Visions Alumni Magazine - Winter 2020

Visions ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Winter 2020

New Signage Lights Up the Medical District PAGE 22

Recruiting Top Prospects

Senator Visits Campus

Arkansas Alumni Lead Way

Page 16

Pg. 18

Pg. 20

ALUMNI MAGAZINE Winter 2020 PRESIDENT

Lewis Reich, OD, PhD VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

George Miller, CFRE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Jim Hollifield SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER

Susan Doyle WEBSITE AND SOCIAL NETWORKING MANAGER

Erin Jaffe VISUAL DESIGNER

Philip Tribble MARKETING ASSISTANT

Jennifer Sharp CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATOR

Melissa Hansbro BOARD CHAIR

James D. Sandefur, OD ’65 BOARD MEMBERS

Amanda Brewer-Lord, OD ’97 David A. Cockrell, OD ’81 Steven L. Compton, OD ’78 Anita Davis, PhD Jennifer Lyerly, OD ’11 Ryan H. Powell, OD ’02 Carla D. Sanderson, PhD Dave Sattler Lynn T. Shaw, AWMA A. L. Spivey III, OD ’67 Stuart J. Thomas, OD ’84

Partnerships Providing our students with the latest in treatment options enables them to enter the profession ready to meet the needs of their patients. Alcon recently hosted training sessions for our faculty, residents, and students on the iLUX MGD Treatment System.

SCO appreciates our ophthalmic industry partners who work with us to provide these opportunities. You, too, can help support SCO’s effort to ensure that we offer our students access to technological advancements by visiting sco.edu/donate.

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Leticia W. Towns, FACHE Terry L. Tucker, OD ’84 Chris W. Wroten, OD ’02 ALUMNI COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

Stacey J. Meier, OD ’84 FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

Wilson McGriff, MPH, OD STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Marie Huegel, ’21

Connect with SCO JANUARY

7-8

State Day Events SCO campus MARCH

4-8

SECO Atlanta, GA APRIL

17-19

Spring CE SCO campus MAY

4-5

Class of 1970 Reunion Memphis, TN MAY

Visions is a magazine for alumni, faculty, staff, and other friends of Southern College of Optometry. It is published through the Office of Institutional Advancement.

A digital version is available online at sco.edu/visions.

Please forward comments, address changes, and contributions to: Institutional Advancement 1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222 800-238-0180, ext. 4

sco.edu

@SCOnews

@southerncollegeofoptometry

southerncollegeofoptometry

SCOedu

Members of the Class of 2023 were all smiles and selfies as they assembled for their first white coat group photo.

In this issue: 5 New HCPE Awards Criteria 6 Homecoming Celebration 2019 12 Alumni Awards Recipients 14 1st Year Scholarships Break a Record 26 Graduate Explores Alaska’s Frontier 30 Dr. Bubba Celebrates 50 Years 32 Miller Named New Vice President VISIONS

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Commencement SCO campus

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A MESSAGE FROM

Our President quality of the education that we provide SCO students. In fact, we celebrated earlier this year when Callie Mashburn, ’20, received the Dr. Norman Wallis Award for Excellence at the AOA meeting when she earned the highest board score of any optometry student in the nation.

LEWIS REICH, OD, PH.D

Four score and seven years ago started the Gettysburg Address, but the same amount of time – 87 years – has passed since SCO’s founding back in 1932. As we head into 2020, SCO is working hard to make sure that the next decade continues this institution’s long track record of success.

For two of the past three years, SCO was the only optometry college in the nation to report a perfect 100% National Board passage rate. This year’s rate was 97%, a testament to the

Congratulations to SCO’s student team for its first place tie at this year’s Essilor Academic Challenge held during the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Orlando!

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As you will read in this issue, we’re also working to ensure that SCO continues to recruit the best qualified students. This year’s entering Class of 2023 came to us with an average 3.61 GPA and a 336 OAT average.

These 136 students came from 31 states and two foreign countries.

the hard work of our recruiting team, alumni, and others who are making the case to a declining national applicant pool that SCO best represents a good candidate’s chances of succeeding.

Census numbers show that the college-age population will continue to decline over the next decade reflecting lower birth rates. This trend is catching up to optometry, so SCO is doing all we can to combat a shrinking applicant pool, including supporting ASCO’s “Optometry Gives Me Life” campaign.

As of this writing, we’ve received nearly 60 more applications than at the same point in time a year prior.

Acceptances are also up, along with deposits, average GPA and OAT.

At present, institutional scholarships have provided us with the means and resources to attract the best and brightest students. Being able to offer a top qualified applicant a significant scholarship is a key strategy for helping make the case that SCO is the best fit.

Sharing all that positive news, it’s only fair to note that it’s

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, this

year SCO offered a record 73 scholarships to our entering first-year students. Your financial support enables us to provide these scholarships.

In turn, we’re also helping our students to graduate with about $40,000 less debt than their counterparts at other optometry schools.

These financial incentives and strategies help to explain why SCO has gone 23 years without a federal loan default. We’re totally committed to training future ODs and increasing their chances of success as they enter their practices.

As we near the end of 2019, it’s not too late to make a gift to help us grow and sustain this effort. This holiday season, the entire SCO community joins me in thanking you for your support. We look forward to working toward even greater success in 2020.

HAYES CENTER FOR PRACTICE EXCELLENCE

Hayes Center Accepting Applications for Awards Nominations are now open for the 2020 Hayes Center for Practice Excellence’s (HPCE) seventh annual awards. These prestigious $5,000 awards are provided by the Hayes Family Foundation and are believed to be the only such honors recognizing the pursuit of excellence in Private Practice Optometry by young optometrists.

The Practice of Excellence Awards feature new criteria this year. Beginning with the 2020 application cycle, applicants must have graduated from SCO within the last eight years. This means that graduates from the classes of 2011-2019 are eligible to apply for the 2020 Awards.

To be eligible, an applicant must have secured an ownership/equity position in a private practice in one of three ways:

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NEW PRACTICE AWARD This award is for a cold start. The applicant holds a majority or equal ownership interest in a practice for which they participated in writing the business plan, securing financing, and the operational development for a newly formed private practice.

PARTNERSHIP AWARD This award is for a buy in. The applicant has purchased/earned an equity interest in an existing private practice and actively participates as a partner in its operations and management.

Past HCPE Award Recipients 2019

Frank Carusone, OD ’16 John Nail, OD ’11 and Hannah Nail, OD ’12 Murray Pratt, OD ’11

2018 Kevin Rogers, OD ’08 Courtney Shay, OD ’12, and Timothy LaFreniere, OD ’12 Canaan Montgomery, OD ’14

2017 Spencer Luke, OD ’11 Victoria Gengenbach, OD ’09, and Eric Gengenbach, OD ’09 Matt Aaker, OD ’13

2016 Jonathan Reddell, OD ’11 and Ashley Schuelke Reddell, OD ’09 Josh Watt, OD ’13 Bobby Pankey, OD ’05

PRACTICE ACQUISITION AWARD This is for a buy out. The applicant has completed the buy-sell process of acquiring a previously existing private practice and currently holds a majority or equal ownership interest in that practice.

