UMSL Optometry 2021 Awards Banquet

Class of 2021

Awards Banquet May 12, 2021 Renaissance Hotel at the Airport St. Louis, Missouri

Dean’s Message

1 Greetings Class of 2021-

Dr. Larry Davis, Dean

Today we celebrate your worthy achievements. In a typical year, we know that those accomplishments are impressive. However, we are all acutely aware that 2020-21 was not a typical year. Suddenly the familiar became the unexpected, what was planned, transformed into the unknown and reality seemed more surreal. Through it all, you served as an inspiration. This year, we are especially proud because of your patience and resilience demonstrated amid numerous unprecedented and unpredictable disruptions associated with the global pandemic. On behalf of the college faculty, staff and alumni, I extend a heartfelt and sincere congratulations!

Academically, as a class, you are among the best. You also shine in the broader sense through your service, creativity, compassion and commitment to the professional and general communities. You are ready…ready to care for your patients, preserving and protecting vision. Beyond that, your character and flexibility demonstrated through all circumstances shows that you are also ready for a fulfilling career and life after UMSL. Although perfection is a worthy pursuit, it is scarcely realized. Your resiliency shown through life’s unexpected turns will serve you very well.

In closing, I also want to acknowledge the excellent instructional support and guidance provided by the dedicated college faculty and staff. They are no doubt also extremely proud of your accomplishments. Together we look forward to seeing all that you will do to enrich lives through vision. Thank you for choosing Missouri’s College of Optometry. It is an honor to be your colleague.

Proudly, Larry Davis, OD Dean

2021 Class Representative Message Class of 2021Remember our very first week of optometry school there was a solar eclipse?

I thought it must have been an omen, but even still I could have never imagined finishing our educational careers in a worldwide pandemic!

Despite the many incredible challenges of these four years, we finally made it!

I will be forever grateful to be part of such a resilient, driven, intelligent and compassionate class. I am so proud to call each of you “doctor.” Congratulations!

Dr. Katelyn Flood

Program 6:00 pm

2 Welcome • Dr. Nicholas Palisch, Director of Student and Alumni Services • Dr. Larry Davis, Dean • Dr. Katelyn Flood, Class of 2021 Representative

Dinner - Sponsored in part by Keplr Vision and Alcon

Inspiring Words to the Class of 2021 Dr. Jeffery Lewis, Keplr Vision

Class of 2021 Recognition

• Dr. Julie DeKinder, Director of Academic Programs,

Contact Lens Chief

• Dr. Larry Davis

• Dr. Vinita Henry, Director of Clinical Operations

Awards Ceremony

• Dr. Larry Davis

• Dr. Vinita Henry

• Dr. Linda Marks, Pediatric Chief

• Dr. Julie DeKinder

• Dr. Katie Boland, Low Vision Chief

• Dr. Nicholas Palisch

• Dr. Larry Davis

• Dr. Deborah Kerber, Missouri Optometric Foundation

and Class of 1992 Graduate

• Dr. Katelyn Flood

Alumni Charge • Dr. Deborah Kerber

Optometric Oath

• Dr. Vinita Henry

8:30 pm Live Entertainment - Sponsored by Allergan

Josh McVicar, hypnotist, magician, comedian

Thank you to Keplr Vision for sponsoring the live streaming for tonight’s event.

