Visions Alumni Magazine - Summer 2023

New Space

SCO recently completed construction on a new space for students to study, enjoy lunch, or visit with each other. The new space was added outside the south entrance ahead of a longterm plan to study other ways to improve the campus for our students.

Our President

great reports was no accident. It happened because we have a strong program of which we can all be proud, and the program is strong because of the hard work by everyone at Southern College of Optometry.”

recommendations will help shape our future for the coming years ahead.

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

PRESIDENT

Summer 2023

Lewis Reich, OD, PhD

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

George Miller, CFRE

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Jim Hollifield

Commencement for the Class of 2023 is just the latest reason to celebrate the positive progress being made at Southern College of Optometry.

The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) recently delivered its report from last year’s site visit, verifying that SCO is in compliance with all ACOE standards. SCO has additionally been evaluated by our regional accreditation agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which also found SCO in compliance of its accreditation standards.

As Dr. Bart Campbell (’87), Vice President of Academic Affairs, wrote in his update to the campus: “Receiving these

You, our alumni and friends, play a major part in that success. Our Institutional Advancement team recently launched the Circle of Sight program to honor and celebrate our donors. As part of that program, the President’s Circle is the first group to be recognized as donors who provide $1,000 or more each fiscal year, for any purpose.

Several of you joined at this year’s SECO meeting in Atlanta, and the list continues to grow.

Your support is why SCO remains one of the nation’s leading optometry colleges.

To build on our success, the first part of 2023 was devoted to strategic planning meetings with representation from our Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and student leaders. When finalized, these

In the short term, we’re responsive to the immediate needs of our students, including strengthening safety procedures, such as new gated fences to secure our parking areas.

As you’ll see in this issue, we’re also making progress for laser instruction in our curriculum. Our fourth-year interns are enjoying the opportunity to receive hands-on training on our campus at The Eye Center.

And as you’ll also read in this issue, our alumni continue to thrive and represent their alma mater and our profession well. The foundation that our graduates receive in their optometric education at SCO is a hallmark of SCO’s success stories.

On behalf our newest graduates and the new students we’ll welcome this fall, thank you for your continued support of SCO’s students and programs.

SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER

Susan Doyle

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL

NETWORKING MANAGER

Erin Jaffe

VISUAL DESIGNER

Philip Tribble

CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATOR

Melissa Hansbro

BOARD CHAIR

Amanda Brewer-Lord, OD ’97

BOARD MEMBERS

Allan L. Barker, OD ’75

Betty Harville Brown, OD

David A. Cockrell, OD ’81

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

Chris Wroton, OD ’02

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Kyle Garner, ’25

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

SCOnews

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LEWIS REICH, OD, PH.D.

Commencement 2023

SCO’s Class of 2023 reached the culmination of their four-year journey when 133 graduates celebrated their commencement on Tuesday, May 2 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis.

In an SCO first, four graduates shared the honors of being named co-valedictorians for their stellar academic performance over four years:

1 LAUREL HESKETT, 2 SETH JONES, 3 MOLLY MCNALLY, and

4 CAROLINE SUTTON

Class President Anna Britt delivered the class address and presented the Teacher of the Year Award to 5 CHRIS BORGMAN, OD.

SCO’s long-time legal counsel, Marty Regan, delivered the commencement address as this year’s recipient of the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

A noted Memphis attorney, Regan has served as SCO’s attorney since 1985 and his expertise was instrumental in building The Eye Center and other significant improvements through the decades.

Immediately following the ceremony, a reception was held for graduates and their guests at the Renasant Convention Center. A farewell Capstone program was also held on campus the day prior to the ceremony.

A recording of this year’s ceremony, along with free, high resolution photos from the events may be viewed or downloaded on SCO’s website.

DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTER DEGREE RECIPIENT… J. MARTIN REGAN, JR., JD

J. Martin Regan, Jr., J.D., or Marty, as he’s called by most people who know him, is an attorney in the Lewis Thomason Law Firm. In recognition of his outstanding legal career, including his service as SCO’s legal counsel since 1985, Regan received this year’s honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Regan additionally serves as senior staff attorney to the City of Memphis, general counsel to the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and several other nonprofits. He also serves as a director of the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation, director of the Memphis Land Bank, director and officer of Alliance Healthcare Services, and as a director and officer of Alpha Omega Veterans Services.

His honors include the Edward F. Barry Award, the National Conference for Justice Humanitarian Award, and the Commercial Appeal’s “Sportsman of the Year” award for leading the Memphis Grizzlies NBA basketball team’s relocation from Vancouver.

He was named the 2023 Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Memphis and has been named to the Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Law, Municipal Law, and Public Finance Law.

Regan earned his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Tennessee in 1978.

Cynthia Trevino, OD, Adam Trevino, OD ’23, Raul Trevino, OD

Russell Harrison, OD ’23, Peggy Wike, OD ’83

Ashley Shannon, OD ’23, Bridge Shannon, OD ’95

Marisa Feliciano, OD, Lindsey Bergstrom, OD ’23, Chris Bergstrom, OD

DR. STEELE NAMED PROFESSOR EMERITUS MILITARY INDUCTION OATH

Drs. Dale Morris, Jerry Hayes, George Bakowski, Jim Newman, David McNerney, Lannie Busey

Drs. Lauren Olmstead, Karli Boober, Jon-Erik Kampwerth

ACHIEVEING EXCELLENCE

CLASS OF 2023 SENIOR AWARDS

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 ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

EXCELLENCE IN ADULT PRIMARY CARE

DR. BERNARD L. KAHN MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Anna Britt

Coralis Millien NATIONAL VISION, INC. AWARD

Angelina Dang

SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRISTS CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

Sarah Thrower

EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL ACHIEVEMENT

CHRISTINE AND GEORGE DUCOTE, OD ’40 SCHOLARSHIP

Will Kreuser

ESSILOR LABS OF AMERICA AWARD

Morgan Mathis

Heather Quintanilla

EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS

NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS PART I AWARD

Seth Jones

Will Kreuser

NATIONAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS PART II AWARD

Seth Jones

LUCY KATHERINE BONE ORGAIN AWARD

Carlee Nestrud

Cam Ngo

Kaitlyn Streachek

Madison Angell

BAUSCH & LOMB ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Molly McNally

Jacob Bray

JOHNSON & JOHNSON/AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC FOUNDATION “AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS PATIENT CARE”

Karrie Sestak

Madyson Locke

SOUTHWEST CONTACT LENS SOCIETY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Mary Elizabeth Jones

Caitlin Millsaps

Lindsey Tillery

Carlee Nestrud

EXCELLENCE IN LOW VISION REHABILITATION

Lauren Olmstead

DR. DEBORAH MOY THEIA VISION THERPY / LOW VISION AWARD

Samantha Blanke

Adam Reichert

EXCELLENCE IN OCULAR DISEASE

Elizabeth Richardson

DR. MOHAMMAD RAFIEETARY ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

Taylor O’Daniel

Adam Reichert

Kaitlyn Streachek

Nicole Wohlfort

OPTOMETRIC RETINA SOCIETY AWARD

Phaedra Lipsey

Coralis Millien

DR. ROBERT AND EVELYN HENRY OUTSTANDING CLINICIAN AWARD

EXCELLENCE IN PEDIATRICS AND VISION THERAPY

ALICIA A. GROCE SCHOLARSHIP IN NEUROREHABILITATION

Jacob Allan

THE SOUTHEAST VISION THERAPY FORUM SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF DR. SAM HORNER JR.

