VisionsALUMNI MAGAZINE - COVID-19 Impacts Optometry Celebrating the Class of 2020 - Southern College of Optometry
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Visions
ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Summer 2020
COVID-19 Impacts Optometry
PAGE 10
Celebrating the Private Practice Telehealth and
Class of 2020 Surviving COVID Optometry
Page 4 Page 12 Page 16
ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Summer 2020
PRESIDENT
Lewis Reich, OD, PhD
VICE PRESIDENT FOR
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
George Miller, CFRE
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Jim Hollifield
SENIOR CREATIVE DESIGNER
Susan Doyle
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL
NETWORKING MANAGER
Erin Jaffe
VISUAL DESIGNER
Philip Tribble
Prepared
CREATIVE SERVICES COORDINATOR
Melissa Hansbro
BOARD CHAIR
Ryan Powell, OD ’02
BOARD MEMBERS
Amanda Brewer-Lord, OD ’97
David A. Cockrell, OD ’81
A half century ago, SCO Steven L. Compton, OD ’78
Anita Davis, PhD
opened its distinctive Mark Kapperman, OD ’87
Jennifer Lyerly, OD ’11
Stacey J. Meier, OD ’84
11-story tower. It’s stood Carla D. Sanderson, PhD
Dave Sattler
the test of time, just as the Lynn T. Shaw, AWMA
A. L. Spivey III, OD ’67
Stuart J. Thomas, OD ’84
institution has thrived for Leticia W. Towns, FACHE
Terry L. Tucker, OD ’84
nearly 90 years. Thanks to Chris W. Wroten, OD ’02
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE
the foresight of previous Wilson McGriff, MPH, OD
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
generations, SCO worked in Tessa Lau, ’22
those subsequent years to
Visions is a magazine for alumni,
embrace good stewardship faculty, staff, and other friends of
Southern College of Optometry.
and planning for the future. It is published through the Office
of Institutional Advancement.
A digital version is available
In this time of a global online at sco.edu/visions.
pandemic, being prepared Please forward comments, address
changes, and contributions to:
has made the difference to Institutional Advancement
1245 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104-2222
SCO. To all our loyal alumni 800-238-0180, ext. 4
and friends, thank you.
Your continued support sco.edu
@SCOnews
enables SCO to maintain its @southerncollegeofoptometry
strength and replenish our southerncollegeofoptometry
SCOedu
resources to stay prepared
2 V I S I O N S [SUMMER 2020]
for future challenges. SCO’s newly opened tower, circa 1970. 
A MESSAGE FROM
Our President
the country, they’ve found Your support is more critical To each of you who has written,
creative ways to celebrate, than ever. As you’ll read in emailed, or called over the past
and we know that we will hold this issue, our reopening plans few months, we appreciate your
commencement exercises for involve a significant amount of concern and encouragement.
them when it’s safe to do so. Personal Protective Equipment Together, we will work to come
and multiple cleaning protocols back stronger than ever.
All of our students, faculty, and
each day in order to keep
staff have responded admirably.
everyone safe, including
If there’s a bright spot, this
patient care.
technology-savvy generation
was the best prepared to ease
A creative group of employees in The Eye Center took selfies for this collage as a
into remote virtual learning message to share with our patients. This project showcased the dedication and care
LEWIS REICH, OD, PH.D
for their didactic instruction. that exemplifies our employees!
Because we suspended
As this issue of Visions goes operations late in the semester,
to press, things are looking we calculated the amount of
brighter for SCO. Like all of patient care accumulated by
you, SCO was impacted by the our third- and fourth-year
unprecedent modern public students and saw that SCO’s
health crisis sparked by the reputation for outstanding
COVID-19 pandemic. The clinical care gave them a great
campus closed on March 15, advantage in this regard.
but I know that our alumni join Our employees have carried
me in expressing appreciation on working remotely. All of
and pride in how well the SCO our faculty lecturers mastered
community responded over the art of teaching in front
these past few difficult months. of an empty lecture hall or
Context is helpful when we from home via computer. Our
view this chapter as one of employees have held mass
many challenges that will group meetings, each from
ultimately be conquered by the safety of their homes.
