have made to the profession, their peers, and the school. Although the honor of Gold Key membership may feel far into the future, the evaluation for candidacy is happening every day as you interact with other members of your class, and within the SCO and Memphis communities.

Our institution offers a wide array of extracurricular organizations which will undoubtedly benefit from your active involvement. I encourage you to get involved in organizations and activities that spark your passions. The meetings, projects, and trips will impact your perspective and may even change your life. It is these experiences outside the classroom that you will vividly remember in May 2027 when you walk across the commencement stage and are welcomed as a Doctor of Optometry! I wish you the best of luck in your academic, professional, and personal pursuits. Please feel free to reach out with any questions regarding Gold Key. Welcome to SCO!

Sincerely,

Paige Harvey, Class of 2024

Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society President pwillett@sco.edu

INTRAMURALS

Welcome Class of 2027! Do you love sports but don’t know how to get involved? Join us at SCO in playing Intramural Sports!

• We offer several sports that you can get involved in!

• Depending on interest, we may also have Indoor Soccer, Flag Football, and a Softball/Kickball Tournament! We try to have sports going on year-round.

• All sports are FREE to students and spouses if they wish to play. Prior exposure to the sport is not required and all skilllevels are welcome!

We will notify when sign-ups are starting! If you have any questions, feel free to email me, Mallory, at mpeyton@sco.edu

Class of 2027,

Welcome to SCO! On behalf of the SCO Lions Club, I would like to congratulate you on your acceptance.

What is Lions Clubs International?

The SCO Lions Club represents one of 47,000 Lions clubs in the world. We are a service organization with 1.4 million members in over 200 countries. Shortly after its inception in 1917, the organization targeted its efforts towards serving the blind and visually impaired. We also serve to fight diabetes and hunger, support families plagued by cancer, and protect and restore the environment.

What does the SCO Lions Club do?

Our club, which was founded in February of 2004, has participated in various vision screenings and fundraising events throughout the years, like the Hamilton Eye Institute 5k run, pecan sales, Leader Dogs for the Blind, and the Nerf Gun War fundraiser. We are also affiliated with SVOSH and Lions International are usually the hosts for SVOSH trips. In addition, we serve patients in The Eye Center by financially sponsoring their vision care and services with the money we raise. As Lions, we are continually changing our programs to meet new needs and greater demands, but our mission has never wavered: “WE SERVE!”

Join us!

We hope you take this invitation to join this amazing international organization. Become a Lion, not just for your time here at SCO, but for life. We need you, and more importantly, people in our community need you. Once again, welcome to SCO!

Sincerely,

Char Fae Class of 2025 Lions Club President

L O W V I S I O N C L U B Join the

Our Goals:

Raise awareness about low vision services

Connect with resources in the community

Expand and improve the services we offer patients

Dear Class of 2027,

Welcome to SCO and congratulations on choosing optometry as your future career! We hope you will consider joining us in Low vision club.

The demand for low vision optometrists is increasing as the population lives longer. Some of your future patients will have permanently reduced vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. While vision loss can be devastating, it is NOT a dead-end for a patient's life.

It is in every optometry student's best interest to be familiar with low vision solutions and community resources to help patients make the most of their remaining vision.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Brianna Aheimer, Class of 2025 baheimer@sco.edu

Low Vision Club President

Past Meeting Topics:

Adaptive sports

Intro to low vision devices

Paint night with low vision simulation goggles

Contact lenses in low vision

Accessibility

marketing

Partnering with Lion's Club for Leader Dogs for the Blind

Partnering with Lion's Club for Dining in the Dark

NORA: Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association

2023-24 Officers:

President: Carolina Slater ‘25

Vice President: Gretchen Curtis ‘26

Secretary: Mallory Cook ‘25

Treasurer: Maria Witcher ‘25

Class of 2027

Congratulations

,

NORA at SCO is part of a national organization focused on assisting people who have experienced neurological damage. One distinguishing aspect of this organization is that it is interdisciplinary, involving optometrists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals that collaborate to rehabilitate patients in need.

Visual problems are often overlooked during initial treatment of a brain injury and a regular eye exam often does not reveal the extent that the visual process has been affected. Individuals who have experienced some sort of neurological insult or injury, and who are experiencing visual symptoms, can benefit from a vision assessment from a Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Optometrist, an eye care professional who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of neurological conditions adversely affecting the visual system.

