SC VISIONS Summer 2014

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

SCO’s third annual Eye Spy: A Day at the Memphis Zoo event started the summer season by bringing the college’s Community Outreach program to one of the city’s most visited venues. By taking vision activities and awareness-building events into the community, SCO is committed to increasing its local impact. Our Community Outreach program’s reach is growing. Not only do local patients benefi t, but our interns also learn by gaining exposure to a diverse patient population.

Your support enables SCO’s progressive clinical program to expand its reach into the local community. Our students also learn the importance of community involvement and the way that optometrists make a difference by giving back to improve the health of our patients..

Call (901) 722-3216 or visit sco.edu to ask how you can make a di� erence.

sco.edu | 3

INSIDEHomecoming 2014 ................................................................. 5

Commencement 2014SCO welcomes new graduates. ......................................6

Photos from PhiladelphiaCoverage of SCO’s presence at the AOA meeting. ........................................................8

TearWell OpensSCO launches dry eye clinic. ..........................................9Community Impact ............................................................. 10

Class Notes ............................................................................12

World Cup ReportSCO graduate travels to Brazil. ..................................14On Campus Focus ................................................................ 16

Hayes Center Awards .......................................................... 18

News Briefs ........................................................................... 19

Nominations for Honorary Degrees .................................. 20

Visit SCO’s website

or monthly alumni

e-newsletters for updates

about upcoming alumni

events, including

“Evening with the President,”

as Dr. Phillips visits with

alumni in di�erent

states.

June saw SCO’s first-ever Residents’ Weekend in which residents completed their residencies with COPE-approved presentations. Class of 2013 alumni gathered for one last group photo as residents.

4 | SCOVISIONS

FROM THE PRESIDENTAiming High

The summer season is one of transition in the life of your college. Back in May, we welcomed the newly graduated Class of 2014 into the profession as colleagues and now we’re preparing to welcome a new entering class to campus. From our recent graduates to our new arrivals, they’re seeing a college that is strong.

Our academic accomplishments, clinical endeavors and service activities continue to enrich the educational experiences of our students, so they become

alumni who will support our profession and their com-munities. It is the generosity of our alumni and friends that helped us aim high and reach this point. Your com-mitment and enthusiasm has been and will continue to be vital to our success.

After completing our first academic year in our newly constructed academic facility, it’s worth noting that the work continues to advance SCO’s mission to

“lead the profession.” Just as the profession of optometry never stops its pro-gression and forward evolution to benefit our patients and local communities where we practice, we cannot stop finding ways to improve.

As you’ll learn in this issue, the evidence for our success is out there. An SCO graduate currently leads the American Optometric Association. An SCO student was just honored for not only receiving the highest score in the nation on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Part 1 examination, but she also received the highest score ever recorded.

From Tennessee to Louisiana, SCO alumni have proven vital this year in expanding the scope of practice through leadership and advocacy in our state legislatures. These successes underscore the emphasis we’ve placed on encouraging our faculty to lead by example through greater involvement in our profession. We’re in the planning stages of our next State Day event, now emulated by other colleges, to bring professional and state association leaders in direct contact with our students.

Your support has helped us establish this culture where SCO’s alumni can see the connection between supporting our alma mater and securing a better future for the profession. Your gifts of finance, time and talent help us enhance the culture and stature of SCO. Earlier this summer, 94 percent of our faculty and staff pledged a record $103,654. If you’re among our alumni yet to make your commitment, we need your support in order to build upon the mo-mentum we’ve enjoyed in recent years.

Your presence, too, would mean much to our students. They benefit from your professional insights, encouragement and supportive friendship. I encourage you to consider visiting your alma mater this fall during our Homecoming and CE Weekend. Be a part of Convocation, when our students first don their white coats. Tour our academic and clinical facilities and see why so many of our alumni have learned first-hand that SCO continues to aim high in all that we are accomplishing. Together, we’re achieving great things for SCO and optometry. Thanks to each of you for your part in allowing this to happen!

Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, FAAO

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Kristin Anderson, OD

EDITOR/DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Jim Hollifield

SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER

Susan Doyle

MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST

Erin Jaffe

MULTIMEDIA/GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSISTANT

Philip Tribble

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 www.sco.edu/visions. Please forward comments, address changes, and contributions to:

Office of Institutional Advancement 1245 Madison Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104-2222 800-238-0180, ext. 4 901-722-3379 FAX

BOARD CHAIR

Jarrett A. Johnson, OD ’90

BOARD MEMBERS

Eugene M. Bane, Jr., OD ’65Douglas C. Clark, OD

Steven L. Compton, OD ’78Brian Jones, MBA

Sharon Berger Moscow, OD ‘80Ryan H. Powell, OD ’02Steven T. Reed, OD ’95

James D. Sandefur, OD ’65Carla D. Sanderson, PhDA. L. Spivey, III, OD ’67

Leticia W. Towns, FACHE Cristie Upshaw Travis, MS

Terry L. Tucker, OD ’84Christopher W. Wroten, OD ’02

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE

Daniel G. Fuller, OD

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

Feyi Aworunse, ’16

sco.edu | 5

Come home to Memphis!2014 Homecoming/Fall CE Weekend

Alumni and their guests are encouraged to mark their calendars and register early to secure your at-tendance at the 2014 Homecoming/Fall CE Weekend, October 9-12, in Memphis.

Classes with alumni who graduated in years ending in ‘4’ or ‘9’ will be participating in reunions, several with additional special events being organized by classmates.

Here’s an overview of what to expect at this year’s event:

• A Kick-off party on Thursday, October 9 from 8-10 pm at The Peabody Memphis.

• President’s Reception on campus, Friday, October 10 from 5:30-7 pm.

• Alumni and Friends Dinner with recognition of reunion classes from 7-8:30 pm at The Peabody Memphis’s Continental Ballroom on Saturday, October 11.

• After-Party at the Peabody, featuring a live band and dancing, Saturday evening from 8:30-10:30 on the Peabody’s Rooftop.

Alumni and guests are also invited to attend SCO’s All School Convocation and White Coat Ceremony from 10 am through noon on Friday morning. A barbecue luncheon immediately follows on campus. Other events, including a walking tour, Sunday brunch and other activities are also scheduled.

