Visions_08Summer

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2008

content 1 President’s Corner

2

SCO Happenings

3

AOA Coverage

4

Graduation

6

Meet the Class of 2009

8

Alumni Focus

14

Class Notes

18

Student Life

20

New Briefs

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

PHILLIP V. RIDINGS Photographer

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

Donna Abney, MBA Germantown, Tennessee

Eugene M. Bane, Jr., OD ’65 Salem, Virginia

Larry H. Bryan Memphis, Tennessee

Howard F. Flippin, OD ’59 Searcy, Arkansas

John A. Gazaway, OD ’67 Eagle Grove, Iowa

A. Thomas Hyde, OD ’76 Morristown, Tennessee

James B. Jalenak, Esq. Memphis, Tennessee

Jarrett Johnson, OD ’90 New Orleans, Louisiana

Christopher B. King, OD ’83 Englewood, Florida

22

Kenneth L. Mulholland, Jr.

23

Wayne W. Pyeatt

Philanthropy Matters

SCO Focus

Germantown, Tennessee

Richard L. Powell, OD ’68 Lincoln, Nebraska Memphis, Tennessee

Robert W. Smalling, OD ’74 Warren, Arkansas

Mary Thornley, EdD 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

Charleston, South Carolina

J. Bart Campbell, OD ’88 Faculty Representative Memphis, Tennessee

Amanda Nadolski, ’10 Student Representative The Woodlands, TX

cover Randy Birt, OD ’02 See pg. 10

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

»

Optometry is truly a service-oriented pro-

need for an “inner circle” of committed

My final note is to share another piece of

fession, and this issue of Visions showcases a

alumni who can help ensure that our future

information as I review my first year in office as

number of ways that SCO’s alumni serve their

as a leader in optometric education is not

SCO president. It’s been my privilege to travel to

patients, their alma mater, optometric educa-

only maintained, but advanced.

a number of state associations and to meet and

Members of the Alumni Council will

talk with so many of you. Your enthusiasm and

You’ll find a story on Al Spivey, OD ’67,

provide guidance in support of institutional

commitment is very important as the college

who, in addition to serving the profession in

excellence at SCO. These alumni will have

charts its direction over the next several years.

leadership roles at both the state and national

the opportunity to provide leadership in the

To that end, SCO is beginning its strategic

levels, has personally recruited more than a

fundraising efforts, assist in the recruitment

planning process for the next five years. I’ve

dozen outstanding optometry students. His

of a qualified and diverse student body, serve

appointed some dedicated faculty and staff

commitments include encouraging prospective

as a liaison between SCO and the alumni at

members to serve on our Strategic Planning

students to consider optometry, allowing them

the state level and assist in the development

Committee, and the college is working with

the opportunity to shadow him in his office,

and implementation of activities that support

Bostrom, a highly regarded consulting firm

driving them to Memphis to see SCO, and now

current SCO students and the optometric

in Chicago, to aid us in the process. Our

serving as a preceptor for SCO’s externship

profession.

committee will meet in late summer to identify

tion and even their country.

program.

This issue also features stories about three recent graduates who practice military optometry while serving their country overseas. Two of them recently finished their

Your enthusiasm and commitment is very important as the college charts its direction over the next several years.

second tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. To all our alumni who

The Alumni Council will meet once

our mission statement and set priorities to

have served their country with pride and

each year for a half-day meeting on the SCO

be developed during the fall. A final report of

distinction, the college salutes you.

campus. As the need arises, I may contact

recommendations will made to the SCO Board

You’ll also read about a member of our

members directly for advice or suggestions

of Trustees at its January meeting.

faculty and a 1968 graduate, Dr. W.C. Maples,

on various initiatives of the college. The initial

As you can see, it’s an exciting time at

who recently spoke to optometry students in

meeting of the Alumni Council will be held

SCO. You may be wondering, “Why change

Poland. Encouraging international optometry

this fall on campus. At press time, recruiting

if SCO is doing well?” My answer is that

is a worthy goal, one that benefits the profes-

is underway to fill representatives for Iowa

we must be willing to embrace necessary

sion at a worldwide level.

and Missouri; Kansas, the Great Lakes states,

change to provide continuous improvement.

Our alumni will be afforded a new

Nebraska, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia;

Concentrating on what will make us better is a

opportunity to become more involved with

Texas, and the west coast. When opportunities

must. As I’ve encouraged our faculty and staff,

the future direction of optometric education

arise in the future, I encourage committed

SCO is not to be content with merely being a

with the creation of an Alumni Council

alumni to consider serving on our Alumni

“good” institution of optometry; we want to be

for SCO. I am eager to launch this exciting

Council. The support of our alumni is critical as

the best and I am counting on your support.

program, a concept that we have discussed

we make advances in the quality of optometric

for several years in response to a perceived

education.

Summer 2008

|

1

SCO Happenings

2008 Homecoming and Fall CE Weekend Scheduled for September 19-21 This year’s SCO Homecoming and Fall CE Weekend – to be held September 1921 in Memphis – features some all-new activities and additions to the program.

The college’s annual all school Con­ vocation ceremony is included this year.

Alumni and friends are invited to share in the accomplishments of SCO and join the first-year students as they receive their white coats during the ceremony.

Renowned speaker, author and actor Tom Sullivan will deliver his inspirational program during the event.

This year also introduces “The OD Reunion Bowl,” as reunion classes compete in a battle of optometric knowledge and SCO trivia during lunch. Two SCO Presidents and reunion class members – Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78 and William E. Cochran, OD ’68 – will be competing.

Additional details, including information about CE courses, can be found online at www.sco.edu or by requesting a CE brochure at (901) 722-3234.

Don’t delay – register early to secure your spot during Homecoming and CE Weekend!

Lifetime Achievements Recognized at Convocation William E. Cochran, OD ’68

Jerry Hayes, OD ’73

SCO’s president from 1984 until his retirement on May 12, 2007, Dr. William E. Cochran grew up in Kosciusko, Mississippi.

Like his parents before him, Dr. Cochran attended SCO. After completing his military service, he practiced for 13 years in Kosciusko.

He served as president of the Mississippi Opto­ metric Association in 1978. He also has been active in the Southern Council of Optometrists, the Better Vision Institute, and the Tennessee Optometric Association.

Dr. Cochran worked to strengthen SCO’s financial stability and academic reputation. The campus enjoyed an expansion that culminated with the opening of The Eye Center in 2002.

Dr. Cochran served as president of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Opto­metry, on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and as president of the Memphis Association of Colleges and Universities.

In October 2007, the SCO Board of Trustees conferred the title President Emeritus upon Dr. Cochran in his retirement. He now serves as an Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of arGentis Pharmaceuticals, LLC, located in Memphis.

Dr. Jerry Hayes is best known for his lectures and articles on the business side of private practice optometry.

Before founding a variety of companies that created revolu­ tionary approaches to meeting the needs of the ophthalmic industry, Dr. Hayes practiced in Vicksburg, Mississippi for 13 years, where his office was identified as being in the top 2 percent nationwide.

He is the president of Hayes Consulting and the founder of the HMI Buying Group, Hayes Marketing, Inc., the E-Dr. Network, and Red Tray.

Since 1991, he has written the monthly “Business Advisor” column for Optometric Management magazine. He is considered optometry’s leading speaker on overhead management and practice finance.

In 2005, Dr. Hayes and his wife, Cris, funded the establishment of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence at SCO. The center has offered two successful programs to recent SCO graduates and a regional program in partnership with the Mississippi Optometric Association.

2

|

SCOVisionS

Actor, Author Tom Sullivan to Speak at Convocation Noted actor, singer, entertainer and author Tom Sullivan will deliver his inspirational message of hope and music during Convocation at Homecoming Weekend.

The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 19 at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church across the street from the SCO campus.

Sullivan is known for the positive message that he has delivered to more than 1,000 organizations.

Born prematurely in 1947, Sullivan became blind after being given too much oxygen while in an incubator. He gained national recognition as a favorite of Tonight Show host Johnny Carson, who invited the entertainer to appear on more than 60 episodes of his late night program.

As a special correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America for more than five years, he regularly appeared in “you can do it” inspirational reports that included playing golf with Jack Nicklaus.

As an actor, his appearances include roles on M.A.S.H., Mork and Mindy, and WKRP in Cincinnati.

Tom Sullivan’s appearance during SCO’s Homecoming Weekend is made possible in part by the generosity of Allergan, Inc.

Seen in Seattle – AOA 2008 The American Optometric Association’s 2008 annual meeting in Seattle was well-attended by SCO alumni, faculty and students.

The college was well represented, with a capacity attendance at the SCO Alumni Reception. Other SCO-related highlights included former Board of Trustees member Linda Johnson, OD, being named AOA’s OD of the Year, and AOA Executive Director Mike Jones, OD ’71, was honored upon his retirement.

Faculty Presentations at AOA Pinakin Gunvant, BS Optom., PhD Felicia Jackson, ’10 Erin Hocking, ’11 Daniel Taylor, OD ’07, MS Meredith Cohler, ’11 Repeatability of home tonometry can be improved with increased training Jennifer L. Jones, OD ’06 Lucentis and Beyond: What Does the Future Hold?

Vitreous Hemorrhage can be a Red Herring So-Yeon Sharon Lee, OD Eyes on Noonan Secrets of Successful Eccentric Viewing: A Case Report Richard S. Savoy, OD Bitemporal Field Loss and Tilted Optic Discs John S. Sharpe, OD ’83 Idiopathic Juxtafoveolar Retinal Telangiectasis Bilateral Epiretinal Membrane with Macular Pseudohole Brooke Vegas, OD ’07 Sylvia E. Sparrow, OD ’98 Tracy Phillips, OD ’08 What is That on the Optic Nerve?: Ocular Manifestations of Sarcoidosis

Summer 2008

|

3

SCO Happenings

Dr. Linda Johnson and

Optometry welcomed 119 new members to the profession

Dr. Phillips

when SCO graduated 119 students on Friday, May 2, 2008.

Actor

and

entertainer

Tom

Sullivan

delivered

the

commencement address. Sullivan encouraged the graduates to use their talents and energy to make a positive difference in their patients’ lives.

The assembly of more than 1,000 people gave Sullivan a lengthy standing ovation; the entertainer – blind since birth – has been invited back to perform during this fall’s Convocation

Sam Galloway and Dr. Phillips

ceremony.

K. DeHaven Valedictorian

Senior class president Kimberly Lewis Oncavage, OD ’08, delivered the class address to her fellow graduates. Class valedictorian was Kristin Michelle DeHaven, OD ’08; class salutatorian was Jennifer Kragenbrink Mallory, OD ’08.