2022-2023

NORA international is devoted to: Increasing public and professional awareness and understanding of the need for Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation services, as well as to encourage an interdisciplinary team approach to care for patients suffering from acquired and traumatic brain injuries.

NATIONAL OPTOMETRIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION

W E L C O M E

C L A S S O F 2 0 2 7 !

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S T O T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 7 !

O N B E H A L F O F N O S A , W E L C O M E T O T H E

S O U T H E R N C O L L E G E O F O P T O M E T R Y !

N O S A I S A N I N T E R N A T I O N A L S E R V I C E

R G A N I Z A T I O N C O M P R I S E D O F S T U D E N T S

A T I O N W I D E D E D I C A T E D T O I N C R E A S I N G

C C E S S T O E Y E C A R E F O R M I N O R I T Y A N D

D E R - S E R V E D C O M M U N I T I E S O U R G O A L S

A R E F U R T H E R I N G T H E P R O F E S S I O N A L

E V E L O P M E N T O F I T S S T U D E N T M E M B E R S ,

S E R V I N G T H E G R E A T E R M E M P H I S A R E A , A N D

I N C R E A S I N G T H E D I V E R S I T Y I N T H E

P R O F E S S I O N O F O P T O M E T R Y B Y E N H A N C I N G

T H E R E C R U I T M E N T A N D R E T E N T I O N O F

M I N O R I T Y S T U D E N T S N O S A I S O P E N T O A L L

S T U D E N T S T H A T W A N T T O M A K E A

D I F F E R E N C E !

N O S A H O S T S M A N Y E V E N T S A T S C O

T H R O U G H O U T T H E A C A D E M I C Y E A R . I N

A D D I T I O N T O G E N E R A L B O D Y M E E T I N G S ,

W H E R E W E H A V E A V A R I E T Y O F S P E A K E R S O N

D I F F E R E N T T O P I C S , W E H O S T F A C U L T Y F E U D ,

S C O ' S G O T T A L E N T , A N D A S P A N I S H C L A S S

W I T H A F O C U S O N P E R F O R M I N G A N E Y E E X A M .

W E A L S O P A R T I C I P

Welcome Class of 2027

President: Raphael Sahayaraj

Vice President: Maria Witcher

Secretary: Amanda Raffa

Treasurer: Samantha Blondin

Questions?

Email rsahayaraj@sco.edu

Welcome Class of 2027

First Meeting Date: TBA

As president of the Optometric Private Practice club, I want to warmly welcome you to SCO. SCO is the leader in private practice preparedness, and I am so excited for you all to experience what this school has to offer.

Private practice optometry has deep roots in our profession and has long shown the greatest potential for earnings and satisfaction. This year, OPP offers an outlet of resources and a community of like-minded people, including the leaders of our field. Whether you want to simply learn more about what it entails, or build preparedness to start your own practice, this club is the perfect place to do it. We hold monthly meetings hosted by widely known speakers, and interviews with private practice doctors addressing topics of interest and to hear about their stories!

OPP provides great networking and leadership opportunities, and is a great way to learn from the leaders in our field. We hope you’ll join us at our first meeting. Best of luck as you begin your time here at SCO.

Kylie Kaylor-Hix kkaylor@sco.edu

REMOTE AREA MEDICAL

Remote Area Medical (RAM) is a major nonprofit provider of mobile medical clinics. They provide medical care to those individuals who live in underserved, isolated communities. Most clinics provide medical, dental, vision, and preventative care.

SCO students have the opportunity to provide vision services to hundreds of patients during a RAM trip. Students will spend a weekend in a rural area of Tennessee to provide services such as refraction, slit lamp examination, and dilated fundus exams. All patients also receive free glasses made on-site.

RAM opportunities are emailed out to the student body and students will be chosen to attend. All students and faculty are welcome to participate!

Contact

Katie Ricker Co-coordinator katieblack@sco.edu

Rafael Martinez Co-coordinator rmartinez@scoedu

SCOPE

WelcomeClassof2027!!

CongratulationsonstartingyouroptometriccareerandjoiningtheSCOFamily!I amexcitedthatyouhavechosenSCOandlookforwardtomeetingyousoon.