Heather Quintanilla

GLEN T. STEELE, OD AND L. ALLEN FORS, OD DEVELOPMENTAL VISION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Nathaniel Baggett

Kimberlie Hodne

FOR COMMITMENT OF SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE

BAYS FAMILY ENDOWED SERVICE AWARD

Maria Layton

CLASS OF 1967 MEMORIAL ENDOWED AWARD

Katelyn Fleischman

Nicole Wohlfort

DR. STANLEY M. DICKERSON ENDOWED LEADERSHIP AWARD

Lindsey Tillery

SUSAN GRISSOM MEMORIAL ENDOWED AWARD

Gabrielle Crockett

Maverik Shumway

DR. MARC A. KRANZ MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Michelle Morrison

MAULDIN FAMILY MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Lucas Medeiros

SECO PAST PRESIDENTS ENDOWED AWARD

Nathan Sharp

EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT RESEARCH BURNETT ENDOWED AWARD FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN RESEARCH

Samantha Blanke

Hsuan Ariel Chao

Meredith Fry

DR. DAVID P. SLOAN MEMORIAL AWARD

Mary Garber

SOUTHWEST COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Seth Jones

SPARROW, EVANS, AND WAYMON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Jacqueline Malish

JAMES “BEAU” WILLIS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Hannah Fairchild

Kylie Scott

TO HONOR A GRADUATE’S COMMITMENT TO PURSUING PRIVATE PRACTICE OPTOMETRY

DR. WILLIAM M. DICKERSON ENDOWED LEADERSHIP AWARD

Charla Darby

EDELSTEIN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Amy Cox

HALPERN FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD

Nicole Wohlfort

TOM AND LOUIS HYDE SCHOLARSHIP

Edgar Judd

Christopher Frampton

DR. FRED H. MOTHERSHED ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Nathaniel Baggett

Alayna Brown

SPIVEY FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD

Morgan Mathis

Sakshi Sata

KEVIN ROGERS, OD ’08 PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AWARD

Lindsey Tillery

DR. JAMES D. SANDEFUR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Tanner LaFont

Ashley Vu

WINSTON FAMILY ENDOWED AWARD

Edgar Judd

Alayna Brown

to the Graduating Class of 2023

Weston Acosta Covington, Louisiana Michelle Alaimo Cincinnati, Ohio SUMMA CUM LAUDE Jacob Bray Bentonville, Arkansas

Anna Britt Lawrenceville, Georgia

Alayna Brown Pineville, Louisiana

Celeste Bryant Memphis, Tennessee CUM

Justin Buoch Kenner, Louisiana Kimberly Carter Fleming Island, Florida Ariel Chao Vancouver, Canada

Radhi Daya Greenville, Mississippi Aleece Dietz Denver, Colorado

Eidom Akron, Ohio

Fairchild

Fordyce

Lane Herndon Murfreesboro, Tennessee SUMMA

Laurel Heskett Omaha, Nebraska SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Kim Hodne Manning, Iowa Hun Ki Hong Burke, Virginia MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Brie Hughes DuBois, Pennsylvania CUM LAUDE

Maha Jabbar Louisville, Kentucky Jessica Jacob Orlando, Florida MAGNA CUM

Seeking a new associate?

We’re pleased to introduce the Class of 2023, 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 recently updated site, Optometry’s

Connection at sco.edu/opc.

Practice

Not pictured: Andrea Antic, Cameron Steflik, Jonathan Wetzel

Jake Allan Deltona, Florida Anna Anderson McKenzie, Tennessee MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Madison Angell Plains, Kansas MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Nathan Baggett Brookland, Arkansas MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Linsey Bergstrom Atlanta, Georgia SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Kylie Bible Flintstone, Maryland

Samantha Blanke Manitowoc, Wisconsin SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Karli Boober Martinsburg, West Virginia SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Eva Chen Memphis, Tennessee CUM LAUDE

Makayla CornwellYoung Hampton, Virginia CUM LAUDE

Amy Cox Hickman, Kentucky SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Gabby Crockett Walled Lake, Michigan SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Angelina Dang Baton Rouge, Louisiana SUMMA CUM

Jacqueline Dang South El Monte, California MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Charla Darby Enid, Mississippi MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Chris Frampton Lehi, Utah MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Meredith Fry Milan, Tennessee SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Shalin Gandhi Parkersburg, West Virginia

Mary Hannah Garber Brandon, Mississippi Ethan Gerstein Springhill, Tennessee SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Emme Gilchrist Kansas City, Missouri SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Allie Hanson Clifton Park, New York CUM LAUDE

Russell Harrison Davidson, North Carolina

Mary Beth Jones Conway, Arkansas SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Seth Jones Mocksville, North Carolina SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Edgar Judd Cedar City, Utah SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Melisa Kalac Jacksonville, Florida MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Jon-Erik Kampwerth Carlyle, Illinois SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Chloe Kang Duluth, Georgia CUM LAUDE

Jamie Kao Chantilly, Virginia SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Chan Kim Duluth, Georgia Will Kreuser New Prague, Minnesota SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Tanner LaFont Cutt Off, Louisiana SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Maria Layton Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Phaedra Lipsey Ames, Iowa SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Mady Locke Albers, Illinois CUM LAUDE

Terry Lu Jennings, Louisiana CUM LAUDE

Jackie Malish Coppell, Texas SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Caitlin Millsaps Knoxville, Tennessee Cailey Mokry Bartlett, Tennessee

Michelle Morrison Moundridge, Kansas

Andrew Murphy Fayetteville, Arkansas SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Jadyn Nelson Karlstad, Minnesota SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Carlee Nestrud Oakdale, Minnesota SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Cam Ngo Charlotte, North Carolina CUM LAUDE

Emily Pratt Middlesboro, Kentucky

Heather Quintanilla Winchester, Tennessee MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Jeelan Rahhal Raleigh, North Carolina