Retiring Professor James G. Saxon, PhD, had the title of Professor Emeritus conferred upon him. Dr. Saxon, who joined

Dr. Rob Drescher and Dr. James Saxon

the faculty in 1974, retired effective June 30, 2008.

Sam J. Galloway, former Executive Director of SECO, and J. Mallory Salutatorian

Dr. Linda Johnson, Director of Optometry for Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Mississippi, received honorary degrees conferred by SCO President Richard W. Phillips.

Thursday evening prior to commencement, SCO honored the Class of 2008 with the college’s 23rd Annual Student Awards Banquet.

More than $20,000 in awards were made possible by businesses, companies and individuals. Representatives of Eschenbach, Essilor America/Southern Optical, Odyssey, Marchon and Vistakon were on hand to present their companies’ awards.

Kimberly Oncavage, OD ’08 and her father, John Lewis, OD ’80; Mark Davis, OD ’08 and his father, James Davis, OD ’86; Ann Shaw, OD ’08 and her grandfather, Roger Shaw, OD ’48; Amanda Townsend, OD ’08 and her father, James Trudeau, OD ’69; and William Teague, OD ’08 and his father, Van Teague, OD ’81. Not pictured are Jodi Streich, OD ’08 and her grandfather, Charles C. Hayley, OD ’40.

awards banquet | commencement 4

|

SCOVisionS

Academic Award Sponsors and 2008 Recipients Alcon Case Study Scholarship Award Aarti Nayar, OD

Essilor CRIZAL Award of Excellence Cory Boudreaux, OD

Dr. David P. Sloan Memorial Award Emily Naugle, OD

American Optometric Association Award Lynn Lowell, OD

GP Lens Institute’s Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award Becca Jackson, OD G.T. Laboraties, Inc. Dustin Martin, OD

SCO Outstanding Clinician Award Ashley Blasi, OD, Kristin DeHaven, OD, Lesley Horan, OD, Narges Kasraie, OD, Lynn Lowell, OD, Michelle Mumford, OD, Emily Nail, OD, Casey Wells, OD, Lauren Williams, OD and Ben Winters, OD

Dr. Bernard L. Kahn $2,000 Memorial Endowed Scholarship Sara Ruth Langer, OD

Southern Council of Optometrists Clinical Excellence Lauren Williams, OD

LS&S Group: Andrea Beedles, OD

Southern Optical Award Lana Lewis, OD

Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award Ben Winters, OD

Southwest Contact Lens Society Narges Kasraie, OD

NBEO Part II Award Kristin DeHaven, OD

Spirit Award Shannon Shelley, OD

NoIR Low Vision Award Lisa Niven, OD

Stereo Optical Co., Inc. Carolanne Roach, OD

Designs for Visions, Inc. William Feinbloom Low Vision Award Michelle Mumford, OD

Ocular Instruments, Inc. Award of Excellence Emily Nail, OD

Wal-Mart $1,000 Award Kristin DeHaven, OD, and Ashley Blasi, OD

Eagle Vision Super Eagle Practice Builder’s Kit Alisha Freyberger, OD

Odyssey Medical Partners in Optometry Award Matt Schekirke, OD, and Chris Smith, OD

X-Cel Contacts Outstanding GP Fitting Aarti Nayar, OD

Eschenbach Low Vision Student Award Melinda Johnson, OD

Ooh La La de Paris Award Ryan Nelson, OD

American Optometric Foundation “Vistakon Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care” Casey Wells, OD Bausch and Lomb Lesley Horan, OD Bays Family Service Award Emily Nail, OD Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal Kristin DeHaven, OD Drs. Fred and Charlene Burnett Award Ashley Brooks, OD COVD Excellence in Vision Therapy Ben Winters, OD

Summer 2008

|

5

SCO Happenings

SCO is pleased to introduce the graduating class of 2009.

The information listed below each photo includes name, hometown, and preferred practice location(s).

Alex Bell

Anita Blanchard

Kelsey Bloch

Amy Blue

Joseph F. Borden

Amanda Brandner

Amy E. Coburn

Rhetta A. Conn

Jared Cooper

Suzanne Corbitt

Steven M. Cress

Brandon Dahl Layton, UT AZ, CO, UT

Salt Lake City, UT CO, ID, UT

Melissa Foster

Natalie L. Frasier

Brandon Furness

Eric Gengenbach

Victoria Gengenbach

Jared Ivie

Emily M. Johnson

Sara C. Johnson Rockford, IL

Bowling Green, KY

Anna Jones

Mary G. McCubbin

Megan McDonald

Megan N. Moll

Burt D. Schreiber

Ashley E. Schuelke

Benjamin R. Scoresby

Rogers, AR AR

Chelsey Clemans Grand Island, NE CO, KS, NE

Baton Rouge, LA LA

Chesnee, SC

Kristopher T. Hubbard Cheyenne, WY

Firth, ID CO, ID, UT

Murfreesboro, TN CO, TN, VA

Ryan C. Rosemore Plano, TX CA, NV, TX

Overland Park, KS

Houma, LA FL, GA, LA

Senatobia, MS MS, TN

Wartburg, TN TN

Wichita, KS KS, MO, TX

Jonesboro, AR AR, MS, TN

Haysville, KS AL, GA, KS

Spring, TX AZ, TN, TX

Burley, ID

Salmon, ID CO, ID, UT

Perryville, MO CO, IL, MO

|

SCOVisionS

Lindy J. Brentlinger

Jarrod Davies

Nathan C. Davis

Leah Gibson

Jeremy Goetsch

Leah M. Gray

Matthew Jones

Andrew Kamenski

Paul Kimball

Rebecca M. King

T. W. Moore

Matt Morris

Megan Morris

Carolyn Morton

David M. Nigh

Adam T. Shupe

Matthew A. Siemer

Christa Sindelar

Kelly Virnig

Eric Von Holdt

Greenville, NC NC, TN, VA

Grant, NE

Rivesville, WV WV

Golden, CO CO, MO

Orangeburg, SC NC, SC, TN

Bixby, OK CO, NE, OK

Madisonville, KY AR, KY, TN

Ponca City, OK CO, OK, TN

Mount Vernon, OH IL, TN, WI

Bigger, Saskatchewan, Canada

Jodi M. Sehn

Jonathan R. Shelton

Micah Thomason

Amy G. Tolbert

Nathan Tuttle

Olive Branch, MS AR, MS

6

Karen E. Brawner

Oneida, TN KS, TN, VA

Jonesboro, AR AR

Mayfield, KY

Springfield, MO AR, MO, NM

Birmingham, AL

Oconto, NE KS, NE, TN

Grand Junction, CO AR, CO, TN

Athens, AL AL

Edenton, NC CA, NC, OR

Kyle Utley

Gadsden, TN AR, KY, TN

Marion, AR AR, MS, TN

Wausau, WI

Midland, MI MI, SC, VA

Maury City, TN TN

Bushton, KS KY, TX

Tobaccoville, NC NC

Geff, IL IL, IN, MO

Wake Forest, NC

Memphis, TN MS, TN, TX

Clarksville, AR AR

Greer, SC

Grand Island, NE CO, NE

Bemidji, MN MN, ND, SD

Holly Adams Garner, NC NC, SC, TN

Thomas A. Brugnoli

John Adams Hilton, NY KY, NY, SC

Lara Bunyard

Beckley, WV

Williamsville, MO MO

Tangee M. Davis

Matthew Donner

Seymour, TN GA, NC, TN

Ottumwa, IA IA, IL, TX

David Adler

Constance Allmond

John Burke

Amy Buszkiewic Brentwood, TN CO, TN

Highland Heights, OH OH, SC, WA

Jill J. Eggers

Lance Eisenbarth

Georgia

Wheeling, WV MD, PA, WV

State Center, IA

Clarksville, TN

Ashley W. Allred

Teresa Angeli

Laura Bzdafka

Cindy Carnie Memphis, TN AR, TN

Memphis, TN NY, Ontario, WA

Tracy Elliot

Stephanie N. Emmert

Livingston, TN FL, SC, TN

Topeka, KS KS, MO

Cary, NC NC, TN, VA

Edmond, OK OK

Sweet Home, OR CA, OR, WA

Laurie A. Guiffreda

Ashwynn Halbert

Joshua M. Hatfield

Lauren M. Haynie

Christina A. Heptig Winfield, KS AR, KS, TN

Greers Ferry, AR AR, CO, VA

Wally Liles, III

Kevin A. Livengood

Aaron Lyles

Natasha G. Lyles

Bryan C. Marshall

Pete McClelland

Lakewood, NY

Mena, AR AR

Raleigh, NC GA, NC, VA

Cedar Rapids, IA AZ, IA, TX

Tupelo, MS AL, MS, TN

Benton, KY KY

Allison B. Norwood

Scott Paladichuk

Phoebe Sinn

Sean M. Skierczynski Asheville, NC

Cumberland, MD AL, MD, WV

Christina F. Vranich

Tiffany J. Walters

Etta, MS MS, TN

La Verne, CA CA, MI, WA

Ozark, AL AL, TN

Jackson, TN

Syracuse, NE KS, MO, NE

Cordele, GA

Hardin, KY KY

Ardmore, OK

Monica A. Ballard

Logan Banister

Angel Chen

Nary Chum

Lauren R. Farwell

Willie Ferguson

Ripley, MS

Union, KY IN, KY, OH

Douglass, KS KS

Hastings, NE CO, NE, SD

Matt Horton

Waynesburg, PA

Lindsey Petrie

Adam Phelps

Mary K. Quan

Joshua D. Randall

T. J. Smith

Lucas H. Spiker

Benjamin Sturdy

Joseph B. Sugg

Tyson R. Tanner

Angela TeKippe

Erin Weston

Tristan Wild

Adam York

Jennifer H. York

Moran, KS KS, MO

Syracuse, KS CO, KS, TN

Austin, TX TX

Elgin, IL

Hays, KS

Benton, KY KY, TN

Gabrielle M. Fialka Hickory, NC

SCO’s recently enhanced Placement Services program offers alumni the opportunity to inform students of practice opportunities. Students seeking practice opportunities are also encouraged to post their information online on the Placement Services website at www.sco.edu. Students may opt to be contacted about possibilities that interest them. SCO invites all alumni to use this valuable service, and the college welcomes your input as we continue to improve the program.