the SCO community. SCO’s We created a daily digest of
first decade of students came information to email them each
to Memphis during the Great morning to help everyone stay
Depression. The following connected and in the loop about
decade brought WWII. Those the significant amount of rapid
generations overcame their changes we’ve encountered.
obstacles, and that’s how we’ve Through it all, we’ve seen
viewed this crisis as well. positivity and flexibility. This
Our Class of 2020, recruited smooth continuity was made
several years ago with the possible by our alumni and
unique expectation that they supporters and the support
would become THE ODs to have you’ve given SCO through the
graduated in year 2020 with years. Good stewardship has
its special distinction, were been a goal at SCO for decades.
impacted perhaps most of all. That philosophy has helped us
Like other graduates across greatly over the past few years.
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 3
COMMENCEMENT SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating SCO’s
Class of 2020
It was a commencement season like no other as the difficult decision EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL
ACHIEVEMENT
was made to postpone graduation exercises for the Class of 2020. SCO LUCY KATHERINE BONE ORGAIN
AWARD
is working with the Class of 2020 to hold its actual ceremony when Kira Winston
Chawan Rasheed
circumstances improve and safety permits.
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL
OPTOMETRISTS OF GEORGIA
Trevor Shealy
Still, not even a global pandemic could rob this CHRISTINE AND GEORGE DUCOTE,
OD ’40 SCHOLARSHIP
year’s 134 graduates of the satisfaction that came Rachel Werner
ESSILOR LABS OF AMERICA AWARD
with successfully completing four years at one of Julia Reimold
the nation’s leading optometry colleges. EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS
BAUSCH & LOMB ENDOWED
SCHOLARSHIP
Jacob Weber
At the exact hour that would have marked this year’s commencement
JOHNSON & JOHNSON AWARD OF
ceremony, SCO held a remote Senior Awards ceremony for the Class of EXCELLENCE IN CONTACT LENS
PATIENT CARE
2020. Joe Hauser, Vice President for Student Services, officiated from Jared Freedman
GP LENS INSTITUTE CONTACT LENS
the SCO campus, with remarks made by President Reich from a safe CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
Carol Chou
distance and different location.
X-CEL CONTACTS OUTSTANDING GP
FITTING AWARD
Sixty-seven graduates were honored at SCO’s 35th annual Senior Alyssa Invergo
Awards Ceremony. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and VALLEY CONTAX
Dr. Mashburn Dr. Garner CUSTOM CUP AWARD
friends, more than $65,000 in awards were presented in recognition of Torrie Garner
Chawan Rasheed
outstanding academic and clinical achievements.
SOUTHWEST CONTACT LENS
SOCIETY
Callie Mashburn, OD ’20, was named valedictorian, and Torrie Garner, Meagan Miles
OD ’20, was named salutatorian. KATENA/EAGLE VISION AWARD
Kyle Klug
Dr. Borgman Dr. Harville
The class named Chris Borgman, OD, its Teacher of the Year and also KATENA/EAGLE VISION AWARD
Olivia Reader
recognized Drs. Betty Harville, Bernard Sparks, and Jennifer Snyder. KATENA/EAGLE VISION AWARD
Jana Socey
The Physical Plant’s Ron Jones was also honored, and additional
appreciation was expressed to Blink Diner’s Melissa Williams and Glaze EXCELLENCE IN LOW VISION
REHABILITATION
Hardage, as the Blink Diner leaves campus to be succeeded by new NOIR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES
Dr. Sparks Dr. Snyder
LOW VISION AWARD
proprietors. Jacob Conditt
ESCHENBACH OPTIK
The ceremony was recorded and is available for viewing on SCO’s LOW VISION AWARD
Victoria Long
YouTube page, including the senior class video.
