American Society of Optometry Surgeons

By Stacey Walters

University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs and Associate Professor of Optometry Cliff Caudill O.D., FAOO, Director of Research and Associate Professor of Optometry Georgios Asimellis, Ph.D., and KYCO Class of 2021 student Logan Ritchhart discussed an objective for a student organization that placed significant focus on providing optometry students with additional interactive learning experiences, networking and advocacy opportunities.

The colleagues realized that the goals they had for the student organization matched those of a collaborative group of practitioners and educators committed to the advancement of knowledge in optometric surgery, ASOS, and hoped to elevate the knowledge and experiences of KYCO students to be the best optometric surgeons possible.

After petitioning ASOS for the formation of a student chapter, the group received its official welcome letter.

In the letter granting the charter to KYCO as the first student chapter of ASOS, Founding President Richard E. Castillo, O.D., D.O., stated, “We look forward to future collaboration and to the contribution which the growth and development of KYCO’s chapter will have on not only helping the ASOS realize its mission, but also its impact on optometry at the local, regional and national levels.”

Founding Member and Treasurer of ASOS, Caudill is proud of the dedication and professionalism the student leaders of ASOS have shown at KYCO and the national chapter.

“The students at KYCO took the initiative to start a student chapter of the American Society of Optometric Surgeons, a new national organization dedicated to the training of optometrists in clinical procedures involving the use of lasers and surgical procedures; and then took a step further by crafting a fellowship program to document their commitment to developing these skills beyond the extensive coursework they receive in our curriculum,” said Caudill. “We look forward to the continued development of the association at the student level that no doubt will be guided by the work of our students here at KYCO.”

Students may work toward a “Student Fellow” designation based on attaining 20 hours of additional education outside the classroom by attending ASOS student chapter monthly meetings, ASOS national meetings or regional meetings.

KYCO recently recognized seven students who achieved the ASOS Student Fellowship status. Doug Boyd, Alisha Cheng, Kristen Lantz, O.D., KYCO ’20, Trevor Peden, Logan Ritchhart, Doug Thompson, and Emily Williams officially achieved the ASOS Student Fellowship status and were mailed pins and certificates in July.

Lantz expressed that being part of the ASOS student fellowship program was an incredible learning experience and educational opportunity.

“The ASOS student fellowship program provided hands-on experience with our optometric lasers, surgical procedures, and light therapy procedures we use for patient care. While practicing in states with an expanded scope of practice, this education is necessary to develop the clinical skills and confidence needed to give our patients the best care possible,” said Lantz. “I do not doubt that the students who continue to be involved in this fellowship program will set themselves apart from their peers with the information and skills it provides. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to become a fellow and support an expanded scope of practice in the optometric field.”