Additionally, 19 hours of top quality CE will be offered at the Peabody and on campus. Speakers include Scott Ensor, OD ’01, Tim Fortner, Michael Gerstner, OD ’97, John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, Whitney Hauser, OD ’01, Charles Kinnaird, OD, Chris Lievens, OD, Anne Rowland, MD, Glen Steele, OD ’69, and Walter Whitley, OD.

Visit sco.edu to learn more about our Homecoming/ Fall CE Weekend line-up and to register.

Alumni with

children interested

in optometry are

encouraged to

participate in the

annual Alumni/Child

Admissions Forum.

Designed for alumni

with children junior

high age or older, the

program features

tours of campus

and interaction with

students, faculty

and administration

representatives who

can answer questions

about optometric

education and the

registration process.

The event will be held

on campus from 1:30-

5:30 pm on Friday,

October 10.

SC

O H

APPEN I N G S

6 | SCOVISIONS

2014 Commencement SCO’s 2014 commencement ceremony moved to the Cannon Center for Performing Arts in downtown

Memphis as 115 graduates were welcomed into the profession of optometry.Class President Andrew Bradbury delivered the class address. Former

AOA President Dori Carlson, OD, delivered the commencement address in lieu of U.S. Senator John Boozman, OD ’77, who was recuperating from emergency heart surgery.

Dr. Carlson received the Doctor of Ocular Science degree; Senator Boozman received his de-

gree in absentia and will be presented with it at a future date. Former Alcon executive Ralph Stone, PhD, received the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Valedictorian was Christina Grosshans, and Salutatorian was Erinn Tolomei.

Legacy graduates: Jeff Goldstein, OD ’76 and Jay Goldstein, OD ’14; William Tantum, OD ’14 and Lloyd Tantum, OD ’78; Howard Levinson, OD ’76 and Keith Levinson, OD ’14; Wendy Goldsmith, OD ’91, Kristal Jones, OD ’14 and Tim Goldsmith, OD ’92; Julie Brewer Dawson, OD ’14 and Tim Brewer, OD ’85

Legacy graduates: Elisse Boiwka, OD ’14 and Roman Boiwka, OD; Andrew Botts, OD ’14 and Robert Botts, OD ’78; Mike Broome, OD ’14 and Paul Wesley Broome, OD; Steven Chado, OD, Sam Chado, OD ’14, and Beverly Chado, OD; Alan Bugg, OD ’82 and Bradley Bugg, OD ’14

S C O H A PPENI N

GS

from emergency heart surgery. Dr. Carlson received the Doctor of Ocular

Science degree; Senator Boozman received his de-gree in absentia and will be presented with it at a future date. Former Alcon executive Ralph Stone, PhD, received the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Valedictorian was Christina Grosshans, and Salutatorian was Erinn Tolomei.

Jeff Goldstein, OD ’76 and Jay Goldstein, OD ’14; William Tantum, OD ’14 and Lloyd Tantum, OD ’78; Howard Levinson, OD ’76 and Keith Levinson, OD ’14; Wendy Goldsmith, OD ’91, Kristal Jones, OD ’14 and Tim Goldsmith, OD ’92; Julie Brewer Dawson, OD ’14 and

Elisse Boiwka, OD ’14 and Roman Boiwka, OD; Andrew Botts, OD ’14 and Robert Botts, OD ’78; Mike Broome, OD ’14 and Paul Wesley Broome, OD; Steven Chado, OD, Sam Chado, OD ’14, and Beverly Chado, OD; Alan Bugg, OD ’82 and Bradley Bugg,

Video coverage of the SCO’s 2014 Commencement ceremony may be viewed at SCO’s YouTube Channel, and photos on SCO’s website.

Award Sponsors and 2014 RecipientsBays Family Service Award

Stephanie Lew

Beaver-Visitec International, Inc. Partners in Optometry Award

Jenna HallLinh Hong

Drs. Fred and Charlene Burnett Student Research Award

Bret Butterfi eldStacey Hoins

COVD Excellence in Vision Therapy Award

Christina Grosshans

Designs for Vision, Inc. William Feinbloom Low Vision Award

Adam Young

Eagle Vision Super Eagle Practice Builder’s Kit

Todd Christensen

Eschenbach Optik Award

Erin Kizewski

Essilor Crizal Award of Excellence

Emanuela Bercea

Essilor Labs of America/Southern Optical

Leah Beckman

GP Lens Institute’s Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award

Nathan Stahr

Dr. Bernard L. Kahn Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Adam Young

LS&S Group Low Vision Award

Ashley Varakalayil

Luxottica Excellence to Service Award

Lekha Samuel

Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award

Brandon Hadel

Mothershed Endowed Award

Kimberly Orr

NBEO Part II Award

Christina Grosshans

NoIR Low Vision Award

Lekha Samuel

NOSA Award

Jingya ChenFarryl FranklinBrian KnightChidinma Nwachukwa

Adam Young

Ocular Instruments, Inc., Award of Excellence

Kristal Jones

OEP Clinical Curriculum Award

Annie Hao

Ooh La La De Paris Award

William Tantum

Rafi eetary Academic and Clinical Excellence Award

Erinn Tolomei

Dr. David P. Sloan Memorial Award

Kathryn Huebner

SCO Outstanding Clinician Awards

Jeffrey CoatsJohn DawsonSusan EvansDaniel FosterChristina GrosshansMeaghan HortonAnna LammersKristin SchickSarah ThompsonErinn Tolomei

Southern Council of Optometrists Clinical Excellence Award

Mallory Phillips

Southwest Contact Lens Society

Douglas Wright

Glen T. Steele, OD and L. Allen Fors, OD Developmental Vision Award

Linh Hong

Stereo Optical Co., Inc.

Devin Duval

Vistakon Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care

Andrew Bradbury

Winston Family Endowed Award

Andrew Bradbury

X-Cel Contacts Outstanding GP Fitting Award

Jeffrey Coats

Class of 2014 Tribute GiftsThe college is pleased to acknowledge the following 2014 graduates who have had donations made in their honor by their families. A commemorative brick has been permanently placed in front of The Eye Center.

