Visions Alumni Magazine - Winter 2021

Visions ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Winter 2021

Rare October Graduation PAGE 8

’20 Graduate in Video Spotlight Page 6

In-Person Homecoming Returns Page 10

Faculty Member’s ALS Battle Page 14

2012

2021

AT THIS YEAR’S FALL HOMECOMING, JEFF COATS, OD ’14, AND JADE COATS, OD ’16, RECREATED ONE OF THEIR FIRST PHOTOS TAKEN AS A COUPLE BACK IN 2012. THE FORMER SVOSH PARTNERS, NOW HAPPILY MARRIED AND PRACTICING IN ARKANSAS, CREDIT SCO FOR BRINGING THEM TOGETHER AND MAKING THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES SO REWARDING.

ALUMNI MAGAZINE Winter 2021

A MESSAGE FROM

LEWIS REICH, OD, PH.D.

Our President the college has fared much

The decisions we make

better than the surrounding

today will benefit optometry

covered in the winter issue of

community and region, so our

students in the years to come.

an alumni magazine, but the

students and employees are

Later this decade in 2028, SCO

It may seem unusual to see a commencement ceremony

last year and a half proved

to be commended for working

will welcome the entering

to be anything but ordinary.

together to stay healthy and

class of students who will

As glad as we were to see our

carrying out our mission

graduate in 2032, SCO’s 100th

alumni at Fall Homecoming

safely.

anniversary year. Time passes

& CE Weekend, maybe no one was happier to be back in Memphis than the Class of 2020.

Now we look forward to a better and brighter year, 2022.

The new year brings two significant anniversaries: SCO

quickly, so we will be making

To all our alumni and friends

last year, nearly 100 members

in 1932, while The Eye Center

who have supported the

of the Class of 2020 reunited

celebrates its 20th anniver-

college through the years,

for an official event in October.

sary of its formal dedication

especially in 2021, your impact

In the coming years, these

back on September 20, 2002.

SCO alumni who will have ever graduated and celebrated a reunion event at the same time.

reminds us that the clock begins ticking as we start the decade that will lead SCO into its centennial just 10 years

Jim Hollifield SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER

Susan Doyle WEBSITE AND SOCIAL NETWORKING MANAGER

Erin Jaffe VISUAL DESIGNER

Philip Tribble CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATOR

Melissa Hansbro BOARD CHAIR

Christopher W. Wroten, OD ’02 BOARD MEMBERS

Amanda Brewer-Lord, OD ’97 Betty Harville Brown, OD David A. Cockrell, OD ’81 Steven L. Compton, OD ’78 Anita A. Davis, PhD Vicki Farmer Mark R. Kapperman, OD ’87 James K. Kirchner, OD Jennifer E. Lyerly, OD ’11 Stacey J. Meier, OD ’84 Dave Sattler Lynn T. Shaw, AWMA Terry L. Tucker, OD ’84

education.

versary of our founding back

continuous success also

George Miller, CFRE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

as a leader in optometric

ment ceremony postponed

distinction of being the only

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

build upon SCO’s reputation

will celebrate its 90th anni-

Reflecting on 90 years of

Lewis Reich, OD, PhD

the decisions and plans to

After seeing their commence-

alumni will likely hold the

PRESIDENT

is felt by our students. They

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Anna Britt, ’23

appreciate the scholarships that help them manage their student debt levels. They appreciate greater flexibility in choosing their practice options after graduation. They also appreciate the outstand-

As the Delta variant wanes,

from now. Just as a previous

it’s been gratifying to see

generation of leadership saw

signs of life once again

the dream of a standalone

returning to normal. Our

clinical facility become a

students have been able

reality as The Eye Center, SCO

Thanks to all of you for your

to hold Optifest and other

will begin to map out the next

commitment and support.

familiar events. With 98% of

several years through strate-

SCO is a better optometry

the SCO campus vaccinated,

gic planning.

school because of you.

ing academic and clinical facilities that empower them to succeed.

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

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2021 ALUMNI AWARDS

Foster and Reid Honored for Alumni Accomplishments Dr. Kurt Steele was joined by Nora Cothran, OD ’13, and Tennessee State Representative Jeremy Faison in accepting the award on Dr. Foster’s behalf. In their remarks, they remembered his selfless devotion to optometry and encouraged the Class of 2020 to continue participating in activities that will advance the scope of practice for the profession.

Also recognized at the ceremony was the Young Alumni Award recipient,

JON REID, OD ’12. Dr. Reid practices at Advanced EyeCare Centers in Illinois.

At SCO’s Fall Homecoming and CE

Newport, Tennessee, where the practice

Weekend, the college formally recog-

was established October 17, 1950, by Dr.

nized two outstanding alumni for

Ford. In subsequent years, Dr. Foster was

their accomplishments. Posthumously

joined by Drs. Kurt Steele (’95), Emily

receiving the Lifetime Achievement

Eisenhower (’17), and other alumni in

Award was the late Jeff Foster, OD ’81,

growing the practice.

and receiving the Young Alumni Award was Jon Reid, OD ’12.