Kendra Raths Sartell, Minnesota MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Adam Reichert St. Henry, Ohio SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Joelle Reitz DuBois, Pennsylvania CUM LAUDE

Tyler Renfrow Nesbit, Mississippi CUM LAUDE

Rachel Ressler Phoenix, Arizona SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Karrie Sestak Cedar Rapids, Iowa SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Julia Sewell Cincinnati, Ohio MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Farhin Shaikh Raleigh, North Carolina Ashley Shannon Frisco, Texas SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Nathan Sharp Saint George, Utah CUM LAUDE

Maverik Shumway Blanding, Utah SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Diana Spring Lafayette, Louisiana

Thomas Tatham Canton, North Carolina

Natalie Terryberry Elizabeth City, North Carolina MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Kalen Thompson Tarpon Springs, Florida CUM LAUDE

Sarah Thrower Meridian, Mississippi CUM LAUDE

Lindsey Tillery Baton Rouge, Louisiana SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Carol Tran Avondale, Louisiana

Khoathu Tran Lawrenceville, Georgia CUM LAUDE

Adam Trevi�no San Antonio, Texas

Amira Marsid Savannah, Georgia CUM LAUDE

Morgan Mathis Savannah, Tennessee SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Molly McNally Norfolk, Nebraska SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Lucas Medeiros Portsmouth, Rhode Island CUM LAUDE

Tyler Meek Lehi, Utah SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Jackie Melton Houston, Texas

Kristin Miller Lewistown, Illinois

Coralis Millien Wellington, Florida

Ashley Ngo Biloxi, Mississippi CUM LAUDE

Joanne Nguyen Houston, Texas MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Noam Nicholson Seattle, Washington CUM LAUDE

Gillian Norris Lake City, Florida

Taylor O’Daniel Mantee, Mississippi MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Lauren Olmstead Millington, Michigan

Lindsey Parnell Jonesboro, Arkansas

Elizabeth Richardson Owensboro, Kentucky CUM LAUDE

Haven Richardson Wayne City, Illinois

Adiba Safi Memphis, Tennessee CUM LAUDE

Sakshi Sata Marion, Arkansas CUM LAUDE

Matt Schroeder Orlando, Florida

Nathan Schumm Napoleon, Ohio

Kylie Scott North Royalton, Ohio CUM LAUDE

McKenna Scott Cedar Rapids, Iowa SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Daniel Stacy Franklin, Tennessee CUM LAUDE

Kaitlyn Streachek Eau Claire, Wisconsin MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Caroline Sutton Warrenton, Virginia SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Rachel Swearingen Cordova, Tennessee CUM LAUDE

Shane Talley Memphis, Tennessee

Mary Theresa Taormina North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Rim Tarzi Toronto, Canada SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Ashley Vu New Orleans, Louisiana MAGNA CUM LAUDE

Tianyu Wang Beijing, China MAGNA CUM LUDE

Braiden Werth Hays, Kansas CUM LAUDE

Courtney Whitlock Springfield, Missouri SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Nicole Wohlfort Fallston, Maryland SUMMA CUM LAUDE

Preston Yahr Germantown, Wisconsin CUM LAUDE

Erin Yamamoto Frisco, Texas CUM LAUDE

Michelle Yan Hillsdale, New Jersey

Making Laser History at SCO

Ethan Gerstein, OD ’23, performs a procedure under the supervision of David Hall, OD, and John Linn, MD.

THE LATEST CHAPTER IN SCO’S 91-YEAR HISTORY WAS RECORDED ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 WHEN THE FIRST-EVER, IN-VIVO ANTERIOR SEGMENT OPHTHALMIC LASER PROCEDURES WERE PERFORMED BY FOURTH-YEAR INTERNS IN AN SCO CLINICAL FACILITY.

While SCO had provided education for these procedures since 2011, this historic accomplishment was two years in the making. Under the guidance of Dr. David Hall, Assistant Professor, SCO’s curriculum underwent significant enhancement, including didactic, laboratory, and simulated clinical requirements in preparation for this milestone.

As part of a 20-year renovation project at The Eye Center, the Optometric Surgical Care service expanded to include a Service Area dedicated solely to the clinical education of future ODs in advanced primary care procedures.

After months of work, the new area is open and being used by SCO’s fourth-year interns in the lower level of The Eye Center. BRIE HUGHES, OD

’23, and MARIA LAYTON, OD ’23, were SCO’s first students to provide laser care to patients under the direct supervision of SCO Consulting Medical Faculty member John Linn, MD, from Eye Specialty Group.

Hughes became the first SCO student to perform a Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty on a patient in The Eye Center, while Layton performed the first YAG Capsulotomy, both major milestones in the annals of SCO’s optometric education history.

In addition to these procedures, expanded pre-operative cataract care and IntraOcular (IOL) selection is also being performed in the new Optometric Surgical Service area by fourth-year interns, faculty, and residents.

Two weeks ahead of their fourth-year commencement ceremony, four interns from Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio spent the afternoon providing laser care to a group of waiting patients.

Springhill, Tennessee native ETHAN GERSTEIN, OD ’23, decided to move permanently to Oklahoma after graduation. There his SCO training will allow him to use what he’s learned in a Tulsa practice alongside other SCO alumni, Brandon Hadel,

OD ’15, and Haley Baldridge, OD ’18.

Another 2023 graduate who benefited from her fourthyear externship exposure to laser procedures was HANNAH FAIRCHILD, OD The practice she’s joining

GARBER, OD, will be practicing in Mississippi, where she also looks forward to utilizing her YAG training.

ADAM REICHERT, OD ’23, was planning to practice in Ohio, where ODs have yet to receive laser privileges, but

in Arkansas had asked if she was comfortable doing advanced procedures.

“At first I wasn’t confident or very sure, but after I had done one each of an SLT and YAG procedure here at The Eye Center, I realized that I could do it, that I knew what I was doing,” Fairchild said.

“I’ve practiced enough that this experience solidified that for me. I’m going to be fine doing it in practice. I went from thinking of doing it maybe off in the future, and now I’m going to get licensed for it this summer.”

A third member of the Class of 2023, MARY HANNAH

he’s exploring the potential of practicing some in nearby Indiana where ODs can also use YAG Capsulotomy.

Dr. James E. Venable (’89), SCO’s Vice President for Clinical Programs, expressed appreciation to all our faculty and staff involved in preparing SCO for this new leading-edge training, including Drs. David Hall, Brian Knight (’14), Scott Ensor (’01), Mary Hoang (‘14), and John Linn, MD.

Here’s to the first of many advanced procedure learning opportunities at SCO as more states continue to advance their scope of practice legislation.