Class of 2021

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Dr. Salmedina Alic

Dr. Logan Alexander England

Dr. Scott Andrew Mogavero

Dr. Meagan Alexandra Anderson

Dr. Marisa A. Fehlhafer

Dr. Jacob Bradley Moore

Dr. Annie Kathleen Avilez

Dr. Lizabeth Marquart Fenstermaker

Dr. Emily Irene Nelsen

Dr. Alex Baker

Dr. Katelyn Marie Flood

Dr. Sarah Renee Noble

Dr. Cassie Beard

Dr. Olivia Katherine Gada

Dr. Jeffery Martin Pace

Dr. Paige E. Benten

Dr. Kylee Elizabeth Goddard

Dr. Jonah Michael Pfeiffer

Dr. Jennifer Lynn Bergie

Dr. Connor Benjamin Haugen

Dr. Leah Plescia

Dr. Elizabeth Christine Budde

Dr. Carli Jo Hays

Dr. Joseph B. Roth

Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Busse

Dr. Steven David Henderson

Dr. Leslie Kaylin Sides

Dr. Kyle Bradley Carnahan

Dr. Nicholas Alan Holtzman

Dr. Porter Todd Swartz

Dr. Bradley Dale Cary

Dr. Zeinab Mohamad Houjaij

Dr. Janessa Dalton Visin

Dr. Lindsay Catherine Clark

Dr. Molly Grace Huck

Dr. Jordan D. Webb

Dr. Calvin William Daack

Dr. Erin N. Huie

Dr. Jessica Lynn Weis

Dr. Lauren Elizabeth Dermody

Dr. Holly Magre

Dr. Stephen Matthew Wells

Dr. Tyrone Adolphus Diggs

Dr. Matthew James Martinez

Dr. Taylor Matthew Wolkart

Dr. Emily Medley Ebelhar

Dr. Erin Danae Mayfield

Dr. Lewis’s Message Class of 2021: Congratulations! It has been an eventful four years and all of your hard work has been worth it. Those four years were the beginning of one phase of your lives, and you will soon transition to the next. I look forward to sharing a few words and thoughts with you before you continue your journey.

Kindest regards, Dr. Jeffrey Lewis, Director of School Engagement Keplr Vision Services Dr. Jeffrey Lewis

Honors and Recognition

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Beta Sigma Kappa

Ambassadors

Residency Program

Dr. Salmedina Alic Dr. Alex Baker** Dr. Paige Benten** Dr. Jennifer Bergie** Dr. Kyle Carnahan (President)** Dr. Bradley Cary** Dr. Calvin Daack** Dr. Lauren Dermody Dr. Emily Ebelhar** Dr. Marisa Fehlhafer** Dr. Katelyn Flood** Dr. Connor Haugen** Dr. Steven Henderson Dr. Molly Huck** Dr. Erin Huie** Dr. Holly Magre** Dr. Lizabeth Marquart Fenstermaker** Dr. Erin Mayfield Dr. Scott Mogavero Dr. Jacob Moore** Dr. Jonah Pfeiffer** Dr. Leah Plescia** Dr. Leslie Sides** Dr. Janessa Visin** Dr. Taylor Wolkhart**

Dr. Salmedina Alic Dr. Annie Avilez** Dr. Jennifer Bergie Dr. Elizabeth Budde Dr. Kyle Carnahan** Dr. Bradley Cary Dr. Lauren Dermody** Dr. Marisa Fehlhafer** Dr. Katelyn Flood** Dr. Olivia Gada Dr. Connor Haugen** Dr. Carli Hays Dr. Nicholas Holtzman Dr. Molly Huck Dr. Erin Huie** Dr. Holly Magre Dr. Matthew Martinez Dr. Erin Mayfield** Dr. Emily Nelsen** Dr. Jeffery Pace** Dr. Janessa Visin** Dr. Stephen Wells

Salisbury/Charlotte VAMC • Dr. Salmedina Alic

Military

Dr. Salmedina Alic Dr. Katelyn Flood Dr. Olivia Gada Dr. Scott Mogavero Dr. Jeffery Pace Dr. Janessa Visin

Dr. Kyle Carnahan Dr. Bradley Cary* Dr. Stephen Wells

Optometric Scholars Program Dr. Janessa Visin

* Veteran ** Member for all 3 years

American Academy of Optometry Fellows

Kugler Vision, NE • Dr. Meagan Anderson UIWRSO Pediatric Residency • Dr. Elizabeth Budde St. Louis VA Hospital • Dr. Sarah Busse Cleveland VAMC • Dr. Lindsay Clark Minneapolis VAMC • Dr. Marisa Fehlhafer Salisbury/Charlotte VAMC • Dr. Olivia Gada Havener Eye Institute CCL/Ocular Disease, Columbus OH • Dr. Connor Haugen Greenville VA • Dr. Scott Mogavero Peds/VT/TBI – Vision Northwest, WA • Dr. Emily Nelsen Battle Creek VA, MI • Dr. Leah Plescia Kansas City VA • Dr. Janessa Visin

Awards Ceremony

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Awards presented by Dr. Larry Davis

Awards presented by Dr. Linda Marks

Awards presented by Dr. Katie Boland

Beta Sigma Kappa • See names on page 4

College of Optometrists and Vision Development • Dr. Janessa Visin

Excellence in Low Vision Award • Dr. Lauren Dermody

Military • Dr. Kyle Carnahan • Dr. Bradley Cary • Dr. Stephen Wells

Goodlite Award • Dr. Carli Hays

Dr. Robert Koetting Scholarship • Dr. Lauren Dermody • Dr. Scott Mogavero

The Clinical Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy Award • Dr. Zeinab Houjaij • Dr. Erin Huie • Dr. Scott Mogavero • Dr. Emily Nelsen • Dr. Leslie Sides