Wyatt Peterson Eden Prairie, MN MN

Marion, OH FL, OH, SC

Arcata, CA CA

Mamta Patel Atlanta, GA GA, IL

Evan Bayles

Gleason, TN FL, GA, TN

Jonesboro, AR AR

Bellevue, WA CA, OR, WA

Cortez, CO AZ, CO, UT

West Jordan, UT OR, UT, WA

Storm Lake, IA IA

Trent N. Thielke Phillips, WI MN, WI

Meridian, MS KY, MS, TX

Summer 2008

|

7

alumni focus

Al Spivey, OD ’67

1967 Graduate Finds Success by Recruiting Optometry Students Over the past 40 years, Dr. Al Spivey, OD ’67, of McKenzie, Tennessee has inspired many young students to take an interest

“I credit former President Cochran for expanding interest

the profession, Dr. Spivey has sent more than a dozen students

in the profession for these kids curious about optometry,” he

to his alma mater.

says, “and now President Phillips has picked right up where Dr.

he was only 12 years old.

Communication is another aspect of optometry that he

“I was breaking my glasses every few months, so my

preaches to his protégés. He looks for prospects that are at least a little bit extraverted, because these students tend to enjoy

put me in contact lenses,” Dr. Spivey recalls.

dealing closely with patients.

He later made a friendship with another optometrist, Dr.

“Practicing in a small town like McKenzie, it is not only about

Charles Denaburgh OD ’62, in Union City, Tennessee. After

the eye disease that you treat or the eye examinations that you

considering medicine and optometry, Dr. Spivey

perform,” he observes. “In fact, it’s about the relationship you

enrolled at SCO.

build with each and every patient that walks through your door.

Following his graduation, Dr. Spivey became

Optometrists still have an intimate rapport with their patients,

an active member of the Tennessee Optometric

and this sort of bedside manner of communication has been

Association. He signed onto a committee called

lost in most other health care professions.”

the Assistants to Graduates and Undergraduates.

Following a long tenure serving on state and national

Dr. Spivey enjoyed the mentoring made possible

boards and as TOA legislative chairman for ten years, Dr. Spivey

through his involvement.

recently rejoined the SCO extern program.

Now his knack for mentoring comes through

Dr. Frank Gibson, director of the extern program, explained

in his work with local high schools as a site for an occupational

the importance of adding Dr. Spivey to the list of preceptors:

shadowing program. Dr. Spivey enjoys a close relationship with

“Dr. Spivey has served his patients’ community and profession

his “job shadows.”

with great distinction for many years. He has maintained an

asks him or her to shadow him and work in an office setting.

enthusiasm for optometry as evidenced by influencing young people joining the profession.”

“When a student approaches me with an interest in the

Dr. Spivey refuses to slow down after forty years of

profession, I explain my responsibility to the profession in this

recruiting optometry students. In fact, he currently has working

way: Optometry is a tremendous opportunity to help people,”

for him two students who are very interested in optometry. One

Dr. Spivey notes. “The gift of sight is one of the most important

already made the visit to SCO to meet with President Phillips,

senses we have as human beings, and as an optometrist, I am in

and the other scheduled a visit later this summer.

charge of preserving that gift.”

After observing these prospective optometry students in

SCOVisionS

Cochran left off when he retired.”

optometrist, Dr. Bernard Sparks Sr., OD ’47, of Mayfield, Kentucky

When someone comes to him interested in optometry, he

|

and meet with the president.

in optometry. One of the most successful recruiters for SCO and

Dr. Spivey first became interested in the profession when

8

his office, Dr. Spivey next takes them to Memphis to see SCO

Another recent recruit is SCO fourth-year student Adam Phelps, soon to be starting his externship with Dr. Spivey.

Some of Dr. Spivey’s recruits over the years have included:

Leon Colbert, Jr., OD ’74 (a former next door neighbor of Dr. Spivey)

Ginger Givens Coley, OD ’86 Scott Spivey, OD ’94 Alan Yates, OD ’94 (his son Scott’s roommate at SCO)

Paula Putman Murray, OD ’96 Ashley Merrick Ramshur, OD ’07 Adam Phelps, ’09

The gift of sight is one of the most important senses we have as human beings, and as an optometrist, I am in charge of preserving that gift.

“Working with Dr. Al allowed me to learn valuable lessons

He still keeps in close contact with many of the doctors he

in successful practice management as well as to continue the

inspired to become great clinicians. Of all his recruits, Dr. Spivey

progression of our profession by staying politically active,” said

is most proud of one in particular – his son, Dr. Scott Spivey,

Student Doctor Phelps.

OD ’94 – who now practices with his father in McKenzie. Dr.

“Dr. Al’s success is due to him not only being an exceptional optometrist, but also because he is a model citizen of his community. His patients realize and appreciate that in their eye doctor.”

Dr. Spivey loves mentoring students from a young age, but his favorite part of mentoring comes after they have graduated

Scott Spivey also enjoys allowing interested students to job shadow in their clinic.

Just as he does with his many patients, Dr. Spivey builds a strong relationship with his job shadows and continues these relationships for a lifetime.

— by Sam Winston, ’11

from SCO and begin practicing optometry.

Summer 2008

|

9

alumni focus Naval Lt. MSC Randy Birt, OD ’02 to fly in the back seat of an F-18 every month and wear a flight suit to work every day.”

His duties involve going aboard each west coast carrier one time before deployment to maximize vision readiness of the deploying air wing.

“In a two-week period, I can just about get all the last minute things done for the 2,500 or so sailors and officers that make up the air wing.”

On some in-flight refueling missions, Dr. Birt recently took some spectacular photographs and shared them for this story.

Judging by his handiwork, he’s also an excellent photographer in addition to his optometry abilities and military service duties.

Having achieved his goal of becoming an aerospace optometrist, Dr. Birt continues to support his alma mater with financial

Flying High: Graduate Soars in Aerospace Optometry Even though he serves as head of the optometry department at the Naval Hospital in Lemoore, California, Lt. Randy Birt, OD ’02, finds monthly opportunities to leave the ground for some pretty spectacular aerial sights.

The photo featured on the cover of this issue was taken by Lt. Birt as a self-portrait during a brief window of inverted flight aboard an F-18 “Super Hornet.” He snapped the photo while performing Flight Operations from the U.S.S. Nimitz.

Dr. Birt, who will become a Lt. Commander in August, joined the U.S. Navy after high school. He manned nuclear power on ships for more than eight years until he enrolled at SCO at age 32.

Following graduation, he returned to the Navy as an officer. He decided to pursue aerospace optometry because it allows him to use his SCO training in naval aviation.

With the Navy’s Aerospace Optometry program still fairly new, Dr. Birt is only the 14th designated Navy AsO, and one of only nine actively serving in AsO billets.

“Navy optometry certainly can be more limiting than other avenues of practice - you have to move every three to four years and you may have little say about where you will go - but it can also be much more liberating,” Dr. Birt said.

“In many duty stations I am allowed to practice to the extent of my training, as opposed to being limited by individual state law. And where else can an optometrist get paid

10

|

SCOVisionS

gifts, citing the preparation he received and the fact that he genuinely believes in SCO’s mission.

“Going to school at SCO was like being part of a family. I still feel that way about the school today.”

He cited his friendship with the late Richard Goodson, OD ’66, who encouraged him during his time as an extern preceptor.

Dr. Birt also fondly remembers another SCO professor, Dr. Ralph Parkansky, himself a former Navy optometrist.

“Dr. Parkansky could be tough, but it was clear that he wanted us to be the best we could. I hear his words come out of my mouth sometimes when I am working with my student externs.”

With 14 years of Naval service under his belt, Dr. Birt is proud that he chose SCO for his optometric education and the Navy to serve both his profession and his country.

“I truly believe that I have the best job in the whole world. I wouldn’t want to be anything else at this point in my life. I absolutely love being a Navy OD.”

Air Force Capt. Jeff Newsom, OD ’05

On the Frontlines: Graduate Completes Second Tour in Afghanistan In early May of this year, I returned to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois after my second deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

I have been an Air Force optometrist for almost three years and have served two four-month tours in “In Lieu Of” taskings with the Army. In order to relieve the burden on the soldiers in the Army for critical manning shortages, the Air Force and Navy supply their airmen and sailors to fill these ILO positions.

In May of 2006, I left home to travel to Fort Benning, Georgia for a week-long combat skills training en route to Afghanistan. Twelve days and countless hours on airplanes later, I arrived at Manas Air Base, Krygystan which was my last stop before catching a C-17 to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

I spent five “Groundhog Day” days living in

I cannot elaborate too much about

firmed 8 diopters of uncorrected hyperopia.

a tent of bunk beds with 30 other people and

exactly what I did during my time working at

The boy’s uncorrected visual acuity measured

24-hour lights-on trudging back and forth to

the detention facility because it is classified. I

20/400 on the Tumbling ‘E’ chart and with cor-

the PAX (military term for passenger) Terminal

was using crude field equipment including a

rection, placed in the trial frame, he was able

to check on the status of my flight to Bagram

hand-held slit lamp and a phoroptor on a tri-

to see which way the Es were pointing all

only to find it had been canceled or delayed

pod stand working with an interpreter to try

the way down to the 20/40 row and his eyes

once again.

to perform eye exams on people that would

were straight. He didn’t want to take off the

On the fifth day, I finally had a green light to

otherwise have little or no access to medical

trial frame and you know how uncomfortable

go. The optometrist that I was replacing arrived

care. I decided that the best way to keep from

those are.

from Bagram on the plane that I was to depart

going crazy in this environment is to view this

We had the Army optical fabrication lab

on. This is when I was casually told that I would

as a humanitarian mission and not focus on

make up a set of the smallest glasses they could

be working in a detention facility.

the fact that I was literally looking the enemy

find. Even though they were huge on him, he

straight in the eye.

refused to take them off and had a big smile on

I had graduated from SCO less than one year before and I was about to find myself

In addition to my work at the facility, I filled

practicing optometry in a foreign country

in for the Army optometrist at the Combat

In the fall of 2007, I found out that I was

working with people wearing hand-cuffs and

Support Hospital or CSH (pronounced “cash”)

being tasked to come back to Bagram for a

leg-irons, some of whom would not think twice

during his mid-tour leave. He was on a 1-year

second tour. My first trip, I was the third Air

about trying to kill me if we met under different

deployment and went home for a few weeks

Force optometrist ever to deploy. This would

circumstances.

during my tour.

make me the 8th and there are about 130 of us

Later that day, I found myself sitting in a 7x8

In addition to providing eye care to U.S

foot plywood cubicle inside a 20x32 foot hut

and coalition forces, I also saw some Afghan

that was to be my living space for the next four

patients.

months.

his face the last time I saw him.

in the Air Force.