2015 Randall Glass, OD ’06 Joe Sugg, OD ’09

The deadline to apply is January 15, 2020. Full details can be found on the Hayes Center’s page at sco.edu/hcpeaward. All questions regarding the award should be directed to Lisa R. Wade, OD ’84, MPA, Director of the Hayes Center at lwade@sco.edu.

James Hertzog, OD ’06 (not pictured)

ESTABLISHED IN 2005, BY A GENEROUS GIFT FROM

JERRY HAYES, OD ’73 AND HIS WIFE, CRIS,

THE HAYES CENTER FOR PRACTICE EXCELLENCE IS DEDICATED TO PREPARING SCO STUDENTS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE OF INDEPENDENT OPTOMETRY.

2014 David Hite, OD ’13 Micah Thomason, OD ’09 David Mitchell, OD ’04 VISIONS

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R E M I N I SCE | R E DI SCOVE R | R ECO N N EC T

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Just a few days before the start of this year’s Fall Homecoming and CE Weekend, Memphis saw record heat as temperatures soared near 100. Right on schedule, though, a cold front brought temperatures down to the 70s, perfect weather as more than 300 alumni converged on campus.

Convocation saw scholarships presented to students.

Award recognition went to students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike. Members of the Class of 1969 were presented certificates marking half a century of service to the profession. Allan Barker, OD ’75, (1 ) and Matt Jones, OD ’09, (2) were named recipients of this year’s Lifetime Achievement 1 and Young Alumni awards (see pages 12-13).

Receiving Faculty of the Year Awards were Scott Ensor, OD ’01, MS and Chris Borgman, OD, for the Class of 2020; John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, MS, and Esla Speth, OD ’10, for the Class of 2021, Daniel Powell, OD, MS, PhD, and Julie Shalhoub, OD, for the Class of 2022.

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BSK Teacher of the Year Awards were presented to Gregory Wolfe, OD, MPH, Halie Cottrill, OD ’16, and Brian Knight, OD ’14. President’s Recognition Awards were presented to Lindsey Elkins, OD ’07 for faculty, and Melissa Hansbro from staff.

Alumni also enjoyed a kick-off party, campus BBQ, and Saturday night festivities at the Peabody Memphis. SCO always enjoys hosting our alumni, so we hope to see you next year!

Mark your calendars for next year’s event, set for

October 1-4, 2020

Winston Miller, Christina Vranich, OD ’09, Matthew Morris, OD ’09, Tracy Morris, OD ’09, Lauren Russell, and Matthew Siemer, OD ’09

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REMINISCE | REDISCOVER | RECONNECT

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2

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5 6

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1 ) The Class of 1969 celebrating 50 years.

2)

Bart Campbell, OD ’87, and Chris Borgman, OD, Burnett Faculty Recognition Award recipient

3)

Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, and Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07, President's Special Recognition Award recipient

4) President Reich and Melissa Hansbro,

President's Special Recognition Award recipient

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5) Class of 2023 6) Hannah Williams, ’20, gives a tour to members of the Class of 1969.

7) Mary Hoang, OD ’14, lectures at CE. 8) Kenneth Jarrett, ’21, and Bob Smalling, OD ‘74

9) Alumni/student networking event

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2019 HOMECOMING MEMORIES 11

12

14

13

15

10

10) Diane and “Elvis” Reich 1 1) Kelsey Bloch Livengood, OD ’09, Kevin Livengood, OD ’09, Melissa Foster Stiling, OD ’09, and Kirkland Stiling

12)

Christina Phan, OD ’14, and Adam Young, OD ‘14

13)

Becky King, OD ’09, Sawyer King, Nathan King

14)

Stacey Simms, OD ’04, and Nathan Butterworth, OD ’04

15)

Christy Shields Morris and Chris Morris, OD ’99

16)

Class reunion dinners at The Peabody

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2019 REUNION CLASSES

1979 1989 10

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1999

1969 2009

2014 VISIONS

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ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Meet SCO’s 2019 Alumni Award Recipients Allan Barker, OD ’75 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient optometric practices in the nation serving patients across 23 locations in the Carolinas.

Dr. Barker has lectured and published extensively throughout his career, including co-authoring one of the first studies on hyperopic soft contact lenses in 1977.

He has been a dedicated champion of organized optometry as an active member of the AOA for 44 years and served as President of the North Carolina State Optometric Society during its 100th anniversary celebration.

Dr. Barker serves on the Board of Directors and recently completed a term as president of Optometry Cares—the AOA’s Foundation, which manages VISION USA , the InfantSEE® program, and administers Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief.

Following his graduation, Allan Barker, OD ’75, completed the Chief Executive Optometrist program for eye care business professionals through the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Vision Care Institute,™ now known as the Johnson and Johnson Institute.

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Dr. Barker began his professional career in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in practice with his father-in-law, Rocky Stroud, OD. The practice began as a single location in 1954, but through Dr. Barker’s vision and acumen, it expanded to encompass one of the largest and most successful

For more than 30 years, Dr. Barker served as a clinical preceptor in the SCO externship program, on the Alumni Council, and on the 75th Anniversary Celebration Committee. He and his wife, Susan, have generously supported endowed scholarships, the Envision our Progress Building Fund and many other needs of the institution.

Dr. and Mrs. Barker have three children, one grandchild, and currently reside in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.

SCO recognized two outstanding alumni for their significant achievements during this year’s Fall Homecoming and CE Weekend.

Allan Barker, OD ’75, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor that the college bestows on a graduate. Matt Jones, OD ’09, was recognized as this year’s Young Alumni Award recipient.

Matt Jones, OD ’09 2019 Young Alumni Recipient Although he’s from Kentucky, Matt Jones, OD ’09, recognized the tremendous opportunity of practicing in rural Arkansas and joined Dean Gurley, OD ’80, in practice at Family Eye Care in Blytheville and Osceola, where he is now a partner.

In just ten short years he has distinguished himself through his tireless service to optometry at the state, regional, and national level. At the state level, Dr. Jones has chaired multiple committees, served on the Board of Directors, and as the 2017-18 President of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

He serves as legislative key person for numerous Arkansas state representatives and senators, and he coordinates over 30 state legislative campaigns to secure support. He is also the treasurer for the association’s charitable foundation, Vision Arkansas.

Recently, he was at the forefront of the successful legislative effort to make Arkansas the fifth state to expand the scope of practice and allow the use of lasers by ODs. Regionally, he serves on the Continuing Education Committee of SECO International. On the national stage, he is a member of the Meetings Center Committee for the AOA and a key person for his U.S. Congressman.