4 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]
DESIGNS FOR VISIONS, INC. OUTSTANDING
WILLIAM FEINBLOOM CLINICIAN AWARDS
LOW VISION AWARD Kelci Glover
Diana Cartwright Meagan Miles
OPTELEC EXCELLENCE IN Madelyn Mullally
LOW VISION AWARD Callie Mashburn
Lindsey Butler Laila Brown-Aijala
DR. LEWIS REICH LOW VISION Katie McGee
ENDOWED AWARD Kaitlin Philipsen
Alison Moore Cori Jones TO HONOR A
Conner Kapperman GRADUATE’S
Rebecca Weisbrot COMMITMENT TO
EXCELLENCE IN ADULT PRIMARY CARE PURSUING PRIVATE
ALCON CASE STUDY PRACTICE OPTOMETRY
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Elyse Rayborn EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT RESEARCH DR. SIDNEY EDELSTEIN
BURNETT ENDOWED AWARD ENDOWED AWARD
SOUTHERN COUNCIL OF FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN Matt Meredith
OPTOMETRISTS CLINICAL RESEARCH
EXCELLENCE AWARD Cori Jones WINSTON FAMILY
Callie Mashburn ENDOWED AWARD
Jacob Boehme
Julia Reimold
DR. BERNARD L. KAHN EMORIAL Annie Wester
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP TOM AND LOUIS HYDE
Al’Tiana Carter SCHOLARSHIP
HOYA LENS OF AMERICA AWARD FOR COMMITMENT OF SERVICE Steven Su
Melissa Pongratz TO THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY WILLIAM DICKERSON, JR. OD
AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE SCHOLARSHIP
NATIONAL VISION, INC. AWARD Angelica McIntyre
SUSAN GRISSOM MEMORIAL
A.J. Barbiero ENDOWED AWARD
DR. FRED H. MOTHERSHED
Alyssa Invergo ENDOWED AWARD
SECO PAST PRESIDENTS ENDOWED Christy Alfano
EXCELLENCE IN OCULAR DISEASE AWARD
DR. MOHAMMAD RAFIEETARY HALPERN FAMILY
Kailey Soileau ENDOWED AWARD
ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL
EXCELLENCE AWARD BEAU WILLIS Torrie Garner
Stephanie Ross ENDOWED AWARD
DR. JAMES D. SANDEFUR
Christy Alfano ENDOWED AWARD
DR. DAVID P. SLOAN Sagar Desai
EXCELLENCE IN PEDIATRICS AND MEMORIAL AWARD
VISION THERAPY Aaron Tollett
SPIVEY FAMILY ENDOWED
SCHOLARSHIP
GOOD-LITE AWARD
BAYS FAMILY ENDOWED Ben Carden
Kelci Glover
SERVICE AWARD
EUROPA EYEWEAR AWARD
COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRISTS IN Prital Mehta
VISION DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE
Blair Solomon
IN VISION THERAPY OPTOMETRY ENDOWED AWARD
MARCHON EYEWEAR PRACTICE
Michaela Sasse Catherine Leeney MANAGEMENT AWARD
GLEN T. STEELE, OD AND L. ALLEN OPTOMETRIC LEADERSHIP Colin Hunsaker
FORS, OD DEVELOPMENTAL VISION EXCELLENCE AWARD
DR. W.C. MAPLES AWARD
SCHOLARSHIP Cassie Croy
Christy Alfano Brittany Murrell
CLASS OF 1967 MEMORIAL
ENDOWED AWARD STEREO OPTICAL CO., INC.
OPTOMETRIC EXTENSION
PROGRAM CLINICAL CURRICULUM Haley Vasilko Logan Michael
AWARD
Brianna Miskowski MARK J. MURPHY ENDOWED AWARD
Abigail Donigian
SPARROW, EVANS, AND WAYMON
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Cori Jones
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 5
Graduates Follow in Family Footsteps The Class of 2020 included a number In recent years, SCO
of SCO and other optometric legacy families. Ordinarily, our legacy graduates gather before commencement for has hosted military
a group photo with their OD parent or grandparent, so here are graduates following in their families' footsteps. commissioning ceremonies
for new graduates during
our commencement
activities.
Because of the COVID-19
outbreak, the U.S. Army
held its first ever nationwide
virtual commissioning
Alex Arnett, OD ’20, and his mother, Britton Bugg, OD ’20, and his Corey Burr, OD ’20, and her Conner Kapperman, OD ’20, and ceremony. Two SCO
Kimberly Arnett, OD (IU ’88). father Alan Bugg, OD ’82. grandfather, Chris Moshoures, OD ’72. his father, SCO Board member
Mark Kapperman, OD ’87. graduates were among those
who took their oath to enter
the military as ODs:
Samantha Macchio, OD ’20,
and Frank Parr, OD ’20.