Needless to say, I was not pleased to hear this news. So I asked up the chain trying to

One memorable patient

find out why this was the case.

There are eight rooms per hut and an air

was an Afghan boy that was

I found out that the powers-

conditioner/heater on each end. In early sum-

about 5 or so. He was brought

that-be set up a rotation of only

mer, the A/C did a good job of regulating the

in to see the ophthalmologist

five bases to cover this position.

temperature, but by July and August when

because his eyes were crossed.

This means that, as it now

it was 100 plus during the middle of the day,

I happened to be there that

stands, every 16 months an

it climbed to the mid-80s inside. It turns out

day so I offered to take a look

optometrist from Scott will go

that plywood does not offer much in the

at him.

to Afghanistan for 4 months.

way of insulation.

There is now a new plan in

My examination results con-

Summer 2008

|

11

»»»

alumni focus On the Frontlines continued

Air Force Capt Jeff Newsom, OD

the works that is supposed to assign people based on the number of previous deployments and the length of time since their last deployment. As the only two-time deployed optometrist in the

’05, recently finished his second deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan in May 2008.

Air Force, I think that this change is long overdue.

So, back in early January 2008, I again left Scott on my way to Afghanistan. Fortunately, they did away with the Army training at Fort Benning, so I went straight to Kyrgystan and was lucky enough to catch a C-17 flight out to Bagram in the evening of the same day I arrived.

Bagram sits in the middle of a Himalayan valley at an elevation of about 4,500 feet surrounded

During both deployments, he served as Chief of Optometric Services for the Air Force Medical Detachment

by the snow-capped peaks of the Hindu-Kush mountain range. As hot as it was during the

of the Army Military Police Battalion

summer of 2006, it got just as cold this winter. And, surprisingly, plywood doesn’t keep the heat in

at the Bagram Theater Internment

any better than it kept it out. When it dipped down to the single digits outside, we reached a low

Facility.

of about 45 degrees inside.

Brrr! Thankfully, I brought thermal underwear and a down comforter.

In the time since my previous trip, the upgraded equipment that I had requested arrived. Now

Captain Newsom first heard about SCO when Vice President of Student

there was a real optometry chair and stand with a table-mounted slit lamp. It was a little closer to

Services Joe Hauser and former

the U.S standard of care, although far superior to anything the average Afghani has access to.

Admissions Director Robin Graves

In addition to my job at the detention facility, I filled in at the Joint Theater Hospital (JTH), an upgrade from the CSH, during a gap in coverage between the departure of the last Army optometrist and the arrival of the new Air Force optometrist. While working there, I established a great working relationship with the Air Force ophthalmologist. In the four months that followed, I co-managed several surgery cases.

One particularly interesting case involved an Afghan man that had a skin

visited his undergraduate school on recruiting trips.

“Some of my fondest memories of life at SCO, oddly enough, are of studying,” he said. “I made some

graft on his lower eyelid to repair damage from the excision of an eyelid lesion.

really close bonds with some of my

Unfortunately, the Afghani surgeon had taken the graft from the skin behind

classmates and getting together to

the ear, but into the hairline. The patient’s lower eyelid had hair that would get

have study groups was a lot of fun,

long enough to grow up into and irritate his eye. Also, the lower eyelid exhibited an ectropion from scarring which caused the eyelid to turn out and cause

considering that we were studying.”

SCO provided the foundation for

additional irritation from dryness.

In a joint effort with the ENT doctor, the ophthalmologist took tissue from

his optometric education, including

the palate of the patient’s mouth to create a new tarsal plate for the lower lid

clinical skills that he has used to treat

and then harvested a new skin graft from the hairless tissue behind the patient’s

both American service personnel and

ear. At the one-month post-op visit, the eyelid was still apposed to the globe and the skin graft was starting to match the surrounding tissue in coloration. The patient reported that his eye no longer felt irritated and he was very happy with the result.

During this deployment, I also volunteered at the Egyptian Army Hospital eye clinic seeing local Afghani women and children that would come in for evaluation from villages around the valley. I worked alongside the other Air Force optometrist and ophthalmologist and the Egyptian ophthalmologist. We gave away stuffed animals to the kids and fitted glasses that were collected

Afghani patients on the other side of the globe.

His favorite SCO class and instructor was Theories & Methods I with Jim Newman, OD ’73.

“Dr. Newman’s class set the

and sent over by my Lions Club.

When I joined the Air Force, I never expected to deploy. As hard as it has been to be away from

foundation for the rest of my time at

my wife and the comforts of home, being deployed has provided me with a unique opportunity

SCO,” Captain Newsom said. “He did

to work with a multi-disciplinary medical team comprised of members of the Army, Navy, and Air

my admissions interview and left me

Force. I have also been able to experience a part of the world that few Americans will have the opportunity to visit.

— by Air Force Captain Jeff Newsom, OD ’05

12

|

SCOVisionS

with a really great impression of the faculty at SCO. He is a big part of the reason that I chose SCO.”

Army Capt. Tony Patterson, OD ’03

Over There: Graduate Finishes Second Tour of Iraq

Captain Patterson with his fiancé, Captain Abigayle Ross.

After graduating from SCO in 2003, U.S. Army Captain Tony Patterson, OD ’03, completed the U.S. Army’s Officer Basic Program. Two months later, he had a surprise.

“I walked into a meeting and the colonel asked if someone could watch my things, if I had someone to stay with, because I was leaving for Iraq in a month,” Captain Patterson recalled.

Before 2003 had ended, he found himself on a four-month deployment to a base west of Fallujah in Iraq. As the 82nd Airborne Division’s only OD – his unit was the 782nd Main Support Battalion – Captain Patterson flew by helicopter and ground convoy to different Army bases in western Iraq, where he performed eye examinations at each base. “The soldiers would get new glasses on routine exams,” he said. “I saw a lot of foreign bodies, infections, and a lot of sand or little pieces of shrapnel from something exploding nearby the patient.”

Even though his base’s facility came under frequent mortar fire, he fared well.

“I was learning to be an eye doctor on top of learning to be a soldier, but it turned out ok,” he said.

He finished his tour and returned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He joined the 82nd in providing care in Louisiana to Hurricane Katrina victims in the fall of 2005.

August 2006 brought a second surprise; he was returning for a 12-month tour in Iraq.

Captain Patterson was sent to the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, made famous in many news reports. Faced with a violent insurgency, he and his Army colleagues Captain Patterson examines an Iraqi general.

saw many more casualties and trauma-related injuries, some related to IEDs, improvised explosive devices.

He also treated military personnel flown in from outlying bases, as well as coalition troops, contractors and embassy employees.

“I saw things I had never seen, including an active toxoplasmosis case for the first time,” he said. “The injuries were so severe, body and eye, that we would run down to the ER to evaluate the eyes and whether or not they could be saved.”

He also treated Iraqi VIPs, most of them generals or ministers of defense. “Most of them were over 40 having never had an eye exam and ended up just needing reading glasses,” he said.

It was difficult to communicate through an interpreter during the exam, having to learn some Arabic phrases such as “better” or “worse.”

The Spanish he knew worked well with the Chilean workers.

Although he was an OD, he was also a soldier who experienced a few close calls, including rocket attacks to the hospital.

“You heard the sound of the incoming rockets and sirens and then you would know to take cover.”

When his tour was extended by an extra three months to 15, one good thing happened – he met a nurse in the ER. After getting to know each other, the two became engaged and are to be married August 9, 2008. Both have since completed their tours in Iraq and returned to Washington state.

One of about 120 Army ODs, Captain

Patterson now treats patients under calmer circumstances at the Madigan Army Medical Center at Ft. Lewis.

The Wyoming native chose to attend SCO on an Army-funded health professions scho­ larship. The personal touch of a phone call instead of the standard acceptance letter, and SCO’s affordable tuition, proved to be key factors in choosing SCO. He also appreciated SCO’s faculty during his time as an optometry student. He cited Jim Newman, OD ’73, and Rob Drescher, OD, as mentors who were supportive of his plans to enter the Army.

SCO also wasn’t far from his mind in Iraq. He was one of five members of the Class of 2003 to serve in the military, including Brad Packard, OD (Navy), Aaron Judd, OD (Army), Brian Leak, OD (Army), and Chad Simpson, OD (Air Force); Drs. Judd and Leak both spent 12 months in Iraq.

Captain Patterson would sometimes email his classmates, as well as Jason Moran, OD ’04, who is serving in Iraq.

Captain Patterson will continue to serve his country and practice optometry through September 2010 as part of his Army scholarship.

While military optometry isn’t for everyone, he does encourage optometry students to consider the service as a way to give back to the profession and a greater mission.

“I’ve seen a lot of stuff that I would never have gotten to see if I wasn’t in the military,” he noted. “After being over there in Iraq, you definitely support the troops and appreciate all the sacrifices they make for their country.”

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.

’30s

William Fair, OD ’39, MD, reports that he’s been retired for 20 years.

He fondly remembers leaving home in Iowa on a one-cylinder, 1920 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and driving to SCO for the first time. In exchange for room and board as a student, Dr. Fair worked as a caretaker. His duties included firing the SCO red brick building’s furnace, painting, and even wiring a room that was turned into a workshop. Valedictorian of his class, he now lives in Meadow Vista, California, where his hobbies include boating and restoring antique motorcycles.

’40s

John A. McCall, Sr., OD ’49, is the oldest practicing therapeutic optometrist in Texas. Currently practicing at the highest level of licensure, Dr. McCall is the proud father of John A. McCall, Jr., OD, a past president of the AOA. Jeff Foster, OD ’81, recently visited with the McCalls in Texas.

’50s

Gerald M. Fisher, OD ’50, who formerly practiced optometry in Anamosa, Iowa for 40 years, was one of the featured speakers at the first Tri-County Woman Veteran’s Health Fair held in Lady Lake, Florida. Dr. Fisher represented optometry in discussing women’s ocular problems; the event was attended by 200 women veterans.

’60s

Terry W. Nelson, OD ’64, reports that he practiced in western

14

|

SCOVisionS

Kansas for 35 years; he is now associated with Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas.

’70s

Jerry Hayes, OD ’73, was honored in April by the UJA-Federation of New York’s Optical Division during a formal ceremony in Manhattan.

Joining Dr. Hayes upon the occasion of his recognition were his wife, Cris, and their children, Natalie and Nathan.

Michael C. Frier, OD ’75, was recently appointed by Governor Matt Blunt to Missouri’s Children’s Vision Commission to help meet the vision needs of the state’s children.

Charles Lowell Jones, Jr., OD ’75, retired on May 28, 2008 after 33 years of practicing in Indianola and Belzoni, Mississippi.