Optometric Physicians named Dr. Foster

Following his graduation from SCO,

Dr. Lewis Reich, SCO President, pre-

the Young OD of the Year; in 1986, OD

he completed a primary care residency

sented each award during the Class of

of the Year; and in 2014 the OD of the

at the Salem Veterans Administration

2020’s commencement ceremony held

Decade. He was a past legislative chair

Medical Center in Salem, VA. He is a

at the Peabody Hotel.

of the TAOP, an area where his legisla-

member of the American Optometric

tive leadership earned him respect and

Association and Illinois Optometric

appreciation from colleagues around

Association and is a Fellow of the

the state.

American Academy of Optometry.

advancing scope of practice legislation

He was a past president of the Tennes-

In 2021, he was named a recipient of

in Tennessee. Dr. Foster died of COVID-

see Optometric Association, Tennessee

the Partnership Award presented by the

19 on August 28, 2020.

Academy of Optometry, and was a past

Hayes Center for Practice Excellence

Chair of the Tennessee Board of Exam-

at SCO. Dr. Reid resides in Carlinville,

iners in Optometry. He was a Diplomate

Illinois, with his wife, Maya S. Reid, OD

of the American Board of Optometry.

’12, and their three children.

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

JEFF FOSTER, OD ’81, was recognized for his decades of leadership devoted to

After his graduation from SCO, Dr. Foster joined the practice of Drs. Nathan Ford (’50) and William B. Henry (OD ’61), in

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In 1984, the Tennessee Association of

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Donor Profile Welcome First-Time SCO Donors BILL OLIVER, OD ’63

Southern College of Optometry is pleased to welcome the following first-time contributors to our donor ranks. Listed below are those who gave generously in July, August, and September 2021.

ALUMNI

Rock Hill, South Carolina residents Bill Oliver, OD ’63, and his wife Nancy, recently visited Memphis and toured the SCO campus. Dr. and Mrs. Oliver are long-time supporters of the college, with their first gift being made more than 33 years ago during SCO’s earliest efforts to seek alumni support.

In 1991, the Olivers created the William C. Oliver Family Endowed Scholarship, and 30 years later, their generosity continues to benefit SCO students.

During their visit to SCO, the Olivers met Savannah Hinzman, ’25, a first-year recipient of their scholarship.

“I am so grateful to have been awarded this scholarship and for the contributions of Dr. and Mrs. Oliver which made it all possible,” Savannah said. “Their generosity has allowed me to pursue my dream of studying optometry at SCO. In the future, I hope to own a private practice in my home state of South Carolina.”

In addition to endowing their family scholarship, the Olivers have also generously supported other scholarships and the Envision Our Progress campaign to build SCO’s academic facilities in 2013.

Alumni interested in learning how you, too, can endow a scholarship may contact the Office of Institutional Advancement for details.

Christine A. Sager, OD '16 Lauren J. Stone, OD '10 Apostolos John Giannas, OD '81 FRIENDS

Henry and Andrea Stratton Julie Rodman, OD, MS PARENTS

Diane Swope Scott Shettle OD and Nicole Shettle W. D. Sullins, III, OD and Christa Harrison Sulllins, OD Len and Cindy Riviere Annette and F. Joseph Werner, OD Christopher and Monica Johns

Sandy Trenerry Jeff and LeAnne Garner Dr. and Mrs. William Kimble David and Deanna Dye Kat King McEntee Lynne Songy William and Lisa Frank Jeff and Sherry Owens Jerry and Holly Brown Jerry and Debbie Lock Bobby and Martha Brannan Jim and Julie Schnoebelen Rachel Gremillion Jeff and Lori Varcoe Kim Baxter and Nancy Baxter

A Note about Postal Delays In November 2021, SCO’s Office of Institutional Advancement received a batch of more than 40 pieces of mail from the U.S. Post Office. A note of apology stated that these business reply envelopes had been erroneously delayed.

SCO has contacted each donor and is appreciative of those who have been understanding about the ongoing postal delays being experienced around the country.

In the interim, any donor whose gift has not been acknowledged or deposited should contact Development Director Lauren Trowbridge at (901) 722-3339 or at ltrowbridge@ sco.edu to let SCO know about any other potentially missing pieces of mail.

Had their gifts not been delayed by the post office, several parents and friends of 2021 graduates would have been recognized in the spring commencement program.

SCO additionally is grateful to Allan Barker ('75), Jeff and Michele Clay, William Cochran ('68), Walter Cygan ('69), Paul Derrick ('70), Bill and Patty Elrod, Jordan Hamric ('17), Charity ('06) and James Hertzog ('06), Angela Howell ('90), Leonard Indianer ('62), Timothy and Kay Ismond, Ray H. Johnson ('68), Robert Jordan ('88), Gerald Krumbholz ('65), James M. Newman III ('73), David and Carol Nibert, Elizabeth Parsons ('16), F. Mason Smith ('76), James E. Stamper ('07), William Tillar ('64), and Lauren Windham ('10).

As the end of 2021 approaches, don’t forget that you may also make a gift online for speediest processing, especially important for those wanting to make a gift for an end-of-year tax deduction.

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS MAY ALSO SUPPORT SCO BY DESIGNATING THE COLLEGE AS YOUR CHARITY OF CHOICE IN THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS OR AMAZON SMILES PROGRAM. VISIONS

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

all 2021 was a busy one

A professional film crew filmed

for VISHAL PATEL, OD ’20.