Drs. David Hall, Maria Layton, ’23, and Brie Hughes, ’23

2023 Hayes Center for Practice Excellence Awards

Congratulations to this year’s Hayes Center for Practice Excellence award recipients: AUTUMN

Dr. Adams received the Practice Acquisition Award category for Global Eye Care in Cabot, Arkansas.

Dr. Hennig was honored with the Partnership Award for Lifetime Eye Care in Charleston, Illinois.

Dr. Bradbury received the New Practice Award for A Proper View in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

These alumni spoke to SCO’s third-year students as part of the annual Bon VoyEyes program in April before the start of fourth-year externships.

Other speakers included Jerry Hayes, OD ’73, and his children, Nathan Hayes and Natalie Hayes Schmook.

SCO appreciates CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, Transitions, and VSP for their sponsorship and participation as well as other speakers, including Peter Kehoe, OD.

If you’re interested in learning more, request a new brochure produced outlining the Hayes Center’s expanding influence and positive results enjoyed by our students and alumni. Email Lisa Wade, OD ’84, at lwade@sco.edu to have a copy mailed to you.

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 March 31, 2023.

ALUMNI

Robert B. Bower, OD ’75

William L. Harrison, OD ’84, and Carol Harrison

Kristal Jones, OD ’14, and Nate Jones

Victoria J. Long, OD ’20

Kevin A. Munson, OD ’99

David S. Sheffield, OD ’78

STUDENT

Kimsean S. Tieu, ’26

FRIENDS

Carolyn Finkenbeiner

Melanie and Brad Jones

Optometric Retina Society

Sanjay and Sonal Sata

Kevin and Paula Wohlfort

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

PRACTICE ACQUISITION AWARD

Dr. Autumn Adams, ’15

PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Dr. Derek Hennig, ’17

NEW PRACTICE AWARD

Dr. Andrew Bradbury, ’14

Alumni Lead Advocacy Efforts

Less than a year after graduating from SCO, MATTHEW BLASEG, OD ’22, found himself testifying before a South Dakota Senate committee in favor of an optometry scope expansion bill.

“Testifying was quite intimidating — a room full of legislators watching you as you do your best to represent optometry,”

says Dr. Blaseg, adding that while the bill passed the Senate committee, it failed the House committee by a vote. Despite the intense preparation and nervewracking experience, Dr. Blaseg says he would “absolutely” be willing to testify again. “Healthcare is constantly evolving and improving, and we need to make sure optometry is not left behind.”

From local and regional groups to state and national associations,

SCO graduates like Blaseg are, along with building thriving optometry careers, taking on leadership roles in the world of optometric advocacy. “Seeing many of our [SCO] professors and staff members active in advocating for optometry is contagious,” Dr. Blaseg says. “While at SCO I was the president of the Optometric Private Practice club. This experience fueled me to realize that I can be a leader among my peers.”

BELINDA STARKEY, OD ’04, an AOA trustee and president of Optometry Cares® —

STEVEN REED, OD ’95, who is vice president of the American Optometric Association and is set to become president-elect next year, was also inspired at SCO to start advocating for his profession nearly three decades ago. “The day I took my licensing exam, the Mississippi Optometric Association’s executive director plugged me into the [association] committee structure,” Dr. Reed says. He advanced through the state association ranks, eventually becoming president.

Attending Optometry’s Meeting, the annual AOA conference, and serving in the House of Delegates prompted Dr. Reed to pursue national advocacy. “Exposure to that level inspired me to go further in my volunteering,” he says. After expressing interest in AOA leadership, Dr. Reed was appointed to a committee. “That was the beginning of my pathway to being on the AOA Board.”

In his years with AOA, Dr. Reed has helped optometrists win victories at the state and national levels. Optometrists in 10 states now have laser privileges, he says — a direct result of collaborative advocacy. “We are making progress to stop vision plan abuses that are harmful to our patients and small businesses,” Dr. Reed says. “We have also made significant progress on issues with the [Department of Veterans Affairs], ensuring that our veterans have access to high quality eye care.”

Optometric advocacy organizations always need new volunteers, Dr. Reed says. “Some wait until they feel they are ready to contribute,” he says, “but becoming a better volunteer comes through service. Just get started.”

The AOA Foundation, says AOA’s student organization is a great place for optometrists in training to get started with advocacy. “AOSA exposed me to organized optometry at the national level and gave me a sense of the importance of giving back to the profession,” she says. “As a student, let your AOSA officers know that you are interested.”

For alumni, Dr. Starkey notes that it’s never too late to get started in advocacy. “In order to be good stewards of our profession,” she says, “we must work to preserve what we have, to promote the profession to the public, and to continue to acquire education to advance the profession.”

Participating in advocacy isn’t just important to the profession, says CHRIS FISHER, OD ’13, a member of the California Optometric Association Board of Trustees. It’s also fun. “Our associations provide an opportunity to network with our peers,” he says.

“We are the ones to direct how and what the associations do. Joining the AOA and state associations gives you a voice to direct your future.”

Last year, Dr. Fisher was part of the effort to pass an expansive scope of practice bill in California. The bill passed every hurdle — and was then vetoed by the governor. Though the outcome was “devastating,” Dr. Fisher says it renewed his motivation as an optometric advocate.

“An army of individuals is required to get legislation passed when there is constant opposition,” he says. “There will always be.”

Fulfilling his dream of private practice ownership

ADAM YOUNG, OD ’14, didn’t have an eye exam until he was in college. “I saw well. I had no complaints,” he says. “In a lot of communities, if you’re not complaining, why go?”

Dr. Young finally made the appointment because of his father, who had a traumatic eye injury as a child and later developed diabetes. “I was doing research for him to help make sure he wouldn’t lose his vision,” Dr. Young says. “It piqued my interest in learning more about eyes. From there, I looked into being a doctor. Optometry had a whole lot to offer.”

Now Dr. Young is showing his patients in Duluth, Georgia, what optometry can offer to them. He and his wife, CHRISTINA PHAN, OD ’14, (the couple met at SCO) started First Class Eye Care in December 2020 to bring high-end optometry to the Atlanta suburbs. Dr. Young, who previously worked in corporate optometry, and Dr. Phan, who practiced at an ophthalmology clinic, were spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic to take their careers into their own hands.

“I always wanted to be my own boss and make decisions for the patients we take care of,” Dr. Young says. “Having that experience in the corporate world, there were things I felt we could do differently to set us apart from our competition.”

Customer service at First Class Eye Care begins before patients even enter the office. The receptionist answers the phone by asking, “How can we help you and your eyes today?” Once patients arrive, they are offered drinks and snacks. Glasses are dispensed in custom wood trays with a gift bag including a lens cloth, spray, and Ferrero Rocher chocolate. “We’re trying to roll out the red carpet for them,” Dr. Young says.