In 2012, he received the Arkansas Young Optometrist of the Year Award. In 2017, he was named Young Optometrist of the South

by SECO International, and in June 2018, he was awarded the AOA’s Young Optometrist of the Year.

Dr. Jones served on the Alumni Council and as a fixture in events supporting SCO’s Annual State Day. He and his wife, Allison, have generously supported SCO’s Student Government Association and other student activities. Dr. and Mrs. Jones live in Blytheville, Arkansas with their two daughters, Sutton and Elliott.

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A NEW BENCHMARK FOR SCO

Record Number of First-Year Scholarships Awarded

SCO made history this fall by offering a record number of scholarships to the college’s entering class. Thanks to the generosity of SCO alumni, the ophthalmic industry, and other friends, SCO was able to expand the number of scholarships offered to 73 first-year students, up from the previous year’s record of 36.

Molly McNally

(L-R)

(L-R)

(L-R)

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Alayna Cox

Ohio State University University of Houston University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Adam Trevino Jacob Allan Adam Reichert

Tulane University University of Central Florida Ohio State University

Matthew Schroeder

University of Central Florida Washburn University Middle Tennessee State University

Nathan Baggett Kaitlyn Gynnild Weston Acosta

Arkansas State University University of Minnesota-Duluth Baylor University

Chad Walters

Eastern Washington University University of Washington University of California-Los Angeles

FRONT Hannah Fairchild

MIDDLE Sara Eveler

Cam Ngo

Southern Methodist University Nebraska Wesleyan University North Carolina State University

Heather Quintanilla Caroline Sutton Coralis Millien

Middle Tennessee State University University of Virginia University of South Florida

Jamie Kao Jacqueline Malish

BACK

Julia Sewell

Kalen Thompson

MIDDLE Laurel Heskett (L-R)

University of Illinois

MIDDLE Tianyu Wang

FRONT Noam Nicholson (L-R)

Madyson Locke

Southern Utah University University of Missouri Florida State University

Joelle Reitz Edgar Judd

BACK

Saint Vincent College

FRONT Mary Theresa Taormina Wake Forest University

MIDDLE Landon Jarvis (L-R)

Kylie Bible

University of Nebraska University of Tennessee-Martin Thiel College

FRONT Lane Brown

(L-R)

(L-R)

BACK (L-R)

(L-R)

Ethan Gerstein Carolyn Tran

(L-R)

BACK (L-R)

Jacquelyn Melton

Louisiana State University Valparaiso University Indiana Wesleyan University

Carlee Nestrud Michelle Alaimo Phaedra Lipsey

Miami University Ohio State University Iowa State University

Because scholarships represent one of the best tools for recruiting top students, SCO has been working to increase scholarship opportunities.

More than half of the Class of 2023 received a scholarship.

These scholarships collectively represent a value of between $1.8 and $2 million over four years, one of the largest allocations of any optometry school. Many of the

McKenna Scott

MIDDLE Meredith Fry

Jessica Jacob Ashley Shannon Nathan Sharp Courtney Whitlock

Texas A&M University Southern Utah University Westminster College

Jadyn Nelson

University of North Dakota McMaster University University of Oklahoma

FRONT Russell Harrison

MIDDLE Christopher Frampton

Karrie Sestak

Mississippi State University Xavier University of Louisiana Nebraska Wesleyan University

Hun Ki Hong Amy Cox Gabrielle Crockett

University of Virginia University of Kentucky Michigan State University

Samantha Blanke

BACK (L-R)

FRONT Rim Tarzi (L-R)

Erin Geyer Alice Hanson

MIDDLE Ashley Vu (L-R)

BACK (L-R)

Emme Gilchrist

University of Wisconsin Southwest Baptist University University of Central Florida

Justin Buoch

These outstanding students represent an investment in the profession of optometry.

Thanks to each SCO graduate who helps us keep optometric education affordable. Your gifts enable us to reward top prospects with scholarships based on academic achievement, service leadership, and a commitment to optometry.

Not pictured: Lindsey Tillery

FRONT Nicole Wohlfort

MIDDLE Aleece Kanai Dietz (L-R)

SCO has made considerable progress since our development program officially began more than 30 years ago. Alumni who worked with the college throughout the 1990s to support scholarship endowments helped pave the way for this historic milestone.

Iowa State University University of Rhode Island Louisiana State University

FRONT Lucas Medeiros (L-R)

scholarships are at least $5,000 a year, with the highest awards offered at $20,000 a year.

(L-R)

Angelina Dang Tanner LaFont

(L-R)

BACK (L-R)

(L-R)

BACK (L-R)

University of Kansas Ohio State University Louisiana State University

Will Kreuser

Nicholls State University University of Mississippi University of Saint Thomas

Maria Layton Rachel Ressler Natalie Terryberry

University of Missouri University of Oklahoma Biola University

Terry Lu

McNeese State University Kennesaw State University University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Diana Tran Apryl Fincher

(L-R)

University of Louisiana-Monroe

Seth Jones

University of Texas-Tyler Brigham Young University Wake Forest University

Tyler Meek Kylie Scott Maverik Shumway

Brigham Young University Ohio State University Southern Utah University

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STATE OF THE PROFESSION

SCO Bucks National Trends by Recruiting Top Prospects Beyond memories of classmate friendships or a favorite professor, chances are that you don’t think too often about optometry school. After all, your education gave you the foundation to provide patient care, and that’s where your daily focus should be.

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In terms of the overall health of the profession, however, what’s happening at the nation’s optometry schools will impact you sooner or later. If you’re thinking of retiring, finding an associate, or selling a practice, the caliber of OD talent becomes even more critical. How well optometrists thrive and succeed will also influence perceptions by patients and the public, including young people considering their career options.

Yet in recent years, it can be surprising to current practitioners who learn that the nation’s optometry schools have been caught up in the same tailwinds impacting other healthcare careers. Overall, there’s been a

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decline in interest in healthcare professions, while a few, like the physician’s assistant degree, has bucked the trend by capturing increased interest.

Nationally, the optometry applicant pool has hovered around 2,500 interested students; however, only 30% of those students meet SCO’s minimum academic standards. SCO has not compromised its standards, cognizant of the lower chances of success for lesser qualified students.

Other factors are also at work. The cost of higher education, including optometric education, is also categorized as a nationwide crisis. Harvard researchers estimate the current national level of student loan debt at $1.3 trillion.

Knowing that we’re recruiting students with substantial undergraduate debt loads, SCO takes the cost of education very seriously.

For instance: The national average debt from optometry school is $

174,000.

SCO’s average debt is almost

40,000 less

$

than the national average.

3 1 )

Future Scholars tour the campus.

2)

Prospects joined Student Ambassadors at a Memphis Redbirds game.

3)

Baseball stadium signage promotes SCO.