Norma Bowyer, OD ’77, from West Virginia and Glen Steele, OD, recently presented U.S. Senator Robert Byrd with the AOA’s Health Care Leadership Award for his help in securing funding for the InfantSEE program. Dr. Bowyer

A Family Affair Vicki Smith, the wife of David Smith, OD ’77, writes from Knoxville, Tennessee, that while she may not be an SCO graduate, she enjoys the distinction of being married to one and that she’s from a family of ODs who span nearly a century.

She writes: “My paternal grandfather, O.R. Stansberry, obtained his optometric degree in the early 1900s. My father, Charles Stansberry, graduated from SCO in 1949. My sister, Dianne, and her husband, Jack Pemberton, both graduated from SCO in 1966. My husband, David Smith, graduated in 1977.

“I cut my baby teeth on a plethora of words such as myopic, sclera, corneal abrasion, diopter, edema, blepharitis, and con­ junctiva. I have watched many areas of specialties evolve, such as the technology in the area of contact lenses, hard lenses, then RGP lenses, LASIK, and CRT, and many changes in the laws and scope of practice.

“It has been with joy and trepidation that we have followed the exhilarating profession we call optometry these many years. All of you are to be commended for persevering through the acquisition of diagnostic and therapeutic drug use and treatment to become the gatekeepers of eye care to the public at large. It is encouraging to see the young men and women today graduating with the highest honors and accolades as they go forward to ensure the future of this profession.”

was recently selected as the AOA Keyperson of the Year in Seattle.

Joseph L. Templeton, Jr., OD ’77, became a grandfather on November 27, 2007. Emma Claire Templeton Forte, 8 lbs., 9 ozs., was born to Dr. Templeton’s daughter and son-in-law, Natalie and Jonathan Forte.

Wilburn Lord, OD ’77, (right) was installed as President of SECO in February. A reception was held in his honor during the conference.

Steve Compton, OD ’78, was presented the President’s Award from The Kentucky Optometric Association. Dr. Compton (right) received his award from outgoing KOA President John Heltsley, OD. Joe Crump, OD ’79, recently finished first in the sport of diving’s 55-59 age division in the 1-meter at the 2008 Spring Masters National Championships. Dr. Crump, who was a member of the University of Tennessee’s diving team in his undergraduate years, also finished third at the 3-meter

level. He practices optometry in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Mark Manahan, OD ’79, recently traveled to Chile as a part of a volunteer medical eye care team trip. The group examined more than 1,000 patients during the fiveday trip. Dr. Manahan practices in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

’80s Len Hart, OD ’80, was recently named the 2008 Oklahoma Optometrist of the Year by more than 500 members of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians. The award is given in recognition of longterm commitment to quality eye care and service to the profession and association. Dr. Hart practices in Collinsville, where he is very active in local civic organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce. He has served as president of his state association, and he recently completed a year as president of the Southwest Council of Optometry, a six-state regional affiliate of the AOA. Deborah Long, OD ’80, won by a landslide with 76% of the vote in South Carolina’s State House of Representatives District 45 GOP primary in June.

Michael Goins, OD ’81, was recently featured in a Wilmington, North Carolina newspaper story about his beekeeping hobby.

Dr. Goins, who has five backyard beehives, sells or gives his honey to friends and family.

Jeff Bateman, OD ’83, reports that he retired from the Air Force in 2005. He now practices in Maryville, Tennessee.

Kendall Krug, OD ’85, is the recipient of the Kansas Optometric Association’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award. He was presented

with the award at the association’s annual convention in Topeka.

Actively involved with the state’s Low Vision Committee, Dr. Krug was recognized for his dedication to improving the quality of care for low vision patients throughout Kansas. He practices in Hays, Kansas.

Diana McKenzie, OD ’89, reports that her home and personal property suffered damage in the devastating series of three tornados that hit the Little Rock, Arkansas area in early April.

’90s Brad Cobb, OD ’93, was recently elected to the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council for a four-year term. He represents the Keeler District of the Cherokee Nation, encompassing all of Washington and northern Tulsa counties in Oklahoma. After his campaign platform centered around Native American health care issues, his peers on the Tribal Council also elected him chair of the Health Committee. His duties as chair require trips to Washington D.C., Indian Health Service meetings, and brain-storming sessions with tribal leaders from Indian Nations throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and descends from the Crittenden and Downing families that were originally from near present day Dawsonville, Georgia. He has been in private practice since 1993 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He and his wife Kelly, have two sons: Dallas, 11, and Taylor, 8.

Tennessean by the Tennessee Junior Chamber.

The Memphis resident is a senior partner at West Tennessee Eye, LLC, an optometry and opthalmology practice. He is also the Professional Affairs Manager for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. (JJVCI). Dr. Cooper was given the award for his professional achievements and his humanitarian service as a volunteer OD abroad.

’00s

Jenee΄ Barth, OD ’01, and her husband, Dr. Jason Barth, report the birth of their third child, Elle Elaine, born October 16, 2007.

Rebecca Munn Cronan, OD ’01, was married to Nicholas Cronan on March 29, 2008.

Whitney Hauser, OD ’01, and her husband, Joe Hauser, SCO’s

»»»

Darby Chiasson, OD ’99

SECO’s Young OD of the South SECO International named Darby Chiasson, OD ’99 (left) as Young Opto­metrist of the South earlier this year in Atlanta. SECO President Doug Clark, OD (right) presented the award The award recognizes an optometrist in practice for less than 10 years who has already made a significant impact in the field of optometry.

Dr. Chiasson practices in a solo practice, Advanced Eye Institute, in Cut Off, Louisiana, where he has practiced since his graduation from SCO. His commitment to optometry began at SCO as the AOSA trustee and continued after graduation when he was appointed to the Optometry Association of Louisiana board as Gulf Zone Chair. He served as chairman for two years before moving up to the executive board and then serving as the state association’s president in 2005.

Dr. Chiasson was instrumental in the passage of scope of practice bills to include all oral and topical treatment of the eye and its adnexa.

He has co-chaired the Special Olympics Opening Eye Program in Louisiana for the past three years. Dr. Chiasson was appointed Louisiana SECO trustee in 2006 and awarded his state association’s Young OD of the Year award for 2007.

Tammy Grammer Morris, OD ’94, and her husband, Mark, welcomed a daughter, Madelyn Kate, on August 22, 2007.

Chris Cooper, OD ’97, was recently named Outstanding Young

Summer 2008

|

15

class notes Vice President for Student Services, welcomed a daughter on May 31, 2008. Alice Catherine weighed 8 lbs., 8 ozs., and was 21¼ inches long. She joins older brothers Richard and Andrew.

Todd Jacobs, OD ’01 was recently named Young Optometrist of the Year by the Kentucky Optometric Association. Shown presenting the award to Dr. Jacobs (left) is Jonathan Shrewsbury, OD ’81.

Matt Burchett, OD ’02, has been installed as the Kentucky Optometric Association’s Bluegrass Optometric Society Trustee. Dr. Burchett practices in Lexington.

Larry Golson, OD ’02, has established a private practice in Asheville, North Carolina. Envision Eyecare, a full service, solo primary care optometric office, opened on March 5, 2008.

Justin Franks, OD ’03, and a team that included his brothers, recently won first place in the World Championship Steak Cook-Off in Magnolia, Arkansas. The 43-grill team event was featured on the Food Network.

Melissa McDade-Repko, OD ’03, and Taylor Repko, OD ’03, are the proud parents of a baby girl, Ava Elise, born February 5, 2008. She joins sisters Lydia and Valerie.

Lt. Katherine Carrick, OD ’04, was recently honored by the Kitsap, Washington chapter of the Military Officers Association. Lt. Carrick heads the optometry clinic at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, Washington.

Teresa Nell Furman, OD ’04, married William B. Furman, Jr., from Portsmouth, Virginia, on November 23, 2007. They have two children from William’s previous marriage, Caitlyn and Alex.

Patrick Shorter, OD ’04, and Carla Shorter, OD ’04, and their three-year-old daughter, Aubrey, recently welcomed a baby boy into the family. Jackson Daniel was born May 1, 2007. Drs. Shorter and Shorter practice at the Jonesborough Eye Clinic, a private East Tennessee practice that they purchased in 2005.

Kim Raharja, OD ’06, reports she recently signed as a Vistakon speaker. Dr. Raharja was also picked as Wal-mart’s OD of the year for Atlanta, where she has three locations in the downtown area.

Emily Whitman, OD ’06, opened her own private practice called Berryhill Eye Care on December 3, 2007 in Milton, Florida.

South Carolina Alumni Elected to Leadership Posts The following SCO alumni have been elected to the South Carolina Optometric Association’s Board: Melissa Schwebach, OD ’05, Trustee Edward Lemon, OD ’83, President-elect Peter V. Candela, OD ’85, President Timothy Stafford, OD ’81, Immediate Past President The South Carolina Optometric Association, which has more than 500 members, is dedicated to ensuring visual welfare and ocular health of the citizens of South Carolina.

16

|

SCOVisionS

W.C. Maples, OD ’68

European Partnerships: Poland W.C. Maples, OD ’68, Professor, (seated) delivered the keynote address at the annual meeting of the Polish Opto­metric Association in Warsaw, Poland.

Since his first meeting around 20 years ago with Professor Boleslaw (Bolek) Kedzia, considered the father of Polish optometry, Dr. Maples has made several trips to Poland in support of the country’s growing optometry program.

Poland was still a Communist country emerging from under Soviet influence during his first visit to the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Science in Poznan, where Dr. Kedzia was the founding dean of the department of optometry.

“Optometry was basically non-existent in Poland back then,” Dr. Maples recalled. “Polish optometry still has a long way to go, but it’s a real profession now.”

During his most recent visit, he spoke at two different departments of optometry located within two universities. After completing three years in a science-based university optometry program (Adam Mickiewicz University) and two years in medical school, (Karol Marcinkowski), graduates can either practice or follow a PhD program, comparable to a research residency program in the U.S Dr. Maples spoke on visually-related learning problems.

During his visit, both universities requested future collaboration with SCO in the form of sending SCO faculty to teach clinical skills or allowing Polish faculty to observe SCO clinicians in Memphis. Polish optometry students are also interested in research and studying in the United States, Dr. Maples noted.

Although the country’s 300 or so ODs do not yet have topical drug privileges or treat disease, the profession is aspiring to expand its scope of practice.

“They’re moving a lot faster to get there,” Dr. Maples observed. “It won’t take them 50 years like it took us to get where we are here in America.”