Patient visits are scheduled for every 30 minutes to provide enough time for questions and discussion. Dr. Phan practices primary care and specializes in glaucoma management and dry eye. Dr. Young, who along with primary care specializes in diabetic exams and scleral contact lenses, ends each exam by educating the patient on eye health and explaining any diagnoses or prescriptions in detail. “I want to make sure they’re coming to us for answers, versus Google,” he says.

Along with launching the new practice, Dr. Young is working with Joseph Hauser, Vice President for Student Services at SCO, on strategies to encourage minority student recruitment. A former SCO student ambassador, Dr. Young says he’s happy to give back to his alma mater — and to help more students of color learn about optometry. “We want to invest in our future leaders,” he says.

Dr. Young says he felt like part of a family at SCO. “I felt like I owed it to SCO to not only do well during optometry school, but also to be successful after graduating,” he says.

“I’m beyond grateful that they gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream.”

Husband and wife Adam Young, OD ’14, and Christina Phan, OD ’14, opened a high-end practice in the Atlanta suburbs in 2020.

Building a practice from

MONTGOMERY, OD ’14, was running out of room. The private optometry practice he opened cold in Paducah, Kentucky, just months after graduating from SCO, had quickly outgrown its 2,400-square-foot space.

“We hired an associate optometrist, but our current space was really only designed for one doctor,” says Dr. Montgomery, who began renting a separate office to offer vision therapy services. “Our growth exceeded our expectations.”

Instead of buying a larger building to house West End Eye Care, Dr. Montgomery decided to build his dream optometry practice from the ground up. The goal was to construct a state-of-the-art office that would combine primary care and the practice specialties, such as vision therapy, plus have room to spare for future growth.

Dr. Montgomery bought a piece of land about a half-mile from his original practice location and hired Optometric Architects, an Iowa-based eye care office design firm, to sketch out the 7,100-square-foot building. Barbara Wright Design, an interior designer specializing in optical office design, was brought on to give the inside of the building a luxury feel.

Dr. Montgomery also found support from other medical professionals, such as a local orthodontist and another optometrist, who had built new offices. Still, Montgomery says he “made a ton of mistakes” during the process. “Every single thing is new and unfamiliar to you,” he says. “It’s not for the faint of heart.”

CANAAN MONTGOMERY, ’ 14 :

the ground up

Eight years after first opening his practice — and two and a half years after buying the land — Dr. Montgomery and his staff hosted a ribbon cutting at the new location in October 2022. “We have the newest facility and the newest technology,” Dr. Montgomery says. “We're positioned to meet the demands of eye care in the 21st century.”

Each space within the new building is targeted for specific patient needs. One room serves as the practice’s Dry Eye Center, used solely for dry eye exams and treatment. There’s a space dedicated to scleral contact lenses — a larger-thanaverage exam room stocked with all the necessary equipment, plus a desk where patients can sit to learn how to insert and remove their lenses. The pediatric exam room is Toy Story themed, with

an extra large exam chair that fits a parent and child.

“We close to tripled our square footage,” Dr. Montgomery says. “We have lots of empty rooms right now. We have room for future growth.”

Despite the stresses of building a new office, Dr. Montgomery says he still thinks owning his own practice is the best way to practice optometry. He credits SCO alumni who visited the school to speak with students about opening their own practices cold as giving him the emotional support to make the leap.

“Your opportunity for profit throughout your career as an optometrist is much greater,” Dr. Montgomery says. “You can work fewer hours, bring on new technologies, and practice the way you want to.”

Canaan Montgomery, OD ’14, and wife, Rebecca, celebrating the grand opening of their new office building.

toRacingsuccess

RICHARD DUROCHER, OD

’96, who runs a seven-location optometric practice in and around Nashville, Tennessee, says optometry isn’t all that different from his hobby: sports car racing.

“There’s a lot of time and preparation that goes into a very short time

on the race track,” Dr. Durocher says. “When you do well on the track, you know you’ve done well in the preparations. Practicing optometry is the same way. To have great outcomes,

there’s a lot of work to make that endpoint mature.”

Dr. Durocher — perhaps the only optometrist actively competing in professional motorsports — has always loved cars, and even supported himself through college by building racing engines. Then cars took a backseat to optometry.

“[Cars were] something I kept in the background because as someone trying to become a doctor that was probably frowned upon and considered not as studious,” Dr. Durocher says. “But I continued to have that passion.”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

DR

About a decade ago, Durocher began wheel-to-wheel racing on weekends. The 2023 season is his fifth racing at the professional level.

Dr. Durocher competes in the North American Radical Cup, a support series for IndyCar that takes place in the United States and Canada over about eight weekends every year. Each mixed-class sports car endurance race lasts about 45 minutes, pitting manufacturers against each other in a competition that tests cars’ reliability and durability.

Dr. Durocher, who previously ran his own team, signed this year with a professional team that maintains his vehicle, a Radical SR3 race car, so he can focus on driving.

Considered a “gentleman driver” because he’s over 50, Dr. Durocher says racing is a hobby for him and many of his competitors, most of whom are leaders in the business world.

“It’s an outlet,” he says, “but we all love competing, no matter what we’re doing.”

Dr. Durocher also remains a contender in the world

of optometry. He’s chief executive of his optometric practice and continues to see patients in the clinic. The busy schedule doesn’t faze Durocher. “I love going at a fast pace,” he says.

Dr. Durocher is also immediate past president of SECO, having started his tenure during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When you’re president of an organization that brings

people together in a time when bringing people together is a challenge,” he says, “it was challenging, but very rewarding.”

Dr. Durocher’s involvement with SECO began when he was an optometrist-in-training at SCO, where Dr. Glen Steele, ’69, and the late Dr. Ralph Parkansky were among his most influential professors.

“I started serving the profession when I was a student,” Dr. Durocher says, “either student government, the local fraternity, an AOA student chapter. SECO was one of those things we always looked forward to.”

Durocher is happy with his career trajectory — both on the race track and in the exam room. “It’s been a very special journey,” he says. “There’s nothing I would have done any differently.”

SECO 2023 returned to Atlanta this year for its 100th annual meeting. Alumni attended SCO’s annual reception, visited the college’s booth in the Exhibit Hall, and even enjoyed a pop-up coffee event.

Congratulations to all our alumni who represented their alma mater well, including outgoing SECO President CHRISTINE COOK , OD ’98. Several alumni were honored, including:

• WILLIAM REYNOLDS, OD ’85, OD of the South

• MAX RAYNOR, OD ’85, President’s Award

• ROSALIND OVERTON-SMITH, OD ’76, Distinguished Service Award.