Dr. Patel at one of Milan Eye

All within a span of several

Center’s eight north metro Atlanta

weeks, he was married (see p. 17),

locations where he practices. He

joined his classmates in cele-

completed one of his fourth-year

brating the Class of 2020’s formal

externships there under the

commencement ceremony, and

tutelage of Charlie Ficco, OD, who

spent several days filming videos

sat as a patient during the filming

to help influence high school and

for ASCO’s videos.

undergraduate students to choose an optometry career.

Because family is very important to his life, Dr. Patel was also joined on camera at home by several family members, including his wife, Lona Patel, who studied in pharmacy school in Memphis; his sister, Jaimisha Patel, a dental school student in Augusta, Georgia, and his parents, Mahesh and Praksha Patel.

For a former SCO Student Ambassador like Dr. Patel, appearing on camera to promote optometry to prospective students took him back a few years.

A few years ago, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), received ophthalmic industry support to help start a marketing campaign to increase awareness about

prepared me tremendously for this experience,” he said. “Making it through that gave me the confidence to be myself in front of the camera this time around.”

The initial campaign featured

ASCO is rolling out the new

three ODs in different work and

campaign through online,

other settings centered around an

social media, and other ads

“Optometry Gives Me Life” theme.

targeting undergraduate and high

The initial campaign’s success

school students interested in

of videos and photos featuring Dr. Patel and another OD, both of whom were chosen based on recommendations by different optometry schools.

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we shot during second year

optometry as a career choice.

is being followed by a new wave

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“The ambassador videos that

[WINTER 2021 ]

professional or healthcare careers.

SCO will be proud to share these messages with young people who can be encouraged to follow Dr. Patel’s lead in choosing optometry as an outstanding career choice.

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Class of 2020 Celebrates Formal Commencement After being delayed for a year

the ceremony saw nearly 100

of the class were in absentia as

and a half because of the

graduates walk in cap and gown

they attended the wedding of

COVID-19 pandemic, the Class

for their deferred ceremony.

Haylee Taylor, OD ’20, on the

Dr. Lewis Reich, SCO President,

same day.

noted in his address to the class

Since receiving their diplomas

that 25 percent of graduates had

by mail in May 2020, the class

completed a residency, while

had welcomed four babies, with

20 members of the class had

three on the way as of this year’s

married. In fact, several members

ceremony.

of 2020 returned to Memphis for a formal commencement ceremony held during Fall Homecoming and CE Weekend. Hosted at the Peabody Hotel,

8

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Class Vice President

followed by CALLIE

Cassandra Croy, OD ’20,

MASHBURN, OD

and Class Secretary Hayley

’20, being recognized

Vasilko, OD ’20, delivered

as Class Valedictorian.

class comments in which they celebrated the class’s historic distinction as the only optometry students to have graduated officially in the year 2020, a date with optometric significance.

Following the ceremony, a reception turned into both a graduation and a class reunion celebration. Some classmates had not seen each other for more than

TORRIE GARNER,

two years since leaving for

OD ’20, was recognized

their fourth-year extern-

as Class Salutatorian,

ships two years ago.

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9

HOME COMING

2021 Alumni Reunite in Person For the first time since 2019, SCO alumni gathered in Memphis for an in-person Fall Homecoming and Continuing Education Weekend in early October.

Even on the occasions necessitating mask wear, it was all smiles as alumni enjoyed the fellowship and company of old friends and classmates.

The event kicked off with a rooftop party at the Peabody Memphis, followed by an outdoor, tented barbecue on campus.

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Several alumni braved the rain to participate in SCO’s early morning 5k race and walk on Saturday morning, with the big social event being a Saturday evening gathering at the Railgarten in midtown.

Of special note was an especially successful Alumni-Student networking event hosted by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence. More than 100 alumni and students enjoyed meeting each other and networking as the

Hayes Center continues to prioritize bringing together soon-to-be graduates with established practitioners looking to retire or add partners to their practice.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO ATTEND NEXT YEAR’S FALL HOMECOMING AND CE WEEKEND ON OCTOBER 6-9, 2022.

Kick Off Party

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ON CAMPUS

BBQ

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Meet & Greet

RAILGARTEN

After Party

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ALICIA A. GROCE, OD

E

arlier this year, SCO Assistant Professor Alicia Groce received a diagnosis after months of increasingly complex health issues: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a neurodegenerative neuromuscular disease that results in progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles.

At Dr. Groce’s request, the news was shared with her colleagues on campus. She recently departed the faculty to focus on her immediate care needs and to spend time with family and friends.

Dr. Groce returned to campus in September for SCO’s Fall Awards ceremony as Logan Lineberry, ’22, and Christopher Frampton, ’23, received the inaugural Dr. Alicia A. Groce Scholarship in NeuroRehabilitation. The award was made possible by the generosity of numerous colleagues and others inspired by her experience.

As she faces the challenges posed by ALS, Dr. Groce has relied on her family, including her two daughters, and her husband, Josh, a minister. She has turned to her faith to share her story, giving encouragement to others who face obstacles in their own lives.

In May, she and her husband traveled to Hawaii for a trip arranged in part by friends from her church.

She’s also shared her story in person at church and through online videos. She even gave a few optometry lectures online earlier this year before her speech became more difficult.