4) The Memphis Redbirds’ scoreboard welcomed

prospective students in the Future Scholars program.

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From the moment an SCO student commits, SCO’s Financial Aid department goes to work by assisting students in strategizing how to minimize their debt levels. Financial literacy is emphasized throughout the student experience.

While some of SCO’s sister institutions have been unable to fill seats in recent years, SCO’s story remains a positive one to tell. Our graduates continue to find practice opportunities, from joining existing practices or forging their

5 own way, achieving their dream of owning their own practice just a few years after school.

5) The Eye on Success program includes

SCO’s recruiting team is using technology to capture interest and communicate about the value of an SCO education. A number of special events attract high school and college students to campus, including underrepresented minorities.

6) The Pupils and Specs Club Day hosts

In August, top prospective students were brought to Memphis for personalized tours.

Housing options and extracurricular events are showcased to give students additional insights into the low cost of living enjoyed by Memphis residents. A highlight of this year’s event included SCO Night at the Memphis Redbirds game, with prospects enjoying a baseball game where SCO was recognized on signage and by game announcers.

SCO’s administration has made sustaining and growing the applicant pool a top priority. The college is committed to ASCO’s “Optometry Gives Me Life” marketing campaign, with President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, chairing the committee overseeing this significant effort.

The college has also created a PowerPoint slideshow that can be used by alumni who visit high school students, career fairs, or similar opportunities at the local level. As SCO alumni, if you recognize the potential in a patient or

vision-related activities for prospective students

pre-optometry undergraduate students.

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7) SCO’s classrooms are a perfect spot for

prospects to learn about our curriculum.

8) Prospects hear about SCO’s dining facility.

young person you encounter, your connection can be vital in influencing positive perceptions of the profession and SCO. This brief article gives you just an overview of some the realities being faced by SCO and other optometry schools. Contact the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, Alumni Affairs, or SCO’s Admissions team, all of whom are well versed to provide you additional resources and information you need. Together, we can work to ensure that the best qualified students choose optometry as a career choice.

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NATIONAL SERVICE

Senator Boozman Returns for an SCO Visit United States Senator John Boozman,

Vice President for Clinical Programs, Jim

During his tour, the Senator also visited

OD ’77, recently revisited his optome-

Venable, OD ’89, gave the senator a tour

SCO’s first-floor labs, the library, and our

try school roots with an afternoon on

of The Eye Center and pointed out the

recently renovated fourth floor, where

the SCO campus. Currently the only

technological advancements that have

he recalled playing shuffleboard with

optometrist serving in the U.S. Senate,

been incorporated into SCO’s clinical

classmates more than 40 years ago.

Senator Boozman requested a visit after a

curriculum in recent years. The tour

From optometry student to the United

visit with an agricultural group in nearby

also included a visit to the Advanced

States Senate, Senator Boozman’s accom-

Marion, Arkansas.

Procedures Suite, where Dr. Venable

plishments are yet another reminder of

noted the recent scope of practice gains

how SCO’s alumni make their mark all

made in Arkansas, the senator’s

the way to the national stage.

In capacity as interim leader of Institutional Advancement, Lisa Wade, OD ’84, gave the senator a tour

home state.

of campus and presented him with several SCO mementos. During his tour,

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Senator Boozman talked about military 1

optometry with faculty member Rick Savoy, OD, an active member of the American Public Health Association’s Vision Care Section.

Senator Boozman’s tight schedule prevented him from visiting campus several years ago when he delivered the commencement address and received an honorary degree, so this stop allowed him to see The Eye Center for the first time.

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Jim Venable, OD ’89, gives Senator Boozman a tour of The Eye Center.

2)

Lisa Wade, OD ’84, shows Senator Boozman the most recent campus changes.

3)

Dr. Wade shows Senator Boozman the 1st Year Student Lab.

4) Senator Boozman talked with Grant Criger, ’21,

while touring the redesigned fourth floor area.

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SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Arkansas Alumni Contribute to Historic Legislative Effort losing competitive ground with neighboring states like Louisiana and Oklahoma, where optometrists could already perform these procedures.

Health care “scope of practice” bills are some of the most hotly debated, hardest to pass measures introduced each session in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Optometric Association (ArOA) and its advocates knew expanding the scope of practice for optometrists would be a major legislative and public relations hurdle.

Ophthalmologists in the state staunchly opposed the measure, enlisting the Arkansas Medical Society, whose members made defeating the bill a top priority.

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SCO salutes Arkansas for its legislative successes, especially because these changes are in line with SCO’s longstanding commitment to training optometry students to practice optometry at the fullest scope possible. SCO is also proud of our alumni who contributed to this milestone achievement in 2019!

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The 2019 Legislative Session was monumental for optometric physicians in Arkansas. For the first time in nearly two decades, legislators updated the law governing the practice of optometry in the state, to allow optometrists to provide their patients with more of the care they are educated to offer.

Arkansas ODs, including a significant number of SCO alumni, played a crucial role in educating lawmakers and the public about the need for change, and in advocating for the law at the State Capitol.

Prohibiting doctors of optometry from providing a full range of care puts patients – especially those living in rural parts of the state - at a major disadvantage. Many times, patients would have to spend additional time and money on multiple office visits to see a specialist for procedures their optometrist was qualified to provide. In addition, Arkansas was

While the procedures in question were a handful of minimally invasive procedures, performed right in the optometrist’s chair, and without the use of general anesthesia, the opposition portrayed them as “eye surgeries,” sharing misleading information with both the public and legislators.

ArOA and its members worked to correct the misinformation and educate legislators about the procedures included in the bill (injections, excluding intravenous and intraocular; incision and curettge of chalazion; removal and biopsy of skin lesions; laser capsulotomy, and laser trabeculoplasty). Arkansas ODs visited one-on-one with legislators, answering technical questions, and also testifying at multiple committee meetings.

The bill cleared the House committee before passing the full House with an impressive 70 to 19 vote. The bill went on to pass 25 to 8 on the Senate floor. Act 579 became the only scope of practice bill to pass the Arkansas General Assembly in 2019, prompting one

2 1 )

Chris Morris, OD ’99, Matt Jones, OD ’09, Belinda Starkey, OD ’04, Joe Sugg, OD ’09, Julie M. Dolven, OD, Melia Robertson, OD ’10 at the State Capitol.

2)

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson signs the bill expanding ODs’ Scope of Practice.

3)

Several SCO optometry students joined alumni and other ODs at legislative sessions to show their support for the new law.

up or down vote. However, the group did not comply with Arkansas law in soliciting signatures to put the measure on the ballot, and the effort was rejected by the Arkansas Secretary of State. The issue is currently before the Arkansas Supreme Court.

in place to allow optometrists to begin performing the procedures now allowed

by Act 579. The proposed regulations will undergo public comment and final legislative approval, and are expected to be in place sometime after the first of the year.