’15, and Michael Lam, OD ’15 8 Pete Smith, OD ’74, Rosalind Overton-Smith, OD ’76, and their sons 9 Stuart Thomas, OD ’84 10 Matt Jones, OD ’09, and Patricia Westfall, OD ’99

11 Patience Long, Glen Steele, OD ’69, and Emily Eisenhower, OD ’17 12 Peter Davis, OD ’87, Michael Davis, OD ’87, Kevin Davis OD ’16 13 Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, and Chris Wroten, OD ’02

14 Barry Winston, OD ’74, and Annette Winston 15 Beth Fisher and Blake Rust, OD ’11 16 Patricia Walker, OD, and Jim Venable, OD ’89 17 Kendra Reed, Steven Reed, OD ’95, and Joe Hauser 18 Outgoing SECO President Christine Cook, OD ’98, and Vice President Horace Deal, OD ’97. 19 Megan Elkins, OD ’10 20 1996 classmates Drs. Chan Webster, Julie Caldwell, Chad Carter, and Jason Duncan 21 Brittany Tounsel Wright, OD ’15 22 Martha Rosemore Morrow, OD ’74, Joel Byars, OD ’63, and Andrea Thau, OD 23 2021 classmates reunite

1 Leah Johnson McFerren, OD ’89, and Harris McFerren 2 Charles Popham, OD ’78, Gay Popham, and John Popham, OD ’18 3 Alex Compton, OD ’16, and Laura Compton, OD ’17 4 Clay and Belinda Starkey, OD ’04 5 Jennifer Lyerly, OD ’11, Mark Chen, and their daughter 6 Amanda Brewer-Lord, OD ’97, and Stephen Lord, OD ’89 7 Tony Lam, OD ’20, Kelly Bain, OD ’15, Virgilio Gozum, OD

The TAOP Joins with SCO for Spring CE

SCO hosted its first ever joint CE program with the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians in April. Called SCO-TAOP: Unity in Tennessee, the event drew hundreds of alumni and

ODs to campus. Industry partners were on hand for an exhibit hall and tradeshow, and the TAOP also hosted a reception for its members.

1 Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, welcomes attendees 2 Danny Donaldson, OD ’05, visits with an OCuSOFT rep 3 Shawn Beilby, OD ’06, and Elizabeth Zingula, OD ’04 4 Mo Rafieetary, MD, and Lisa Wade, OD ’84 5 A TAG laser course 6 Rachel Barrantes, OD ’22, and Aubrey Long, OD ’19 7 Ashley Helton, OD ’13 8 Chawan Rasheed, OD ’20, Tanya Qualls, OD ’20, Nick Qualls, OD ’19 9 Matthew Page, OD ’17, Tyler Boone, OD ’17, and Annedrea Morreale, OD ’19 10 1985 classmates: Drs. Clifford Brewer, Danny Baltz, Gary Artigue, and Craig Cleveland 11 Troy Moss, OD ’22, Marly Coleman, OD ’21, Emily Moody, OD ’21, Danielle Zasoski, OD ’21 12 Danielle Zasoski, OD ’21, and Rachel Briggs, OD ’21 13 Megan Stanford, OD ’16, and Erin Bales, OD ’16

1952 Bert O. Miller, OD, and his wife, Laura, celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary on November 25, 2022. Dr. Miller turned 91 on February 8, 2023.

1983 Cynthia Baker, OD, was recognized by Women in Optometry as a 2022 Theia Awards of Excellence Winner for leadership.

Rusty Simmons, OD, recently joined Melia Robertson, OD ’10, and Zach Burroughs, OD ’19 in meeting with SCO’s Arkansas Club on campus.

1988 Charles Shidlofsky, OD, was elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.

1993 Nolan Ng, OD, was named Chief of Cornea and Contact Lens for Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry.

Blake Tarr, OD, won the Best Eye Care Center and Best OD Award in Jefferson County, Tennessee. At the Tarr Trek Winter Ophthalmic Summit held recently in Vail, Colorado, Dr. Tarr is pictured with Nathan Garcia, OD, Cody Lay, OD, Jeremy Durham, OD, Eli Girard (son of Micah Girard, OD, ’03), and Gavin Baker.

1969 SCO Professor Emeritus Glen Steele, OD, received the inaugural Dr. Jeff Foster Distinguished Service Award from the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians.

Dr. Steele was also selected as the AOA’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipient.

1977 Gwin Anderson, OD, was sworn in for another term on the Dresden, Tennessee Board of Aldermen.

1978 Steve Cauble, OD, and his wife Sally, were chosen as the recipients of Southwestern College’s Alumni Recognition Awards.

1981 James V. Cornetta, OD, recently retired as an SCO preceptor after more than 20 years of service.

1985 Kendall Krug, OD, has retired from full-time practice. He will continue to provide low vision evaluations for the Kansas State School for the Blind.

1996 Frances Bynum, OD, and Tonya Reynoldson, OD ’01, and Jessica Haynes, OD ’15, were among the alumni speakers at SCO’s Spring CE weekend.

2000 Mark Shirey, OD, was elected as a State Representative in Alabama.

2001 Kayla Strain Melton, OD, was named Ophthalmology/Optometry Department lead at John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Missouri.

2006 James Hertzog, OD was elected President of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

1987 Steve Edwards, OD was named the Mississippi Optometric Association’s OD of the Year for 2022.

2003 Ellen Drury Fitzgerald, OD, was appointed to Georgia’s State Board of Optometry.

Chris Stansbury, OD, was appointed to the West Virginia State Board of Education.

Megan Sumrall Lott, OD was selected to receive the COVD’s Rising Member of the Year Award.

Natalie Swanson, OD, recently opened her first practice in Fredonia, New York.

Daniel Taylor, OD, was appointed the Dean of Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry after serving as interim dean since August 2021. Dr. Taylor also recently patented Protoconch, a device that joins a cochlear implant processor to an eyeglass frame, aiding young people who have visual and hearing issues.

2009 Alex Bell, OD, is the new President-Elect of the Arkansas Optometric Association. Katie Brown, OD ’12, was elected Secretary/Treasurer, Melia Robertson, OD ’10, as Immediate Past President, and Zach Burroughs, OD ’19, and Aaron Tollett, OD ’20, to the Board of Directors.

Leah Gibson, OD, recently opened a new practice in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Matt Jones, OD, was named the Arkansas Optometric Association’s OD of the Year.

Ryan Rosemore, OD, and Zak Rosemore, OD ’12, recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of opening their practice in The Colony, Texas.

2010 Pinakin Davey, OD, guest lectured about the link between nutrition and good vision for SCO’s Public Health Club students.