From receiving a new power wheelchair in July to navigating the approval process for disability benefits, Dr. Groce has shared episodes from her struggles in a series of social media blog posts entitled “Alicia’s Faith Journey Through ALS.” Here are some of her thoughts from recent months in her own words about her experiences. did not know that March 25, “ I2021 would be my last day seeing patients. But on that last day of pediatrics, I got to serve alongside four wonderful ladies who recently graduated and are practicing optometry now and help several kiddos get new glasses. This day in clinic was like many others before.

Although the work was getting harder to do, I served my students and my patients with everything I had. is funny like that, you never “ Life know when will be your first

TOP

Christopher Frampton, ’23, was one of the first two recipients of the new scholarship bearing Dr. Groce’s name at SCO’s Fall Awards program.

BOTTOM

Dr. Groce pictured with a young patient during a foreign mission trip from recent years.

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or your last experience with something. But if you go into each day giving it all you have and using the gifts that God has given you, that is the true blessing.

All we can do is live each day to the fullest and make each moment count! not know I would end up in “ Ithedidhospital a few days later going through test after test, to find out that I had ALS. Although I can't use my arms and my legs like I used to,

and I can't practice optometry anymore, I still know that God gave me a heart to serve.

Although my clinical time has come to an end, I trust that God will still use this expression to help me serve him. I also know that there are other ways for me to express my calling. keeps us from the good “ Fear stuff and from living our best life. So we choose to live one day at a time and live each day to the fullest! am just starting this journey with “ IALS, but I'm quickly learning that you have to fight for yourself!

I am so lucky that God blessed me with a medical background fighting day in and day out for patients to get the best care possible. The ALS community is a community of fighters. It is an underserved, underrepresented, underfunded community. The ALS community needs people to fight for them! Each day wasted waiting for medicine, referrals,

treatments, and trials or on the phone is another day the disease progresses in another day we won't get back. I don't know how much of a difference I can make, but I will not go down without a fight. Although I cannot fight for my patients on a daily basis these days, maybe my new fight is for the ALS community. is hard. I have good days “ ALS and bad days, and things are constantly changing. My hands are getting a little harder to use so technology, holding a cup, eating,

etc., are challenging. But we count our blessings and cherish every good moment. truth is that nobody knows “ The why ALS occurs. It makes it very hard to find a cure when you don't know the cause. And each patient with ALS is unique and has unique symptoms and progressions.

This also makes it hard to find medicines that work. So no one really knows what helps and what

does not help. In my mind that means that only God knows. We are blessed to be surrounded by so many that love us and walk beside us in faith! have always had a heart to serve. “ IThat is the gift I always felt God gave me. I am a natural helper. All I want to do is help people. For this reason, being an Optometrist felt like God's way of using me to serve others. I never felt like I was going

to work. Every day I was excited to go in and help people. Help people see, help people experience their world differently, help people rehabilitate, help people understand their surroundings better and be able to use their eyes and their brain better together! had the privilege of working “ Iwith special needs children, brain injury survivors, kids with learning disabilities and everything in

TO MAKE A GIFT TO THE DR. ALICIA A. GROCE SCHOLARSHIP IN NEURO-REHABILITATION,

between. When I was in the room with a little kiddo or bedside in the rehab facility listening to my patients explain their challenges, there was no better feeling than being able to show them something that would help them or give them hope. I had the honor of working with patients and students and residents. Each and every encounter I tried to show them what caring about people and helping people was truly about. Serving as an optometrist was truly my honor.”

CONTACT THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT OR DESIGNATE THIS GIFT IN YOUR ONLINE CONTRIBUTION AT SCO.EDU. VISIONS

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LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCO

1965 Jim Sandefur, OD, recently

received the AOA President's Award for Distinguished Service.

1968 Michael Manzo, OD, was inducted into the Parkersburg High School West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in West Virginia. Tim Stephens, OD ’01, was in attendance. The high school is notable for having ties to several SCO alumni.

1975 Scott Simpson, OD, recently retired after 46 years of continuous practice. His father, J.G. Simpson, OD ’40, practiced for 44 years before his death in 1984. They were proud to give 90 years of cumulative service to the citizens of El Dorado, Arkansas.

2005 Louis Hyde, OD, received the top

eyecare award voted by readers of his local newspaper in Morristown, Tennessee.

2012 Jared Cox, OD, and Stephanie

McLin Cox, OD, shared this photo of their daughter Maddie wearing her SCO onesie.

2009 Joe Sugg, OD, President of the

Arkansas Optometric Association, visited students in the Arkansas Club. Attendees enjoyed dinner and technology demonstrations provided by Vision South.

2010 Seth Salley, OD, and his son, Oliver, dressed alike for future occupation day at Harding Academy in Memphis.

Cecilia Koetting, OD, recently wrote about dry eye treatment for Optometric Management.

Courtney Shay LaFreniere, OD, and her husband, Tim LaFreniere, OD, welcomed a son, Joseph Ward LaFreniere on November 1, 2021.

1981 Merle Baker, OD, and his wife,

Lisa, welcomed a granddaughter, Huxley Rae Evon Baker, born June 1, 2021.

2011 Amber Busche, OD, was named

to a Notable Women in Health Care list published by a Colorado newspaper.

