Visions_08Fall

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Annual Report July 1, 2007–June 30, 2008

content 1 President’s Corner

2

Student Services

4

RICHARD W. PHILLIPS, OD ’78, FAAO President

KRISTIN K. ANDERSON, OD Vice President for Institutional Advancement

JIM HOLLIFIELD Editor Director of Publication Services

SUSAN M. DOYLE Designer

ERIN JAFFE Photographer

Academic Affairs

7

Human Resources

8

trustees F. Mason Smith, OD ’76 – Chair Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Clinical Programs

Donna Abney, MBA

10

Eugene M. Bane, Jr., OD ’65

Financial Affairs

12

Germantown, Tennessee Salem, Virginia

Larry H. Bryan Memphis, Tennessee

Institutional Advancement

Howard F. Flippin, OD ’59

14

John A. Gazaway, OD ’67

Lifetime Giving

17

Student Life

18

Searcy, Arkansas Eagle Grove, Iowa

A. Thomas Hyde, OD ’76 Morristown, Tennessee

James B. Jalenak, Esq. Memphis, Tennessee

Jarrett Johnson, OD ’90 New Orleans, Louisiana

SCO Happenings

Christopher B. King, OD ’83

22

Kenneth L. Mulholland, Jr.

Class Notes

24

SCO Focus

26

News Briefs

Englewood, Florida Germantown, Tennessee

Richard L. Powell, OD ’68 Lincoln, Nebraska

Wayne W. Pyeatt Memphis, Tennessee

Robert W. Smalling, OD ’74 Warren, Arkansas

Mary Thornley, EdD Charleston, South Carolina

Visions Alumni Magazine is published four times yearly through the Office of Institutional Advancement. Copies are available without charge to alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the college. A digital version is available online at www.sco.edu.

Please send comments, contributions and address changes to: Office of Institutional Advancement 1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222 800-238-0180, ext. 4 901-722-3379 FAX

J. Bart Campbell, OD ’87 Faculty Representative Memphis, Tennessee

Amanda Nadolski, ’10 Student Representative The Woodlands, TX

Randy Birt, OD ’02 See pg. 10

president ’ s corner Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, FAAO

»

During our recent Alumni Homecoming held here in Memphis, I was heartened by the

update you, our alumni and friends, about the

with all of our students and alumni for many

achievements being made at SCO.

years to come. The four-year optometry pro-

words of one of my fellow 1978 graduates.

Specifically, we focus on the 2007-2008

gram transforms our students into practicing

He candidly spoke about the fact that he was

fiscal and academic year that began July 1,

doctors of optometry, a proud profession with

among a generation of SCO graduates who

2007 and ended June 30, 2008. We intend to

close-knit ties that will last a lifetime, as so many

felt as though they could have been treated

make each Fall issue of this magazine an Annual

of our graduates can attest.

more fairly as students. Coming back to see the

Report, providing you with snapshots of prog-

SCO of today, however, he realized that things

ress made along the way.

Our institution has never been stronger.

From the faculty to the financial aid office to

Earlier this year we published the “Honor

our security guards, the entire campus shares

He and other classmates saw what I have

Roll of Donors” issue in which we acknowledged

the mission of educating men and women in

become aware of during the past few years,

donors and corporate partners. This issue fur-

the art and science of optometry. We take this

but only witnessed in depth last year when

ther pays tribute to those who have continually

mission very seriously.

have changed.

The knowledge our students gain at SCO

I became president-elect; namely, SCO looks forward, attracts the best and the brightest students, leads the way in optometric education, and recruits committed faculty and staff who are dedicated to fulfilling the college’s mission to the best of their abilities and talent. It was heartening to hear this fellow classmate pledge

Two words that sum up these changes that SCO has seen for the better over the past several years: continuous progress

is the cornerstone of their future career and establishes a foundation to serve patients who come to them for care.

All optometrists know that patients look to us with trusting eyes, counting on our profession to safeguard their most precious sense, the gift of sight. That is a wonderful and

to support the college going forward as our class talked about the positive impressions they

supported SCO through the years. Beginning

awesome privilege and responsibility, and with

received through their interactions with today’s

with the Fall 2009 issue, we will incorporate the

your help, we will lead the profession forward

optometry students.

“Honor Roll of Donors” theme to include donor

by assisting these fine students in becoming

There are two words that sum up these

re­cognition as part of our overall progress report.

the best practitioners that they can possibly be.

changes that SCO has seen for the better over

Even as we review with pride the accom-

the past several years: continuous progress.

plishments and progress made over the past

Consider this Annual Report edition of Visions

year, the entire SCO community now looks

a true measure of the progress seen during

forward to the next year already underway.

the past year. Herein you will find reports

As I recently told our first-years, the Class of

from different service areas at the college to

2012, I look forward to sharing this profession

Annual Report

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Student SERVICES

Joseph H. Hauser, MBA Vice President for Student Services

One of the most significant accomplishments over this past year was the creation of the Clinic Conference Leave Policy. The policy will provide appropriate leave days to allow interested students to attend important optometric meetings. This new policy will allow for a larger SCO student profile at these meetings. To help encourage stronger attendance at the AOA meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) committed $2,500 in travel grants for attending students.

An academic affairs task force was created to evaluate applicant characteristics that may lead to academic problems. A more comprehensive faculty advisor program was initiated this year. The goal is to assist in identifying problems before a student experiences academic difficulties.

The Vice President for Student Services and Director of Academic Affairs worked on the Spring academic schedule in advance to ensure an appropriate National Board review. There will be a new NBEO Part I administration in March 2009, and SCO wanted to make sure third-year test takers were maximally prepared.

SGA approved new bylaws incorporating the change from quarters to semesters.

All 119 members of the Class of 2008 earned their degrees on May 2, 2008. Fall 2008 enrollment was expected to show 482 full-time students, SCO’s highest enrollment count since the 1982-83 academic year. SCO’s attrition rate for the 2007-2008 academic year was only 0.4 percent.

C la ss o f 2 012 A pp lican t Data

Applicants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741 6.8% increase from previous year

Interviewed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 Accepted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Enrolled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 71.3% matriculation rate

M ee t t he C la ss o f 2 012

GPA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.45

Second highest on record

OAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

Highest on record for an entering class

Admissions/Enrollment Services During the 2007-2008 academic and fiscal year, the college entered one of the most competitive classes in SCO history with a GPA/OAT average of 3.45 and 340, respectively. All 124 matriculants held a bachelor’s degree or higher. SCO’s minority student population, 19%, was the largest for an entering class since 2000.

Admissions and Enrollment Services implemented several new processes to more efficiently evaluate applicant transcripts and the overall application process. More personalized correspondence was sent out to competitive applicants. These changes helped to achieve the highest matriculation rate, 71.3%, in recent history.

The department worked closely with Optometric Education and the Chair of Assessment to make the conversion of academic records from quarters to semesters a smooth process.

Student Recruitment During the 2007-2008 recruiting season, there were 89 campus visits arranged in 25 states.

In addition, more than 50 people were provided private campus tours and individual counseling sessions while visiting the SCO campus.

The Student Ambassador program continued to be an instrumental arm of Student Recruitment. Student Ambassadors represent SCO and the profession of optometry by providing tours of the campus and answering questions from students and parents, but the use of the program reaches outside the SCO campus. By providing testimonials for the SCO website, Student Ambassadors are able to reach prospective applicants globally. They also provide their views to often-asked questions on SCO’s recruiting DVD and in brochures. Their direct connection with applicants and potential applicants is invaluable and provides a non-intimidating resource for students.

Student Ambassador Joe Sugg conducted a tour of The Eye Center for U.S. Representative Steve Cohen during his visit to the campus.

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Bachelor’s degree or higher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 (100%) States represented. . . . . . . . . . . 30 Male/Female. . . . . . . . . . . . . 60/64 Minority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19%

2 0 07 Fall Seme s t e r en r o llmen t s tat i s t ic s

Class of 2011 Number of Students. . . . . 124 Male/Female. . . . . . . . . . 62/62 Minority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7% Class of 2010 Number of Students. . . . . . 119 Male/Female. . . . . . . . . . 68/51 Minority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13% Class of 2009 Number of Students. . . . . . 118 Male/Female. . . . . . . . . . 56/62 Minority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9% Class of 2008 Number of Students. . . . . . 119 Male/Female. . . . . . . . . . 48/71 Minority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13%

2 0 07-2 0 0 8 r ec r ui t men t o v e r v ie w

States Visited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Campus Visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

SCO Partners with Students to Combat Debt Financing the cost of optometric education remains a hot topic with both alumni and students, a challenge that SCO’s Financial Aid Office is mindful of each day.

The office strives to counsel students regarding their loan packages, to educate students against borrowing needlessly if other funding sources are available, and keeping students notified of total debt to reduce borrowing levels when possible.

“Students are always our top priority,” said Cindy Garner, Director of Financial Aid at SCO. Garner and her staff began 20072008 with presentations to all students interviewing with the college. She and her counselors routinely reviewed available financial aid, budgeting and ways to reduce debt.

“Once the student is awarded financial aid, we create a projected debt analysis for them,” she explained.

Next is an orientation entrance

Three groups of high school students visited the SCO campus. The Director of Student Recruiting also coordinated coverage for multiple local school events, including elementary school career days and high school education fairs.

In April 2008, SCO hosted Discover Optometry, an open house event held on the SCO campus every two years. Approximately 150 registrants attended the event, allowing SCO to highlight the profession and its campus.

A PowerPoint presentation was developed to provide copies on flash drives to targeted alumni who assist with recruiting efforts. The process will continue building relationships with alumni.

interview during which the borrower’s rights and responsibilities are reviewed, along with budgeting, debt management and the Federal Work Study program.

Before graduation, students are required to attend an exit interview.

During this session, the Financial Aid Office staff reviews rights and responsibilities,

repayment

options,

grace periods and consolidation.

“Students are becoming more responsive to the idea of budgeting, especially when they realize the benefit of debt reduction down the road,” Garner added.

A summary of SCO student borrowing is listed below: S tuden t Borrowing for Educational Cos ts

Total Number of Borrowers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452 Mean Educational Cost (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $33,662 Mean Amount Borrowed per Borrower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30,392 Proportion of Educational Cost Financed by Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91% Total Amount Borrowed (2) . . . . . . . . . . . $13,899,988 1. Educational costs include net tuition, fees, books, equipment and reasonable living expenses.

2. Included are all federally regulated student loans and any other loans processed by the financial aid office.

The Class of 2008 graduated with an average debt of $109,646, which excludes any undergraduate debt, an increase of $3,309.

Financial Aid

The average undergraduate debt was $15,997 for the Class of 2008 upon entering SCO, an

Of the total financial aid received by SCO students for 2007-2008, scholarships and needbased grants comprised 6 percent, Federal Work Study 3 percent, and loans 91 percent. The total loan volume for 2007-2008 was $13,899,988, an increase of $251,421. The previous year’s increase was $307,504.

increase of $1,895.

Of SCO’s total loan volume, the various offcampus programs accounted for 90%, while Perkins Loans accounted for 10%. The Health Professional Student Loan was not awarded for 2007-2008.

SCO graduate can expect loan repayments of

Most 2008 graduates were able to consolidate the first two years of their loans while in school and lock in at a fixed rate of approximately 5%. The last two years, the interest rate was fixed at 6.8%. Assuming an average of the two rates, 5.9% APR, the typical 2008 about $14,541 per year for 10 years to service an optometric educational debt of $109,646.

For the eleventh consecutive year, SCO reported a zero percent default rate for its graduates.

Annual Report

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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Lewis Reich, OD, PhD

Vice President for Academic Affairs

The leadership of Academic Affairs

SCO students had a 91% passage rate on NBEO Part I, 98.3% on Part

changed during the 2007-2008 academic

II, and 99.2% on Part III. This compares to the 74% and 91.5% national

year. Vice President for Academic Affairs

averages on Parts I and II, respectively.

Charles Haine, MS, OD, left SCO in early 2008;

Overall the success rate on Part I of the NBEO (91%) was

Rob Drescher, OD, acted as interim director

consistent with previous years when students had all summer

during the vacancy. Lewis Reich, OD, PhD,

off to study between the 2nd and 3rd years. Both of these NBEO

was named the new Vice President in the

results speak highly of the quality of students admitted and to the

spring of 2008 and officially became Vice

outstanding level of didactic instruction the faculty provided.

President July 1, 2008.