Meanwhile, the Arkansas Board of Optometry has moved forwared with putting rules

state senator to comment in a media interview that optometrists “broke the glass ceiling” of scope bills in Arkansas. Most importantly, the newly passed policy will provide improved access to quality eye care for patients across the state.

There continues to be pushback. After the legislative session, an opposition group worked to place a “referendum” of the new optometry law on the Arkansas ballot in 2021. That would subject the measure, which had already been thoroughly debated and passed overwhelmingly by legislators, to an

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SHINING A LIGHT ON THE COLLEGE

SCO Debuts New Tower Signage Alumni who attended this year’s Fall Homecoming and CE Weekend were among the first to see SCO’s newly installed signage on our 11-story tower.

The previous signage posed a challenge in recent years when lights would burn out. An elaborate process involved vendors rappelling over the side of the building from the roof to change the bulbs.

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A new solution emerged with enhancements in LED lighting. SCO’s Physical Plant department can now change the bulbs from SCO’s rooftop, far less risky and at a considerable cost savings to the college.

Switching to LED lighting also brought additional opportunities for improvement. SCO’s logo and name were added to the south side of the building in addition to the existing east and west sides for greater visibility from Union Avenue.

SCO’s distinctive logo was also illuminated and with a twist: the LED option allows for the logo’s trademark blue to be switched out for special occasions.

In October, for example, a remote controlled switch allowed for a temporary changeover from blue to pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The new signage has been well received by the local public and daily visitors to campus alike. A number of students and employees have been sharing images to social media, another point of pride for our distinctive presence in midtown Memphis.

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LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCO

1955 Thomas R. Morris, OD, recently was recognized by the University of Mount Olive. Dr. Morris went totally blind from glaucoma more than 40 years ago and diverted his energy to real estate and philanthropy.

1962 Joe Lamendola, OD, was recently profiled with a feature story by the newspaper in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, about his longtime second career as a Dixieland jazz trumpeter.

2006 Megan Lott, OD, was named the 2019 Optometric Community Service recipient by the Mississippi Optometric Association.

2010 Jessica Durham, OD, was named the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians' OD of the Year.

2013 Laura Ashe, OD, and her husband, Justin (formerly of SCO's Information Services Department), welcomed a daughter on September 15. Allison (Allie) Grace Ashe weighed 6 lbs., 2 ozs.

1964 Terry Swinger, OD, was recently honored in Missouri by being added to his county's Wall of Distinction honoring notable local citizens. Dr. Swinger, pictured with his son, Tony, is a former state legislator and recipient of SCO's Lifetime Achievement Award.

1975 Richard O'Connor, OD, was named to the Notre Dame High School 2019 Hall of Fame in November.

1977 Longley Parker, OD, recently retired and sold his practice to Amber Busche, OD '11.

Ed White, OD, was named West Virginia's Optometrist of the Year at the state's 2019 Annual Congress.

2014 Ross Chatwin, OD, and his wife, welcomed a daughter, Ellie Jane, on July 30.

2015 Kyle Anderson, OD, recently joined the VA Central Iowa Health System.

Eleanor Null, OD, was recently awarded the Edwin Dalstrom Distinguished Service Award by the Germantown Lions Clubs for her volunteer work and her leadership as an officer in the club.

Scott Ronhovde, OD, and his wife, Anne, welcomed a daughter, Madelyn Marie, born on September 12.

Brittany Wright, OD, has been named to the faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry.

1983 Jody Whisenant, OD, recently joined Gainesville Eye Associates.

1987 Fred Farias III, OD, has been reappointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

1992 Mike Weeden, OD, was named the 2019 Optometrist of the Year by the Mississippi Optometric Association.

1995 David Merritt, OD, recently joined Sparta Family Eye Care in Sparta, Tennessee.

2001 Peter Gunther, OD, recently joined Miller Eye Center.

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2017 Lisa Roach, OD, and Ben Roach, OD, welcomed a daughter, Allison Elaine, born November 5. She weighed 5 lbs., 13 ozs.

2018 Kelly Arnhart, OD, and

Alex Phaup, OD '19, were recently married, and several SCO classmates were in attendance. (1 )

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IN MEMORIAM Harold Buxton, OD ’43

Jake Bowen, OD, recently joined Kinslow Eye & Laser Center.

Elora Dittmar, OD, and Corey Ommen, OD, were joined by a number of classmates at their recent wedding.(2)

Marvin Efron, OD ’51 Don R. Whittemore, OD ’53 W. Gene Pelt, OD ’57

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William R. Grubbs, OD ’60 Corley Nease, OD ’60

Will Stringer, OD, and his wife welcomed a son, William Grant, on July 27.

Joe B. Collins, OD ’65 Duane Elliott, OD ’65

2019 Zach German, OD, SCO resident, was among the participants who assisted several low vision schoolage students at a Sight Savers America event that provided magnifiers and training. (3)

Thomas Dennis, OD ’66 William Lee, OD ’66

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Charles Sillavan, OD ’66 George A. Haas, OD ’70 Richard Wike, OD ’78

Jonathan Hoaglund, OD, recently joined Vision Care Clinic in Iowa.

Elizabeth York, OD, and Donald York, OD, recently joined the practice of Michael Sigmon, OD '89, in Hickory, North Carolina. The Yorks also welcomed a daughter, Nora Ann, born November 19.

Gary M. Soifer, OD ’80 Charles McWaters, OD ’81 Jessica Kate Birchfield Gladstone, OD ’89 Stephen C. Treadwell, OD ’89

Alumni Attain Academy Fellowship In addition to two faculty members noted in the Faculty News section, congratulations to these alumni on becoming Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry at this year’s annual meeting in Orlando: Katherine Allen, OD' 16 Sneha Bagavandoss, OD '18 Logan Brunner, OD '18 Todd Christensen, OD '14 Kyle Dohrman, OD '11

Gabriel Fickett, OD '16 Dahlia Haddad, OD '16 Whitney Hauser, OD '01 Lauren Lusardi, OD '16 Leon Nguyen, OD '18

Shelby Rogers, OD '18 Patrick Shorter, OD '04 Trisha Tran, OD '05

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GOING NORTH TO ALASKA — by Amanda Tompkins, OD ’13

Former Faculty Member Trades Memphis Heat for Alaskan Cold Which would you regret more…going or staying? The answer to this one simple question changed my life forever.

I left Memphis on June 27, 2019. After criss-crossing the U.S. and Canada with a final push up the ALCAN, I crossed the border into Alaska on Day 33. I put my car on a barge in Anchorage and boarded a prop plane with my dogs, one in cargo, one on my lap. I arrived in Dillingham on the banks of Bristol Bay on August 3 and started work two days later.