MISSISSIPPI ALUMNI EARN AWARDS

Several SCO alumni recently were honored by the Mississippi Optometric Association, including:

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Tiffany McElroy, OD ’12

David Parker, OD ’95

Mandi Smith, OD ’10

Mallory Collins, OD ’19

Mary K. Wilson, OD ’12

Sarah Fratesi, OD ’99

HELEN ST. CLAIR YOUNG OD OF THE YEAR AWARD

2021 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

FINALIST JAMES BROWNLEE OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

FINALIST HELEN ST. CLAIR YOUNG OD OF THE YEAR AWARD

FINALIST HELEN ST. CLAIR YOUNG OD OF THE YEAR AWARD

FINALIST 2021 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

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BOARD MEMBERS HONORED

SCO’s Board of Trustees wrapped up its fall meeting by honoring two Board members whose terms will be ending early next year. Board Chair Chris Wroten, OD ’02, presented plaques and gifts to Steve Compton, OD ’78 (L), and Terry Tucker, OD ’84 (R), thanking them for their service and leadership.

Brittany (Brinkley) Tatum, OD, is now an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University.

2016 Jade Coats, OD, was named to Modern Optometry's One to

Jon Reid, OD, represented the Illinois Optometric Association as he talked to SCO's Midwest students during Homecoming Weekend.

Watch list. She also had an article featured in the inaugural issue of Presbyopia Physician.

2014 Andrew Bradbury, OD, was named one of the recipients of the Greater Winston-Salem’s Under 40 Leadership Awards.

Cori Jones, OD, were honored with Residency Awards from the Academy of Optometry Foundation during the 2021 Academy meeting in Boston.

Jeff Coats, OD, participated in the Gentlemen of Distinction fundraiser in Rogers, Arkansas.

Williamson, OD ’97, and Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, authored an article about retinal imaging for Review of Optometry.

Brett O'Connor, OD, wrote about ways to talk with patients about myopia management in a Review of Myopia Management article.

2020 Alyssa Invergo, OD, and

2015 Jessica Haynes, OD, Jim

Mary Kate Walters Sain, OD, recently accepted a faculty position at the University of Houston College of Optometry as a Professor of Practice. She will serve as the Clinic Director of the Northside Eye Care Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Vishal Patel, OD ’20, married Lona Patel in an August 2021 ceremony attended by several of his classmates.

2021

Shandi Beckwith, OD, has joined The John A. Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

InMemoriam Nancy Ramirez, OD ’47 Neil Gurwitz, OD ’50 Jack Buxton, OD ’52 Melvin B. Fox, OD ’54 Carl Odom, OD ’60 Marlene Palmer, OD ’60 Fletcher Blaugh, OD ’65 William B. Dunlap, Jr., OD ’72 Dale Herder, OD ’72 Austin Quinn, OD ’73 William W. Spiegler, III, OD ’75 Steven M. Smith, OD ’79 McArthur Griffin, OD ’92 Branden Dalrymple, OD ’94 Jeffrey J. Johnson, OD ’96 Brunilde Tassone Matuszak, OD ’04

Amy Puerto, OD, was interviewed by her hometown newspaper about her professional journey to optometry. She participated in September on a panel of American Academy of Optometry members talking about vaccine hesitancy during COVID.

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CAMPUS NEWS

Faculty Briefs Marie Bodack, OD, provided two virtual lectures to the Nebraska Optometric Association’s Fall Convention.

Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07, helped officiate as SCO’s Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society formally welcomed 60 new members at an induction ceremony in October.

NEW FACULTY WELCOMED Theresa Cassidy, OD ’18, recently joined SCO’s faculty as an instructor.

After graduating from SCO, Dr. Cassidy completed her residency at the Memphis VAMC and subsequently worked at Memphis Eye and Cataract Associates and Laser Center.

meeting, he also participated in two different workshops, including one in his capacity as Vice President of the Scleral Lens Education Society.

Scott Ensor, OD ’01, delivered a course on drug diversion and narcotic prescribing to the Tennessee Academy of Optometry.

Patrick Fiddler, OD, and his wife, Jackie, exchanged vows in St. Louis on September 25, 2021.

Paul Harris, OD, was a participant in the virtual Australian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) National Conference.

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Cynthia Heard, OD, and Janette Pepper, OD, participated in ASCO and the NOA's Cross Country Welcome virtual event for first-year students from underrepresented minority backgrounds.

Catherine Hogan, OD ’17, was named a Topical Editor for the American Academy of Optometry Podcast series.

David Hall, OD, and Mary Hoang, OD ’14, became Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dan Fuller, OD, received a certificate of excellence in recognition of outstanding leadership in keratoconus care from Glaukos and the National Keratoconus Foundation. At the Academy

Kristina Haworth, OD, PhD, was recognized for reviewing 2,661 articles for the Cochrane Report.

Paul Harris, OD, and Marc Taub, OD, wrote about a new method of measuring visual acuity in the October 2021 edition of Review of Optometry.

John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, wrote about tips for getting started with orthokeratology in the November issue of Contact Lens Spectrum.

Rick Savoy, OD, Wil McGriff, OD, and Chris Borgman, OD, held their annual two-day Law Enforcement Conference to teach police officers and prosecutors basic ocular anatomy and eye movements related to impaired driving situations.