Research Programs Department of Optometric Education

The research department obtained its first U.S. patent and a large

During the 2007-2008 academic year, the new semester

clinical grant for nearly $300,000. Another U.S. patent was filed for the

system was implemented. For each of the 2007-2008 academic

treatment of dry eye as part of the product development contract

terms, implementation of the semester system was well-organized.

with ArGentis to market treatments developed at the college.

Subsequently, the Class of 2009 became the first students assigned

SCO research enjoyed media publicity with several newspaper,

clinical duties in The Eye Center during the summer term between

radio and TV interviews of faculty during the year, including a focus

the 2nd and 3rd years of instruction. The shifting of one lecture

on glaucoma research.

and lab course from the summer back to the fall semester assisted

Research grant funding totaled approximately $441,350. Faculty

the students in having the additional study time they needed for

reported 21 paper or book chapter publications, 34 meeting presen-

National Board preparation.

tations, and 120 hours of CE lectures.

SCO students performed significantly above national averages on National Boards for the 2007-2008 academic year Replacement of optometric equipment and instrumentation in the labs continued under a planned replacement program.

Achieve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300,000

This program continues to update equipment in the labs as much

Assisi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,000

as possible to facilitate student learning. Total renovation of the

Polymer Tech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,000

7th floor contact lens lab was completed, bringing the lab into the 21st century.

Administration determined that the number of faculty required

CHICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000 NCMIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000

Beginning the year with approximately 46 FTE faculty members, the

CIBA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000

college underwent a substantial advertising campaign to recruit

Bausch & Lomb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,060

adjustment for faculty salaries, making salaries more competitive

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ATS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000

for didactic and clinical programs was 55.5 full-time equivalents (FTE).

faculty. In February, the Board of Trustees approved a 15% market

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R E S E A R C H G r an t s r ecei v ed 2 0 07-2 0 0 8

Carl Zeiss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28,350

with other practice modalities. Both activities directly affected the

Heine USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000

increase in the number of quality faculty applicants.

Baypoint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000

Department of Assessment

Residency Programs

SCO students performed significantly above national averages

During the 2007-2008 year, all SCO residency program evalua-

on National Board Examinations for the 2007-2008 academic year.

tion tools (supervisor evaluation of residents, resident evaluations of

SCOVisionS

programs and resident evaluations of supervisors) were converted to a webbased system that greatly enhanced

SCO’s Library experienced a major change with the retirement

SCO’s ability to track and analyze resi-

in January 2008 of Nancy Gatlin, the college’s longest-serving staff

dent progress toward meeting pro-

member. Sharon Tabachnick, MSLS, PhD, succeeded her as Director

gram objectives.

of Library Services.

Fifty-eight applications represent-

The results of the annual inventory of books were remarkable in

ing 13 different institutions were re-

that the library did not lose any vision-related books or journals this

ceived, an increase compared to 54

year. The library’s annual inventory showed that the collection con-

applications received the previous year.

tained 15,184 books, including 5,399 in the subjects of optometry/

All of SCO’s residency programs were

ophthalmology and 5,746 bound journals. About 45,287 citations

active, giving a total of 23 residents in

from VisioNet were viewed, and 33 faculty members received article

14 programs.

citations on 1,224 subjects from the current awareness service.

Residency conferences were held on Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters. These conferences featured college faculty and other subject matter experts. Twenty-six conferences were held, including grand rounds presentations at three external clinical sites.

RESIDENCY PRO G R A M

r e s idency LO C AT I O N

Pediatric Optometry

The Eye Center at SCO, Memphis, TN

Primary Eye Care

The Eye Center at SCO, Memphis, TN

Low Vision Rehabilitation

The Eye Center at SCO, Memphis, TN

Family Practice Optometry

West Tennessee Eye, Millington, TN

Ocular Disease

Eye Centers of Florida, Ft. Myers, FL

Primary Eye Care

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis, TN

Primary Eye Care

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, SC

Primary Eye Care

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, NC

Primary Eye Care

Veterans Affairs Medical Center Mountain Home, TN

Ocular Disease

Library Services

Southern Eye Associates, Memphis, TN

Ocular Disease/Surgery Woolfson Eye Institute,1 Atlanta, GA Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation

Appelbaum Eye Care Associates,1 Bethesda, MD

Ocular Disease

Eye Health Partners of Middle TN,2 Nashville, TN

1. This program enrolled its first resident in July 2008 and will be reflected in next year’s report.

2. This program switched its affiliation from the UAB School of Optometry to SCO effective February 25, 2008 and will be reflected in next year’s report.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Continuing Education SCO’s 2007 Alumni Homecoming and CE Weekend recorded 296 registered attendees. The general program offered 15 hours of COPE-qualified education. Advanced Coding Strategies for the Primary Care Optometrist, a four-hour interactive course, was also offered.

SCO’s 2008 Spring CE Weekend reported 241 registered attendees. The program offered 14 hours of COPEqualified CE as part of the general education program. Friday workshops were also offered, including Examination

Additional or external CE programming in-

satisfaction and ongoing application of infor-

of the Infant, a two-hour workshop featuring

cluded Meeting in the Middle, a four-hour, rapid-

mation learned. Consideration has been given

infants 6-12 months; Optometry and the Web,

fire program co-sponsored with the Tennessee

to expanding enrollment to alumni 1-10 years

a two-hour interactive workshop reinforcing

Optometric Association, and The Role of Perio-

post-graduation to increase program potential.

web-tools and reference available to ODs; and

cular Injections in Primary Eye Care, a seven-hour

The Hayes Center additionally hosted

Advanced Coding Strategies for the Primary Care

course and wet-lab (with examination) certifica-

Joining the Generations: Practice Transitions

Optometrist, a four-hour interactive course.

tion program provided in cooperation with the

and Partnerships, a four-hour program held in

North Carolina Board of Optometry.

conjunction with the Mississippi Optometric

Resident’s Day was expanded to a sevenhour program, featuring 21 presentations, nine of which were made available online on the SECO website. By partnering with SECO, these

Association. This initial program was the catalyst Hayes Center for Practice Excellence

podcasts were made available to an even

The Hayes Center hosted its second an-

greater audience. SCO remained the certifying

nual Private Practice Primer for Recent Graduates

organization for SECO International’s online

program at the SCO campus in January 2008.

education.

Post-course evaluation results demonstrated

for SCO receiving significant funding from VSP to partner this program with six state associations during the 2009-2010 conference year.

Grant Awards in Support of SCO Educational Programs Industry support of SCO educational programs increased during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The following information includes industry partners providing educational grant funding. Additionally, gifts in kind (equipment, handout information) were provided in support of educational programs for faculty and students.

2007-2008 Continuing Education Programs

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2008 Spring Continuing Education Programs

Faculty Development Continuing Education $4,500

Fall 2007 Continuing Education Programs

2007-2008 Continuing Education and Hayes Center Programs

human RESOURCES

Ann Fields

Vice President for Human Resources

During the 2007-2008 fiscal year, Human Resources (HR) developed a Paid Time Off Policy that incorporated annual and sick leave time as one benefit.

A major effort was undertaken to revise the performance management system for all staff and faculty. A new system was adopted for use in the upcoming 2008-2009 year.

SCO implemented a goal of increasing communication through utilizing the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 8:30-10:30 am to facilitate additional communication and staff/faculty interaction.

During the year, HR reviewed SCO’s claims experience and cost for medical benefits and began a thorough process of evaluating how best to deliver a high level of benefits to employees and maintain a reasonable cost level. SCO added an Employee Assistance Program through Concern, a Baptist Hospital subsidiary counseling service. Concern services were also extended to all SCO students.

SCO adopted a smoke-free campus policy, and smoking cessation resources were offered to interested employees.

The Centre Group’s Tracy Lindow, standing, chats with staff member Winona Caldwell during a campus-wide meeting.

Emma Ivie

From the Heart…

Inspired by the courage shown by an SCO student in the face of adversity, faculty and staff recently joined students in creating the Student Emergency Fund to assist SCO students in need.

This past year, Jared Ivie, ’09, and his wife, Kerie, received an unwelcomed diagnosis after their young daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with cancer. Such a prospect would be daunting for any young family, but for a fourth-year optometry student nearing completion of his professional degree and far from home, facing a major family illness and related expenses proved especially challenging.

News of the Ivie family’s situation prompted the SCO community to respond with an outpouring of financial and other support.

SCO agreed to match the first $2,500 raised in an effort to provide needed assistance to a student achiever and his family. The amount was easily reached and surpassed.

“The fact that the generosity of friends, colleagues, staff and faculty at SCO has been such so as to meet the match offer in total is truly a testament to the family feeling that we all share,” Dr. Phillips told the SCO community in an email after the matching funds were met.

After a check was presented to the Ivie family, Student Doctor Ivie responded with a heartfelt message of appreciation to the SCO community: “On behalf of my family, and especially my daughter, Emma, I want to thank you all for the support, prayers, thoughts, cards and donations that have been contributed to our family during this tough time. I really can’t express in words how much this support has helped us get through some dark and challenging times as Emma has started her cancer treatment.

“I knew SCO was a great place filled with wonderful people, but I am still amazed at how quickly so many were to show their support and concern for Emma and our family. I want each and every one of you to know we are extremely grateful for your support and love. Your kindness and support has been a warm ray of sunshine on some very dark and cloudy days for us.

“It truly shows that SCO is more than a school; it’s a second family and as our SCO family, you have taken great care of us. Jared, Kerie, Emma, and Abigail Ivie.”

Meanwhile, Emma has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and surgery to remove tumors. Surgeons are optimistic for her full recovery.

The response to Emma’s illness demonstrated compassion within the SCO family. The SCO Student Emergency Fund will be utilized as other student emergency needs arise in the future.

Annual Report

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CLINICAL PROGRAMS

James H. Burke, OD ’77 Vice President for Clinical Programs

Clinical Program goals focused on implementing electronic health records throughout The Eye Center, maintaining and increasing patient numbers, and reinforcing coding and billing procedures.

These priorities provided interns with a professional clinical education and experience. SCO’s Clinical Programs directly contributed to the success of the college’s educational program and simultaneously supported the mission by providing interns with real world experience with patient care activities.

The college’s Clinical Programs consisted of The Eye Center, Externship Program, Nursing Home External Clinics, and Community Outreach Services.

At The Eye Center, located on campus, interns assisted experienced staff optometrists in providing patient care in the areas of Primary Care Optometry, Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Contact Lens, Ocular Disease, Low Vision Rehabilitation and the Optical Department.

Provided in the next sections are summaries of activities from each of the components of the Clinical Programs.

Clinical Operations The Eye Center ended the 2007-2008 fiscal year with total charges of $4.0 million, a 9 percent increase over the previous year. Total office visits were consistent with the previous year’s numbers, with a small increase in ophthalmology service numbers.

Patient visits totaled approximately 60,000 for the fiscal year.

Adult Primary Care (APC) During the fiscal year, the APC service accounted for 16,620 patient encounters, and 6,226 of these patients were “new” patients, meaning that they were not seen in the previous three years. Nearly 85% of patient encounters were level 4 examinations, denoting the complex nature of APC’s patient population.

Advanced Care Ocular Disease The Advanced Care Ocular Disease Service provided care for 3,825 established patients and 529 new patients. A total of 843 patients required post-operative care.

Patient volume and retention remained stable, and the service was available for emergency and walk-in patient care.

Community Service and Outreach SCO’s Community Outreach program partnered with the Shelby County public school system to provide vision screenings to more than 7,300 children at 69 schools.

The program initiated a three-year research project to track follow-up care after screenings. An agreement between SCO and Head Start permitted screenings for approximately 3,000 children at Head Start Programs across Shelby County. Faculty and interns frequently provided service to local residents at community fairs, health programs, and school career days. Partners included the Memphis Grizzlies, the City of Memphis, Girl Scouts of America, Methodist and LeBonheur Medical Systems, Lincoln Memorial University and the Special Olympics’ “Opening Eyes” program in Nashville.

Contact Lens Faculty and students saw a large number of challenging fittings involving

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Today’s students receive 21st Century clinical exposure, and The Eye Center’s transition to using Electronic Health Records (EHR) provides these students with additional real world knowledge used in contemporary practice settings.

Summer 2007 semester saw the start date for EHR in the Contact Lens Service. After a number of software improvements, clinical faculty and staff members grew more proficient.

Dr. Jim Venable, Chief of Staff, took the lead in setting up the EHR tables for the Compulink program. Work was done to merge The Eye Center’s examination procedures from each service area with the Compulink program’s EHR tables.

EHR software was next introduced to the Advanced Care Ocular Disease service during the Fall 2007 semester, followed by Primary Care Services for both adults and children during the Spring 2008 semester.