Ashley BallardGary and Ellen Ballard

Joseph BallardGary and Ellen Ballard

Andrew BradburyLarry and Melissa DeRousse

Bradley A. BuggAlan K. Bugg, OD ’82

Samuel ChadoBeverly Chado, OD

Michael J. ConnellDon and Tammy Connell

Bran Dawson William T. Brewer, OD ’85 and Laurie Brewer

Julie Dawson William T. Brewer, OD ’85 and Laurie Brewer

Elizabeth GaultDavid and Beth Gault

Jay GoldsteinJeffrey L. Goldstein, OD ’76 and Debbie Goldstein

Keith LevinsonHoward B. Levinson, OD ’76 and Barbara Levinson

Canaan MontgomeryRichard and Tara Montgomery

Jennifer PancoastCharles and Cathy Pancoast

Kristen PierySheila Piery

Nathan StahrJerry and Sue Stahr

Lekha SamuelP. C. and Kunjumole Abraham

Priya ShethNitin and Nutan Sheth

sco.edu | 7

Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award

Brandon Hadel

Mothershed Endowed Award

Kimberly Orr

NBEO Part II Award

Christina Grosshans

NoIR Low Vision Award

Lekha Samuel

NOSA Award

Jingya ChenFarryl FranklinBrian KnightChidinma Nwachukwa

Adam Young

Ocular Instruments, Inc., Award of Excellence

8 | SCOVISIONS

SCO O U T AND

AB

OU

T

1 Ron Hopping, OD, and Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78

2 Kristin Anderson, OD, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and Chris Leivens, OD, Chief of Staff, The Eye Center

3 Nancy Moss, Gary Moss, OD ’78, Carol Casella, Tom Casella, OD ’78

4 Marty Carpenter, OD ’03, wife Gwen, and children, Reese and Emma

5 Katie Kerr-Niermann, OD ’13, and Utham Balachandran, OD ’13

6 Erin Bales, ’16, Hunter Chapman, ’16, and Megan Stanford, ’16

7 Martha Rosemore Morrow, OD ’74, and Andrea Thau, OD

8 Linda and Cary Vincent, OD ’78

9 Joe and Whitney Hauser, OD ’01, and their children, Andrew and Alice Cate

10 Betty Harville, OD, Zakiya Nicks, OD, and Reena Lepine, OD ’11

11 SCO students cheer on Trent Gaasch, ’16, at the Student Bowl

1

2

3

5

4

10

6 7

8

9

11

Photo coverage of SCO’s 2014 events at the AOA may be accessed via this QR code.

AOA 2014, Philadelphia SCO Graduate Serves as AOA President

David Cockrell, OD ’81, was formally inaugurated as American Optometric Association President at the AOA meeting in Philadelphia, becoming the 13th SCO graduate to lead the AOA. Dr. Cockrell joined

President Richard W. Phillips, OD ’78, in ad-dressing alumni at SCO’s annual reception for alumni and friends. Make plans to join SCO next summer in Seattle. Visit SCO’s photo galleries on the college’s website to view event photos

sco.edu | 9

Dry Eye Syndrome is said to a�ect 60 million Americans.

New InnovationsSCO Launches Dry Eye Clinic

Southern College of Optometry recently opened a new clinic dedicated to the treatment of dry eye.

The TearWell Advanced Dry Eye Treatment Center is located in the college’s new research suites

in the first floor of the 11-story tower.

“TearWell provides SCO with a facility that functions as a premier private

practice in an academic setting,” explained Whitney Hauser, OD ’01, TearWell’s

Clinic Development Consultant. “This effort lets us enhance SCO’s efforts to

enable clinical research to be situated in a service model featuring technology

not typically available in most smaller practices.”

From an educational perspective, TearWell gives SCO’s interns an op-

portunity to observe the doctor-patient interaction firsthand. Students also may

work on research projects in the field.

The new clinic utilizes the cutting-edge LipiFlow® treatment, the only

FDA-approved treatment for dry eye disease, along with other standard dry eye

treatments. Alan Kabat, OD, serves as TearWell’s Clinical Care Consultant.

“Dry eye is a prevalent issue, especially

among older adults,” Dr. Kabat said. “The condi-

tion is often exacerbated by allergic reactions,

making Memphis a tough climate for people

suffering from dry eye. That’s one reason we

are so proud to open this clinic.”

Dr. Kabat has lectured internationally

and is recognized as an expert in ocular disease

management. Dr. Hauser worked in private practice for ten years before joining

SCO in 2013. Her emphasis was on diagnosis and treatment of dry eye and pre-/

post-surgical care.

One of TearWell’s first patients was former NFL football player Barry

Wilburn, who played for the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII.

“I’m a big fan of the treatment I’ve received,” Wilburn said. “I’ve seen a

great improvement from the procedures that Dr. Hauser has provided me.”

Prior to the July 1st launch, the local news media profiled the new clinic’s start-up with articles that

appeared in the Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Daily News and the Memphis Business Journal. The advance

coverage alone generated several dozen calls and inquiries from prospective patients eager to learn more

about dry eye treatment options.

Visit TearWell’s website at tearwell.com and follow the clinic’s news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Dr. Alan Kabat, Clinical Care Consultant and Dr. Whitney Hauser, Clinic Development Consultant

ON

CA

MPUS F O C U S

10 | SCOVISIONS

C

OM M U N I T Y- FO

CU

SE

D

Thousands of newspaper readers voted this summer and named The Eye Center at SCO their favorite eyecare facility in Memphis. Last year, The Eye Center was first runner up in the Commercial Appeal’s “Memphis Most” reader survey. Being named the best a year later demonstrates the prog-ress that the college continues to make in spreading its influence throughout the local community.

SCO’s advances are part of a coordinated effort. As Clinical Programs expand their impact, community outreach initiatives are coordinated with appropriate service-learning opportunities,

which in turn are supported through an effort to secure funding opportunities via Institutional Advancement’s development work with foundations and other partners.

“We are committed to providing our student interns with exposure to diverse patient populations structured as part of the college’s long-standing commitment to superior clinical education,” said James E. Venable, OD ’89, Vice President for Clinical

Programs. “Our patients in turn benefit from the col-lege’s commitment to the community.”

Each external initiative simultaneously helps generate greater awareness of SCO’s prominence as a healthcare provider and one of the leading colleges in Memphis, a fact noted by Mayor A C Wharton, Jr., during a recent campus-wide address to faculty, staff and students.

“SCO is really making a difference in the lives of our citizens,” Mayor Wharton said. “The work you do here has an impact by making Memphis a better place to live.”