Brian Metzger, OD ’20, and his father, Paul Moreno, OD ’20, and his father, Erin Neal, OD ’20; her mother is Rachel Newland, OD ’20, and her
William Metzger, OD (ICO ’90). Alvaro Moreno, OD (UAB ’89). Tona Neal, OD ’02. father, Craig Newland, OD (UHCO
’90); her grandfather, Dale Newland,
OD (ICO ’55) is not pictured.
Congratulations to these
two graduates for serving
their country through their
profession of optometry.
Anachristina Petrovich, OD ’20, John Phifer, OD ’20, and father, Haylee Taylor, OD ’20, and her mother, Emily Taylor, OD
and her mother, Maria Casas, OD John Phifer, OD ’82. ’88, and grandfather, John M. Brown, OD (ICO ’67).
(PCO ’88).
6 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 7
MEET OUR GRADUATES
Rebecca Adams Brandon Alderton Christy Alfano Alexander Arnett Anthony Barbiero Matthew Barnes Jacob Boehme
Taylorsville, KY Cumberland, MD Apopka, FL Union, KY Salt Lake City, UT West Helena, AR West Liberty, IA
MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Presenting
the Class
of 2020
During their four years Katherine Casadaban Brodie Cates Sarah Cherian Carol Chou Rachel Christie Jason Chu Tanya Chugh Elick Combs III
Metairie, LA Rocky Top, TN Fort McMurray, AB,CAN Chatham, IL Waterville, KS Memphis, TN Burr Ridge, IL Sevierville, TN
CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE
at SCO, this year’s
graduates worked with
The Hayes Center for
Practice Excellence
Karen Ezelle Caitlin Follansbee Jared Freedman Anna Fuller Torrie Garner Kelci Glover Kristen Green
to explore placement Shreveport, LA Memphis, TN Plantation, FL
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Ruston, LA
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
James Creek, PA
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Wichita, KS
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
McCook, NE
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
opportunities at sco.
edu/placementservice.
Alumni are invited to
post practice opportunity Katelyn Keefer Michael Killingsworth Kyle Klug Jeffrey Kuck Tony Lam Rachel LaPlena Catherine Leeney Ariel Lenning
Fort Wayne, IN Russellville, AR Hartington, NE Alpharetta, GA Greeneville, TN Rochester, MI Houston, TX Seattle, WA
information on our site CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE
for students or young
alumni as well. Contact
The Hayes Center at
lwade@sco.edu to Matthew Meredith Bryan Metzger Logan Michael Meagan Miles Brianna Miskowski Alison Moore Lauren Morales
Louisville, KY Ft. Wright, KY Morgantown, WV Waco, TX Clarkston, MI Memphis, TN Baton Rouge, LA
SUMMA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE
learn more.
Congratulations to the
Class of 2020!