The remaining services for EHR installation to be completed soon are Low Vision and Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Glen Steele, Chief of Pediatrics, said that adaptation to Electronic Health Records, while an adjustment, went smoothly.

“While there are obvious differences from paper charts, many things are easier and faster,” Dr. Steele said.

“Electronic Health Records have significantly increased access to records for established patients as well as streamlining our reporting process to referral sources,” noted Gary Snuffin, Director of Clinical Operations.

“Everyone is now very confident and comfortable with using the EHR as intended.”

SCO partnered with a new program, Project SAVE, to provide hundreds of eye examinations to school children. The partnership provided screenings through VSP’s mobile unit, seen here parked near The Eye Center.

conditions such as keratoconus and postsurgical corneas. Clinical courses have been structured to ensure that every graduate gained experience in completing gas permeable, soft toric, presbyopic and multiple soft contact lens fittings from start to finish. This service area was the first in The Eye Center to go fully electronic for all patient records, inventory and lens ordering procedures.

Externship Program A summary of the 2007-2008 program showed that 119 students participated with 238 total assignments. With each student assigned to one rotation of 16 weeks in an institutional health care facility and to one 16-week rotation in a private optometric practice, participants experienced a total of 151,847 patient contacts, an average of 638 patient contacts per semester.

Low Vision Rehabilitation Service A new clinical rotation at The Star Center in Jackson, Tennessee provided significant patient care exposure to SCO’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Resident. The program produced and distributed “Share the Vision” brochures to facilitate the collection of gently used low vision devices that can be “recycled” for patients in need. Through the generosity of The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, the Project Magnify e x t e r n s hi p e x pe r ience s

program funded examination fees and low vision devices necessary for patients to achieve their goals of independence.

Nursing Home Program SCO’s Nursing Home Program provided students with clinical experience in managing geriatric patients. Students served long-term care residents at 12 facilities in the Memphis area. The program provided students with year-round clinical visits on a defined schedule throughout the academic year.

Optical Service Area The Optical Service Area provided an excellent learning experience that demonstrated the importance of ophthalmic considerations in patient management. A new student evaluation process was implemented in the 2007-2008 academic year to provide students with a more detailed and comprehensive accounting of

their performance while in the optical area.

The fiscal year saw 10,341 ophthalmic frames dispensed along with 10,530 pairs of lenses. The Optical Service Area represented a significant contribution to the overall revenue of The Eye Center; gross revenues increased 11 percent.

Pediatric Primary Care Providing care to children from birth through age 12, the Pediatric Service area performed 5,239 examinations during the 20072008 fiscal year. Because many third-party insurance plans require a referral from a primary care physician for additional pediatric and vision care services, case managers in The Eye Center were reported to have done an excellent job in obtaining appropriate referrals for provided services.

Vision Therapy Service (VTS) The VTS recorded 4,646 unique, individual patient encounters, representing an overall increase of 8 percent over the previous year.

During FY 2007-2008, 592 Sensorimotor and/or Visual Perceptual/Developmental Evaluations were performed, as well as 3,420 individual therapy sessions. The new projector vectographic system, used with computerized therapy, expanded the faculty’s ability to provide superior management of otherwise difficult binocular vision disorders. Finally, this service area began preparation to be combined with the Low Vision Rehabilitation Service in an effort to develop a new neuro-rehabilitative service area.

Annual Report

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9

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

David West, CPA Chief Financial Officer

Fiscal Year 2007-2008 saw the appointment of David West as SCO’s new Chief Financial Officer, effective October 1, 2007.

Major objectives achieved during the year included receiving an unqualified audit opinion on the 2007-2008 Financial Statements. SCO met and exceeded its operational budget in 2007-2008 achieving net income from operations of $251,239.

The college’s insurance program was enhanced to provide higher levels of coverage. Language was modified to broaden coverage areas in the clinic operations. Renewal was completed at an increased cost of less than $10,000.

Statement of Activities for the Year Ended June 30, 2008 R e v e n u e s , G a i n s , a n d O t h e r S u p p or t E ducat i o nal and gene r al r e v enue s.. ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 14 , 7 79, 6 97 B o o k s to r e r e v enue s.......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,103 ,135 I n t e r e s t o n loan s r ecei vable.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2 0 9, 74 0

G o v e r nmen t g r an t s and co n t r ac t s.. . . . $1,9 9 4 , 8 97 Pr i vat e gi f t s , g r an t s , and co n t r ac t s..

$ 8 0 4 , 555

I n v e s t men t inco me.. ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1, 245,19 4 in v e s t men t inco me

6%

g o v e r nmen t G r an t s

C hange in ma r k e t value o f in v e s t men t s.. ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ ( 2 ,187, 742)

10%

b o o k s to r e

Pr i vat e Gifts

6%

4%

Revenues, Gains, and Other Support

Expenses and Losses

I n t e r eS t O N LOA N S

1%

E ducat i o nal and gene r al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 15, 8 8 9, 03 0

E D U C AT I O N A L

73%

s ch o la r s hi p s and awa r d s

in t e r e s t & o t he r financing fee s

2%

2%

r e s ea r ch

de pr eciat i o n

5%

Expenses and Losses

To tal r e v enue s , gain s , and o t he r su pp o r t..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,9 49, 476

2%

b o o k s to r e

5%

E D U C AT I O N A L & gene r al

84%

B o o k s to r e ........................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9 97, 8 82

Re s ea r ch.............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$271, 316

Public s e r v ice s.................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$14 ,9 0 4

A dmini s t r at i v e and co llec t i o n co s t s............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 43 , 5 03

Sch o la r s hi p s and awa r d s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$39 9, 45 0

D e pr eciat i o n....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$92 9,153

I n t e r e s t and o t he r financing fee s . .................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$375, 70 4

Lo ss o n s ale o f pr o p e r t y, plan t and e q ui pmen t ................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1, 0 45

O t he r e x pen s e s.. ................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$21, 2 9 4

To tal e x pen s e s and lo ss e s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 18 , 8 8 3 , 2 81 C hange in ne t a ss e t s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $(933 , 8 0 5) N e t a s s e t s at b e g i n n i n g o f t h e y e a r .. . . . . . . . . . . $ 70 , 6 63 ,9 9 4 N e t a s s e t s at e n d o f t h e y e a r .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6 9, 7 3 0 ,18 9

10

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SCOVisionS

Accounting/Bookstore Information regarding benefits and leave balances was added to employee paystubs. The bookstore reported numerous sales to alumni.

The cohort default rate for Federal Perkins Loans was 0 percent, which reflects well on the ability and willingness of SCO alumni to pay their student loan obligations.

Information Services Fiscal Year 2007-2008 was a year of many challenges for the Information Services department. All network devices were replaced and the campus was divided into three virtual networks, Academic, Administrative, and The Eye Center. This provided an added layer of security to keep information secure and available to only those that have appropriate access.

The conference center on the 8th floor of the SCO tower was fitted with overhead projectors and integrated audio systems to enhance conference and event services capabilities. New cinema quality projectors were installed in the two primary teaching classrooms.

A major redesign of the SCO website was initiated. (See related story on p. 13). Placement Service’s web pages were redesigned. SCO Alerts were launched, offering SCO cell phone users wireless notification in the event of an emergency. The department began work on Phase I of a disaster/business continuity plan designed to safeguard SCO data and services.

Physical Plant SCO’s new academic semester required the Physical Plant Department’s different service areas to reorganize the summer campus renovation schedule. Renovation and remodeling projects during the fiscal year included the seventh floor Contact Lens Lab renovation, the Financial Aid Department, elevator modernization, and the SVOSH Lab, among others.

More than 8,000 visits were reported by the SCO Activity Center, and the SCO Mail Center processed more than 180,000 pieces of mail throughout the fiscal year.

Security SCO’s Security Department underwent a major upgrade to a modernized color closed circuit TV system, allowing security members to monitor and provide a quicker response time to any incidents within SCO camera range. The SCO college campus ranked among the safest in Memphis with one of the lowest incident report rates of any institution of higher learning within the city.

Preventative Health Several programs were implemented over the past year to achieve an overall healthy and safe environment, including preparation for a safety inspection of the campus. Waterless hand sanitizers were also installed throughout the SCO tower and The Eye Center.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Kristin K. Anderson, OD Vice President for Institutional Advancement

The department underwent a change

seekers to clearly state personal practice goals; an email notification

in leadership during the year when Shannon

system for seekers and providers based upon location for newly

Reynolds Torbett left to pursue new

posted items; and a search engine based on type of Opportunity

opportunities in St. Louis in April 2008. Dr.

– Associate, Independent Contractor, Partnership, Practice for Sale,

Kristin Anderson was appointed VPIA in

Part-time or Temporary fill-in. The website ended the fiscal year with

July 2008. President Phillips supervised the

233 seekers and 451 opportunities.

department during the interim period.

Work began on the creation of an Alumni Council. The depart-

The department supported a number of

ment worked with President Phillips to identify a diverse group of

special events, including the Inauguration of

dedicated and committed alumni who will serve as an “inner circle”

President Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, the 75th Anniversary Campaign

to help ensure that SCO’s future as a leader in optometric education

wrap-up, and the expansion of SCO alumni outreach opportunities

is not only maintained, but advanced. Efforts to fill open positions

at state and regional optometric meetings.

will continue into the next year to complete the Alumni Council.

The department hosted or supported a total of 684 organized

The department’s development initiatives during the 2007-2008

meetings and events held on and off campus during the year. SCO-

fiscal year centered around the 75th Diamond Anniversary capital

related activities held off campus were coordinated by the Meeting

campaign as it entered its second year.

Coordinator and Alumni Relations Associate. The following table

The following information presents the results specific to the

outlines a number of highlighted college events.

annual reporting period.

C A M PU S W I D E E V E N TS

G i f t s Recei v ed Fi s cal yea r 2 0 07-2 0 0 8

SEP 2007. . . . . . . . Alumni Homecoming and CE Weekend Reunion Class Parties

Total $$ Received. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $542,964

OCT 2007. . . . . . . All School Convocation OCT 2007. . . . . . . Inauguration of Dr. Richard W. Phillips

Number of Gifts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,342 Total Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 661 New Donors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

MAY 2008. . . . . . . Graduation Banquet and Awards Ceremony MAY 2008. . . . . . . Commencement R E G I O N A L- N AT I O N A L :

A LU M N I R E C E PT I O N S

The 2007-2008 Campaign for SCO was held in August 2007 and resulted in the most successful faculty/staff appeal in college history.

The Campaign for SCO generated more than $47,000 with 61%

OCT 2007. . . . . . . American Academy of Optometry

participation by faculty and staff. Highlighted results include two

FEB 2008. . . . . . . . Heart of America Contact Lens Society

new named rooms, one scholarship, and 17 new donors.

FEB 2008. . . . . . . . SECO President’s Reception at SECO

new format. This SCO community-based program was staffed by

MAR 2008. . . . . . . SWCO JUN 2008 . . . . . . . American Optometric Association STAT E A SSO C I AT I O N M E E T I N G : A LU M N I R E C E PT I O N S

NOV 2007. . . . . . . North Carolina State Optometric Society

The Community Phon-a-thon was introduced, offering a volunteer student callers working in support of student organizations.

SCO contributed $3,988 to student organizations in exchange for contacting alumni. The Community Phon-a-thon contacted 997 alumni, raised more than $32,000 in pledges and gifts, and identified 23 new donors.

Note-a-thon was conducted in November 2007. This program

NOV 2007. . . . . . . Mississippi Optometric Association

invited students to prepare handwritten cards for senior alumni

APR 2008. . . . . . . Arkansas Optometric Association

requesting support of the 75th Anniversary Campaign. Note-a-thon

APR 2008. . . . . . . Kentucky Optometric Association

produced responses from 27 alumni and raised $3,545 in pledges and gifts.

12

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The department supported SCO alumni and students through

As a final appeal to the 75th Campaign, a retrospective DVD was

the acquisition and enhancement of the Placement Service website.

produced and mailed to more than 3,500 alumni, resulting in $4,650

A modernized design was created and new features were added

in pledges and gifts and four new donors.

offering increased service and communication with registered

The 75th Diamond Anniversary campaign closed at SECO on

members. These included an open response section that allows

February 29, 2008. The $2.5 million campaign total was announced

SCOVisionS

SCO’s website at www.sco.edu is taking on a new look. The college has spent the past year working with a design firm to develop a new look and layout for the SCO site.