SCO’s Expanding Reach In just the first half of 2014, these outlined

initiatives reflect the college’s concerted efforts to expand patient care and educational opportunities at the local level:

• An increasingly active Community Vision Health Services program, led by Aaron Kerr, OD ’98, coordinates several different areas as noted below.

• SCO’s School Screenings Program, coordinated by Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07, screened 12,101 local schoolchildren in 80 schools throughout Shelby County; 23.7% of these children failed their screenings.

• SCO’s Community Outreach Program, coordinated by Zakiya Nicks, OD, has increased its annual number of events to more than 40. The program recently partnered with St. Jude and LeBonheur Children’s Hospital to provide a “Dream Night at the Zoo” for terminally ill children.

• SCO’s Nursing Home/Assisted Living Program, coordinated by Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04, recently added five new facilities to the service, with three more to be added this fall.

• University Eye Care, a full service clinic modeling a small, private practice, is about to start its first full academic year serving the University of Memphis campus with four exam lanes.

University Eye Care.

Simply the BestSCO’s Influence Grows Across Memphis

Children with low vision were invited to a daylong Saturday event on campus to coordinate resources that benefit them or their families.

sco.edu | 11

Pediatric Initiatives Elsewhere in the com-

munity, SCO is creating a program to support the Third Grade Reading Collaborative Action Network, a nationwide effort. By partnering with a local Achievement School Dis- trict elementary school, a mo-bile clinic will be set up within

the school to provide eye examinations to screen children from K-2. Children from five neighboring schools will be transported to the mobile clinic and another participating school. Increased reading proficiency levels will be studied to assess the effort’s success.

SCO received a Healthy Eyes Healthy People grant to fund the “See to Read” Vision Awareness Program. Eye exams will be provided to children at two local libraries in partnership with a local mobile vision unit operated by Project SAVE.

Thanks to a Community Foundation’s GIVE 365 program, SCO also has worked with a partnering organization to facilitate scheduling of care at Frayser Elementary School.

Collaboration with Healthcare ProvidersThe college has actively been exploring other opportunities

to expand its reach in the local community.

• Dialogue continues with a local hospital regarding the provision of clinical low vision and rehabilitative services on-site in the hospital, including discussions regarding credentialing.

• Service Chiefs from The Eye Center met with members of the Occupational Therapy Team of LeBonheur Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Germantown to explore collaborative opportunities in patient care and clinical education.

• Meetings have also been held with the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center investigating collaborative efforts in interdisciplinary education and research regarding diabetes.

• Representatives of The Eye Center met this year with repre-sentatives from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital regarding referral protocols for patients of the hematology education department.

• Funding proposals are being developed to seek support for providing community-based care to aging Memphians.

• A tool kit of information is being created to provide to organiza-tions where SCO is unable to participate because of scheduling conflicts.

Service LearningIn July, SCO launched its second year of service-learning

via a Saturday Service Experience drawing interns and staff volunteers to assist faculty. The first year’s program saw several

hundred in-patient substance abuse residents from the local Synergy treatment facility. The program expanded this year to provide examinations and vision care to HIV patients as well.

Negotiations are also underway to look for opportunities to partner with other service providers to determine the feasibility of incorporating exposure to neighborhood homeless residents in a summer term’s Foundations of Service-Learning Workshop.

Enthusiasm and energy for SCO’s expanding influence runs high among the college’s interns, faculty and staff. Faculty member Cynthia Heard, OD, for instance, traveled at the start of summer to the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis, Illinois for a RAM clinic that saw nearly 1,000 individuals receiving care.

From traditional venues such as RAM to SVOSH trips, SCO has long demonstrated a commitment to traveling to provide care around the globe. That same energy now drives an increased emphasis on providing care – and more learning opportunities for interns – at the local level. As the readers of the local newspaper have noted, SCO’s clinical presence is simply the best.

A partnership with a mobile vision unit allows SCO to take care directly to local schoolchildren.

SCO students assist an inpatient resident of Synergy Treatment Centers in selecting eyewear during a Saturday Service Event at The Eye Center.

12 | SCOVISIONS

C L A S S NO

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1950 Robert Greenberg, OD, recently celebrated his 90th birthday in Florida, where he

continues to practice. He was joined at a party

by Michael Fregger, OD ’82 (left) and Hugh Hudson, OD ’60.

1951 Fred Mathews, OD, delivered the com-mencement address in May at Southwestern Michigan College, where he’s the longest serving Board of Trustees chair in the nation. Dr. Mathews has led a number of civic organiza-tions in Michigan through the years. He and his wife, Thelda, have been married 61 years and have two sons and six grandchildren.

1956 Jim Welborn, OD, and his wife, Helen, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They have three daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

1965 James Sandefur, OD, SCO Board member, helped lead the Optometry Association of Louisiana’s recent centennial celebration. Dr. Sandefur was also named this year’s recipient of the Virgil Deering Executive Director Award of Excellence at the AOA meeting in Philadelphia.

1967 Joe B. Rupe, OD, recently announced his retire ment. His plans are to pursue his ranching and golfing activities, and spend more time with his grandchildren.

1972 The Arkansas Optometric Association awarded its Lifetime of Excellence Award to Harry Harrell, OD, and Herman Ginger, OD, at the ArOA’s Spring Convention.

1976 Mark Mather, OD, recently retired after nearly 40 years of practice in Muscatine, Iowa. He and his wife, Becky, plan to spend time boating and caring for elder family members.

1977 Thomas A. Roberson, OD, traveled to Haiti, where his medical team screened 1,500 patients, distributed 1,200 pairs of glasses, detected 25 glaucoma patients, and arranged and provided 70 patients with cataract surgery and another 12 for ptergyium surgery.

1978 SCO President Richard W. Phillips, OD, has been appointed to the Federal Relations Committee of the American Optometric Association. He also has been named President-elect of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

Sallye Scott, OD, Glenn Goldring, OD, and State Senator David Parker, OD ’95, co-hosted an “Evening with the President” event as Dr. Phillips joined alumni in Como, MS.

1981 Jonathan Shrewsbury, OD, received the Clifford Leadingham Award at the Kentucky Optometric Association’s spring meeting. Bill Reynolds, OD ’85, received the 2014 Visionary Leadership Award. Incoming KOA President is David Jaco, OD ’94, and Immediate KOA Past President is Matt Burchett, OD ’02.