Sarah Orahood Francis Parr III Vishal Patel Anacristina Petrovich John Phifer Kaitlin Philipsen Jhaleil Phillips Melissa Pongratz
Englewood, OH Nashville, GA Suwanee, GA Miami, FL Monroe, NC Des Moines, IA McDonough, GA Burleson, TX
MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE
NOT PICTURED
Erin Neal
Plymouth Meeting, PA
Luke Ploessl
Dubuque, IA
CUM LAUDE Trevor Shealy Jacob Smith Jana Socey Kailey Soileau Blair Solomon Hannah Stimson Alyssa Strumpfler
Cordele, GA Athens, AL Springfield, TN Ville Platte, LA Brentwood, TN Dumas, AR Palm Harbor, FL
Elisa Puerto MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Fort Myers, FL
Jason Thomason
Alabaster, AL
Tu-Anh Vu
New Orleans, LA
Justin Zachary
Denham Springs, LA
Haley Vasilko Rachel Wakefield Mary Kate Walters Jacob Weber
Midland, MI Lafayette, TN Brenham, TX Milford, NE
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
8 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]
John Bollich Laila Brown-Aijala Britton Bugg Curtis Burnley, Jr. Corey Burr Lindsey Butler Benjamin Carden Al'Tiana Carter Diana Cartwright
Alexandria, LA Morning Sun, IA Union City, TN Pine Bluff, AR Ocean Isle Beach, NC Waynesville, GA Jackson, TN Savannah, GA Fort Worth, TX
MAGNA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE
Jacob Conditt Kyle Craw Cassandra Croy Abid-Alhamid Sagar Desai Abigail Donigian Jordan Dravitzki Robert Duncan Belinda Duong Taylor Epp
Newport, AR McCook, NE Lisle, IL Dahnoun Bossier City, LA Fremont, NH Stromsburg, NE St. Louis, MO Charlotte, NC Plymouth, NE
CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE Raleigh, NC CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Katelyn Hardy Darion Horner Colin Hunsaker Alexandria Hutzell Alyssa Invergo Lauren Johnson Troy Johnson Cori Jones Conner Kapperman
Sedalia, MO Overland Park, KS Tremonton, UT Crescent City, CA Peotone, IL Plainview, TX Tupelo, MS Cheney, KS Chattanooga, TN
CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Maci Lewis Heaven Lilliman Victoria Long Samantha Macchio Callie Mashburn Timothy McDonald Destiny McDuffie Katelyn McGee Angelica McIntyre Prital Mehta
Conway, AR Houma, LA Bridgeport, WV Redding, CT Sweetwater, TN Yucaipa, CA Winterville, NC Counce, TN Hattiesburg, MS Troy, OH
SUMMA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE
Alvaro Moreno Christopher Muegge Madelyn Mullally Brittany Murrell Kristin Nelson Tyler Nelson Rachel Newland Annie Nguyen Duy Nguyen
Petal, MS Chattanooga, TN Le Mars, IA Ellsworth, KS Naperville, IL Topeka, Kansas Parsons, KS St. Louis, MO Olive Branch, MS
CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Brian Post Kristen Purdy Chawan Rasheed Elyse Rayborn Olivia Reader Julia Reimold Stephanie Ross Michaela Sasse Trevor Schramm Emily Scully
Tallahassee, FL Solon, IA Memphis, TN Boise, ID Corinth, MS Paris, TN Nokomis, FL Gaylord, KS North Platte, NE Batavia, IL
SUMMA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Katie Stuckey Steven Su Graham Taylor Haylee Taylor Tyler Thill Mallory Thompson Aaron Tollett Mallory Troyer Barbara Van
Ruston, LA La Habra, CA Memphis, TN Madisonville, KY St. Louis, MO Deville, LA Nashville, AR Haven, KS Madison, MS
MAGNA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE MAGNA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE
Rebecca Weisbrot Rachel Werner Andrea Wester Rachel Willcoxon Hannah Williams Kira Winston
Wellington, FL Maple Valley, WA Cleghorn, IA Lawrenceville, GA Camden, SC Snellville, GA
SUMMA CUM LAUDE SUMMA CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE CUM LAUDE
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 9
SCO’S MISSION CONTINUES
COVID-19’s
Catherine Hogan, OD ’17, lectures from
an empty classroom to more than 130
students watching safely from their
homes.
Impact on SCO
“ Like most
of the
country,
we’ve really
had to The COVID-19 crisis made its At first, SCO responded by
encouraging social distancing
in a lecture hall safely each day,
as well as complicating the large
presence known quickly in
rethink or healthcare settings and college with students in our lecture patient volume we see daily,” said
reinvent campuses. Just a week after halls and labs. Stringent cleaning
protocols were implemented
President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD.