A committee appointed by Dr. Phillips worked with individual departments to formulate the contents to incorporate in the newly designed pages. Admissions and Recruiting in Student Services particularly relies upon the web site to communicate with prospective students.

during the Alumni Reception. It marked the end to the most successful capital campaign in SCO history and added 149 new donors to SCO’s legacy of giving.

75th Diamond Anniversary Gifts and Pledges as of February 28, 2008 B e q ue s t

A ss i s i F o undat i o n

$365,000

$250,000

Facult y/ S ta ff

$114,327

Fr iend s

$186,276

4%

14%

10%

At the same time, Institutional Advance­ ment, the Publications department and Student Services collaborated with an Emmy Awardwinning film production crew to produce a new marketing video for prospective students and faculty.

The film crew spent more than a month visiting campus, interviewing students and faculty and capturing the SCO experience in high definition. Clips from the video will also be placed throughout SCO’s revamped website as a secondary method of communicating with prospective students.

Raised on “YouTube” and “iTunes,” today’s prospective students use video and the web to make their impressions about an educational facility before ever stepping foot on campus.

SCO intends to showcase its clinical and technological edge through these two major projects.

SCO’s revamped website will continue to develop after its launch, with additional updates planned on the alumni site and the sites for The Eye Center and the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence.

Publication Services The department assisted Institutional Advancement with the creation of SCO’s first digital e-newsletter in May 2008 for SCO alumni. Text and graphic elements were produced for SCO’s presidential inauguration and 75th Anniversary campaign.

The department assisted with the redesign of the Placement Services website and SCO’s overall redesign of the college website. The department also assisted Institutional Advancement with creating re-usable first floor displays. One display honors campaign donors, while the other four-part panel (shown below) portrays the SCO community’s accomplishments in a positive light in the student center area.

A lumni

7%

$943,798

I ndu s t ry

$709,490 37% 28%

Annual Report

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13

Where Are They Now? Alumni By State Tennessee.........................803 Florida...............................527 Georgia.............................388 North Carolina.............. 376 Arkansas...........................325 Texas..................................285 Mississippi........................260 Louisiana.........................230 South Carolina..............222 Kentucky...........................208 Virginia.............................. 197 Missouri............................ 191 Oklahoma.......................184 Kansas............................... 145 West Virginia...................117 Alabama..........................104 California........................... 80 Nebraska............................ 68 Colorado............................ 65 Iowa..................................... 62 Maryland............................61 Illinois................................... 60 Michigan............................ 60 Arizona................................55 New York............................ 49 Wisconsin........................... 48 Ohio..................................... 45 New Jersey......................... 40 Minnesota......................... 35 Pennsylvania.................... 34 Utah..................................... 32 Washington...................... 32 Indiana............................... 30 New Mexico...................... 26

Nevada................................16 Idaho....................................13 Oregon.................................13 Delaware............................11 Wyoming............................11 Hawaii..................................10 Montana.............................10 South Dakota...................10 Connecticut.........................9 Massachusetts....................8 Vermont................................8 Maine.....................................7 North Dakota......................7 Alaska.....................................5 District of Columbia.........3 Rhode Island.......................3 New Hampshire.................2 Alumni Outside of U.S. Ontario................................10 Armed Forces Africa.........8 Alberta...................................4 Armed Forces Pacific........4 Puerto Rico...........................3 British Columbia................2 Manitoba..............................2 Newfoundland and Labrador......................2 Guam.....................................1 Saskatchewan....................1 Yukon......................................1 Whereabouts Unknown...............................103

Lifetime GIVING Cumulative gifts from January 1, 1986 through September 30, 2008 $5 0 0 , 0 0 0 and ab o v e Jerome A. Hayes, III, OD ’73

$2 5 0 , 0 0 0 -$ 49 9,9 9 9 Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Fredric M. Rosemore, OD ’48 and Mrs. Marion G. Rosemore Vision Service Plan

Precision Optical Laboratory, Inc. Wayne W. Pyeatt W. Jack Runninger, OD ’47 James D. Sandefur, OD ’65 Robert W. Smalling, OD ’74 Southwest Contact Lens Society Wal-Mart Optical Division

$10 0 , 0 0 0 -$249,9 9 9 Martha Rosemore Greenberg, OD ’74 and Sidney I. Greenberg, OD ’65

I. Joel Halpern, OD ’74 Whitney Hauser, OD ’01 and Joseph H. Hauser, MBA Daniel Houghton, Jr., OD ’53 Jarrett Ann Johnson, OD ’90 Linda D. Johnson, OD Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Johnson Charles Lowell Jones, OD ’75 Kentucky Optometric Association David D. Kirby, OD ’80 Lakeland Lions Foundation

Lions Club of Memphis Foundation

$10 , 0 0 0 -$24 ,9 9 9 Edwin F. Adams, III, OD ’76

Southern Council of Optometrists, Inc.

AEN, Inc.

Wilburn Lord, Jr., OD ’77

Seymour R. Marco Family Foundation

Charles H. Aldridge, Jr., OD ’80

Memphis Family Vision Practice

Sidney J. Stern, OD ’71

Alston & Bird

Mississippi Optometric Association

Vistakon Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

American Heart Association

Darwin L. Mormon, OD

American Optometric Association

Joseph F. Wiggins, OD ’51

Paul D. Mormon, OD ’01

America’s Best/National Vision Inc.

Dale L. Morris, OD ’73

Kristin K. Anderson, OD and Christopher Lievens, OD

Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ’80 and Billy S. Moscow, OD ’78

Scott R. Andreas, MS

Michael Neff, OD ’68

Association of Schools & Colleges of Optometry

William C. Oliver, OD ’63

$5 0 , 0 0 0 -$9 9,9 9 9 Camile L. Chiasson, OD ’81 CIBA Vision Corporation Ramona P. Clifton, OD ’46 and Reverend Farris W. Clifton

Atlanta Optometric Foundation, Inc.

Richard L. Hopping, OD ’52

Rick D. Bartlett, OD ’81

Arthur Thomas Hyde, OD ’76

Ronald D. Blum, OD ’72

Laser Diagnostic Technologies, Inc.

James A. Boucher, OD ’61

Omni Eye Service, Inc.

Amanda Brewer-Smith, OD ’97

Transitions Optical, Inc.

J. Wayne Buck, OD ’78

United Way of the Mid South

Robert L. Burns, OD ’76

Wesley-Jessen Corp.

Charles A. Callaway, OD ’83

J. Dean Baggett, OD ’83

Phillip L. Carney, Jr., OD ’92 $2 5, 0 0 0 -$ 49,9 9 9 Allergan, Inc.

Freddy W. Chang, OD Judith A. Clay, OD ’70 and Edward K. Walker, OD ’49 Cherry B. Cockrell, OD ’81 and David A. Cockrell, OD ’81

Howard B. Levinson, OD ’76

Alva S. Pack, III, OD ’69 Major Robert E. Parfitt Pearle Vision Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78 Pilkington Barnes Hind, Inc. Plough Foundation Joseph W. Remke, III, OD ’76 Robert D. Remke, OD ’87 Jack L. Schaeffer, OD ’77 Allan G. Schoen, OD ’72 C. Wayne Shearer, OD ’50 William Y. Shields, OD ’57 Silhouette Optical Ltd. F. Mason Smith, OD ’76 Frank G. Smith, III, Esq.

Allan Leslie Barker, OD ’75 and Mrs. Susan Barker

Gilan L. Cockrell, OD ’80 Dennis L. Cowart, OD ’80

Rosalind O. Smith, OD ’76 and Theron C. Smith, III, OD ’74

Bausch & Lomb

Stanley M. Dickerson, OD ’76

Jerome Sude, OD ’72

Charlene Burnett, OD ’83 and Frederick R. Burnett, Jr., OD ’80

Howard Dyer, III

J. Craig Swaim, OD ’77

Sidney M. Edelstein, OD ’55

Stuart R. Tasman, OD ’80

Gerald A. Eisenstatt, OD ’84 Joe E. Ellis, OD ’86

Tammy Pifer Than, OD ’95 and Aung Than, PhD

Tressa F. Eubank, OD

TLC Management Services, Inc.

Howard F. Flippin, OD ’59

TLC Vision Corporation

Larry E. Forth, OD ’77

Jean Ann Toomey, OD ’85

C. Jeff Foster, OD ’81

Robert G. Traylor, OD ’63

Thomas J. Gallaher, OD ’51

Gregory S. Usdan, OD ’94

Germantown Lions Club

Lisa Rossmeyer Wade, OD ’84

Lowell H. Gilbert, OD ’65

West Tennessee Optometric Society

Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies

Glenn I. Goldring, OD ’78

Barry A. Winston, OD ’74

Helen J. King, OD ’83 and Christopher B. King, OD ’83

Grand Encampment Knights Templar

Harold J. Winston, OD ’41

Billy C. Greene, OD ’49

Jerry M. Winston, OD ’67

John T. Leddy, OD ’56

Richard D. Gurley, OD ’80

Tom A. Wright

T. Joel Byars, OD ’63 William E. Cochran, OD ’68 and Mrs. Carolyn Cochran Melanie A. Crandall, OD ’77 Eckerd Foundation Grant Program Essilor of America, Inc./Varilux John A. Gazaway, OD ’67 Charles G. Glaser, OD ’74 Heidelberg Engineering William G. Hendrix, OD ’55

SCOVisionS

Charles L. Haine, OD and Mrs. Connie Haine

Richard L. Powell, OD ’68

Eugene Miller Bane, Jr., OD ’65

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H. W. Durham Foundation

Marchon Eyewear, Inc.

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. New Orleans Contact Lens Society

American Optometric Foundation

14

Robert M. Malatin, OD ’72

$5, 0 0 0 -$9,9 9 9 Donna Abney, MBA

Utah Vision Foundation, Inc.

Stephen P. Akre, OD ’75

Walman Optical/X-Cel, Inc.

Andrew Woodfin Miller Foundation

Lori A. Weiss, OD ’85 and Donald L. Weiss, Jr., OD ’86

Nat and Martha Baxter Emily McNeely Bosley, OD ’95 and William G. Bosley, III, OD ’95

Visionworks, Inc.

Welch Allyn, Inc. James D. Willis

James H. Burke, OD ’77 Orman Campbell, OD ’49 Cynthia M. Cato Century Optical, Inc. Emily S. Chambers Cumberland Optical Company Howard S. Demps Designs for Vision, Inc. Dickson Eye & Health Clinic Robin J. Drescher, OD Tommy J. Ducklo, OD ’78 East Memphis Lions Club L. Allen Fors, OD ’69 Heart of America Contact Lens Society James B. Jalenak, Esq. Dr. Paul Johnson and Mrs. Mary Backlund Keeler Instruments, Inc. Gerald A. Krumbholz, OD ’65 Ralph P. Langenfeld, OD ’54 Logo of the Americas William J. Luck, OD ’76 Carole Lusk Hoskins Luxottica Group Horace L. May, OD ’48 Mentor O & O, Inc. David H. Mills, OD ’78 Fred H. Mothershed, OD ’75

Kenneth B. Brehne, OD and Mrs. Gayle Brehne Brinkley Lion’s Club Kenneth W. Brooks, OD ’76 Mrs. L. Wayne Brown Larry H. Bryan Robert J. Bryant, OD ’55

Al H. Covington, OD ’78

Gregory L. Fanelli, OD ’76

William M. Holman, OD ’92

Donald V. Covington, OD ’82

Delton L. Fast, OD ’75

Larry J. Housley, OD ’68

William J. Crawford, OD ’82

Bradley W. Fielding, OD ’84

Hoya Lens of America

Robert M. Cress, OD ’75

First Tennessee Bank

Hoya Optical Laboratories

Gary G. Crook, OD ’72

Alan P. Fisher, OD ’75

Morry W. Hsu, OD ’01

G. Robert Crosby, OD ’63

Fisons Pharmaceuticals

Humboldt Lions Club

Crossett Lions Club

Sadie M. Fleming

Margaret I. Hunnicutt, OD ’70

Oscar Crow, OD ’49

Nathan F. Ford, OD ’50

Indiana University Foundation

William M. Crow, OD ’49

Melvin B. Fox, OD ’54

Charles Ingram, OD ’67

Julian A. Crowder, OD ’78

Inspire Pharamaceuticals, Inc.

David H. Curtis, OD ’78

Cathy Loper Frier, OD ’77 and Michael C. Frier, OD ’75

David A. Damari, OD and Mrs. Rita Frumento Damari

Future Optics, Inc. G.T. Laboratories, Inc.