The natural beauty that is here is wild and untamed, as is most everything else. I arrived at the end of the fishing season (largest salmon run in the world). Subsistence fishing was nearly impossible since I am not an Alaskan resident. I have spent many weekends asking around, “where can I get fish for the winter” and have since stocked my ancillary freezer.

I have budgeted for groceries in amounts of 3-4 times over just six months ago.

Preparing my car for sub-zero temps has been at the forefront of my mind and making sure I have “winter gear” has been an ongoing project. Trips to the post office provide doses of social activity and with each trip, comes excitement for the arrival of my out-ofnecessity Amazon packages. Bi-weekly visits to the public library have proven useful for renting DVDs and meeting new people and I have a new appreciation for the presence of a road system.

faces. There’s an exchange of “hellos” and information about what the other has going on that day. It’s a kind of comradery only a small town can offer. Then I watch the 9:30 am sunrise and I am reminded that even though it doesn’t feel so far removed from these vaguely familiar pieces, I’m still at the edge of the earth with the Bering Sea just a few dozen nautical miles away.

When Dillingham called me in November 2018 with a full-time position, I was flabbergasted.

I could hardly process what I was hearing.

And then I did. It terrified me. The move meant giving up so many things, my home, my friends, my loved ones, proximity to my family, a loving and supportive work environment, this should have been a no-brainer.

Which would I regret more?

I was drawn by the opportunity to challenge myself in ways that only remote Alaska could. I wanted to be on the “front lines” of my profession, in a place where the only eye care was what I could provide, for hundreds of square miles. I wanted to be held accountable, professionally, to this level.

I would have to dig deep to answer the hard questions, to manage all disease and trauma and literally anything else imaginable. In this setting, I knew that telemedicine consultations from the villages and asking “should we fly them in/out?” were everyday considerations.

Life here is exactly as I expected it: different.

Yet, there’s a comfort here, and ironically a familiarity. It takes me back to my childhood.

Maples and oaks are replaced by alders and spruce, cows and horses with moose and bear, rolling hills with jagged peaks, tobacco farming with salmon fishing.

But the small town is the same. When you go “downtown” you EXPECT to see someone you know. Even for a newbie like myself, I can count on seeing at least two familiar

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I wanted to put myself out there so I could help as many people as I possibly could. I would Dr. Tompkins and a patient.

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I wanted to learn professionally, but I also wanted to grow personally. I wanted to be immersed into a culture of which I knew little. I wanted to be tossed in the sea of the unknown so I could be exposed to an influx of new experiences, to expand my cultural and humanitarian awareness. I wanted to be taught...everything. I wanted to feel fear and darkness that can only come from the unknown and the exuberance that comes only from conquering it.

“ I serve my patients by caring for their vision.

They serve me by allowing me into a very special part of their lives for a few brief moments.”

go to where they were by bush plane and get to see their lives and learn about what’s important to them. In turn, I would get to share where I come from and in doing so, bring people together, across 3,700 miles.

There was a time in my life about six years ago when I learned that sometimes you have to “risk the ocean.” The image is one of getting in a boat, lifting anchor, dropping the sail, hoping for a good gust and letting the sea take you, surrendering to its ebb and flow, risking everything you have as you embark. I think it only fitting that the native Aleut people called

it “Alyeska” a long time ago. The word means “object to which the sea is directed.”

From Memphis to Central America, to Africa and now to the Far North, optometry has taken me all over the world. And in all of this, one truth remains universal. No matter where you are, who you are with, what culture you’re among, what language is being spoken, laughter always sounds the same.

I serve my patients by caring for their vision.

They serve me by allowing me into a very special part of their lives for a few brief moments. We serve each other by drawing

from each other, no matter how different we are in all other ways, a smile and a chuckle, together acknowledging the existence of the tremendous moments we get to share.

I’m not sure what the next chapter will bring, but there’s a truth I can proclaim.

There is an unprecedented richness to this adventure among experiences in my life.

I am so genuinely thankful for the lessons I have learned here so far, both in my exam room and in the living rooms of the people of The Last Frontier.

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CAMPUS NEWS

Faculty Spotlights SCO recently welcomed three new faculty members:

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Catherine (Wood) Hogan, OD ’17, is an SCO graduate who completed her residency in primary care and ocular disease at the Memphis Area Veterans' Medical Center. (1 ) Laurel Roberts, OD ’18, is an SCO graduate who completed her residency in cornea and contact lens management at the Illinois College of Optometry. (2) Lily Wang, OD, is a University of California at Berkeley's School of Optometry graduate who completed her cornea, contact lens and refractive surgery residency at SCO. (3 )

and Universities Association (TICUA) Executive Leadership Institute.

at this year's Project Homeless Connect.

met a number of well-wishers and fans, including President Emeritus Billy Cochran, OD ’68.

Additionally, Dr. Elkins became Chancellor, and Jennifer Snyder, OD ’12, became Vice Chancellor of the Beta Sigma Kappa World Council at its annual meeting.

Marie Bodack, OD, was invited to lecture at the FEDOPTO (Colombian Federation of Optometrists) International Meeting in Bogota. She gave a presentation on Myopia Control Options and another on Visual Perceptual Therapy.

Paul Harris, OD, traveled to Australia to lecture.

Congratulations to Reena Lepine, OD ’11, on her recent engagement to Josh Jackson!

Mary Hoang, OD ’14, pictured with classmate Stephanie Lew, OD ’14, was one of several faculty members who delivered Continuing Education lectures during Fall Homecoming Weekend.

Chris Lievens, OD, MS, and Christina Newman, OD, were co-authors, along with Jacob Weber, '20, on an article published in Clinical Ophthalmology: "Accuracy, Speed and Repeatability of the Voice Assisted Subjective Refractor (VASR)."

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Tyler Kitzman, OD ’16, was among the faculty members and residents who worked with interns in helping dozens of patients

Dr. Roberts was also chosen as the recipient of the 2019 Sheldon Wechsler Contact Lens Residency Award presented by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.

Shaleen Ragha, OD '16, and Laurel Roberts, OD '18 attained Academy Fellowship.

Janette Dumas, OD, is now a real Dr. Pepper after her marriage to C.J. Pepper. She has officially changed her name, so congratulations to Dr. Pepper!

Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07, Director of Academic Programs, was named a 2019-20 Pressnell Fellow by the Tennessee Independent Colleges

Laurel Roberts, OD ’18, was one of several alumni who participated in the recent Gamma Omicron's Speed Leading panel pairing ODs with students.

SCO joined in the celebration as Memphis commemorated the annual Elvis week event in August. President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, dressed up like Elvis and

Jennifer Sanderson, OD, Aaron Kerr, OD ’98, Jennifer Snyder, OD ’12, Taylor Keys, OD, ’12, and Esla Speth, OD ’10, represented the faculty at an event held for the Palmer House for Children, the Mid-South’s oldest residential campuses for abandoned or neglected children.