Glen Steele, OD ’69, was selected for induction into the Tennessee Independent

Colleges and Universities Association Hall of Fame.

Glen Steele, OD ’69, Dan Powell, OD, and Wil McGriff, OD, attended the American Public Health Association meeting in Denver. Dr. McGriff is immediate past chair of the Vision Care Section, which saw a new integrated diabetes care policy adopted by the full APHA at the meeting. Dr. Steele completed his term as a Governing Councilor, while Dr. Powell continues in the same capacity.

Marc Taub, OD, and Pam Schnell, OD ’01, were named the recipients of the 2021 Skeffington Legacy Award by the Optometric Extension Program Foundation.

Hayes Center Accepting Applications for 2022 Awards Members of SCO’s Classes of 2012-2020 are eligible to receive one of three $5,000 awards recognizing the pursuit of excellence HCPE SPOTLIGHT in private practice optometry. Application details are available at www.sco.edu/practice-of-excellence-award. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2022. Email lwade@sco.edu for more details.

Hayes Center is the Link for Successful Practice Transition The decision to retire is often a mixed bag of emotions. There is the excitement about a new chapter in life, but for practice owners, finding a good buyer who will care for existing patients looms large as a concern.

“Finding a successor who is the ‘right fit’ can take years of careful networking and planning,” says Lisa Rossmeyer Wade, OD ’84, Director of SCO’s Hayes Center for Practice Excellence (HCPE).

“The HCPE is thrilled to have played a role in connecting Jean Ann Toomey, OD ’85, with Katie McGee, OD ’20, and helping to facilitate such a successful transition for both,” Dr. Wade says.

“Our primary goal is to enable and develop beneficial connections between those seeking associates, partners, and purchasers with SCO students and graduates – through the placement service, networking events, and expertise and resources of the HCPE.” After thinking about retirement a decade ago, Dr. Toomey looked for a partner who would carry on Toomey & Baggett Eyecare Clinic, PLLC, in Athens, Tennessee. A position was listed with the Hayes Center’s Placement site. Following a conversation with Dr. Toomey at a conference, Dr. Wade began to identify potential students.

Dr. Katie McGee, then a fourth-year student, stood out as a match. The HCPE made the introductions, and

from their first meeting in the fall of 2019, Dr. Toomey knew that Dr. McGee would be a great fit.

Dr. McGee’s fiancé, Chris Muegge, OD ’20, also used HCPE resources to find his home at Oakmont Eyecare, in Cleveland, Tennessee, with Walter Peterson, OD ’59, Blake Peterson, OD ’85 (a classmate of Dr. Toomey’s), and Kari (Klemm) Hudson, OD ’96.

“Dr. McGee is dedicated to the idea of private practice and being a business owner,” Dr. Toomey says. “She was well prepared by Dr. Wade with questions and knowledge for such a transaction.”

Dr. Toomey is pictured with Dr. McGee, center, and others at her recent retirement party.

than I was, as far as practice management is concerned,” Dr. Toomey notes.

After graduating in 2020, Dr. McGee joined the practice.

Dr. Toomey began working two days a week and Dean Baggett, OD ’83, three days a week.

Over the course of a year, both were impressed with their new colleague’s preparedness, skills, knowledge, and compassion for her patients.

For other SCO alumni, Dr. Toomey recommends to start preparing for retirement two to three years earlier than one might think. Her specific thoughts and advice:

“A year was enough time for me to know that my patients would be well taken care of and treated kindly,” Dr. Toomey says.

• “Write down the kind of person you want to take over, if that is the plan.”

Early in 2021, plans were made for Dr. Toomey to retire on June 30 and for Dr. McGee to buy her half of the practice. Dr. Toomey is owner financing the buyout, a process that has worked well.

“I believe that due to the Hayes Center and Dr. Wade, students are much more prepared for practicing

• “I had always heard that you need to choose a business partner as carefully as a spouse, and that is true.”

• “I did not realize that private practice and small towns were not really high on most of the current graduates’ list.”

• “If you have the option to transition like I did and work less days, it makes the change easier.”

• “Enlist the help of professionals such as the Hayes Center and/or consultants such as PVG.”

Now happily retired, Dr. Toomey enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, two daughters and their husbands, and five grandchildren. She reads, explores history, and travels. When the pandemic improves, she hopes to spend Mays through Septembers in Alaska.

“My best memories of my career are the patients that allowed me to be a part of their world,” she adds. “Some became good friends and most shared their families and sometimes their heartaches with me. Optometry and eyecare are fascinating, but it is the patients that have my heart. Staff also becomes like family and you do life together. It’s the human factor that made it so special.”

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AAO SNAPSHOTS

Academy Meeting Returns Faculty, students, residents, and alumni enjoyed representing SCO at the first in-person meeting of the American Academy of Optometry in two years.

Held in Boston, the Academy meeting drew a large number of SCO attendees eager to participate after last year’s meeting in nearby Nashville went virtual during the height of the pandemic.

SCO’s student team placed third out of 23 optometry schools in the Essilor Academic Challenge. Congratulations to Meredith Fry, ’23, Regan Stone, ’22, Maria Bontrager, ’22, and faculty team advisor Morgan Ollinger, OD, for a job well done.