1982 Alan Tilson, OD, and Bill Gordon, OD,

pictured, just happened to be

in Memphis on the same day, and as luck would have it, they both ran into each other when they stopped by SCO to visit their alma mater. As alumni, you’re welcome to visit campus when you visit Memphis. Contact the Office of Institutional Advancement if you would like to arrange a guided tour of The Eye Center and our new academic facility.

1984 Bryant Ashley, OD, was appointed by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe to the State Board of Optometry.

1986 David Shannon, OD, recently completed 23 years of service to the Association of Optometrics Council in the UK. He also spent 10 years on the Board, with three served as Chair.

1987 Fred Farias III, OD, Texas Optometric Association President, wrote Fourth of July eye safety articles for the press in Texas.

Mark Kapperman, OD, recently spoke to SCO’s Practice Management Class following his participation when the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence Advisory Board held its meeting on campus.

1989 Dan Snead, OD, recently opened a new practice, Essential Eyes in Columbia, TN.

1997 Shelly Finchum Shaw, OD, received the Distinguished Alumni in Professional Achievement Award from Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN.

2002 Ryan Powell, OD, successfully competed and finished in this year’s Boston Marathon.

Chris Wroten, OD, was on hand to witness Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal sign legislation expanding scope of practice in his state.

2004 Emily Sprague, OD, was named the U.S. Navy’s Junior Optometrist of the Year.

2006 James Hertzog, OD, received the 2014 Special Service Award at the Spring Convention of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

2009 Tori Gengenbach, OD, and Eric Gengenbach, OD, welcomed a baby girl, Abigail Harper, born May 9.

Ashley Schuelke Reddell, OD, and Jonathan Reddell, OD ’11, have added a second location to their private practice in Kansas.

Christina Vranich, OD, was recognized by the Oakland, Tennessee Regional Chamber of Commerce as the 2013 Small Business of the Year for her practice, Fayette Family Vision Care.

2011 Nicole Kosciuk, OD, recently became engaged to Andrew Brauer, OD ’12. They plan to wed on June 6, 2015.

Joanne Smith, OD, and her hus band welcomed a baby boy, born May 7, pictured. He weighed 6

lbs., 8 ozs., and measured 19.5 inches long. Dr. Smith serves on SCO’s faculty.

2012 JJ Lant, OD, pictured, and his wife, Heather, recently welcomed their third child, a son, Nolan

Richardson, who

New Graduate Moves Abroad to Provide Care

In the weeks prior to this year’s commencement, William Tantum, OD ’14, reached out to the campus community in sup-port of one of his classmates. He shared news that Alisha Duffy, OD ’14, would be moving to Guatemala after graduation to open a clinic and care for residents in the nation’s San Andres region.

One of the highlights of this year’s Senior Banquet was the surprise presentation of a $3,800 check that resulted in the campus com munity rallying to Dr. Duffy’s cause. The native Minnesotan cites her volunteer work with SVOSH and RAM trips as helping her realize the opportunity to provide care for a region where 75% of the population is estimated to earn less than $1 a day.

Dr. Duffy will be providing exams at Clinca Medica, built in 2010 to provide low cost medical care to the indigenous

Mayan communities. Her eye exams mark the first full-time eye care the community has known with equipment made possible by the generosity of donors supportive of her work.

If you would like to support Dr. Duffy’s effort, click the “donate” button on the home page at alittlemoresalt.com.

Passing the TorchPrivate Practice Lives on Through Alumni Generations

The Clarksville, Arkansas practice founded 40 years ago by Donald Baker, OD ’74, has been passed on to the care of one of Dr. Baker’s former patients – and fellow SCO graduate – Becky King, OD ’09.

It’s somehow fitting that Dr. King ended up taking the reins of the practice. She was a fifth grade student interested in marine biology when she visited Dr. Baker for an exam and eyeglasses in the early 1990s. She became so interested in what she saw in Dr. Baker’s practice that she switched a school career project from marine biology to optometry.

Dr. Baker was raised in Searcy, Arkansas and like Dr. King, he became interested in optometry as a student when his twin brother got a pair of glasses. He conducted a science project on how eyes and camera lenses work.

Later he graduated from Harding University before moving to Memphis to attend SCO. He settled in Clarksville after graduation. In four short years, his practice grew enough to warrant a move to an office building in the city’s downtown.

In a newspaper interview chronicling his retirement and Dr. King’s buying the practice, Dr. Baker attributed his success to meeting the needs of his patients in a small town perfect for raising families.

Dr. King noted that the timing worked out perfectly for her to take the next step in owning her private practice. She consulted resources offered by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence in helping outline her business plan.

Returning to her hometown to practice is a dream come true for Dr. King. She notes that she often looks at her daily schedule and sees the names of people she knows from her childhood.

Meanwhile, Dr. Baker and his wife, Rena, plan to spend time traveling and with their 10 grandchildren.

sco.edu | 13

weighed 9 lbs., 9 ozs., and was 22.5 inches long.

2013 Robyn Christenson, OD, married Cole Epley on July 13 in Shelby, Iowa.

Kristin Reed, OD, is practicing at a Super Target in Omaha, Nebraska.

2014 Several Class of 2014 graduates are among new residents in the 2014-15 residency program. On-campus residents include: Susan Evans, OD, Tina Grosshans, OD, Lekha Samuel, OD.

Keri Cassels, OD, recently married Matt Hartsell and has accepted a position at Cairo Eye Care in Georgia.

Jennifer Pancoast, OD, married Ethan Luebbe on May 24 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She is practicing at Custom Eyes in Lenexa, Kansas and living in Overland Park.

INMEMORIALSaul Silverman, OD ’47Stanley Vogelfang, OD ’47Robert L. Ward, OD ’48William Dobbs, OD ’50Wallace Early, OD ’50Troy Lester, OD ’51LaVern Powers, OD ’56Jim Eaton, OD ’67Gregory W. Hunter, OD ’69Oliver C. Sindersine, III, OD ’73Warren Eisenstein, OD ’79John P. Lyles, OD ’80

Marjorie Ross, OD ’51, died May 15 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dr. Ross was the first woman to receive SCO’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A former AOA Trustee, she was also the first woman to serve as President of the Michigan Optometric Association and the first woman to chair the Michigan Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Alisha Duffy, OD ’14, hugs classmate William Tantum, OD ’14, as she accepts a check from the SCO community to aid her dream of taking eyecare to Guatemala.