SCO’s Spring Break and the SECO
how SCO meeting in Atlanta, cases began
around campus and in our
Students were advised to
shelter in place as practices and
patient care settings. As the crisis
conducts popping up around the country.
worsened, SCO’s leadership team
businesses began to close when
the gravity of the crisis became
One of the first in Memphis
most of involved an individual who had
made the decision on March 15 to
suspend campus operations.
more apparent. SCO’s Externship
our daily returned from Mardi Gras to his
“When the CDC noted that this
and Residency Program spent
countless hours working to make
job blocks away from the SCO
business…” campus in the heart of the city’s
was a highly contagious disease in sure that participants in these
large group gatherings, it became programs were safe and secure
— DR. REICH medical district.
apparent that it would be difficult around the country.
to gather more than 130 students
10 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]SCO’s Clinical Programs began ensure that its mission continued: • Diplomas were mailed to the From wearing masks on campus
contacting thousands of patients Class of 2020 by mid-May. to setting up thermal temperature
• Student Services successfully
who had scheduled appointments screening stations at various
finished a recruiting cycle and filled
at The Eye Center, FocalPoint Protocols began to be made for checkpoints, safety has been
this fall’s incoming class.
at Crosstown Concourse, and ways that instruction and clinical the top priority. COVID-19
University Eyecare on the • The Hayes Center for Practice delivery could resume by a June testing was arranged, and
University of Memphis campus. Excellence developed online 15 target. Patient care and clinical social distancing measures are
Several faculty members resources for alumni and students lab guidelines were developed by being required around campus,
volunteered to assist with about student loans or Small Clinical Program leaders. including staggering schedules
emergency patient care, adopting Business Administration funds. for employees to minimize the
“Protecting our faculty and
layers of personal protective • Campus-wide meetings were held amount of people on campus.
interns, as well as patients, is no
equipment when needed.
remotely via Microsoft Teams as the small undertaking,” said James “Our faculty and staff really are
Didactic lectures moved administration shared information E. Venable, OD ’89, SCO’s Vice to be commended for keeping
immediately online. Faculty and answered questions from President for Clinical Programs. a positive attitude during this
members received rapid training students, faculty, and staff. “We’ve adopted rigorous Personal crisis,” said Dr. Reich. “We
in the art of lecturing and playing • SCO’s Board of Trustees met Protective Equipment standards recognize that these sacrifices will
TV host and recording booth for clinical settings, including enable our clinical care and lab
remotely for the first time in April
technician at the same time. procuring more than 40,000 instruction to proceed as we work
as plans were made to deal with
masks alone.” to minimize exposure to
“Because SCO adopted video the new reality of a virus without an
effective treatment or vaccine. the virus.”
lecture recording capabilities By May 18, the summer semester
several years ago, the experience • Graduates were featured in online began with didactic instruction For the rest of the summer,
ultimately went more smoothly posts sharing their post-graduation resuming online. Third- and patient care appointment numbers
than I think anyone might have plans and a favorite memory of fourth-year students were asked have been reduced to 50%
expected,” said Bart Campbell, their time at SCO. to travel back to Memphis so they capacity to accommodate the
OD ’87, SCO’s Vice President for could be safely in place two weeks safety protocols involving masks,
• A Senior Awards ceremony was before on-campus labs and clinical
Academic Affairs. shields, and other protective
held virtually with outstanding care resumed on June 15. equipment.
With the CDC advising no graduates recognized.
gatherings of more than 50 “Like most of the country, we’ve
people for the following eight really had to rethink or reinvent
weeks, SCO’s Spring CE and how SCO conducts most of our
Commencement exercises were daily business,” Dr. Reich added.
canceled. Students who had “Our mission remains the same,
diligently studied for National though, because we’re committed
Boards saw those exams to providing the best optometric
postponed along with planned education possible, as well as out-
mission trips. standing patient care and a safe
campus atmosphere for us all.”