Polish optometry is developing legislative proposals, largely opposed by ophthalmology, to address practice issues and to develop boards for the testing of graduates, he added.

Without strong optometry programs in neighboring countries that include Russia, Germany and Hungary, Poland relies upon support from American optometry. American optometrists, particularly optometric educators, can make a positive impact on international effort by forging ties abroad, Dr. Maples added.

IN Memoriam

Serena Virji Ajani, OD ’07 married Aly Ajani on July 7, 2007. Dr. Ajani is practicing in Toronto, Canada.

1940

1957

George W. Ducote, OD, Crowley, LA

William G. Brooks, OD, Summerville, SC Frank A. Sanders, OD, Loris, SC

Tim Courtney, OD ’07, is practicing at Washington Eye Care Clinic in Washington, Iowa. The town newspaper recently featured him in a story.

Laurence Troeger, OD, Syracuse, NY

1959

1942

Paul C. Powers, OD, Clinton, TN

Arkansas SCO Alumni Honored Chris Morris, OD ’99, was installed as the president of the Arkansas Optometric Association at the organization’s Spring Convention in April. Frank Selman, OD ’87 is president-elect, Shane Ford, OD ’00 is vice-president, and Patricia Westfall, OD ’99 is secretary/treasurer.

SCO alumni among the 2008-2009 Directors include Kerry Childers, OD ’75, Robert Fitzhugh, OD ’79, Annette Webb, OD ’95, and Randy Teague, OD ’78.

During an awards ceremony, Patricia Westfall, OD ’99, was named OD of the Year, while Chevron Ergle, OD ’04, was named Young OD of the Year. Jim Liebong, OD ’79, received the Myron Shofner Award. Distinguished Service Awards went to Tasker Rodman, OD ’72, and Bryant Ashley, OD ’84.

Lloyd Guerine, OD ’52, Bert Miller, OD ’52, and William Simmons, OD ’62, each received the Optometric Lifetime of Excellence Award, and William Coffee, OD ’72, was named Doctor of the Year.

More than 250 Arkansas ODs attended. Representing SCO at the meeting were President Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Kristin K. Anderson, OD, and Brenda Pearson, Director of Development.

1941

John H. Steel, OD, Hillsboro, TX

1960

1943

Paul D. Emmett, OD, Mt. Holly, NC William A. Gardner, Jr., OD, Ardmore, OK Charles A. Wood III, OD, Jonesboro, LA

Mason W. Wolf, Sr., OD, Colby, KS

1945 Robert L. Irby, Sr., OD, Holdenville, OK

1946 Robert O. Gill, OD, Richmond, VA Sarah Atchley-Word, OD, Scottsboro, AL J. Marcus Smith, OD, Myrtle Beach, SC

1963 James M. Lee, OD, Tyler, TX

1972 Jimmy C. Dawson, OD, Vinita, OK

1973

1947

David Muth, OD, Cincinnati, OH

William M. Duke, OD, Lakeland, FL Richard R. Kipp, OD, Ormond Beach, FL Norman Wooten, OD, Forest City, NC

1977 J. Craig Warren, OD, King, NC

1948

Dannie A. Burns, OD, Columbia, SC Larry W. Haynes, OD, Opelousas, LA

Carl L. Horton, OD, Oakland, NE Clyde W. Richert, OD, Springfield, TN Edwin M. Schrum, Sr., OD, Taylorsville, NC

1949 Erskin E. Ashbee, OD, Mobile, AL Robert E. Day, Sr., OD, Garland, TX Charles McBrayer, OD, Mars Hill, NC Raymond R. McKinney, OD, Miami, OK Robert P. Pharr, Sr., OD, Attalla, AL William H. Wood, OD, Jacksonville, FL

1950 Anthony Anneski, OD, Pulaski, VA Arthur P. Troness, OD, Glenwood, MN Grace E. Williams, OD, Kennedale, TX Charles E. Wyett, OD, Jacksonville, FL

1951 James E. Byrd, OD, Gulfport, MS Charles E. Hatcher, OD, Harrodsburg, KY Isaac J. Mercer, OD, Greensboro, NC

1953 George W. Arndt, OD, Indianapolis, IN Ralph Butts, OD, Hurst, TX Frank J. Sterle, OD, Texarkana, TX Charles Strayhall, OD, Columbia, MO

1954 Richard W. McMahan, OD, Memphis, TN

1956 Wayne A. Hinson, OD, Lexington, TN

1980 2001 Scott Whitaker, OD, Clinton, TN Harold Frank Demmer, Sr., OD, ’54, of Houma, Louisiana, died December 26, 2007. Dr. Demmer’s 48-year career included service as president of the American Optometric Association, president of the Gulf Zone Opto­metric Society, and president of his state association. He was survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; the family requested that memorials be made to SCO, 1245 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104.

Paul C. Powers, OD ’59, a resident of Clinton, Tennessee, died January 31, 2008. Dr. Powers, who practiced from 1959-2003, served on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Optometric Association and as president of the East Tennessee Optometric Association. He was survived by his wife, son, and two grandchildren S. Algenon Dandy, OD ’75, passed away in Albany, Georgia on Friday, June 20, 2008. Dr. Dandy was among SCO’s first African-American faculty members, serving from 1979-1985. After teaching at SCO, Dr. Dandy returned to private practice in Savannah and Statesboro, Georgia.

His survivors include his wife, mother, three children, two sisters, and a brother.

Summer 2008

|

17

STUDENT LIFE

SVOSH Still Making a Difference 33 Years Later The gift of sight is one of our greatest

Barranquilla, Colombia; and Merida, Mazatlan, Los

The municipal government and the Villa-

gifts. The experience of helping someone to

Mochis, and Villahermosa, Mexico. The numbers

hermosa Lions Club helped the group set up

see better is probably the main reason many

themselves are worth reporting but the patients

the clinic to provide eye care for those affected

of us have decided to go into the profession

are the most memorable part of the trip.

by the flood. The patients were so grateful to

of optometry. This is also what continues to

In Barranquilla, a young boy was brought in

have access to health care and it was extremely

fuel SVOSH (Student Volunteers in Optometric

by his mother with a constant right esotropia.

rewarding to provide aid to a population that

Service to Humanity) today.

The students performed retinoscopy as the

was in such desperate need.

Our trips this year marked the 33rd anni-

little boy sat happily enjoying a blue lollipop.

These are just a few of the countless

versary of the first trip, and the opportunity to

When a large amount of uncorrected hyperopia

memories that SCO students will keep from

dramatically improve sight for so many people

was revealed, the little boy was brought to

SVOSH each year. We would like to thank the

is still very special.

the optical for spectacles. With correction, his

faculty that have travelled with us through the

This summer 79 people went on our annual

eyes became aligned. His mother was extremely

years, and the hundreds of others that helped

optometric mission trips to Central and South

thankful and her appreciation was incredibly

support our trips.

American countries. Each member worked

gratifying.

Founded in 1975 by Don Lewis, OD ’75

throughout the year fundraising, cleaning

In Villahermosa, the city was hit by massive

and advised by Dr. L. Allen Fors, OD ’69, SVOSH

and sorting glasses, writing letters, and giving

floods in November 2007. Hundreds of thou-

is excited for future trips and many more

presentations to prepare for our trips.

sands of people were left without homes. The

upcoming memories.

All in all, SVOSH saw 5,281 patients and

aftermath of the flood was devastating and the

distributed 5,433 pairs of glasses and sunglasses

people were in need of everything from food

in four days. We travelled to Claredon, Jamaica;

and shelter to all types of health care.

18

|

SCOVisionS

— by Paul Kimball, ’09

’08 Students Win in Competition Three of SCO’s recent graduates, Kristin DeHaven, Matt Schekirke, and Christopher Smith, capped their senior year by bringing home the trophy from the

SCO Volunteers at Special Olympics

Students on Capitol Hill

Forty-three SCO students, along with five faculty members, joined the Tennessee Optometric Asso­ ciation in May to volunteer at the Tennessee Special Olympics in Nashville.

More than 230 athletes were screened, with 34 of those receiving new glasses and 27 referred for additional care. Organizers reported the largest turnout ever for the Opening Eyes Program.

A large contingent of SCO students recently visited Capitol Hill in Nashville to meet Tennessee legislators and other officials as part of a meeting arranged by the Tennessee Optometric Association (TOA). The students were joined by SCO President Dr. Richard W. Phillips, faculty member and TOA Secretary Dr. Paul Mormon, and State Representative Gary Odom, who is also Executive Director of the TOA.

Southwest Council of Optometry’s “Red River Shootout.”

SCO proved its academic prowess by outscoring teams from the University of Houston and Northeastern State University.

The trophy will now reside at SCO until next year’s competition.

Summer 2008

|

19

news briefs SCO Website Undergoing Redesign Work is actively underway on a major redesign and revamp of the SCO website.

The college has contracted with a firm to assist with the design, intended to bring a 21st century look that conveys the high tech and personal touch nature of optometric education.

An award-winning video crew has also been contracted to film video clips throughout the SCO campus. Research shows that today’s college students from the YouTube generation enjoy seeing or watching clips that showcase what a campus has to offer.

Plans call for including an alumni page offering breaking and up-to-date news about alumni and their accomplishments.

Dr. Carol Merritt with SCO students and faculty member Dr. Janette Dumas.

NOA President Visits SCO Dr. Carol Merritt, National Optometric Association President, recently visited the SCO campus as part of her nationwide tour of all the schools and colleges of optometry.

Dr. Merritt was honored with a luncheon hosted by the SCO Chapter of NOSA – the National Optometric Student Association – an organization dedicated to increasing minority representation in optometry.

NOSA members were joined by several faculty members and members of the administration, including President Phillips, as Dr. Merritt spoke.

Dr. Merritt encou­raged NOSA members to continue working to ensure diversity representation in the profession.

Dr. Merritt received a tour of the campus and The Eye Center, and NOSA members presented her with a gift basket containing barbecue sauces.

20

|

SCOVisionS

The Eye Center Enjoys Record Month Spring 2008 saw record revenues for The Eye Center; the month of March surpassed the previous record for patient revenues set in March 2007.

The Eye Center hosted a party to celebrate the milestone accomplishment.

“I’d like to thank our staff, Gary Snuffin, Dr. Jim Venable, and all the chiefs for their hard work,” said Dr. Jim Burke, Vice President for Clinical Programs.

“Double digit growth in both new and established patients is something well above and beyond what is happening in most practices,” noted SCO President Richard W. Phillips of the accomplishment.

Meanwhile, Electronic Health Records (EHR) continue to be implemented throughout The Eye Center. EHR went live in Adult Primary Care in early March.