14 | SCOVISIONS

1977 Graduate Attends World Cup in Brazil By Larry Otten, OD ’77

BrazilMy 6th grade teacher would send us to the

school library to research a country for a written re-port. In my case, the report was usually copied from the World Book Encyclopedia. One had to be careful to end with Brazil, and not continue with what was next, Brazil Nuts.

Back then, Brazil was a developing country in South America. Brazil is the world’s 5th largest country in both size and population. It is also home to one of the world’s largest cities, Sao Paulo, at more than 11,250,000 people. It is home to the Amazon River with the world’s largest rain forest.

Thirty-six hours was about the time involved from leaving home and arriving at our apartment in Paraty. Paraty sits on a beautiful ocean setting

between Sao Paulo and Rio Janeiro. Paraty will be remembered as our first real day in Brazil where we were taken to a rum factory on our way into the jungle. There we found inviting pools of water from which we could jump from rocks which bordered the waterfall.

Following that excursion we tested the local bus system which took us to the pristine beach com-munity of Trindade. It was good for beachcombing and swimming. Memories from the 60s and 70s quickly emerged, as this community is also home to many surviving love bugs and VW vans left over from that time long ago. One flowered van had a bumper sticker reading: “God Save the Freaks,” and out came a flower child.

In the middle of the action, Dr. Otten captured the excit-ing World Cup build-up as USA lead 2-1 over Portugal before the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

This year’s World Cup attracted record audiences around the world as soccer fever frenzy rose. In his own words, Larry Otten, OD ’77, shares what it was like to travel to Brazil to see the action first-hand.

sco.edu | 15

Rio de JaneiroOne could probably enjoy a couple of days in Rio had one of

the kids not left their passport, credit card, and cash on the bus following our long ride from Paraty. Our Rio time was absorbed with taxi rides into endless traffic jams, with return visits to the bus station, a visit to the police station, two separate trips to the American Embassy to obtain a temporary passport without the Brazilian visa.

We did have one highlight, where on the Copacabana Beach we watched USA defeat Ghana 2-1 at a Fan Fest event. It was exciting being part of thousands of spectators getting revved up to the enthusiasm of World Cup. Travelers’ advice: do not try to accomplish anything in Rio while Brazil is playing a World Cup game. The city will shut down for about five hours.

One would think that a plane ride from Rio to Curitiba should be uneventful. In aviation, when a pilot encounters a se-rious storm, he may elect to divert from the original flight plan. As we tried to side-step a storm, we encountered turbulence. The bouncing and tipping wings had now transformed into what seemed an endless free fall. As this repeated for several minutes, my mind began to convince myself that perhaps this is how it ends. While my face is in cold sweat, my mouth filled with saliva, I said my prayers of forgiveness and beg for redemption. And just like that, the storm was over. Whew!

Fos do Icuaca is near Brazil’s border with Argentina and Paraguay. One evening while on the city bus, the kids were in search of a bar featuring the Chile v. Spain soccer match. With keen eyes they spotted people wearing Chile’s national colors. To our surprise, we sat near a section mutually shared by both Chile and Spain. With each Chilean goal and eventual win, we wit-nessed their national pride and character with their proud chants of glory.

As the match progressed, their ambitious and enthusiastic celebration now began to extend beyond borders, sharing in one’s goodwill for the love of soccer. At first it was shared bottles of fine Chilean wine. As the wine disappeared, several pitchers of a sweet Brazilian lime and rum drink emerged. As the win was assured and high-fives with congratulatory hugs were exchanged with our new amigos from Chile, Chilean anthems were being sung.

Cataratas do Icuacu Big Water. In high school, I was able to take photography

in place of a dreaded art class. Our first assignment was to make a pinhole camera from a used coffee can. An amazing image can develop from such a simple device. My combined interest in optics, biology, and physics led to my career in optometry. As we age, nearly all eyes develop a clouding of the crystalline lens. As the cataract matures, one would notice a slight haze or misting of vision. Eventually, the cataract is as if one is looking through a waterfall.

The Falls are beyond description, a world wonder. At 1.7 miles wide, one side is in Argentina, the other Brazil. The falls are actually many, with the largest drop 269 feet. We were escorted down to an area of motorized rafts where we slipped on our rain gear, and I was given a life jacket. I didn’t prepare for the white water part of this, but became immersed into an ultimate and grandeur experience. It was a soaking. To go overboard would have been fatal, but again, all of that was simply overridden by the experience. Video and photos just cannot capture an event of this proportion.

The MatchWe traveled to Manaus, city of two million people, carved

out of the Amazon Jungle. It was like a Memphis summer day of 90+ degree heat and a 90%+ humidity factor. This was the site of the USA v. Portugal match. Like this entire trip, I cannot accurately describe the jubilance of a world sporting event.

The scene started with a USA party the night before. The people donning their red, white, and blues, were definitely in the mood for a party, and ready for victory and anticipation to advance to the knock-out portion of the World Cup. A Brazilian news sta-tion broadcast the party live. The kids and I were captured by television in pre-celebration. There were many songs and chants to show American spirit; one of my favorites was the familiar song, “When the Yanks Come Marching In.” Many watched the match on television and know that Portugal scored a goal at the very end to tie the game at 2 goals each.

Twelve days. Ten flight segments. 2:30 am, 3 am, 4 am, 4:50 am and 5:30 am are times we arrived or departed from hotels and connected with flights. I lost count of taxi rides. Exhausting, but an experience of a lifetime.

Dr. Otten snapped this photo of the spectacular Cataratas (aka Iguazu) Falls.

16 | SCOVISIONS

ON C A M P U S F

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US

Faculty NewsMarie Bodack, OD, gave CE and work-

shop presentations at the European Academy of Optometry & Optics an-nual meeting in Warsaw, Poland.

Chris Borgman, OD, published several guest editorials in the Memphis Daily News in May on cataracts, diabetes and macular degeneration. He was also interviewed about vision care by WYPL-FM radio in Memphis.

Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, and Gabriel Fickett, ’16, presented a Vision Sciences Society poster titled, “Per-ception of Illusory Motion in the Rotating Snake by the Aged: Pupil Size and Retinal Illumination.”

Michael Dorkowski, OD ’04, has been named Coordinator of the Nursing Home/Assisted Living Program.