Elizabeth Mason Darby, OD ’01

John Gammon Foundation

David L. Davidson, OD ’64

Cindy Garner

Barry J. Davis, OD ’65

Elizabeth M. Garrett, MS

Donnie R. Davis, OD ’71

Wesley E. Garton, OD ’80 Herman George

$1, 0 0 0 -$ 4 ,9 9 9 2M Eye

Alan K. Bugg, OD ’82

Stewart L. Abbey, OD ’63

J. Gordon Butterfield, OD ’54

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.

James M. Byrn, OD ’49

Phillip E. Agee, OD ’72

Winona M. Caldwell

AGIA, Inc.

J. Bart Campbell, OD ’87

Paul Ajamian, OD

Wayne Martin Cannon, OD ’62

Gary M. Akel, OD ’79

Eugene R. Cantwell, OD ’49

David E. Alexander, OD ’80

Carl Zeiss Vision Inc.

Michael W. Alexander, OD ’80

Carle Foundation Hospital Auxiliary

Marion B. Davis, OD ’47 and Mrs. Mary Davis

Timothy P. Allen, OD ’70

Carl J. Carnaggio, OD ’72

Norden W. Davis, OD ’61

Allied Irish Bank

Nicholas C. Caro, MD

Delta Gamma Foundation

Mark A. Altfillisch, OD ’92

Carotek, Inc.

Charles Denaburg, OD ’62

Anthony Alvarez, OD ’54

Carpenter/Sullivan, LLC

Thomas D. Dennis, OD ’66

Tasso S. Butler, Jr., OD ’77

American Foundation for Vision Awareness William J. Anderson, OD ’52

Gordon W. Jennings, OD ’81 Jewish Foundation of Greensboro

Germantown Lions Club

Jobson Publishing Co.

Michael D. Gerstner, OD ’97

John-Kenyon American Eye Institute

Frank S. Gibson, OD ’68

Ray H. Johnson, OD ’68

Gift of Sight Foundation

Warren S. Johnson, OD ’84

The Goldsmith Foundation, Inc.

Class of 1965............. $19,900

Ashland City Lions Club

Class of 2008.................. 34%

Class of 1965.................. 16%

Class of 1977............. $37,015

Class of 1976............. $18,426

Atlanta Frame Express

Class of 1978...................25%

Class of 1968.................. 16%

Class of 1978..............$32,745

Class of 1998..............$17,510

Class of 1983..................20%

Class of 1976.................. 16%

Class of 1981.............$31,200

Class of 1997............. $16,350

Class of 2001.................. 18%

Class of 1954.................. 15%

Class of 1980.............$21,925

Class of 1987............. $11,860

Atlanta Metro Lions Club Auxiliary of Tennessee Optometric Association Auxiliary of the Association of Seventh

*Based on gifts received 7/1/2007-6/30/2008

T. Ross Averitt, OD ’62 Ivan B. Bank, OD ’83

Bartlett Lions Foundation

John E. Casto, OD ’60

James W. Devine, OD ’83

Roy L. Gooch, OD ’61

Dr. Burnett Joiner

Center for Keratoconus

David Dick, OD ’69

Phillip H. Gray, OD ’78

Robert B. Jordan, OD ’88

Joe A. Chambers, OD ’70

William M. Dickerson, Jr., OD ’79

Stuart M. Greenberg, OD ’01

Brian A. Kahn, OD ’87

Chester County Lions Club

John D. Dodd, OD ’81

Martha Wade Greene, OD ’45

Paul K. Douglas, OD ’63

Thomas H. Gulley, OD ’68

Kansas Foundation for Vision Awareness, Inc.

Susan M. Doyle

Neil R. Gurwitz, OD ’50 Garry Haas, OD ’67

Marshall H. Bates, OD ’49

Darby Chiasson, OD ’99 and Mrs. Nicole Chiasson

Pease & Curren, Inc.

Deanna J. Baxter

Doug Clark, OD

Pfizer Inc.

Bayou Ophthalmic Instruments, Inc.

Jerry L. Clay

Drs. Foster and Steele Family Optometry

Sue T. Prchal, OD ’79 and Gerald J. Prchal, OD ’79

King S. Beardsley, OD ’67

Fred S. Cloninger, OD ’65

Michael J. Duffy, OD ’78

Michael B. Beckerman, OD ’71

J. Martin Regan, Jr., Esq.

Coal Hill VFW

Jason D. Duncan, OD ’96

Jason Michael Beddingfield, OD ’06

Clifton G. Sites, II, OD ’77

Glenn M. Cochran, OD ’80

Craig W. Dunlap, OD ’94

Kathryn M. Beggs, OD ’85

Billie Parks Skinner, OD ’76

W. Duane Cochran, OD ’70

Dunlaw Optical Laboratories, Inc.

William S. Benkelman, OD ’67

Charles H. Smart, OD ’61 and Mrs. Mary K. Smart

Jeffrey H. Cohen, OD ’72

Mr. & Mrs. M. J. Dupuy

David L. Bettis, OD ’53

Janet Provencal Collier, OD ’96

Richard D. Durocher, OD ’96

Biocompatibles Eye Wear, Inc.

Community First National Bank

Dyersburg Lions Club

Frederick L. Birmingham, OD ’84

Steven L. Compton, OD ’78

T. Gibson Blackman, OD ’84

Conforma Contact Lenses

Bonny Lou Eads, OD ’69 and Norman J. Dery, OD ’69

Robin S. Blair, OD ’74

Charles G. Connor, Jr., OD

Larry W. Bloomingburg, OD ’75

Douglas L. Conrath, OD ’66

Bloomington Lions Club

Andrew G. Cook, Jr., OD ’81

Blytheville Lions Club

Mark J. Cook, OD ’78

The Bay Point Anterior Segment Symposium, Inc.

Frederick E. Bodenhamer, OD ’75

Michael G. Cook, OD ’78

Thomas H. Boeke, OD ’60

Cynthia Elam Corbin, OD ’01

The Jelks Family Foundation, Inc.

Robert E. Botts, OD ’78

Corcoran Lions

Howard W. Tucker, Jr., OD ’63

John B. Bowen, OD ’54

James V. Cornetta, OD ’81

United Methodist Church

Randall D. Bowling, OD ’71

Covington Lions Club

United Parcel Service

Karen A. Bowyer, PhD

Tennessee Optometric Association

Donald E. Jenks, OD ’54

Class of 1974..............$53,375

Currie Dean Barker, OD ’58

Tennessee Independent Colleges & Universities Association

W. Michael Jamison, OD ’82

Class of 1945.................. 17%

Earnestine Barge

Tennessee Affiliate of AFVA

E. D. Jamieson

Class of 1944..................50%

Mr. and Mrs. Russell P. Parks Odell Associates

Sunsoft Corporation

Jackson Old Hickory Lions Club

David A. Arthur, OD ’66

Ron M. Bannister, OD ’77

Kurt T. Steele, OD ’95

J.B. Lippincott Co.

Top Ten by Dollar Amount Raised*

Ralph E. Parkansky, OD

Sola Optical USA, Inc.

J.A. Majors Company

Top Ten Classes by Participation*

Edwin N. Anguas, OD ’69

Omni Eye Services

Jo Ann Payne, OD ’90 and Gregory W. Payne, OD ’89

Jane L. Brack, OD ’00 and Ryan W. Brack, OD ’97

Max Edrington, OD ’72 M. Scott Edwards, OD ’77 Jimmy H. Elam, OD ’72 David C. Eldridge, OD ’78 James H. English, OD ’66 Michael Scott Ensor, OD ’01 George S. Erlbeck, OD ’49 Exxon Company, U.S.A./ Volunteer Involvement Eye Care Clinic of West Tennessee

Michael B. Kane, OD ’78 Mark R. Kapperman, OD ’87 Charles D. Keylon, OD ’71

Tonyatta T. Hairston, OD ’01

Michael D. Kiihnl, OD ’81

David Russell Hamlin, OD ’98

Nelson C. Klaus, Jr., OD ’72

L. Shepard Hamrick, Jr., OD ’81

J. Keith Kleinert, OD ’86

Wilburt D. Hanisco

James Kluckman, OD ’74 and Mrs. Tamie Kluckman

Jeffrey S. Hankin, OD ’78 Gene A. Harman, OD ’72

Robert A. Koetting, OD ’47

Betty J. Harville, OD

Steven R. Koganovsky, OD ’75

Richard D. Hazlett, OD

Adam B. Krafczek, Jr., Esq.

Charles B. Heiner, OD ’61

Lafayette Lions Club

William L. Herbold, OD ’67 Hernando Lions Club

Jane Watson Lamb, OD ’69 and Roy D. Lamb, OD ’68

Harold C. Herring, Jr., OD ’74

Lawrence J. LaTour, OD ’80

Kent B. Hill, OD ’70

Loy D. Lawler, OD ’49

HMI Buying Group

Thomas Lentz, OD ’76

Hnedak Bobo Group

George A. Lever, OD

Arnold F. Hodges, OD ’48

Jim D. Lewis, OD ’62

Gary M. Hoffard, OD ’72

John K. Lindsay, OD ’81

Gerald Hoffman, OD ’52

Lions Club International Dist. 12-L

Jim Hollifield, Jr.

Lookout Valley Lions Club

Annual Report

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15

LIFETIME GIVING The past year was special at Southern College of Optometry in so many ways, but two events provided insight into the ways SCO touched the lives of those who have graduated from or served as faculty at SCO. SCO received two bequests, one during the 75th Diamond Anniversary and the other during the past fiscal year, from the estate of Dr. Robert L. and Mrs. Evelyn Henry, and from the estate of Michael Polakoff, OD ’44. Dr. Henry served on faculty at SCO from 1968 to 1974 and Dr. Polakoff was a graduate of the Class of 1944.

Drs. Henry and Polakoff, along with numerous others, expressed their support and understanding of the vision for the future of SCO by making planned gifts. Naming SCO in your estate planning is one of the many ways you can ensure a bright future of SCO graduates for years to come.

If you would like to receive information regarding making a planned gift or estate planning, please contact Brenda Pearson in the Office of Institutional Advancement, 1 (800) 238-0180, ext. 4.

Loudoun Douglas High Alumni Association, Inc. Ralph Lovell LWW Vision Care, Publishers of New OD Robert E. MacKey, OD ’62 Leroy Magee Maine Optometric Association Willis C. Maples, OD ’68 Diane G. Markee, MEd Thomas J. Marquardt, OD ’74 Marsh Affinity Practice Neill R. Marshall, OD ’68 Martin Lions Club Mark E. Mather, OD ’76 John A. May, OD ’63

Joseph W. Myers, OD ’64

R.L. Speck & Associates, Inc.

David K. Schandler

April K. Swim, OD ’00

Morris H. Weaver, OD ’75

Naperville Noon Lions Club

Kenneth W. Rader, OD ’55

Gary L. Schreiner, OD ’72

Terrence M. Swinger, OD ’64

Kenneth A. Weinberg, OD ’77

Nashville South Lions Club

Gary E. Radish, OD ’69

Keith Allan Schrunk, OD ’03

Thomas H. Swords, OD ’73

West Memphis Lions Club

National Academy of Practice In Optometry (NAPO)

Kim C. Raharja, OD ’06

James R. Schuchert, OD ’72

James F. Tanner, OD ’64

Jerry D. West, OD ’72

Samuel C. Rainey, OD ’51

SCO Student Government Association

Lloyd A. Tantum, OD ’78

White Station Lions Club

Raleigh Lions Club, District 12-L

Donald C. Scott, OD ’85

Marc Taub, OD

Whitehaven Lions Club

Raleigh Lions Club

Sallye S. Scott, OD ’78

Daniel A. Taylor, OD ’06

James J. Whitelock, OD ’82

J. Gregory Reasons, OD ’87

Stephen Selby, OD ’42

Wyatt R. Taylor, OD ’64

David J. Reed, OD ’68

James E. Sellers, OD ’75

Randall Teague, OD ’78

Lee Anne Whitworth, OD’97 and Patrick Whitworth, OD ’97

Richard A. Reeves, OD ’75 and Mrs. Debra Lee Reeves

Tim Markam Sellers, OD ’98

Van M. Teague, OD ’81

William K. Wieland, OD ’66

Diane R. Serex-Dougan, OD ’81

Terry L. Bonds & Associates Banzai Consulting

Williams Consulting Group Neika Williams

Tex-O-Con, Inc.