Four other optometry colleges are using Compulink for EHR, but no other institution is using Compulink as extensively as The Eye Center.

Dr. Jim Venable, Chief of Staff, thanked the Compulink committee for its hard work during the transition. The goal is for The Eye Center’s records to go completely paperless in three years.

Accompanying her was Jason Clopton, OD ’99, a regional COVD board member from Cookeville, Tennessee.

SCO Leads NC Injections Course SCO, in cooperation with the North Carolina State Optometric Society and the North Carolina Board of Optometry, recently provided a course on the clinical applications injectables in optometric practice. Drs. Kristin Anderson, Chris Lievens, Andrew Rixon, and Jennifer Sanderson were joined by former faculty member Dr. Thomas Landgraf (UMSL) as instructors for the course. The SCO injections course is required for all licensees pursing injections privileges in the state of North Carolina.

SCOPE Earns Industry Support The college is appreciative to Alcon and Allergan for supporting SCO students by sponsoring SCOPE, the SCO yearbook.

Both companies made generous commitments to offset production costs of the yearbook. Each company will receive a onepage acknowledgement in the yearbook.

TEC Partners with Jackson, Tennessee Facility L-R: Drs. Richard W. Phillips, Lynn Hellerstein, Jason Clopton, and Marc Taub.

COVD Leaders Visit SCO Tour de Optometry, an awarenessbuilding tour to promote membership in the College of Optometrists in Vision De­ velopment (COVD) recently visited SCO. Dr. Lynn Hellerstein, past president of COVD, spoke to SCO’s student chapter, as well as second- and third-year classes, faculty and administration.

The Eye Center at SCO has entered into a collaboration with the STAR Center in Jackson, Tennessee.

Fred Burnett, OD ’80, and Charlene Burnett, OD ’83, were instrumental in initiating the partnership to provide low vision rehabilitation services to multi-handicapped and/or visually impaired individuals.

Drs. Jennifer Bulmann and So-Yeon Lee recently visited the facility to present a threehour course on low vision to a group of 40

attendees including local ODs and STAR Center staff. Attending from SCO were Drs. Richard Phillips, Jim Burke and Richard Savoy.

SCO To Observe MLK Holiday SCO’s Board of Trustees unanimously supported a motion to close the campus in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. The college will observe the national holiday effective starting in January 2009.

Destination Capitol Hill: SCO Students Visit DC A record number of SCO students attended the 2008 AOA Congressional Advocacy Conference held recently in Washington D.C. The AOA Political Action Committee (AOA-PAC) invited seven students from SCO to this year’s conference in order to talk directly to their U.S. Representatives and Senators about issues affecting optometry.

“Every student should be interested in these issues, said AOA-PAC liaison Joe Borden, ’09. “Students who step up to make a difference should be commended for not being complacent and deciding to help our profession first-hand. There is a lot we can do as students; it just takes some effort.”

Congressman Tours SCO Campus U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen, who represents the Ninth Congressional District in Tennessee, recently visited SCO. He’s seen here with President Richard W. Phillips and Drs. Dennis Mathews and Glen Steele.

Industry Reps Visit Dr. Phillips Raye Glass, Allergan Specialty Account Manager, Dr. Richard W. Phillips and John

Hyde EyeCare Expansion

Young, Allergan National Sales Director, pictured above, recently discussed the company’s support of educational programs in optometric colleges/schools throughout the U.S.

Visitors Discover Optometry Nearly 140 attendees representing 10 states learned more about SCO and the optometric profession when the college hosted the Discover Optometry day-long event in April. Undergraduate college students and their families represented the majority of attendees, and even a few high school students and college advisors attended, said Sunnie Ewing, Director of Admissions.

SCO Participating in Project SAVE SCO’s Community Outreach program is expanding its influence throughout the MidSouth region and the Memphis area.

Jim Venable, OD ’89, Chief of Staff at The Eye Center, joined the Board of Directors for a new consortium called the SAVE Project (School Advocates for Vision in Education).

Dr. Venable and Coordinator of Com­ munity Outreach Marc Taub, OD, have been working on a pilot program with the Shelby County School System to make the SAVE Project a reality.

The consortium is developing funding to provide 20,000 children in Shelby County’s K-8 schools with access to eye health and vision care regardless of their ability to pay.

One of the project’s first initiatives involved working with VSP to bring its mobile vision screening unit to Shelby County.

SCO Board member Tom Hyde, OD ’76, recently hosted an open house at his practice’s new building in Morristown, Tennessee. A large number of SCO alumni and East Tennessee ODs were on hand at Hyde EyeCare Associates to tour the facility.

TOA President Gary Odom and Tom Hyde, OD ’76

Louis Hyde, OD ’05, with Barry Winston, OD ’74, and his wife, Annette Winston

Summer 2008

|

21

philanthropy matters

Community Phonathon Returns This Fall with Great Expectations Last year, Institutional Advancement launched the first ever Community Phonathon, using student volunteers from the various student organizations in calling alumni for the Annual Campaign.

The impact for the organizations and SCO exceeded all expectations, resulting in over $32,000 in donations to SCO. For their participation, student organizations were compensated with $3,900 for the work of each of their volunteers.

It was truly a win-win situation as students had the opportunity to talk with alumni about their course work, alumni practices and interest, and each contact benefited both SCO and the student organization.

You, the alumni, were the key to the success of last year’s Community Phonathon, and you also play a critical part in making our upcoming fall Community Phonathon even more

Tommy Ducklo, OD ’78

Why I Give

successful.

The program will expand to include more nights of calling beginning in September 2008, and I hope you will take the opportunity this fall to answer when your phone rings and

As years pass, it has become

support our students, the student organizations AND Southern College of Optometry with a

more evident the importance of

gift in support of the Annual Campaign. Please call Institutional Advancement if you have any

our optometric education.

questions, 1 (800) 238-0180, ext. 4.

Watching friends become

— Brenda Pearson, Director of Development

more frustrated with the corporate world or lose their positions due to mergers or market downturns partially illustrates how fortunate we optometrists are.

To be in a profession that continues to redefine itself and broaden its scope of practice allows us to remain excited about the service we provide to our community of patients.

This growth of optometry must continue and can only do so if we allow the next generation an opportunity to learn.

Because of this, I feel it is my obligation to contribute to Southern College of Optometry, allowing younger minds to succeed.

— Tommy Ducklo, OD ’78

22

|

Ducklo Eyecare, Nashville

SCOVisionS

SCO Receives Generous Estate Gift SCO recently received a generous gift of $79,591 from the estate of Solomon Michael Polakoff, OD ’44.

Dr. Polakoff, who retired in 1997 after practicing for more than 50 years in Wytheville, Virginia, was predeceased by his wife and left no survivors. Born in New York City, he served in the U.S. Navy before coming to SCO. Dr. Polakoff passed away on August 23, 2006 at the age of 84.

The executor of his estate indicated that Dr. Polakoff held fond memories of his years as an optometry student in Memphis and his years as a practicing optometrist. Dr. Polakoff’s wish was to provide for future generations of optometrists through supporting optometric education initiatives at his alma mater.

The SCO family is most appreciative of Dr. Polakoff’s generosity and honors his memory by acknowledging this special gift.

If you would like more information on estate planning or setting up a gift similar to Dr. Polakoff’s, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 1 (800) 238-0180, ext. 4.

SCO focus

Vice Presidential Appointments Kristin K. Anderson, OD, Associate Professor, has been named SCO’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement, effective July 1.

Dr. Anderson previously served as SCO’s Director of Continuing Education. In addition to serving on the faculty, her SCO experience also includes serving as the Chief of Low Vision and Rehabilitation Services in The Eye Center.

A graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry, she completed her residency in hospital-based/rehabilitative optometry at Jesse Brown VAMC/Hines VAH in Chicago. Dr. Anderson then served three years as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and was an associate in private practice in Maryland. Prior to joining the SCO faculty in 2000, she served as Chief of Optometry Service at the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home in Washington D.C. Dr. Anderson has been the CE Director’s Special Interest Group Chairperson for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). She has also been SCO’s lead investigator for the College’s National Institute of Health-funded Amblyopia Treatment Study.

In addition to supervising the primary care residency program at SCO, she has been active in the didactic program and clinical teaching programs. She has regularly served as the Chief Examiner for the emerging injections assessment for the National Board of Examinations in Optometry (NBEO).

As Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Anderson’s responsibilities include overseeing the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence at SCO, alumni relations, development, placement service, continuing education, marketing, and communication programs.

Ann Fields was promoted from Director of Human Resources to Vice President for Human Resources effective July 1, 2008. Ms. Fields first joined SCO in 2005.

A graduate of the University of Memphis, she is a member of the Midsouth Compensation Association and the Society of Human Resources Management. As Vice President of Human Resources, her duties include faculty and staff recruitment and overseeing healthcare benefits for the SCO community.

Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, was named SCO’s new Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1.

Dr. Reich graduated with his optometry degree from University of California at Berkeley in 1988. He completed a residency in low vision rehabilitation at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and went on to serve as a faculty member and researcher.

In 1991, Dr. Reich entered the graduate program in physiological optics at the University of Houston and joined the faculty as a Research Assistant Professor. Dr. Reich earned his PhD in Physiological Optics from the University of Houston in 1999. Later, he joined the faculty of Nova Southeastern University, College of Optometry (NSUCO) where he served as Associate Professor and as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

Dr. Reich’s research has been funded by grants from the National Eye Institute as well as the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation. He has had more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications and has presented his research at national and international meetings. Dr. Reich is an active manuscript reviewer for major optometric and vision science journals.

Dr. Reich is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and serves as the Chair of the Optometric Education Section. He also serves on the Student Affairs Committee of ASCO, is the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) Liaison to ASCO, and was recently appointed by President of the Executive Committee to Chair the OptomCAS implementation committee.

As Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Reich’s responsibilities include overseeing the academic program, research initiatives, and curriculum development.

Summer 2008

|

23

SCO Focus

Faculty Promotions

Sharon E. Tabachnick, MS, PhD, Director of Library Services and Associate Professor. She previously served as an Associate Professor and the Instructional Services Coordinator at the University of Memphis Libraries. Dr. Tabachnick has a PhD from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s from the University of Southern California.

Effective July 1, 2008 From Instructor to Assistant Professor: Andrew J. Rixon, OD; Paul Mormon, OD ’01

Daniel A. Taylor, OD ’07, MS, Instructor. A 2007 SCO graduate, Dr. Taylor completed his Master of Science degree at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center through SCO’s faculty fellowship program.