SCOPEisthenameofourSCOYearbook.Eachyear,SGAsponsorstheyearbook forstudentsinterestedinreceivingone.ThestaffandIworktocapturethe memoriesandexperiencesthatshapethestudentexperiencehereatSCO.We workcloselywiththeSCOCommunicationsDepartment,whichprovides professionalphotosfromthevariousmainstreamSCOeventsandserveas advisorstotheyearbookstaff. Anyoneiswelcometoapplytobeapartofthe SCOPEYearbookStaffandpriorexperienceonayearbookstafforinaneditor positionisnotrequired.

So, how do you get involved with SCOPE?

EachyearanewSCOPEeditorandstaffmembersareselected.Typically,the applicationsarereleasedduringtheFallsemester.Asfirstyearstudents,youcan applyfortheEditororStaffpositionswhentheapplicationsarereleased.

TheSCOPEYearbookStaffhopesthatyouhaveagreatfirstyearandencourages youtogetinvolved!BeinginvolvedwillenhanceyourexperienceatSCOand creatememoriesyouwillcherishforever.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutwhat wedoorhowtogetinvolved,pleaseemailmeatjhollifield@sco.edu.

BestWishes, JimHollifield

SCOPEStaffAdvisor2023-2024

SPECTRUM

Welcome Class of 2027!

Our Mission

The mission of Spectrum at SCO Is to create a school community where all students, faculty, and staff members feel welcome and supported, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender Identity. We also seek to provide a voice for those who have lost theirs and to promote equality and diversity through social gatherings, community outreach, and campus wide activities.

2023-24 Club Officers

President: Brianna Aheimer '25

Vice President: Savannah Krall '25

Secretary: Francis Arnan '26

Treasurer: Noah Linhart '25

Historian: Kylie Kaylor-Hix '25

To

History

Spectrum was founded at SCO In the Spring of 2017. The founding members saw a need for an LGBTQ community for staff, faculty, and students. Since forming the club we have had many great speakers including alumni, staff, and representatives from CHOICES and Out Memphis.

Inthepastwe'vedone:

BoothatMid-SouthPride

Pronounpinfundraiser

Campaigntomakeclinicdress

codegender-neutral

901FCPrideNight

Holidayparties

Guestspeakers

SafeZonetraining

forstudents

Pridemonthlunchtable

Futureplans:

SafeZonetrainingforfaculty

Monthlysociallunches

Furtherchangestodresscode

NightoutatAtomicRose

Whateverotherideasyouhave!

Welcome Class of 2027!

SPHVICA aims to unite the field of optometry with the field of public health. In optometry, we help individual patients with their vision and eye health. Public health allows us to examine the way our healthcare system, communities, and environment play a role in our patients’ lives and affect their well-being. We believe that all aspects of health are interconnected –and through a better understanding of public health, we can be better optometrists and advocates for our patients.

CLUB OFFICERS

President: Carolina Slater

Vice President: Selena Tieu

Secretary: Claire Vinson

Treasurer: Maddy Scheibe

Social Media Chair: Dorcas Owusu

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Wolfe & Dr. McGriff

Throughout the school year, we have a variety of events engaging students. This includes guest speakers on various public health topics from nutrition to infectious disease control, celebrating National Public Health Week in April, volunteer events, and much more. We have many amazing things planned for this year and hope to see you at our meetings!

SVOSH

Students in Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity

What we do: Spend the year collecting glasses and fundraising to prepare for trips to various countries in Central and South America Provide comprehensive eye care to those with limited access to healthcare!

Why YOU should join: Further your optometric skills, gain the opportunity to learn about different cultures, connect with peers and current doctors, have a rewarding and memorable experience serving others!

2023 Ecuador Trip Statistics:

- 966 patients examined

- Over 548 glasses dispensed

o Over 184 sunglasses dispensed

- Over 53 referrals for follow-up care

Come see us at the organization fair!

Class of 2027, Congratulations and welcome to SCO!

The Sports Vision Society is dedicated to understanding the dynamic nature of vision and how it can be leveraged to enhance visual performance. Vision is more than 20/20. Through our visual system we are able to derive meaning and direct action. Sports performance is vision performance!

We invite students interested in helping patients enhance their abilities to join us – interest in athletics is in no way a requirement. Concepts developed at these meetings will extend further than any one sport. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Anita Prasad, Class of 2025

aprasad@sco.edu

SVS President

Previous Meetings:

• Sports vision screenings at local colleges

• Basics of the Sports Vision Pyramid and how to apply it to your practice

• Life as a professional sports team OD

• Developments in neural mechanisms underlying perception and direction of action

• Leveraging contact lenses and glasses for enhanced visual performance