Extension Program (OEP) Congress in Kansas City, where Chris Borgman, OD, also made presentations.

Glen Steele, OD ’69, and Marc Taub, OD, MS, recently lectured at the OEP Northeast Congress on pediatric and vision therapyrelated topics.

Dr. Steele also presented six hours of COPE-approved lectures at the Heart of America Optometric

Marc Taub, OD, MS, and Pamela Schnell, OD ’01, were joined by former residents, Drs. Amar

Sayani and Rebecca Marinoff, while lecturing at the COMOF meeting in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Annual Conference in Franklin, Tennessee. He gave a presentation on the connections between obesity and eye disease.

Stephen Wetick, OD ’08, Scott Ensor, OD ’01, MS, and Halie Cottrill, OD ’16, participated in a TAOP-hosted Northeastern State University Optometry College of Oklahoma's Laser Procedure Program in Franklin, Tennessee.

Lisa Wade, OD ’84, MPA, was interviewed by AOA News about four steps to success related to co-management.

Gregory Wolfe, OD, MPH, lectured at the Tennessee Public Health Association (TPHA)

Melissa Zarn, OD, was a collaborating author of ASCO's Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Toolkit.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTOMETRY | ORLANDO Faculty members who made presentations at the American Academy of Optometry meeting included: POSTERS

Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD; Karen Squier, OD; Cynthia Heard, OD; Patricia Estes-Walker, OD; Gregory Wolfe, OD; and Esla Speth, OD ’10 Survey of Nutritional Status of Ambulatory Elderly Patients in a Large Primary Vision Care Facility.

Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, et al.

Gauging Field Trip Learning in Third Year Optometry Students.

Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Accommodation.

CFF and History of Concussion: Effect of Stimulus Sweep Direction.

Comparison of Visual Light Sensitivity Survey and Macular PigmentOptical Density in Young, Healthy Adults.

Kristina Haworth, OD, MS, PhD and Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD A Digital Training Module for Systematic Optic Disc Evaluation.

Kristina Haworth, OD, MS, PhD, et al.

The Effect of UV-Absorbing Contact Lenses on Conjunctival Ultraviolet Autofluorescence after ShortTerm Simulated Daylight Exposure.

Esla Speth, OD ’10; Rachel Grant, OD; Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD; and Wil McGriff, OD, MPH Exploring MPOD in a Population with Substance Use Disorder

Julie Shalhoub, OD; Shaleen Ragha, OD ’16; Melissa Zarn, OD; et al.

Foundations of Student Driven Interprofessional Education

Karen Squier, OD; et al.

Patient Understanding of Low Vision Services in a Memphis Low Vision Clinic.

Does Visual Function Affect Scores of FES-1 Scales?

A Pilot Study.

Chris Lievens, OD, MS; et al.

Investigation of Systane Complete to Relieve Contact Lens Related Dry Eye and Discomfort.

Julie Shalhoub, OD; Shaleen Ragha, OD ’16; Melissa Zarn, OD; et al.

Student Interprofessional Networking (SIP’n): Foundations of Student-Driven Interprofessional Education.

Reena Lepine, OD ’11, and Mary Hoang , OD ’14 Dominant DISC Behavioral Type as a Potential Indicator of Learning Style.

Darah McDaniel-Chandler, OD ’16 Tumefactive Demyelination: An Ocular Presentation of a Multiple Sclerosis Variant.

Mary Hoang, OD ’14; et al.

Lacrimal Gland Prolapse Secondary to Craniofacial Abnormalities in a Pediatric Patient.

Morgan Ollinger, OD; et al.

A Comparison on Near Visual Acuity Optotype Validity within a Pediatric Population.

Jennifer Sanderson, OD Normative Data of Outer Nuclear Layer Thickness as Measured by Heidelberg Spectralis OCT. WORKSHOPS

Dan Fuller, OD Basic Scleral Lens Fitting: Easy as 1, 2, 3, Fitting GP and Scleral Multifocal Lenses.

PRESENTATIONS

Glen Steele, OD ’69 Timeless Truths in Vision Development.

Melissa Zarn, OD; Paul Harris, OD; and Marc Taub, OD, MS Vision Therapy/Visual Training for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Melissa Zarn, OD; Marc Taub, OD, MS; and Pam Schnell, OD ’01 Visual Information Processing: A Hands On Approach.

Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04; Jennifer Sanderson, OD; Scott Ensor, OD ’01, MS; Jason Duncan, OD ’96; et al.

Injectable Medications in Primary Eyecare.

AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION | PHILADELPHIA SCO was well represented at November’s American Public Health Association meeting in Philadelphia. In fact, SCO accounted for about a quarter of the attendees in the Vision Care Section. Rick Savoy, OD, is the incoming Vision Care Section chair, and Wil McGriff, OD, the chair-elect. Glen Steele, OD ’69, is a past chair and a governing councilor and Dan Powell, OD, a section councilor, presented a poster. Karen Squier, OD, had a poster at the meeting, and Jennyffer Smith, OD, ’16, was the VCS student liaison.

Karen Squier, OD, and Dan Powell, OD, presented posters at the American Public Health Association meeting.

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Dr. Steele Celebrates Half Century of SCO Service “The Year of Bubba” will be one way that 2019 could be remembered.

SCO Professor Glen Steele, OD ’69, was honored throughout the year, a fitting recognition of SCO’s longest-serving faculty member.

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At Dr. Steele’s 50-year reception, a display featured different portraits of him through the years.

In June, Dr. Steele, or “Bubba,” as he’s affectionately known, was inducted into the American Optometric Association’s Hall of Fame.

In August, Dr. Steele was named a finalist for Lifetime Achievement at the Memphis Business Journal’s Healthcare Heroes Awards.

The Memphis Redbirds invited Dr. Steele to throw out the opening pitch at an August game attended by a number of prospective students and SCO’s recruiting team.

Longtime colleagues – Professor Emeritus Jim Newman, OD ’73, Dr. Steele, and President Emeritus Billy Cochran, OD ’68

In September came perhaps the most special milestone at all – a reception attended by his fellow faculty and staff members as SCO celebrated the 50th anniversary of Dr. Steele joining the faculty back in 1969.

Fifty years of service represents Dr. Steele’s contributions to optometry, teaching thousands of students, and lecturing around the world, a remarkable achievement.

October saw another honor as Dr. Steele joined his classmates as they were all recognized during their 50-year class reunion at SCO’s Convocation ceremony.

As the “Year of Bubba” came to an end, Dr. Steele had a simple message for his colleagues and former students – he’s not retiring and has no intention of slowing down. His commitment to pediatric vision and the InfantSEE program will continue, so here’s to many more happy years of service!

IF DR. STEELE HAS MADE AN IMPACT ON YOUR OPTOMETRY CAREER, PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A GIFT IN HIS HONOR, INCLUDING THE SCHOLARSHIP NAMED FOR HIM AND HIS LATE COLLEAGUE, L. ALLAN FORS, OD ’69.