From Assistant Professor to Associate Professor: Aaron M. Kerr, OD ’98; John M. Jackson, OD ’99, MS

SCO Welcomes New Faculty Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07, Instructor. After graduating from SCO in 2007, she completed a hospital-based Primary Care Residency at the Memphis Veterans Affair Medical Center. She completed her externship at the practice of Douglas Becherer, OD ’75.

Scott Ensor, OD ’01, Assistant Professor. He previously served for four years as Assistant Center Director of Eye Health Partners in Nashville.

He recently completed a term as vice president of the Duck River Optometric Association.

L. Elkins

S. Ensor

D. Fuller

G. Goldring

M. Neiberg

J. Pitts

Dan Fuller, OD, Assistant Professor. A 1984 graduate of the Ohio State University College of Optometry, Dr. Fuller served in the U.S. Navy for eight years in a hospital-based practice. Dr. Fuller previously taught at SCO from 1987 to 1999.

Glenn I. Goldring, OD ’78, Assistant Professor. His experience includes 30 years of practicing optometry in Senatobia, Mississippi. A 1978 SCO graduate, Dr. Goldring served as Board Chair of Omni Eye Services from 1988-1991. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Maryke Neiberg, OD, Assistant Professor. A graduate of the New England College of Optometry, she previously served on the faculty of Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in Ft. Lauderdale, where her teaching awards included Preceptor of the Year and Most Inspirational Professor.

Jill Pitts, OD ’03, Instructor. A 2003 SCO graduate, Dr. Pitts has owned her own practice in Milan, Tennessee. She completed her Ocular Disease Residency at the State University of New York (SUNY) University Optometric Center. Her practice interests include primary care and contact lens.

LaVerda Richards-Golden, OD, Instructor. A 1996 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, she practiced as a primary care optometrist over 10 years at several different practices around Pennsylvania, including Lancaster and Philadelphia.

Daniel Smith, OD ’94, Assistant Professor. A 1994 graduate, Dr. Smith’s experience includes 14 years on the staff at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and 11 years at the Lawrence Optometric Clinic in Kansas. He also has served as chair of the Midwest Institutional Review Board.

24

|

SCOVisionS

Faculty Highlights Kristin K. Anderson, OD, Associate Professor, was profiled in a feature article for the June 2008 issue of Women in Optometry magazine.

Gerald Eisenstatt, OD ’84, Assistant Professor, published an article entitled “Recipe for Optometric Success: an A-Z primer for the optometric student or recent graduate” in the November 2007 issue of Review of Optometry. He also authored a story about the need for UV ray protection in the June 2008 issue of Midsouth Wellness Guide

L. Richards-Golden

D. Smith

S. Tabachnick

D. Taylor

magazine. In June, Dr. Eisenstatt was elected president of the West Tennessee Optometric Association.

Pinakin Gunvant, BS Optom., PhD, Assistant Professor, and Phylicia Jackson, ’10, recently received a glaucoma study grant awarded by the Beta Sigma Kappa Central World Council. He also recently published these papers: • First author of an article entitled “Shape-Based Analysis Methods Applied to OCTRNFL Data in Glaucoma,” published in the Journal of Glaucoma 2007; 16(6):543-8 in collaboration with University of Louisville and LV Prasad Eye Institute Hyderabad.

• First author of an article entitled “Atypical Retardation Pattern: Can performance of classification be improved” published in Optometry and Vision Science, 2008: 85: 482-488 8 in collaboration with Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

• First author of an article entitled “Relationships Between Central Corneal Thickness and Optic Disc Topography in Eyes with Glaucoma, Suspicion of Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension,” to be published in Clinical Ophthalmology with collaborators from Department of Ophthalmology Norwich, England.

• Finally, he co-authored a book entitled A Primer for Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) Perimetry using the Humphrey Matrix, published by Welch Allyn and Carl Zeiss Meditec.

Cynthia Heard, OD, Associate Professor, recently updated a guide that she authored, The Optometry Drug Guide: Informed Decision-Making at the Point of Care for 2007-2008. The guide was distributed compliments of Advanced Vision Research as an AOSA member benefit to optometric students of the Class of 2010. The guide is available for purchase through Anadem Publishing, Inc. Dr. Heard also recently published

an article on women’s vision for the April edition of Midsouth Wellness Guide magazine.

John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, MS, Associate Professor, is the new faculty advisor for both the SCO chapter of the Gold Key International Honor Society and the international organization.

Christopher W. Lievens, OD, MS, Associate Professor, lectured on glaucoma at the Pennsylvania Optometric Association’s meeting in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Dr. Lievens recently has presented the following CE lectures: Southern Eye Associates: June 2008 • Top Strategies to Avoid a Malpractice Lawsuit • Multipurpose Solutions Update North Carolina Optometric Society Spring Meeting: June 2008 • Multipurpose Solutions Update Sioux Falls, South Dakota Optometric Society: May 2008 • Update on Glaucoma and Allergy Kansas Eye Services Annual Meeting: May 2008 • The Criticality of IOP Michigan Eye Center Spring Conference: April 2008 • Optometric Malpractice Avoidance • Ocular Effects of Medications Detroit/Cherry Optical: April 2008 • Medication Considerations for Children Arkansas Optometric Association: April 2008 • Contact Lens Complications and Anterior Segment Disease W.C. Maples, OD ’68, MS, Professor, has been named editor-in-chief of the Journal of Behavioral Optometry. He recently published a paper entitled “Variables associated with the incidence of infantile esotropia” in Optometry (78), 534-541. The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis interviewed Dr. Maples for a story about his cell phone research based on upon his article, “The effects of cell phone use on peripheral vision,” published in Optometry, Number 1 (2008) 79, 36-42.

Erin Newman, OD ’98, Assistant Professor, recently had an article entitled “Applied Nutrition for Ocular Conditions” accepted for publication in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry, Volume 18/2007.

Jared Powelson, OD ’96, Assistant Professor, was featured on a newscast of the NBC-TV affiliate in Memphis. The story noted how Dr. Powelson treated and replaced a pair of glasses for a homeless man.

Glenn Steele, OD ’69, Professor, recently attended the Better Vision Institute meeting as a member of the BVI Medical Advisory Board held in conjunction with Vision Expo West. Also of note, Dr. Steele: • Attended the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, and the COVD meetings representing InfantSEE®.

• Gave an infant lecture with an exam as a part of the lecture in Arkansas and West Virginia.

• Presented a paper at the Kraskin Invitational Skeffington Symposium in Washington D.C. His paper was entitled, “Retinoscopy: Refraction Versus Observations with Digital or Mental Video.”

• Conducted a weekend seminar for the Southwest Congress of Optometry meeting in San Antonio. The program involved a session on infant care and development.

• Served on a panel at SECO entitled “Current Concepts in Children’s Eye Care.”

• Represented optometry at a strategic planning meeting on the Better Vision Institute Medical Advisory Board in Washington D.C. • Participated in the AOA Advocacy meeting in Washington D.C., and in a panel presenting for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

Scott Steinman, OD, PhD, Professor, published an invited review paper entitled “Applications to Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation” in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry 18(5):121-126. He also published two articles for the on-line educational site RBLibrary.com.

Marc B. Taub, OD, Assistant Professor, and Christopher W. Lievens, OD, MS, Associate Professor, authored an article entitled, “Pregnancy and the Retina” for Review of Optometry, Vol. 145: 06. Dr. Taub also: • Was lead author on an article entitled, “Aarskog Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review,” published in Optometry – Journal of the AOA, Volume 79, Issue 7: 371-377.

• Served as advisor to students Kendall Willden, ’10 and Michael Leigh, ’10, who received a grant to investigate the relationship between non-strabismic accommodative and vergence disorders and attention as measured by the Test of Variable Attention.

• Was selected as the poster session organizer and moderator for the 6th International Congress of Behavioral Optometry.

Jim Venable, OD ’89, Assistant Professor, was asked by the President-elect of the AOA to serve as the Chair for the newly reorganized Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Committee. He conducted the first committee meeting at the Planning Conference in St. Louis in May. Lisa Wade, OD ’84, MPA, Professor Emerita, was recently honored with an award from the Mid-South Chapter of the American Diabetes Association in recognition of her work for diabetes awareness.

SECO Atlanta, March 2008 Posters Pinakin Gunvant, BS Optom., PhD, Assistant Professor Sources of errors in retinal imaging Jim Newman, OD ’73, MS, Professor, resident Wes Sands, OD ’07, and Colby Curtis, OD ’07 Simplifying Prescribing for Vertical Prism Patients Beth Sparrow, OD ’98, Assistant Professor, and resident Brooke Vegas, OD ’07

Sequelae of Non-Prescribed Contact Lenses Lectures/Panels: Glenn Steele, OD ’69, Professor Current Concepts in Children’s Eye Care

ARVO Ft. Lauderdale, April 2008 Posters Freddy Chang, OD, MS, PhD, Professor, Mike Eller, ’10, Scott Steinman, OD, PhD, Professor, and Pinakin Gunvant, BS Optom., PhD, Assistant Professor Accuracy of the Heine Lambda 100 Retinometer Charles G. Connor, MA, OD, PhD, Professor Evaporative Dry Eye Treated With Transdermal Testosterone Presentation Pinakin Gunvant, BS Optom., PhD, Assistant Professor, et al Correcting Goldmann applanation tonometer measurements may not decrease error in measurement

Summer 2008

|

25

SCO Launches New E-Newsletter SCO is pleased to announce the launch of the college’s first e-newsletter, “SCOnline.”

This new digital newsletter will communicate timely or breaking news of importance about the college and its activities to alumni and friends. SCO is working to build its e-mail database so this monthly e-newsletter or other important announcements can be sent to alumni or and interested readers in the optometric or ophthalmic community.

To register an e-mail address or to confirm or update an existing one in order to receive e-newsletters from SCO, please contact alumni@ sco.edu. The college does not sell, redistribute or disclose its e-mail database to third parties.

Don’t miss out - SCO is working to strengthen communication with alumni and friends, so the college

Out and About SCO is committed to interacting with its alumni. We hope to see many of you at:

August 13-17 Tennessee Optometric Association (Gatlinburg)

September 19 Convocation, 3 pm Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church

September 19-21 Homecoming/CE Weekend SCO Campus, The Peabody Memphis

September 26-27 Board of Trustees Meeting

September 27 Alumni Council Meeting

October 3-5 Vision Expo West (Las Vegas, NV)

October 16-17 Iowa Optometric Association (Cedar Rapids)

October 22-25 Academy 2008 (Anaheim, CA)

would like to hear from you!

1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Memphis, Tennessee Permit Number 151