Robert and Leslie Williams

D. Winston Thaxton, III, OD ’66

Roger C. Wineinger, OD ’76

Charles E. Thomas, OD ’84

H. Ralph Winton, OD ’60

Gerald M. Thomas, OD

Wisconsin Optometric Association

Sharon Holden Thomas, OD ’83 and Stuart J. Thomas, OD ’84

Christina Rae Wofford, OD ’03

Nebraska Foundation For Vision Awareness James L. Nedrow, OD ’65 New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians, Inc. James M. Newman, III, OD ’73 Nikon, Inc. John S. Niles NoIR Medical Technologies Northeast Memphis Lions Club

James D. Mayes, OD ’79

Erin R. Nosel, OD ’01 and Hani S. Ghazi-Birry, OD ’01

Joe O. McClure, OD ’51

Ocular Instruments, Inc.

Joe N. McKnight

Odyssey Medical, Inc.

Janice McMahon, OD ’98

David Olive, OD ’99

Charles E. McMasters, OD ’84

Optical Dynamics Corporation

Michael S. McQuaig, OD ’77

Optometric Extension Program Foundation, Inc.

Honorable Ned R. McWherter Jennifer Meister, OD ’02 Memphis Blind Lions Club Memphis Lens Company, Inc. Memphis Mid-City Lions Club Merck & Co., Inc. Metro Optics, LLC. Mid-South Premier Ophthalmics Terry Milius, MS Sally S. Miller, OD ’80 and Charles David Miller, OD ’78

Tonya M. Reynoldson, OD ’01 Virgil L. Rhodes, OD ’50 and Mrs. Peggy Rhodes J. Scott Richardson, OD ’75 Dr. Joel W. Richardson, Jr. Gary A. Roach, OD ’72 Edward L. Robbins, OD ’51 Sandra Robbins

Carol-Lyn G. Ordynsky, OD ’85 and George Ordynsky, OD ’83

Bob Gene Roberts, OD ’74

Richard C. Orgain, OD ’77

Michael N. Robertson

Lyn Brown Oxley, OD ’84 PACO Research Corporation Paragon Optical Company Paris Lions Club Jerry B. Park, OD ’66 Randall T. Parrish, Jr., OD ’78

Minnie Flaura and Roseanna Turner

W. Stan Peacock, OD ’84 Brenda and Greg Pearson

Terry D. Moehnke, OD ’77

John S. Peery, OD ’84

John H. Mohr, OD ’61

G. Worthy Pegram, Jr., OD ’53

Tiffany Monahan, OD ’00

N. Gene Perkins, OD ’57

Nicole Y. Monroe, OD ’99

Walter F. Peterson, OD ’59

Sheri Monroe

Clifford I. Phillips, OD ’78

Montgomery Martin Contractors, LLC.

William A. Pike, OD ’72

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

Pilkington Barnes Hind USA

Sandra C. Morgan

Austin and Melissa Pittman

Harold E. Morrill, Jr., OD ’75

C. Ellis Potter, OD ’67

Ronald C. Mozingo, OD ’78

Wayne F. Provines, OD

Kenneth Mulholland, Jr.

Charles R. Pruden, Jr., OD ’59

SCOVisionS

William T. Reynolds, OD ’85

Thomas A. Roberson, OD ’77

Dale E. Patrick, OD ’77

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Leon A. Renaud, OD ’73

Optos, Inc.

Millington Lions Club

16

Shilpa J. Register, OD

Fred R. Shanks, OD ’74 Denise Q. Shepard, OD ’79 Dean N. Shissias, OD ’82 Steven R. Shum, OD ’71 Gary C. Simpson, OD ’64 Dennis L. Smith, OD ’81 Kimberly Zimmer Smith, OD ’03 and Michael K. Smith, OD ’02 Larry L. Snyder, OD ’66 Southeast Optometric Vision Forum Southern Optical Company Bernard I. Sparks, III, OD ’77 Spartanburg Lions Club

Mary Thornley, EdD Charlie P. Tillman, Jr., OD ’83 James E. Tillman, OD ’69 Charles P.Tillman, OD ’49 and Nettie Tillman Wylie W. Tirey, OD ’67

Joel H. Springan, OD ’84

Shannon Reynolds Torbett and Matt Torbett

Alta I. Spurrier, OD ’68

Thomas E. Townsend, OD ’75

Thomas J. Stander, OD ’82

John D. Tumblin, OD ’54

Stanfield Baptist Church

Tunica Lions Club

State of Oklahoma

John J. Turley, OD ’54

Scott A. Steel, OD

Union Planters Bank

W. W. Rogers

Glen T. Steele, OD ’69 and Mrs. Brenda Steele

Donald G. Upton, OD ’81

Mr. and Mrs. Lance Rosemore

Audra D. Steiner, OD ’00

Howard K. Ross, OD ’78

Scott B. Steinman, OD

Timothy A. Ross, OD ’85

Annabel K. Stephens

Michael S. Rothschild, OD ’97

Sandra Stephens

Lawrence A. Routt, OD ’77

Stereo Optical Company, Inc.

Mark J. Roy, III, OD ’02

William E. Sterling, Jr., OD ’75

Gregory C. Russell, OD ’97

Cathy D. Stern, OD

Salus University

Christopher J. Strelioff, OD ’96

Craig M. Sanders, OD ’83

Frederick Norman Stringer, OD ’49

Kay U. Saslawsky

Student Loan Express

Richard Savoy, OD

George C. Stumpf, Jr., OD ’82

Debarah A. Wallace, OD ’86 and Peter C. Dubin, OD ’86

Henry V. Sawyer, Jr., OD ’78

Harry M. Sulzberger, OD ’63

Mark C. Ward, OD ’86

Charles A. Schaible, OD ’74

Dean Swick, MBA

Garey E. Ware, OD ’66

Robertson Optical Laboratories S.W. Robertson, OD ’67 Nathaniel D. Robinson, OD ’91 William E. Robinson, Jr., OD ’74 Rochester Optometric Society Stuart D. Rogers, OD ’82

Brunswick R. Wong, OD ’76 Frederick J. Wright, OD ’69 James E. Wright, Jr., OD ’50 Joe G. Wright, OD ’63 Wynne Lions Club William T. Yoe, OD ’84 Anton L. Young, OD ’62 Stefan K. Young, OD ’06 Eugene Zuckerman, OD ’47

USF&G Foundation Marlon R. Utech, OD ’78 Richard W. Varley, OD ’77 James E. Venable, OD ’89 Cary J. Vincent, OD ’78 Mark H. Vinson, OD ’82 Virginia Optometric Association Vision Care Inc. Vision Training Products, Inc. Volk Optical, Inc.

Every effort has been made to correctly list the names of all donors. If your name is listed incorrectly or has been omitted, please notify the Office of Institutional Advancement at (800) 238-0180, ext. 4.

STUDENT LIFE

F. Mason Smith, OD ’76

Message from the Board On behalf of the SCO Board of Trustees, please accept our gratitude to our alumni and partners who are committed to excellence in optometric education.

As my time on the SCO Board comes to an end, it has been a real privilege to serve this great profession and my alma mater. Today’s students are committed to providing 21st century health care to patients, and SCO is leading in the way in optometric education.

As alumni, it is only natural to reminisce about old friends and what it was like for us in optometry school. However, let me challenge you, from one SCO graduate to another, to expand your frame of reference to include this great institution’s future in your perspective.

Looking forward will ensure that we never rest on our laurels or accept the status quo.

Remaining involved will ensure that each of us has influence over the future of our profession and alma mater. Your presence at meetings or your visit to campus is important. Recruiting the best possible optometry students is also critical for SCO’s success.

Each member of the SCO board is committed to this vision for the future, and our alumni will play key roles in determining how that future unfolds.

— F. Mason Smith, OD ’76

Mt. Pleasant, SC SCO Board of Trustees Chair, 2007-2008

Alumni Generosity Provides First-Year Scholarships A total of 32 SCO first-year students recently received scholarships* for their academic achievement and professional promise.

Thanks to the generosity of SCO alumni, friends of the college and ophthalmic industry donors, students received awards and scholarships totaling $113,000, a record amount for a first-year class at the college.

Following is a complete list of the Class of 2012 scholarship recipients: Alston & Bird Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

Jay Nail Board of Trustees Endowed Scholarship ($5,000)

Shannon Brown Justin Johnson Tim LaFreniere Savannah Lamb Truc Ly Nguyen Courtney Shay Dr. James A. Boucher Endowed Scholarship ($2,000)

Darren Heiner DrS. Charlene and Fred Burnett Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

Meetal Vashi Dr. T. Joel Byars Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

Diana Mikhail Dr. William E. Cochran Endowed Scholarship ($3,000)

Christie Puglis

Dr. William R. Jackson, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($4,000)

Matt Schwamb Dr. Earl Lusk Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($3,000)

Meredith McCormick Omni Eye Services-Memphis Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

John Erickson Presidential Endowed Scholarships ($7,000)

Raymond Lambert Brett Miller Adam Ramsey Greg Valle Kacy Whiting SCO Alumni Endowed Scholarships ($2,000)

Josh McAdams Alyssa Milligan Jared Quesenberry Kenneth N. Springer Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

Obie Pennington Dean’s Endowed Scholarships ($5,000)

Stephanie Iverson Cullinan Jenessa Hartman Amanda Rogers Dr. Spurgeon B. Eure Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($3,000)

Kendra Dalton J.C. Garmon, Sr., Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

Brandi Coudron Salazar

Stern-Maronek Family Endowed Scholarship ($2,000)

J.J. Lant Dr. J. Leonard Supman Memorial Endowed Scholarship ($1,000)

Jessica Karger Nisewonger Dan Pridemore Transitions Endowed Scholarship ($2,000)

Joshua Yoo *Scholarship amounts are paid on a yearly basis.

Annual Report

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SCO happenings

SCO Homecoming • Fall CE • Reunion 2008 Homecoming 2008 reunited old friends and introduced alumni to today’s optometry students. Nearly 1,000 attendees enjoyed an evening of barbecue and fun following SCO’s Convocation ceremony. Several members of the Class of 1958 marked their 50th anniversary by attending the event. The next day saw the introduction of SCO’s first OD Reunion Bowl.

President Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, joined his teammates from the Class of 1978 as they narrowly defeated the Class of 1968, coached by President Emeritus William E. Cochran, OD ’68, in a close game of SCO and historical trivia related to their years of graduation. Photos from the Homecoming weekend can be found in the photo gallery on SCO’s website.

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients 1996..... William D. Sullins, Sr., OD ’39

Robert A. Koetting, OD ’47, FAAO Jack Runninger, OD ’47, DOS, FAAO

1997..... Richard L. Hopping, OD ’52, DOS 1998..... Marjorie S. Ross, OD ’51

Class of 1978

John E. Casto, OD ’60

1999..... Robert H. Thurmond, OD ’50, DOS James A. Boucher, OD ’61, MS, DOS, FAAO

2000.... Colonel (RET) Billy C. Greene, OD ’49, DOS William (Bill) G. Hendrix, OD ’55, FAAO

2001..... Fredric M. Rosemore, OD ’48, DOS, FAAO 2001..... James D. Sandefur, OD ’65 Glen T. Steele, OD ’69 , FCOVD

2002..... Joyce Russo Adema, OD ’49, MBA, FCOVD W. David Sullins, Jr., OD ’65, DOS, FAAO

2003..... T. Joel Byars, OD ’63

L. Allen Fors, OD ’69, MEd, FCOVD

2004.... Terry Swinger, OD ’64

John A. Gazaway, OD ’67, DOS Robert Smalling, OD ’74

2005..... Denson Smith, OD ’50

Jimmy Bartlett, OD ’74

2006.... Martha R. Greenberg, OD ’74 2007..... Michael Jones, OD ’71 J. Wayne Buck, OD ’78

2008.... William E. Cochran, OD ’68 Jerry Hayes, OD ’73

Class of 1968 18

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SCOVisionS

Class of 1998

Class of 1958

Class of 1988

OD Reunion Bowl

Annual Report

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SCO happenings

Convocation Honors SCO Community’s Achievements

2008 Optometry’s Charity Award ($1,000)

Held for the first time during SCO’s Homecoming weekend, the college’s annual Convocation ceremony took on a homecoming feel as alumni joined students, faculty and staff to celebrate the SCO community’s accomplishments.

Students received more than $55,000 in scholarships, awards and equipment, and 124 first-year students received their white coats, made possible in part by the generosity of Marchon.

Entertainer Tom Sullivan presented his program of music, songs and anecdotes from his life story.

He recounted how a doctor told his parents to institutionalize him as a blind infant. Giving patients hope should be a top priority for all health care providers, particularly optometrists who deal with low vision patients, Sullivan told the assembly.