A total of 34 SCO academic posters were presented. Two SCO residents/recent graduates, Alexis Williams Smith, OD ’21, and Casey Krug, OD ’21, joined SCO’s Chief of Low Vision, Karen Squier, OD, in a winning academic poster. Ocutech, a low vision device company, started a new program to fund travel to the Academy meeting for low vision researchers with the winners chosen on the basis of their academic poster submission.

Thanks to all our alumni who attended SCO’s first large scale reception for alumni and friends. The Class of 2021 had the best attendance as they enjoyed a mini-reunion of sorts with more than two dozen of the recent graduates in attendance.

Alumni, students, faculty, and residents, enjoyed the networking they had missed over the last two years, including a mini-class reunion pictured at the bottom center. In addition to SCO faculty, students, and residents making poster presentations, several recent graduates also participated as residents at other schools’ programs, including above, from top to bottom: Marie Huegel, OD ’21, Tommy Cung, OD ’21, Stephanie Martich, OD ’21, Pheba Shibu, OD ’21.

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AAO | BOSTON, MA FACULTY POSTERS Anna Douglass, ’22; Abigail Klick, ’22; Ashlee Hobson, ’22; Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD 1

RESIDENT POSTERS Ashley Bascom, OD, MS, Vision Rehabilitation Resident; Barry Tannen, OD

EFFECT OF ICE WATER STIMULATION ON PHARMACOLOGICALLYINDUCED “HORNER’S” ANISOCORIA

Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD; Lindsay Elkins, OD HOW OAT SCORES AND 1ST TERM PERFORMANCE RELATE TO TEST SCORES IN THE 2ND TERM FOR 1ST YEAR OPTOMETRY STUDENTS

Allison Wirt, ’22; Paul Harris, OD; Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN READING COMPREHENSION SCORE AND READING EYE MOVEMENT PARAMETERS AS MEASURED BY THE READALYZER IN GRADUATE LEVEL STUDENTS

Laurel Heskett, ’23; Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD THE EFFECT OF REVERVE CONTRAST POLARITY VS NORMAL CONTRAST POLARITY ON ACCOMMODATIVE MICROFLUCTUATIONS

Lindsay Elkins, OD; Melissa Powers, MEd; Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD ARE OAT SCORES FOR READING COMPREHENSION AND ACADEMIC AVERAGE RELATED TO SELF-REGULATED TEST DURATION IN FIRST YEAR OPTOMETRY STUDENTS?

Chawan Rasheed, OD; Daniel Fuller, OD

Monica Bhula, OD, Primary Care Optometry Resident; JulieAnne Roper, OD, MS; Patricia Kranz, OD UNDER PRESSURE: A CASE OF UNILATERAL SEQUENTIAL NAIONS WITH SYMPTOMATIC SYSTEMIC HYPOTENSION

Phoebe Chen, OD, Ocular Disease Resident

2

HOW OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS CAN LEAD TO A DIAGNOSIS OF NEUROSARCOIDOSIS

Aspen Chun, OD, Cornea, Contact Lens & Refractive Surgery Resident; Lily Wang, OD; Daniel Fuller, OD EXPOSED AHMED TUBE SHUNT SECONDARY TO SCLERAL LENS WEAR

Alexia Clark, OD, Pediatric Optometry Resident

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PARKINSON’S DISEASE WITH AN UNCONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

3

Olivia Gada, OD, Ocular Disease Resident WHEN MAC TEL GOES BAD

2

CHANGES IN PACHYMETRY IN THIN KERATOCONIC CORNEAS EXPOSED TO HYPOTONIC RIBOFLAVIN DURING CORNEAL CROSS-LINKING

Julianne Gant, OD, Ocular Disease Resident; Kelly Singleton, OD, MS; William Denton, OD; Marlee Silversmith, OD

Paul Harris, OD; Chris Johnson, PhD INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF LENSES AND LIGHTING ON MELBOURNE RAPID FIELDS

Meredith Fry ’23; Yueren Wang, OD; Laurel Kelley, OD COMPARISON OF S5 MINI SCLERAL LENS INSERTION DEVICE TO TRADITIONAL DMV® VENTED SCLERAL CUP TM

TM

Aaron Kerr, OD

1

VISION REHABILITATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CONSECUTIVE EXOTROPIA

Sophia Johnson, OD, Ocular Disease Resident PRESUMED CHOROIDAL OSTEOMA RECLASSIFIED AS SOLITARY IDIOPATHIC CHOROIDITIS WITH MULTIMODAL IMAGING

4

Kanesha McBee, OD, Ocular Disease Resident DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT WITH DROPS IN HLA-B27 ASSOCIATED CME

3

A TELEHEALTH VISUAL ACUITY TEST APPLICATION VS. SNELLEN VISUAL ACUITY: A COMPARISON STUDY

Reena Lepine, OD; Elsa Speth, OD; Rachel Grant, OD

BRINGING LIFE BACK INTO FOCUS; BALANCING MENTAL HEALTH WITH MAXIMIZING VISION THROUGH AN UNCONVENTIONAL PLAN FOR CONTACT LENS WEAR

4

7

NEURO OPTOMETRIC LENS INTERVENTIONS: CASE SERIES

Liana Renteria, OD, Ocular Disease Resident

OPTOMETRY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS ASSIGNED LAB PRACTICE TIMES