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IA NEW HIRE

Miller Named Vice President for Institutional Advancement Everyone who interviewed George came away impressed with his enthusiasm, knowledge, and insights into the role of building positive relationships as a cornerstone of fundraising.”

Miller currently serves as Senior Account Director at the Gabriel Group, where he has developed and executed fundraising campaigns for a number of national nonprofits. Previously, he was Vice President for Operation Smile and The Pursuant Group.

Additional development roles included director level positions at the Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation and Delta State University Foundation.

Miller received his MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Delta State University. He earned his Certified Fundraising Executive Credential, CFRE, in 2006. Miller and his wife, Rachel, are the parents of three children and live in Southaven, Mississippi.

“George’s familiarity with SCO was certainly an asset, but his experiences and successes at Operation Smile and with a variety of consulting clients demonstrated the key strengths needed to guide our development and marketing programs,” Dr. Reich added.

Institutional Advancement priorities in 2020 will include connecting with SCO’s alumni base, consistently the college’s most significant SCO has named George Miller, CFRE, as the college’s new Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Miller, who previously worked at SCO nearly a decade ago as Director of Development, brings nearly 20 years of experience as an advancement professional and leader.

“In fact, Mr. Miller’s expertise will assist future endeavors in identifying key demographics and different alumni segmentation for targeted fundraising appeals, so he, too, appreciates the value of how to best relate and connect with core constituencies,” Dr. Reich said.

“He is a highly qualified, dynamic leader with a proven track record of success in non-profit fundraising and execution of strategic initiatives,” said SCO President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD.

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group of supporters.

Institutional Advancement oversees Development, Alumni Affairs, the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, Community Engagement, and Communications. Expect to hear more in 2020 about some of

“George has extensive experience working with board members and

the exemplary ideas and processes that Miller will be implementing

senior level executives. He was selected to fill this critical position

to enhance SCO’s fundraising and marketing strategies to ensure our

after an exhaustive national search and extensive interview process.

continued success.

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NEWS BRIEFS

Local Alumni Welcome Students to Their Practices SCO's Optometric Private Practice Club recently partnered with Vision Source to host a practice "crawl." After dinner on campus, students boarded buses that transported three different groups to each of the practices throughout an evening.

Once there, students enjoyed a tour and meeting with ODs who shared their own journey to owning and operating a private practice. Joined by Lisa Wade, OD ’84, from the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence, the students visited the practices of Michael

New Name and Look

Snider Named CE Director

Gerstner, OD ’97 and Jared Powelson, OD ’96, pictured, as well as the Eye Society and Eyecare East Practices owned by Paul Mormon, OD ’01.

Jeanie Snider was recently promoted to SCO's Director of Continuing Education. The CE program has grown significantly in recent years, including a robust online presence with professionally recorded CE lectures by faculty.

SCO’s Bookstore has a new name and look. Recognizing that modern college bookstores don’t sell as many books in a digital era, the name was recently updated to become the SCO Campus Store.

New signage was installed over the entrance.

Inside, the store’s look has been updated, with a wider variety of SCO-branded apparel and other gift items being offered.

Alumni may visit and order items from SCO’s Campus Store via the college’s website. Make plans to check out the new look and products the next time you’re on campus!

During Fall Homecoming and CE Weekend, more than 370 optometrists participated in SCO's program of 24 CE hours. The CE program also hosts a Spring CE Weekend on campus and other destination events featuring CE for alumni and other ODs.

Running for St. Jude SCO had the biggest corporate team in December’s St. Jude Marathon. Organized by a group of faculty members, the SCO team quickly attracted students and other employees to total more than 200 people.

SCO’s team was larger than those of FedEx and International Paper, two of the city’s largest employers. Several of the members are pictured at a practice run held in advance.

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NEWS BRIEFS

Employees Give Back During Day of Service SCO’s faculty and staff participated in the college’s first ever Day of Service, held this year on the 9-11 anniversary.

Coordinated by SCO’s Social and Service Committee and the Human Resources Department, the college worked with several nonprofit organizations to identify opportunities where employees could volunteer during a workday morning.

Employees were allowed to choose from Bruce Elementary School (1), Meals of Hope (2-3), Catholic Charities (4-5), First Responders (6-7), and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital (8-9).

Teams were then given instructions and how to participate.

Like other nonprofits around Memphis, volunteer activities were widely covered by local news media reports and in social media posts where organizations and participants alike shared their positive reaction to being able to help others.

“We believe that our employees’ participation will help other nonprofits in our community become more familiar with SCO and the profession of optometry,” said Tracy Lindow, SCO’s Executive Director for Human Resources. “We all benefit when we join other nonprofits in our community, and volunteer service helps set good examples for our students to follow.”

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Student Inspired by Pediatric Encounter THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WENT VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER IT WAS WRITTEN AND SHARED BY ELYSE RABORN, ’20. IT’S REPRINTED HERE WITH HER PERMISSION:

“Today I saw a 2-year-old for her first eye exam. Baby exams are tough.

They can't answer our questions. They can't tell us what they see, what they can't see. We have to rely on what we can objectively measure.

“The 2-year-old is scared of me. She cries and hides every time I get close, every time I shine a light. We have to do dilating drops. Everyone hates the drops.

“When I'm checking her retinoscopy, my heart sinks. -6.00, -7.00, -8.00, -9.00... I stop at -10.00. This little girl can't see and likely hasn't seen in her entire life. I put lenses in a trial frame. She doesn't want them on. She fights and cries and hides. But I get them on her face.

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“She stops fighting.

“She stops crying.

“She looks at me and I ask, ‘Can you see my face?’ And she can.

I know she can.

“I will feel the weight of that moment for the rest of my life.

“There are days I feel my insecurities and self-doubt will crush me, but then there are these moments of grace that remind me that this is who I am and this is what I was meant to do.

“My name is Elyse and I help people see.”

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MOA/SCO Collabration SCO recently worked with the Mississippi Optometric Association to host a delegation of the state's lawmakers. Joined by several alumni and state association officials, the legislators toured SCO's clinical facilities and saw a demonstration of The Eye Center's advanced procedures suite. Pictured is SCO Vice President for Clinical Programs Jim Venable, OD '89, speaking to the assembled group of dignitaries about the education SCO provides our students as they prepare to practice optometry.

Students Learn About Parkinson’s

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More than 30 students from the Class of 2021 joined Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, at a local community presentation on Parkinson’s Disease.

Healthcare students joined practitioners in learning about the signs and symptoms and quality of life issues with the disease.

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SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY 1245 Madison Avenue Memphis, TN 38104-2222

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Memphis, Tennessee Permit Number 151

SECO Returns to Atlanta See you March 4-8, 2020 at our booth and reception!