Dr. Rob Drescher was honored for the second year in a row by his fellow faculty as recipient of the Drs. Charlene and Fred Burnett Outstanding Faculty Award. Dr. Drescher also received the President’s Special Recognition Award, along with staff member Carolyn Warren, administrative assistant in the Financial Affairs office.

Beta Sigma Kappa and the Classes of ’09, ’10 and ’11 presented Teacher of the Year Awards to John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, Richard Savoy, OD, Paul Mormon, OD ’01 (two awards), Michael Gerstner, OD ’97, Christopher Lievens, OD, Jared Powelson, OD ’96 (two awards), and Jennifer Sanderson, OD. Dr. Gerstner additionally was honored with a special resolution presented by the Board of Trustees to recognize his service as faculty representative to the board.

A particularly moving moment for alumni and the assembly came with the recognition of two distinguished alumni, President Emeritus William E. Cochran, OD ’68 and Jerry Hayes, OD ’73. President Richard Phillips presented the two Mississippi natives with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The following list contains the names of awards and student recipients.

2008 InfantSEE Scholarship ($1,000)

Military Services Scholarships U.S. Army

Anna Jones ’09, Brandon Dahl ’09 Brian Finley ’10 U.S. Navy

Brent Collins ’10 Veterans Administration

Dave Daughtry ’10 U.S. Air Force

Robert Carlsen ’10

Class Scholarships Classes of ’54, ’56, ’59 Scholarship ($1,000)

Heidi Hunt ’11 Classes of ’60, ’61, ’63 Scholarship ($1,000)

Kelly Collins ’10 Ben Herring ’10 Classes of ’64, ’65, ’66 Scholarship ($1,000)

Amanda Nadolski ’10 Jennifer York ’09 Classes of ’67, ’68, ’69 Scholarship ($1,000)

Chad Carter ’10 Becky King ’09 Classes of ’70, ’71, ’74 Scholarship ($1,000)

Class of 1984 Scholarship ($1,000)

Nicole Kosciuk ’11 Scott Paladichuk ’09

Ashwynn Halbert ’09 Adam Shupe ’09

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SCOVisionS

Shane Clark ’11 Kansas Optometric Scholarship ($1,000)

Erica Musgrove ’10 Alumni and Friends Rosemore Family Endowed Scholarships ($1,000)

Joe Borden ’09 Leah Gray ’09 Paul Kimball ’09 Meghan Elkins ’10 Jennifer Holman ’10 Lacie Daneshmand ’11 Jacob Hodges ’11 National Board of Examiners in Optometry Award ($1,000)

Jennifer York ’09 Mauldin Family Scholarship ($1,000)

Terri Angeli ’09 FCO Spirit Award ($500)

Ben Herring ’10 President’s Merit Award ($500)

Luke Bell ’12 Alicia Chapman ’12 The W. David Sullins Endowed Scholarship for Leadership ($1,000)

Ashley Schuelke ’09

Eric Gengenbach ’09 Class of 1977 Scholarship ($2,000)

Germantown Lions Club ($1,000)

Kentucky Optometric Association Scholarship ($1,000)

Aaron Lyles ’09 Adam York ’09 Tennessee Optometric Association Scholarship ($1,000)

Ross Lumpkin ’10

Corporate Partners and Ophthalmic Industry Jobson Publishing Award ($500)

Joe Borden ’09 Vistakon Acuvue Eye Health Award ($1,000)

Tangee Davis ’09 Vision Service Plan Scholarships ($4,000)

Jarrod Davies ’09 Brandon Furness ’09 UPS Scholarships ($1,850 and $1,000)

Tracy Elliott ’09 Tom Chwe ’10 AOA Student Leadership Award ($1,000)

Joe Borden ’09 Walman Optical Company Scholarship ($1,800)

State and Professional Associations AOF – Carl Zeiss Vision Fellowship ($5,000)

Eric Gengenbach ’09

Tracy Elliott ’09 ASCO 2008 Student Award in Clinical Ethics ($1,000)

Kris Hubbard ’09

Ashwynn Halbert ’09 Ashley Schuelke ’09 Wal-Mart Scholarship ($1,000)

Lauren Goldsmith ’10 Precision Optical Laboratories Endowed Scholarship ($2,000)

Jessica Ellis ’10 Hilari Watts ’10 Ocular Instruments, Inc. Award ($250 in product)

Eric Combs ’11 Welch Allyn, Co. Award (Panoptic Ophthalmoscope, $700 value)

Matt Willis ’11 Heine USA Award (Sigma 100 spectacle BIO, $1174 value)

Thuy Ngo ’10 Keeler Instruments Award (Keeler Professional Ophthalmoscope, $700 value)

Jimbo Bearden ’10

Basic Science and Clinical Science 1st Year Basic Science Awards

Nicole Kosciuk, Jennifer Lyerly, Murray Pratt, Erin Hocking, Janna Iyer, Laura Cockrell, Katie Emge, Danielle Davis, Reena Lepine, Matt Zemanovich 1st Year Clinical Science Awards

Eric Combs, Matt Willis, Heidi Hunt, Murray Pratt, Erin Hocking, Nicole Kosciuk, Katherine Kayser, Jacob Hodges, Alicia Back, Keegan Hearn 2nd Year Basic Science Awards

Kelly Collins, Ben Herring, Craig Fleming, Katy Falk, Mike Eller, Troy Swanson, Darren Reed, Ginger Delafosse, Becky Call, Chad Carter 2nd Year Clinical Science Awards

Hilari Watts, Thuy Ngo, Kelly Collins, Nils Rege, Amanda Blakley, Tom Chwe, Ben Herring, Nick McCullen, Erica Musgrove, Lauren Goldsmith 3rd Year Clinical Skills Awards

Ashley Schuelke, Rhetta Conn, Scott Paladichuk, Jennifer York, Ashwynn Halbert, Aaron Lyles, Adam Shupe, Eric Gengenbach, Becky King, Christina Vranich

SCO’s Class of 2012

Tom Sullivan

White Coat Ceremony

1st years line up before ceremony

Annual Report

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CLASS Notes

Send us news of your accomplishments along with a photo. Items will appear in the magazine or in our monthly alumni e-newsletter, SCOnline. Send to the Office of Institutional Advancement, 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104-2222; fax 901-722-3379 or email alumni@sco.edu.

’40s

Hamp Morrison, OD ’48, right, recently received the Tennessee Optometric Association’s Distinguished Service Award from Ralph Mullins, OD ’77 at the TOA Congress in Gatlinburg.

’60s

James Sandefur, OD ’65, Executive Director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana, was joined by OLA Immediate Past President Mark J. Roy III, OD ’02, in representing their state association in the exhibit hall during the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) annual meeting in New Orleans in July.

’70s

misidentifying him in a story that appeared in the Summer edition.

Thanks to Dr. Holbrook’s efforts as a student, SVOSH became an official SCO organization whose work successfully continues to this day.

Max Venard, OD ’77, orchestrated use of an iris scanner for a county in Oklahoma, where he served as president of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians (OAOP). The iris scanner system is used by law enforcement for identification of children.

’80s

David Cockrell, OD ’81, was reelected to a three-year term as an AOA Trustee at the AOA Congress in July.

Jeff Foster, OD ’81, has been appointed to the Tennessee Board of Examiners by Governor Phil Bredesen.

Michael C. Frier, OD ’75, has been named to the Children’s Vision Commission in Missouri, formed by the Missouri Optometric Association to educate parents and schools in the state about a new children’s vision law that requires comprehensive eye examinations for children entering kindergarten or first grade in public schools.

Timothy Underhill, OD ’82, was honored by the Florida Optometric Association in July as the organization’s “Optometrist of the Decade.” Dr. Underhill is past president of the Southwest Florida Optometric Association and currently serves on the legislative committee. He manages his optometric practice, Doctor’s Eye Care Centers, with Dr. Robert LeSage in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Don Holbrook, OD ’77, should be credited as the founder of SVOSH at SCO. Our regrets for

David Witherspoon, OD ’82 and his wife, DeAnne Witherspoon, OD ’82, were recently profiled for a

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SCOVisionS

SCO Salutes Its ODs of the Year A r k an s a s o d o f t he yea r

Harry Harrell, OD ’72, operates Harrell Eye Clinic in Jonesboro.

A VISION USA and InfantSEE® provider, Dr. Harrell provides vision screenings to the Arkansas State University athletic department.

Dr. Harrell served on the Arkansas Optometric Association’s state board of directors from 1996-1998 and was the president from 1995-1996. He was the chair of the Past President Council of his state association from 2003-2005 and received the 2007 Arkansas OD of the Year Award.

M ichigan o d o f t he yea r

Mark Cook, OD ’78, has practiced since graduation in Brighton, Michigan. He has served in all offices of the Michigan Optometric Association. He has chaired several divisions and committees for his state association, and from 2005-2006, he served as chair of the MOA state PAC. Current chair of the state AOA-PAC committee, Dr. Cook has also served as board member and president of VOSH Michigan. Dr. Cook also volunteered for mission work aboard the USNS Mercy following the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

O k lah o ma o d o f t he yea r

David Brewer, OD ’79, returned to Yukon, Oklahoma following graduation and opened his own practice. He has served as president of the Central District of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians and as one of the OAOP’s national Keypersons. Dr. Brewer also has worked with the Yukon Public Schools’ Helping Hands program coordinating the Vision Screening Program for public schoolchildren.

newspaper story in Arkansas about how the two met at SCO. The story recounted how the future husband and wife first became lab partners, ultimately marrying each other on June 13, 1981 in Neosho, Missouri. Today they practice in Rogers, Arkansas.

Zane Lawhorn, OD ’85, was selected by the West Virginia Republican party to serve as an elector in the Electoral College for November’s presidential election.

Joe Ellis, OD ’86, seen here with his daughters, was sworn in as vice president of the American Optometric Association at the AOA’s Congress in Seattle.

’00s

Jennifer Larkin Johnson, OD ’00, and her husband, Michael, welcomed their second child, Grace Matlock, on August 5, 2008.

Josh Trafton, OD ’01, and his wife, Nicole, are the parents of a

IN Memoriam

1949 Grover A. Palmer, Jr., OD, Salisbury, NC

1950 Vernon D. Larson, OD, Washington, MO

Tenne s s ee o d o f t he yea r

Kurt Steele, OD ’95, practices in Newport, Tennessee with Jeff Foster, OD ’81, and Jeremy Diamond, OD ’07. A former president of the Tennessee Optometric Association, Dr. Steele has also served as president of the Smoky Mountain Optometric Association and on the CE committee of the Southeastern Council of Optometrists board. In Newport, he has served as president of the Kiwanis Club and the United Way.

Jimmie Ray Patten, OD, Purcell, OK Baxter J. Smith, OD, Salisbury, NC

1951 James E. Byrd, OD, Gulfport, MS

1954

Lo ui s iana YO U N G O D OF T H E Y E A R

William L. Harman, OD, West Palm Beach, FL

Darby Chiasson, OD ’99, operates a private practice in Cut Off, Louisiana. In 2000, he became the Gulf Zone Chair for the Optometric Association of Louisiana. Dr. Chiasson served as president of the Optometric Association of Louisiana in 2005 during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Maurice Moore, OD, Sparta, TN Arthur H. Scevola, OD, Portland, OR

1955 Wilbur “Webb” Hallahan, OD, Red Wing, MN

M i ss i s s i ppi YO U N G O D OF T H E Y E A R

Arthur Dampier, OD ’97, is in private practice in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where he specializes in contact lenses. An active member of the Mississippi Optometric Association and Board of Directors, he also serves as president of the Mississippi branch of the National Optometric Association.

Tenne s s ee YO U N G O D OF T H E Y E A R

Chris Eiler, OD ’01, currently practices in Nashville at Primary Eye Care. He has served as president of the Middle Tennessee Optometric Society, Trustee of the Tennessee Optometric Association, and as vice chair on the Clinical Advisory Board of Eye Health Partners of Middle Tennessee.

daughter, Madison Michelle, born July 25, 2008.

Allison Lawson Hilburn, OD ’02, and Darren Winston Hilburn, OD ’01, welcomed a baby boy, Owen Winston Hilburn, who was born on February 19, 2008. Drs. Hilburn live in Apex, North Carolina.

private practice optometrists. In her new role with Vision Source, she will work with optometry schools and new graduates to build awareness of opportunities in private practice optometry.

Dr. Kerksick, who also serves as editor of New OD magazine, lectures nationally and practices in Columbia, Illinois.