Janette Dumas, OD, recently coordi-nated SCO’s annual Success in Sight program for minority high school students interested in optometry. Erika Cox, OD ’07, visited with the students to share her experiences in optometry.

Bill Edmondson, OD, MAT, was among the faculty publishing in the Spring Newsletter of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators available online at AOCLE.org.

Dan Fuller, OD, presented several lectures at the Southern Eye Associates Spring CE program and at the West Florida Optometric Association’s Spring CE meeting in Destin. He also published a book review in Visual Performance Today.

Michael Gerstner, OD ’97, and Al Kabat, OD, gave two one-hour lectures to Memphis area ODs entitled, “New Horizons in Ocular Surface Disease Detection and Management.”

Paul Harris, OD lectured earlier this summer

via teleconference to a group in Greece, where the group heard an OEP course,

“Introduction to Be-havioral Vision Care.”

He traveled to Mexico to present two one-hour lectures at the Colegio de Optometritas Estado de Guanajuato, A.C. Dr. Harris also published an article about cornea ulcers in Advanced Ocular Care and ed-ited Literature Reviews from Around the Globe, an OEP Foundation publication. Dr. Harris and Glen Steele, OD ’69, were also featured in a recently pub-lished Hoya Kids Panel White Paper.

Cynthia Heard, OD, was named to the Notable Alumna list by her alma mater, The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Dr. Heard and Sharon Lee, OD, traveled to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma this summer to participate in the ASCO Low Vision SIG meeting.

John Mark Jackson, OD ’99, recently co- authored an article on GP lens dis-comfort in Contact Lens Spectrum.

Alan Kabat, OD, co-authored an article entitled “Collateral Damage” in the February issue of Review of Optometry, “GCA: More than a Headache” in the magazine’s April issue, and “NVG: A Titantic Disaster,” in the magazine’s May issue.

Chris Lievens, OD, MS, presented lectures for Alcon Laboratories on Dailies Multifocal lenses and co-authored an article about Systane® eye drops for the March issue of Eye Contact Lens. Dr. Lievens also has been accepted into the Optometric Glaucoma Society.

Zakiya Nicks, OD, recently was inter-viewed about her work with SCO’s Community Outreach Program for an article in the AOA’s new Focus Magazine.

Pam Schnell, OD ’01, gave a workshop at the Ontario Association of Optome-trists titled, Intro to Binocular Vision and Pediatrics for the Practical Optometrist.

Glen Steele, OD ’69, recently traveled to Burlington, Ontario to lecture at an Optometric Extension Program Foun-dation seminar attended by 25 ODs and therapists. The topic was “The Importance of Vision in Overall Development.” He recently lec-tured on infant evaluation and management at Southern Eye Associates in Memphis. Dr. Steele also was recognized as the recipient of the Visionary Award at the West Division’s mid-year meeting of the Tennessee Public Health Association for his work with pediatric vision and the InfantSEE program.

sco.edu | 17

Marc Taub, OD, MS, has published several articles in recent months, including one with Paul Harris, OD, in the May issue of Visual Performance Today. He also published an article about insurance coverage for vision therapy in Optometry and Visual Performance.

Melissa Zarn, OD, participated in a review panel for the Congres-sionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and in two review panels for proposals to benefit healthcare initia-tives in the military and VA populations.

Faculty PromotionsLewis Reich, OD, PhD, was promoted from Vice President for

Academic Affairs to Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 1. He will also serve as acting CEO when Dr. Phillips is away from campus. A new department, Inter-professional Education, is also being formed and will report directly to Dr. Reich.

Other faculty rank promotions include:PROFESSOR

• Kristin Anderson, OD• Paul Harris, OD

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

• Mary Bartuccio, OD• Scott Ensor, OD ’01, MS• Pam Schnell, OD ’01

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

• Michael Dasinger, OD• Jeung H. Kim, OD, PhD• Wilson McGriff, OD, MPH• Christina Newman, OD

Faculty PresentationsSCO faculty, along with residents and students, made pre-

sentations at the following national meetings:ARVO

POSTE RS

Malinda Fitzgerald, PhDVisual Acuity and Genetic Classification of Individuals with either Type I or Type II Oculocutaneous Albinism

Jeung Kim, PhD, OD; Trent Gaasch, ’16; Andrew Shum, ’16Comparison of the Electronic Versions of Ishihara Pseudoisochromatic Plates with the Printed Version

CSL S

Nancy Chan, OD, Resident; Dan Fuller, OD; Brenton Smith, ’16The Utility of Scleral Lens Center Thickness as a Biometric Ruler

Andrew Neighbors, ’16; Stacey Hoins, ’14; Christina Newman, OD; William Edmondson, OD, MAT

Are Experienced Contact Lens Clinicians and Staff at Increased Risk to be Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) Carriers?

John Moonan, ’15; Stacey Hoins, ’14; William Edmondson, OD, MAT

Visual Acuities of Custom Silicone Hydrogel Toric Contact Lenses vs BVA Spectacle Rx?

AOA PHILADE LPHIA

LECTURES

Marie Bodack, ODAmblyopia Diagnosis and Treatment Made Simple Risk Factors in Infants and Young Children

Glen Steele, OD ’69Vision Development in the Infant and ToddlerInsights into Infant Examination

POSTE RS

Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07; Zakiya Nicks, ODTypical Sectorial Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Case Report

Betty Harville, ODCystoid Macula Edema in a Diabetic Patient after Cataract Surgery: A Case Report

Reena Lepine, OD ’11; Joanne Smith, OD ’11A Presentation of Ocular Ischemic Syndrome

Zakiya Nicks, OD; Lindsay Elkins, OD ’07 Assessment of Eye Health Awareness through Community Engagement: Eye Spy…A Day at the Zoo

Amanda Phelps, OD ’13, Resident; Beth Sparrow, OD ’98Fighting the Silent Killer: Gaining the Victory over Hypertensive Retinopathy

Traumatic Anisocoria-More than Cosmetics: Providing a Solution to a More Substantial Issue

Jennifer Snyder, OD ’12; Andrew Neighbors, ’16; William Edmondson, OD, MAT

Comfort and Cost Comparisons of Ketotifen Anti-Allergy Drops

Kara Tison, OD, Resident; Marie Bodack, ODSepto-Optic Dysplasia

18 | SCOVISIONS

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T Hayes Center Awards Announced

The Hayes Center for Practice Excel-lence at Southern College of Optometry recently announced its inaugural recipients of its Practice of Excellence Award. The award identifies and rewards successful practices, recognizes achievements of SCO graduates and helps foster joint relation-ships that benefit SCO’s alumni and current optometry students.