Mary Gilbert Scholarship • Dr. Lauren Dermody

Charles Matlock Award • Dr. Leah Plescia

Awards presented by Dr. Vinita Henry

Awards presented by Dr. Julie DeKinder

Ocular Instruments • Dr. Holly Magre

Gas Permeable Lens Institute GP Clinical Excellence Award • Dr. Connor Haugen

Optometry Scholars Program • Dr. Janessa Visin

Practice Management Award • Dr. Salmedina Alic Alcon Partners in Education • Dr. Lauren Dermody

Contact Lens Clinical Faculty Excellence Award • Dr. Meagan Anderson • Dr. Emily Ebelhar • Dr. Marisa Fehlhafer • Dr. Molly Huck Contact Lens Clinical Award • Dr. Paige Benten • Dr. Erin Huie Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care • Dr. Bradley Cary

Eschenbach Optics Award • Dr. Salmedina Alic William Feinbloom Low Vision Award • Dr. Elizabeth Budde Optelec Low Vision Award • Dr. Lindsay Clark Awards presented by Dr. Nicholas Palisch Student Services Award • Dr. Kyle Carnahan • Dr. Connor Haugen • Dr. Stephen Wells Student Ambassador Award • Dr. Kyle Carnahan • Dr. Bradley Cary • Dr. Lauren Dermody • Dr. Jeffery Pace Service to Student Award • Dr. Jennifer Bergie • Dr. Lauren Dermody • Dr. Janessa Visin

Awards Ceremony Excellence in Advocacy • Dr. Nicholas Holtzman Dr. Ray Meyers Leadership Award • Dr. Katelyn Flood Optometry Diversity and Inclusion Award • Dr. Lauren Dermody

6 Missouri Optometric Foundation Award for Excellence in Clinical Skills • Dr. Holly Magre Award presented by Dr. Deborah Kerber

Optometry Visionary Award • Dr. Katelyn Flood

Missouri Optometric Foundation Private Practice Award To be announced

Awards presented by Dr. Larry Davis

Awards presented by Dr. Katelyn Flood

Silver Medal Award • Dr. Marisa Fehlhafer • Dr. Janessa Visin

Staff Member of the Year • Ms. Erin Schaeffer

Community Outreach Clinical Award • Dr. Paige Benten The M. Earl McClellan Award • Dr. Emily Ebelhar

External Preceptor of the Year Award • Dr. Katie Loock Outstanding Optometry Educator of the Year Award • Dr. Vinita Henry

Entertainer Josh McVicar is a master hypnotist and both an up-close and stage magician.

Don’t expect a tired variety show, though… McVicar is a comedy showman with contemporary magic skills and new hypnosis skits. Few entertainers in the “comedy” genre offer a fun and hilarious show, yet non-offensive and respectful, but Josh can. He encourages audience participation and interaction in all of his plays, and years of experience.

Josh McVicar Hypnotist, magician, comedian

Josh began performing locally in the St. Louis area before honing his skills as a stage performer. He worked his way throughout the Midwest at Red Robin, Six Flags Mid America and St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Some of these smaller venues bring him back from the touring circuit to spend time with his lovely wife, two kids, and a little beagle named Belle.

Optometric Oath All members of the Class of 2021 and all optometrists in attendance should stand for the reciting of the Optometric Oath

With full deliberation I freely and solemnly pledge that: I will practice the art and science of optometry faithfully and conscientiously and to the fullest scope of my competence.

I will uphold and honorably promote by example and action the highest standards, ethics and ideals of my chosen profession and the honor of the degree, Doctor of Optometry, which has been granted me.

I will provide professional care for those who seek my services, with concern, with compassion, and with due regard for their human rights and dignity.

I will place the treatment of those who seek my care above personal gain and strive to see that none shall lack for proper care.

I will hold as privileged and inviolable all information entrusted to me in confidence by my patients.

I will advise my patients full and honestly of all which may serve to restore, maintain or enhance their vision and general health.

I will strive continuously to broaden my knowledge and skills so that my patients may benefit from all new and efficacious means to enhance the care of human vision.

I will share information cordially and unselfishly with my fellow optometrists and other professionals for the benefit of patients and the advancement of human knowledge and welfare.

I will do my utmost to serve my community, my country and humankind as a citizen as well as an optometrist.

I hereby commit myself to be steadfast in the performance of this my solemn oath and obligation.

Thank You Special thanks to Keplr Vision, Alcon and Allergan for their generous support of the Class of 2021 Awards Banquet

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