Gail Gordon, OD ’03, and Scott Gordon, OD ’05, are the parents of a baby daughter, Alexa Ann, who was born September 14, 2008.

Kelly Kerksick, OD ’02, has been named Director of Professional Services of Vision Source, LP, North America’s largest network of

Sarah Sutherland Baldwin, OD ’03, and her husband, Jeremy Baldwin, report the birth of their second child, Robert “Bryce” Baldwin, born August 29, 2008. He

1967 Donald Cochran, OD, Clearwater, FL Robert E. Day, Sr., OD ’49, died earlier this year in Garland, Texas.

Dr. Day was one of 10 SCO graduates to have served as president of the American Optometric Association. Dr. Day, who served as AOA President during the 1973-1974 year, also was a past president of the Texas Optometric Association. A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, he received an honorary Doctorate of Ocular Science from SCO in 1974. He retired in 2000 after 50 years of practice.

joins his older brother, Max. Janell Andermann Martin, OD ’03, and her husband, Louis Martin, OD ’03, welcomed their first child, Ligon Blaine, on August 20, 2008. Drs. Martin both practice in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Lindsay Moran Elkins, OD ’07, and her husband are the parents of a son, Henry Edward, who was born Thursday, August 21, 2008.

Cortney Waycaster, OD ’07, and her husband, Matt Waycaster, welcomed their first child, Mattie Monroe, on July 17, 2008.

Jenny Alsop, OD ’08, has joined the practice of Robert Malatin, OD ’72, in Richmond, Virginia.

Amanda Trudeau, OD ’08, recently joined the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

Dr. Trudeau, who was one of the club’s first charter high school members, was recently profiled in her hometown newspaper. In the interview she recalled how her father, James Trudeau, OD ’69, inspired her to pursue her career in optometry. She is looking forward to practicing optometry with her father in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Bret Wise, OD ’08, has returned to Emporia, Kansas to practice at the office of Patricia Dorsey, OD.

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SCO FOCUS

SCO Welcomes New Faculty Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, Associate Professor. A graduate of Duke University, Dr. Cisarik earned her OD degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1987 and her PhD in Physiological Optics and Vision Science in 2005 from the University of Houston College of Optometry. In addition to her private practice experience, Dr. Cisarik served as an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry and at the University of Houston College of Optometry.

Haylie Mullinks, OD ’07, Instructor. After graduating from SCO, Dr. Mullinks completed a hospital-based Primary Care Residency at the Memphis Veterans Affair Medical Center. A graduate of Union University, she is a member of the AOA, the AAO, the Mississippi Optometric Association, and the West Tennessee Optometric Association.

John Neal, OD ’07, Instructor. After graduating from SCO, Dr. Neal completed a hospital-based Primary Care Residency at the Memphis Veterans Affair Medical Center. He is a graduate of Arkansas State University and a member of the AOA and the TOA.

Zakiya Nicks, OD, Instructor. A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, Dr. Nicks completed a hospital-based Primary Care Residency at the Memphis Veterans Affair Medical Center. A graduate of Alcorn State University, she is a member of the AOA, MOA, the TOA, and the National Optometric Association, and the WTOA.

Anna Schlesslman, OD, MS, Instructor. Dr. Schlesslman received her OD degree and a Masters of Science degree from The Ohio State University in 2007. She completed her postgraduate residency in Primary Care at the Albuquerque Veterans Affair Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Houston College of Optometry.

Faculty Highlights David Damari, OD, Associate Professor, Jennifer Jones, OD ’06, Instructor, and Cynthia Heard, OD, Associate Professor, had a paper accepted for the October AAO meeting entitled, Teaching Clinical Thinking for New Format of the NBEO.

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SCOVisionS

Cynthia Heard, OD, Associate Professor, represented SCO at the ASCO Low Vision Educators SIG meeting in July at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale. The group discussed and finalized minimum competencies for entry-level optometric skills for working with low vision patients. The group’s recommendations will now go to the ASCO Executive Board for acceptance at the Fall 2008 AAO meeting.

Dr. Heard co-published an article with colleagues from Ohio State University in the October 2008 issue of Optometry and Vision Science entitled, “The Effect of Keratoconus Severity on the Accuracy of Clinicians to Rank Contact Lenses in Order of Base Curve Radius Based on Fluorescein Patterns.”

W.C. Maples, OD ’68, MS, Professor, led continuing education lectures in Mexico City during a July conference. Dr. Maples presented a paper and a poster at the Invitational Lens Symposium at Northeastern State University-Oklahoma College of Optometry in September. Also in September, Dr. Maples spoke at the Arkansas Chapter of Parents Active in Vision Awareness (PAVE) in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

Paul Mormon, OD ’01, Assistant Professor, was elected as President-elect of the Tennessee Optometric Association at its recent congress meeting in Gatlinburg.

Marc Taub, OD, Assistant Professor, participated in the 2008 Summer Invitational Research Institute sponsored by the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. Dr. Taub is currently serving as lead editor for a traumatic brain injury themed issue of Optometry and Vision Development, the journal of the COVD. Glen Steele, OD ’69, Professor, made a presentation on infant vision to the Tennessee Optometric Association’s Paraoptometric Association during the TOA Congress.

Scott Steinman, OD, PhD, Professor, delivered a three-hour invited lecture at the 68th Northeast Congress of Optometry in Westford, Massachusetts. The lecture was entitled, “Attention: Applications to Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation” and covered research on the psychophysics, modeling, neurophysiology and development of visual attention, as well as recent research into the treatment of attentional system deficits.

Dr. Steinman was named Chair of the Electrodiagnostics Diplomate Examination Committee of the Visual Science Section at the Academy meeting. He also has accepted a position as a scientific consultant at Diopsys Corporation, manufacturer of electrodiagnostic equipment. Dr. Steinman also has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Association of REALbasic Programmers, an association of programmers who use the REALbasic language.

Sharon E. Tabachnick, PhD, Associate Professor, recently co-authored an article entitled, “The Relationships Among Students’ Future-Oriented Goals and Subgoals, Perceived Task Instrumentality, and TaskOriented Self-Regulation Strategies in an Academic Environment.”

The article appeared in Educational Psychology, Volume 100, issue #3, August 2008.

Southern College of Optometry (SCO) students Gabi Fialka and Mary Quan conduct an eye exam on a patient at Lincoln Memorial University’s (LMU) Third Annual Remote Area Medical Health Expedition.

The SCO students were part of a 31-person delegation that provided eye care at the free clinic.

SCO’s Community Outreach Spreads to East Tennessee Competition among colleges and universities dominates the landscape of higher education. They compete for students, coverage in the media and for funding opportunities. Yet through all the competition, a degree of camaraderie still shines through.

The Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) was established to foster a greater level of collaboration among the Volunteer State’s 37 private institutions of higher education.

When Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) President Nancy B. Moody first met Southern College of Optometry (SCO) President Richard Phillips, OD ’78, at TICUA’s annual meeting, it did not take long for a handshake to turn into a conversation.

A former East Tennessee resident, Dr. Phillips was familiar with LMU. Moody told him about the annual Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic the University hosts to provide free medical, dental, veterinary and vision care to underinsured and unemployed people in rural Appalachia.

“I went to that meeting hoping that I would meet Dr. Phillips because I knew we had a dire need for optometry volunteers at the upcoming clinic,” Dr. Moody said.

The two areas which draw the most patients are dental and optometry. These are also the two areas for which LMU has the hardest time recruiting.

The collaboration that Dr. Moody proposed to Dr. Phillips was an invitation for faculty, staff and students from SCO to volunteer at LMU’s Third Annual RAM Health Expedition. Dr. Phillips answered the need for vision care by arranging for 25 SCO students and recent graduates, along with six faculty members, to travel across the state to volunteer.

“Once we found out about the program from Dr. Phillips, it seemed pretty clear that it met our mission to connect the students to service,” said Tazewell, Tennessee, native James Venable, OD ’89, Assistant Professor and Chief of Staff at The Eye Center.

“We strive very hard in our program to incorporate the importance of service and giving back to the community. We hope that if our students are exposed to these service opportunities while they are students, they will be more likely to participate in them when they are in private practice.

Caring for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, is an important lesson for them.”

In two vans and four civilian cars, the SCO contingent drove over seven hours from Memphis to participate. They joined dentists, doctors, optometrists and other volunteers who traveled from all over the country.

“It is wonderful to think of the lives that may have been changed based on this one single event,” President Moody said. “To think of the expense that many volunteers took upon themselves to get here is encouraging.”

Thanks to SCO, LMU benefited with a record number of optometry volunteers. The expedition saw 654 patients and provided glasses to 304 individuals, including 13 children. The glasses were made on-site in an optical truck provided by RAM. The value of optical services rendered is estimated at $49,790.

The patients who attended the clinic were not the only ones to benefit from the TICUA-inspired partnership. Students gained valuable patient encounters, while students and faculty alike experienced the overwhelming gratitude of the participants.

“This was a great chance for us to help out, volunteer and help people.

Working with the absolute nicest people you could imagine. They were very grateful and positive. You really could get a sense of what the service meant to them,” said SCO student Jonathan Reddell, ’11.

“At the same time, it was a great chance for us as students to learn. I had worked with other students in a lab or classroom environment. In two days I worked with 30 patients.”

Dr. Venable agreed that the experience was tremendous for his SCO students. “To work with a real patient population who do not respond in a predictable way was extremely invaluable to them.”

Patients began lining up at 2 p.m. the afternoon prior to the clinic opening. Donated frames were laid out on six tables for the participants to choose from after they visited the eye doctors and students.

Once the clinic opened at 6 a.m., patients were guided through

… to work with a real patient population who do not respond in a predictable way was extremely invaluable… registration and triage before making their way to the dental, medical and vision waiting areas.

Dr. Venable said all of SCO’s students commented on how grateful the patients were. “Virtually everyone said how wonderful it was to see people who really had a need and were very appreciative of what we were doing.”

The partnership between LMU and SCO will not stop with the RAM clinic. Faculty and students from both SCO and LMU discussed exchange opportunities, including exchange of instructors with visiting professorships as well as student exchange projects.

“We are going to create a project to go into the future,” Dr. Venable said. “We would love to come back.”

[Special thanks to LMU for assisting with the collaboration between SCO and LMU for this article.]

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news briefs Award Nominations Encouraged SCO encourages alumni to submit the names of distinguished alumni for consideration of lifetime achievement awards.

Any graduate may submit the name and accomplishments of alumni to be considered.

There should be no anonymous submissions, even though your name will not be publicly disclosed should you nominate a fellow graduate for an honor.

Please send names and supporting details, i.e., publications or biographies, to Institutional Advancement, c/o SCO, 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104.

Answer the Call for SCO Community Phon-a-thon recently returned for its second year in support of SCO’s Annual Campaign. Postcards were mailed to alumni announcing the phone calls that students will be making during the coming months.

SCO’s students are excited to discuss campus events, your student memories and optometric experiences and how you can support SCO through a gift. The best way to support them is by taking the call!

The students benefit greatly in talking with practicing optometrists about school and preparing for the day when they will begin their careers.

Your contribution will make an investment in the future of SCO and have the added benefit of supporting student organizations. SCO will

1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222

Return Service Requested

Out and About

make a contribution to their organization each time a phone conversation is completed.

You can help make this year’s Community Phonathon bigger and better by simply answering your phone and talking with the students at SCO. Everybody wins when you do.

In order to hear from SCO, the college needs your current contact information. If you have moved, changed phone numbers or email addresses, please update your information with Institutional Advancement.

SCO Earns Membership Award SCO was recently named the winner of the AOA Membership Achievement Award for best student to active member transition for schools in the 76+ graduates classification.

SCO is committed to interacting with its alumni.

We hope to see many of you at:

November 13-15 West Virginia Meeting (Charleston)

February 13-15 Heart of America (Kansas City)

March 5-7 SECO 2009 (Atlanta, GA)

March 13-15 SWCO (Dallas, TX)

March 27-29

Meet Two More Students In the “Meet the Class of 2009” photo spread that appeared in the Summer 2008 edition, two of SCO’s fourth-year students were inadvertently omitted. SCO is proud to introduce you to these two students who will graduate in May 2009.

Nebraska Meeting (Lincoln)

April 17 -19 Spring CE Weekend SCO Campus

alumnEmail to rece i@sco.ed iv u

Anna Jones Bowling Green, KY

Lindsay Petrie Elgin, IL

e the co SCOnline, lle month ge’s e-new ly sletter .

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Memphis, Tennessee Permit Number 151