2011 Jennifer Lyerly, OD, Mark Schaeffer, OD, and Jade Coats, OD ’16, were named 2023 Visionaries by the Contact Lens Institute.

2012 Katie Brown, OD, was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

JJ Lant, OD, is a new Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri College of Optometry.

2013 Joel Weis, OD, recently joined the Adair County Health system.

2014 Keith Levinson, OD, was named New Jersey’s Young OD of the Year.

2015 Alison Bozung, OD, and Jade Coats, OD ’16, were appointed to advisor roles on the board of YoungODConnect, an organization supporting the next generation of eye care providers.

Carissa Chambers, OD, came in 6th place for her age group in the St. Jude Ironman Memphis triathlon.

Amanda Radeke Geary, OD, and Daniel Geary, OD, enjoyed visiting with classmate Alison Bozung, OD, at the EyeMed CE conference in Orlando where Dr. Bozung was presenting.

2017 Emily Eisenhower, OD, was installed as president of the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians at its fall meeting.

Stephanie Moss, OD, was recently chosen to be part of the AOA’s 2023 Leadership Institute.

Zach Weinberg, OD, has opened a new practice in Ohio.

Jessica Haynes, OD, was a speaker at the World Council of Optometry’s Virtual Myopia Management event.

Amy Puerto, OD, was selected as the AOA’s Young Optometrist of the Year award recipient.

2016 Jade Coats, OD, has joined the Advisory Board for Women in Optometry. She recently was named Best OD in Northwest Arkansas by Celebrate magazine.

Shaleen Ragha, OD, recently was engaged in Memphis to George Abbott.

2018 Eric Woodward, OD, recently joined Oregon Trail Eye Care in Idaho.

2019 Mallory Morris Collins, OD, was named the 2022 Helen St. Clair Young OD of the Year in Mississippi.

Annedrea Morreale, OD, was selected to Nashville’s Top 30 Under 30 by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in recognition of her work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

2020 Colin Hunsaker, OD, and his family recently moved from Virginia to Moab, Utah, where he will be practicing at Moab Eyecare.

Ariel Lenning, OD, recently opened a new practice, Novel Eyes, in Washington.

Mary Kate Walters Sain, OD, visited with Jackie Malish, OD ’23, at the Texas Optometric Association’s annual conference, where Dr. Sain presented on neuroimaging and serology.

Trevor Schramm, OD, recently joined Vision Specialists in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

2021 Casey Krug, OD, is leading the new Low Vision Centers of North Carolina’s expansion in Biltmore Park, North Carolina.

Arianna Schabauer, OD, was named the 2022 OCL Resident Winner for an article published in the Optometry & Visual Performance Journal

SCO POP UP RECEPTION

The college has recently hosted a number of regional pop-up receptions. This past spring saw receptions in Dallas, Little Rock and San Destin. We hope to see more of you on the road soon!

2022 Ben Lee, OD, joined Sango Eye Care in Clarksville, Tennessee.

LITTLE ROCK, ar

dallas, tx

sandestin, fl

STATE DAY 2023

Alumni and representatives from 20 different state associations participated in SCO’s State Day 2023. AOA Trustee BELINDA STARKEY, OD ’04, (far left) delivered the keynote address on lasers. A panel discussion on the topic included (second from the left) AMY PUERTO, OD ’15, EMILY EISENHOWER, OD ’17, ALEX COMPTON, OD ’16, and KRIS MAY, OD ’01,

In Memoriam

DICK POWELL , OD ’68 , died November 3, 2022. A Vietnam War veteran, Dr. Powell served on SCO’s Board from 2004-2012, as President of the Nebraska Optometric Association, and as Director of the Heart of America Contact Lens Society.

RALPH PARKANSKY, OD, retired SCO Professor, died November 17. He was a retired Naval officer who practiced at numerous Naval hospitals before joining SCO’s faculty in 1992. He retired on July 1, 2011.

Robert D. Graham, OD ’40

Samuel “Cliff” Rainey, OD ’51

Patsy Schooler, OD ’51

Walter N. Lewis, OD ’59

Clinton Maples, OD ’60

John R. Mitchem, OD ’60

William D. Simmons, OD ’62

Everett “Sam” Coffman, OD ’65

D. Winston Thaxton III, OD ’66

Charles P. Ingram, OD ’67

Fred McCoy, OD ’67

Joel Zaba, OD ’69

Thomas Hoskins, OD ’71

Ronald Hall, OD ’74

Kenneth Wheeler, OD ’74

Jeffrey Goldstein, OD ’76

Edward C. Hohler, OD ’78

Samuel Spoto, OD ’78

Randall Thomas Hamilton, OD ’79

John L. Lewis, OD ’80

Troy L. Smith, OD ’81

Marty Leggett, OD ’85

Edward H. Hofman, OD ’86

David Halkiades, OD ’92

Kelly Thomas, OD ’92

Charles Kent Yarbrough, OD ’92

Prital Mehta, OD ’20, and Gaurang Patel | August 20, 2022

Mary Price, OD ’19, and Blake James | June 4, 2022

Kristin Hamill, OD ’16, and Kevin King | August 20, 2022

Pooja Alloju, OD ’21, and Garrett Kilgore | August 20, 2022

Emily Evans, OD ’15, and Ray Gobran | August 6, 2022

Amanda Giuletti, OD ’19, and Cameron Lindsey, OD ‘19 | October 8, 2022

Leah Akin, OD ’18, and Sean Butts | October 22, 2022

Jake Stallbaumer, OD ’17, and Shelby Rogers, OD ‘18 | September 3, 2022

hello, i’m new here...

Tabitha Margritz, OD '16, and husband, Daniel: August Daniel, January 5

Kendra Hatfield, OD ’10, and Aaron Eshbaugh: Bennett James, November 18 (with brother Alexander)

Allison Lyerly Bradbury, OD ’13, and Andrew Bradbury, OD ‘14 Graham Inglis, September 21

Meredith Lanham Mueller, OD ’15, and Adam Mueller, OD: Rawlins Brooke, October 24

Dalton Miller, OD ’18, and wife, Nicole: Mary Louise, December 14

Catherine Hogan, OD’ 17, and husband, Taylor: Teddy Russell, January 20

onesie gallery

Jigna Patel, OD ’15: daughter, Simran

Nathan Robinson, OD ’22, and his wife, Jessica: daughter, Eden Ramona

Peyton Glass Richlin, OD ’17, and Bradley Richlin, OD ’17: daughter, Sarah Elizabeth

Kelly James, OD ’19, and Eric James, OD ’19: daughter, Riley

Ginnie Hodges, OD ’11, and Jacob Hodges, OD ’11: daughter, Madeline

Kimberly Phillips-Stewart, OD ’13, and Christopher Stewart, OD ’13: daughter, Olivia Mae

Kailey Soileau Daniel, OD ’20, and Clay Daniel: son, Lincoln

Samantha Harris, OD ’21, and Ian Harris: daughter Elli Rae

Brittany Radke, OD ’13: daughter, Savanna

Katie Bond, OD ’16: daughter, Olivia

Lauren Wooten, OD ’18, and William Wooten, OD ’18: daughter, Sophie

Faculty Spotlights

Marie Bodack, OD, Marc Taub, OD, and Pam Schnell, OD ’01 (not pictured), were joined by other colleagues, including Charles Shidlofsky, OD ’88, as they were inducted as Fellows into the National Academies of Practice.

and participants at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium.