Three different $5,000 awards were designated to honor recent alumni at dif-ferent stages of their optometric careers. All three recipients own their own prac-tices and exemplify the private practice principles embodied in the Hayes Center’s mission encouraging practice success. Recipients include:

• Dr. David Hite, Class of 2013, recipient of the Recent Graduate Award for the years 2010-2013. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from SCO and practices at North Range Eye Care in Commerce City, Colorado.

• Dr. Micah Thomason, Class of 2009, recipient of the Mid-term Graduate Award for the years 2007-2009. Dr. Thomason practices at Advanced Family Eye Care in Springdale, Arkansas.

• Dr. David Mitchell, Class of 2004, recipient of the Long-Term Graduate Award for the years 2003-2006. Dr. Mitchell practices at Mitchell Family Eye Care in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

“These alumni demonstrate the qualities and attitudes of suc-cessful private practitioners who excel at managing the business side of their practices,” said Dr. Jerry Hayes, who co-founded the Hayes Center at his alma mater with his wife, Cris, in 2005.

The awards process attracted nearly 20 initial nominations, all of whom are highly successful in their practices. The inaugural awards were selected by members of the Hayes Center Advisory Board.

“I want to thank all the applicants and con-gratulate the three outstanding young ODs who have distinguished themselves as the winners of our first annual Practice of Excellence Awards by demon-strating financial and business success in the private practice of optometry,” said Dr. Hayes.

“While optometry is our profession, private practice is a business in every sense of the word. It’s our mission at the Hayes Center to help students and graduates learn how to do a great job of managing the business side of practice so they can thrive in the real world and maintain the heritage of independent optometry.”

Recipients were judged on their practice’s ability to excel as documented via profit and loss statements, most recent balance sheet, office meeting agendas or minutes, and other key met-rics, including gross collected receipts, proper staff management, and a written explanation of how the practice maximizes net income. All three recipients shared their private practice experiences with SCO’s graduating class during the college’s Capstone educa-tional program prior to commencement in May.

Jerry Eisenstatt, OD ’84, recently returned full-time to his private practice. Glenn Goldring, OD ’78, has been named Interim Director of the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence.

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SCO Student Scores RecordSCO student Jessica A. Haynes, ’15, has

been named the recipient of the 2014 Dr. Norman E. Wallis Award for Excellence in recognition of receiving the highest score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Part I Basic Science Examination this year.

The award was established to honor Dr. Wallis’ 25 years of outstanding service as Executive Director of the NBEO. It consists of a personalized plaque as well as a full refund of the Part I registration fee. The Award was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) by Dr. Alan J. King, President of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, pictured with Jessica and President Phillips.

Haynes is a native of Manchester, Tennessee. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University in 2011. She is the daughter of Sherry and Mark Taylor, also of Manchester.

Entering Class NumbersSCO’s fall entering class was selected

after 294 interviews from 790 applications. With 136 students selected, the average GPA stands at 3.56 and a 328 average on the OAT. The class is 62 percent female. SCO’s recruiting team made 92 campus visits last year to 26 states and two Canadian provinces.

Although the applicant pool was down by 9 percent, the college is committed to making inroads in new areas. SCO will be represented at the 12th Annual

Pre-Medical and Pre-Health Professions National Conference in October and has been marketing to college healthcare advi-sors. The application cycle for next year is now open, so alumni are encouraged to use your influence to help guide promising prospective students to apply.

Online CE UpdateSCO’s online CE presence now includes

online course listings so users may benefit from improved navigation. Visit SCO’s website to learn more about the online COPE-approved CE course opportunities available. Several courses from SCO’s Spring CE program have been posted to the college’s online CE course library as well. SCO’s CE program will be incorpo-rating a new model over the next few months and will partner more with the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence to expand course offerings.

Jeanie Snider will serve as CE’s program manager, working with faculty to implement CE programs. Selected faculty members will serve as Course Masters for each educational program as they develop content, recruit speakers and determine the best delivery methods for each program.

SCO Promotion AnnouncedDean Swick was promoted to Executive

Director of Information Services, effective July 1. He joined the college in 1997 and has served several tours of duty in recent years as an U.S.

Army Reserves officer. (He’s pictured officiating at this year’s Flag

Day Ceremony on campus). Prior to joining SCO, he served as Director of Information Systems for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Reflecting the increasing electronic nature of libraries, SCO’s Library Services will move into the Information Services’ area of responsibility under Swick’s leadership. He will report directly to President Phillips.

Graduates Commissioned

Following this year’s commencement ceremony, four new graduates were commissioned into their optometric military careers: Drs. Jordan Paul, Amy Combs, Todd Christensen, and Andrew Loudon, pictured. Congratulations to these members of the Class of 2014 who are serving their countries and profes-sion with pride and distinction.

Eight SVOSH Trips MadeThe summer started with eight mission

trips for SCO’s SVOSH members. Several alumni joined 106 SVOSH members in traveling to Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, Colombia, Honduras and Haiti. Eye exami-nations and glasses were given to 7,575 patients. The teams dispensed 6,678 pairs of glasses and 3,188 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, 683 referrals were also made.

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S B R I E F S

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY1245 Madison AvenueMemphis, TN 38104-2222

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Pro� t OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDMemphis, TennesseePermit Number 151

Call for Honorary Degree Nominations

SCO is seeking submissions for names of

distinguished optometrists and other individuals for

consideration of honorary degrees to be awarded at com-

mencement in 2015. The college invites you to submit names

and accomplishments of those to be considered; anonymous

submissions will not be accepted. Recipients must be of suffi cient

stature and character as to honor the college. Specifi c criteria

must include at least two of these:

• Distinguished record of scholarship

• Outstanding contributions to society through humanitarian efforts, public service or education

• Outstanding contributions to optometry or the optometric profession.

Nominations and supporting details should be sent to

Academic Affairs (Honorary Degrees), c/o SCO, 1245 Madison

Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 or to degrees@sco.edu.

The deadline is October 31.