Chris Lievens, OD, MA; Randy Brafford; Catherine Hogan, OD; Laurel Kelley, OD; Mike Christensen, OD, PhD; et.al UNDERSTANDING COMFORT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PATADAY ONCE DAILY RELIEF EXTRA STRENGTH AND VISINE® ALLERGY EYE RELIEF MULTI-ACTION DROPS

Samantha Blanke, BS; Morgan Ollinger, OD

UNDIAGNOSED PARACENTRAL SCOTOMA FOUND TO BE LONGSTANDING CHOROIDOPATHY UPON USING OCT ANGIOGRAPHY AND FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE

5

Cubdeerix Robinson, OD, Ocular Diease Resident RETINAL CAPILLARY MACROANEURYSM IN A PATIENT WITH MDS

Eliza Seros, OD, Primary Care Optometry Resident MANAGING MULTIPLE MYOPIC RETINAL COMPLICATIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY

THE EFFECT OF CAFFEINE ON EYE TRACKING AND READING COMPREHENSION

6

Erlein Tacastacas, OD, Ocular Disease Resident

Camille Cohen, OD; Janette Pepper, OD THE NATIONAL OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION’S TUTORING COMMITTEE: MENTAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR NBEO TEST PREPARATION

Chawan Rasheed, OD; Daniel Fuller, OD THE INFLUENCE OF CONTACT LENS POWER AND POLYMER ON REBOUND TONOMETRY VALUES

Alexis Smith, OD; Casey Krug, OD; Karen Squier, OD, MS DOES GRIT SCORE CORRELATE TO PERSISTENCE OF LOW VISION DEVICE USE? A PILOT STUDY

Melissa Zarn, OD; Janette Pepper, OD; Lauren Watson, OD

Rimpi Nakhwal, OD, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Resident

5

USING INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION TO INTRODUCE INCLUSIVITY TRAINING IN PRE-CLINICAL STUDENTS

WHEN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS LEADS TO CHRONIC OCULAR INFLAMMATION

Lindsey Thomas, OD, Ocular Disease Resident CHOROIDAL GRANULOMA: THE ONLY MANIFESTATION OF SARCOIDOSIS IN AN ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENT

Lisa Wadolowski, OD, Pediatric & Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Resident; Darah McDaniel-Chandler, OD 8

7

DELAYED MANAGEMENT OF DEPRIVATION AMBLYOPIA: A CASE SERIES

Kelsey Whitcomb, OD, Ocular Disease Resident UTILIZING OCT-A IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF GLAUCOMA

Bailey Yee, OD, Ocular Disease Resident BITEMPORAL HEMIANOPSIA IMPROVEMENT AFTER SUPRASELLAR ARACHNOID CYST REMOVAL

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PRECEPTOR SPOTLIGHT

CELEBRATING HER 25-YEAR CLASS REUNION THIS YEAR, DR. BYNUM IS AN SCO PRECEPTOR AT NORTHWEST TENNESSEE EYE CLINIC IN MARTIN, TENNESSEE. HERE SHE DESCRIBES THE PRACTICE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES ENJOYED BY EXTERNS.

FRANCES D. BYNUM, OD ’96, FAAO DESCRIBE YOUR EXTERNSHIP LOCATION. “This preceptor site is located in a rural town and offers an opportunity to see a solo practitioner that enjoys taking care of people from ages 0-99. I have been in practice for 25 years.

goals and strategies for lifelong learning.

Each extern has an opportunity to attend local meetings and be involved in the community while here in Martin. The student will attend a Vision Source local meeting where they have an opportunity

fitting of soft, toric, multi-focal, and scleral

to meet other local optometrists and

lens; management of cataract pre- and

discuss optometry office challenges

post operative care; glaucoma and MIGS

and solutions. Also, the student will

degeneration care, application of amniotic membranes, injections for removal of neoplasms, and managing other ocular diseases. Learning how to implement and use technology: OCT, Optos, visual field, tear lab, low light therapy, Adaptdx, topography, IOL Master, automated refractive systems, etc.

participate in staff meetings and learn to develop a presentation for doctors and staff."

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN EXTERNSHIP PRECEPTOR? “After much "arm-twisting" from Dr. Al Spivey (’67), I joined SCO's extern program

The practice management experience

about five years ago. I have a passion for optometry and

includes understanding billing and

enjoy teaching. I have a motto: “learn something new every

coding, understanding vision plans,

day.” Hopefully students (myself included) are challenged

Medicare, Medicaid plans, designing an

daily in patient care and practice management.

office, buying equipment for your practice, developing a budget for a practice,

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develop a staff. Develop practice (and personal)

The clinical experience here includes

management, diabetic and macular

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accounting practices, learning to manage and

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It is rewarding to see students grow, not only professionally but personally. It is a pleasure seeing others succeed!

I would challenge other optometrists to open their practices to externs. Each of us have a responsibility to give back to the profession that has made us successful. Hopefully, I will leave the profession better than

“ WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, PRAY HARD!”

I found it!”

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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

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR SECO COCKTAIL RECEPTION ON THE EVENING OF FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 AT THE ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER IN NEW ORLEANS!