SCO’s faculty recently gathered for a group photo. Currently the college has 53 full-time faculty members and 16 consulting or parttime faculty members. The faculty rank of Instructor was discontinued this year to align better with other optometry programs. SCO’s three faculty ranks are now Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor.

MAZE JOINS FACULTY

David Maze, OD, recently joined SCO’s faculty. A graduate of ICO, he completed a vision therapy residency at SUNY State College of Optometry. He and a colleague later operated a private practice emphasizing vision therapy for children and adults. He is a COVD and AAO Fellow who has volunteered for SVOSH trips and the Special Olympics.

Marie Bodack, OD, was recently installed as president of the COVD. She’s pictured with colleagues, Drs. Glen Steele (’69), David Maze, Janette Pepper, Morgan Ollinger, and Marc Taub.

Chris Borgman, OD, delivered CE lectures at the Maine Optometric Association’s winter meeting.

Patricia Cisarik, OD, recently spoke to a University of Memphis master’s degree program class about visual perception.

David Hall, OD, is pictured lecturing at SCO’s Spring CE weekend. Other faculty participants included Drs. Theresa Cassidy (’18), Jason Duncan (’96), Scott Ensor (’01), Brian Knight (’14), Janette Pepper, and Glen Steele (’69).

Scott Ensor, OD ’01, Karen Squier, OD, and Chris Borgman, OD, published an article about Leber’s heredity optic neuropathy in the Jan./Feb. 2023 issue of Modern Optometry

Dan Fuller, OD, Aspen Chun, OD ’21, Glenn Goldring, OD ’78, Christina Newman, OD, Emily Seuferer, ’24, and Payton Ranck, ’24, were among the attendees

Mary Hoang, OD ’14, recently appeared on Optometry365’s podcast to talk about glaucoma, Catherine Hogan, OD ’17, serves as the topical expert for the program.

Catherine Hogan, OD ’17, guest lectured to residents at the Memphis VA about chalazion incisions and suturing.

Aaron Kerr, OD ’98, recently was named to the TICUA Executive Leadership Institute as a Fellow. The group recently met on the SCO campus.

Chris Lievens, OD, and Gregory Wolfe, OD, were among the

authors of an article about digital device users and Systane Hydration PF published in Clinical Optometry

In addition to alumni who joined students in competing in last December’s St. Jude Marathon, faculty participants included Christina Newman, OD, Shaleen Ragha, OD ’16, and Tyler Kitzman, OD ’16.

Dan Powell, OD, was elected Chairperson of the Awards Committee for the American Public Health Association.

Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, was named to the inaugural steering committee for the AOA’s newly launched Center for Independent Practice. Dr. Reich was also named to the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA).

Beth Sparrow, OD ’98, joined SCO students at a spring RAM trip to Byrdstown, Tennessee, where they provided care to 85 patients in need over two days.

Drs. Karen Squier, Kristina Haworth, Marc Taub, and David Hall recently attended the first-ever Academy Leadership Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona.

• Dr. Squier chairs the Academy’s Low Vision Section.

• Dr. Haworth chairs the Vision Science Section.

• Dr. Taub is Vice Chair of the Optometric Education Section.

• Dr. Hall chairs the newly formed Ophthalmic Lasers SIG.

Marc Taub, OD, earned his Doctor of Education degree in Higher and Adult Education from the University of Memphis. He also recently received the William and Diana Ludlam Educators Award from the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association and lectured at a conference in India.

GSLS | LAS VEGAS, NV

Drs. Aspen Chun, Daniel Fuller, OD Association between Keratoconus Severity and Optical Densitometry

HOAECC | KANSAS CITY, MO

Dr. Jennifer Jones (’06), Jadyn Nelson (’23) Oculodermal melanocytosis.

Drs. Patrick Fiddler, Chris Borgman Using VEP in Chromatic Filter Evaluation for Moderate/Severe TBI

Dr. Beth Sparrow (’98) A Review of Salzmann’s Nodular Degeneration.

Dr. Karen Squier

Ancillary Health Professionals’ Understanding of Services for the Visually Impaired.

Dr. Darah McDaniel-Chandler (’16)

Vertical Deviation Associated with Cavernous Malformation.

Dr. Daniel Fuller

Near Induced Transient Myopia and Stand Magnifiers: Is There a Link?

COVD | COLUMBUS, OH

Drs. Kristin Adams, Marc Taub Residency in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation with Emphasis on Brain Injury at SCO

Dr. Kristin Adams

Migraine Management with Therapeutic Colored Lenses Eliminated Pharmacological Treatment with Accompanying Nystagmus

Drs. Kristin Adams, Lisa Koehler

I Want to Be Like Sue:

Improving Visual Abilities and Comfort in a 71-year-old Patient with Esotropia

Drs. Patrick Fiddler, Marc Taub

Enhancement of the Vision Therapy Curriculum at SCO

Drs. Darah McDaniel-Chandler (’16), Marija Novakovich, Alexia Clark Vision Therapy Implications for a Patient with Selective Mutism

Drs. Marc Taub, Pamela Schnell (’01)

Karen Squier, OD, recently earned her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Memphis. She is also serving as the topic editor for submitted low vision cases published in the American Academy of Optometry’s new journal.

Melissa Zarn, OD, Gregory Wolfe, OD, and Janette Pepper, OD, were named the recipients of the 2023 Dr. Lester Janoff Award for their research paper, “Training

Implicit Bias and Awareness of the Impact of Systemic Racism on Health: a Preliminary Study of Second-Year Optometry

Students.” The award recognizes outstanding writing published in Optometric Education, the Journal of ASCO.

Pediatrics and Vision Rehabilitation Resident Program at SCO

New Board Trustee

ARTHUR “REGGIE” DAMPIER, JR., OD ’97, recently was appointed to SCOs Board of Trustees. A native of Mississippi, he owns Ridgeland Eyecare Center in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He served as President of the Mississippi Optometric Association in 2012 and was his state’s Young OD of the Year in 2007.