“We knew how upsetting it
would be to postpone commence-
ment,” said Dr. Reich. “It was
one of the hardest decisions we
faced, because these students
Although it was taken on a
represented the Class of 2020.
stunningly beautiful spring
Just their graduation year alone day, this aerial photo captures
always held a special connotation what the campus looked like
for them.” on a Monday with no cars in
the parking lot as the campus
Still, the college demonstrated remained closed.
flexibility and found ways to
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 11COVID-19 AND PRIVATE PRACTICE — BY CHRIS WROTEN, OD ’02, BOND-WROTEN EYE CLINIC, DENHAM SPRINGS, LA
Lessons
“ Let’s attack
every day
and each new
Learned
challenge with
the mindset
of how can
we get this
done and how
It will only happen once. Ever. Through population. SCO’s fourth year
can we do it all of history, there will never be another students would be the envy of
better.” — DR. WROTEN
calendar year designated “2020 A.D.”(aren’t most of us for having “Class of 2020”
we all glad now!?!) Last year, though, its forever inscribed on the diplomas
significance to those of us in eye care was hanging in their offices! For the rest
certainly anticipated and appreciated of us, it would at least be the “Year of the
more than in any other Eye Exam” – a once-in-forever opport-
sector of the unity to capitalize on the public relations
bonanza of the calendar subtly reminding the
public every day throughout the year of the
importance of vision and eye health. Yet in
a cruel twist of fate, there will likely be less
eye care provided in 2020 than at any time
in the past half century thanks to a novel
microbe “going viral.”
Whether its herpes simplex, herpes
zoster, or the host of relatively benign yet
still troublesome adenoviruses that can
directly affect the eye and its adnexa, or
the many other viruses with ophthalmic
manifestations, these obviously aren’t
new foes for optometry. And though our
individual experiences may differ with this
family of pathogens, we’ve all diagnosed
and treated countless patients with viruses
over the years. Remember the first dendritic
keratitis you saw and both the excitement
and apprehension that accompanied the
diagnosis and treatment, and the relief and
satisfaction involved watching it resolve?
I also recall writing a paper and presenting
12 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]Chris Wroten, OD ’02,
Sarah Wroten, OD ’03,
and their children, Ben
and Emily
a lecture on the ocular ones, among others, these effects will linger in practice in this country who doesn’t owe
complications of Hepatitis-C for decades. Like many of you, I’ve had these organizations our lifelong membership
and its treatments during my numerous patients develop COVID-19, and and support for all they’ve done and are
residency at the Memphis unfortunately have had several succumb. A continuing to do for us during these
Veterans Affairs Medical Center. cousin of mine, a healthy nurse in her late difficult times.
Memories are also still fresh from 20’s, also contracted it early on (presumably • I’m thankful for & highly appreciative of PPE
administering flu vaccines to staff and from providing care to those affected), (but still loathe having to wear it!).
colleagues in years past, not to mention the was put on a ventilator, and then tragically • Our optometry family is truly amazing! I’ve
myriad of other headline-grabbing viruses passed away. One of our doctors on staff has seen colleagues reach out to encourage
– HIV, SARS, MERS, Ebola, Swine Flu/ lost six family members to the virus to-date, one another, share tips and best practices,
H1N1, Avian Bird Flu, numerous strains with a seventh in the hospital with double- provide urgent and emergent care
of Influenza, Zika, and on and on, which pneumonia. You may recall the original throughout the pandemic to keep patients
undoubtedly led to virus fatigue and created whistleblower in China, a healthy 33-year- out of overburdened and higher risk
a false sense of security for many of us when old ophthalmologist, reportedly contracted a emergency rooms and urgent care clinics,
reports of a novel coronavirus first started fatal case of COVID-19 from an asymptomatic accept referrals from other health care
leaking out of China. glaucoma patient he was treating. This virus providers, and even directly care
and its disease was literally in our face in for COVID-19 patients. What an honor
Soon the “Year of the Eye Exam” brought it is to be part of a profession with
clinic, not to mention front and center in our
the new virus to our doorstep. It’s an colleagues such as these!
collective psyche.
understatement to say we’ve all be impacted • There’s plenty of blame and credit to go
by SARS-CoV-2, more commonly Through it all, I’m continually trying to learn around, and while it’s inevitable, it’s still
called the COVID-19 virus and grow, and have come to realize several disappointing to see how much politics
(among a host of other things…
unprintable names!). Whether • The return to care has been therapeutic,
it’s the impact we’ve seen on our reminding me how much I still love caring
patients, the stress of potentially for patients!
contracting this highly contagious virus in
• My, oh my, where would our profession be
the provision of care (or worse, being the
without organized optometry! The AOA and
vector for infection to our family and friends
our state optometry associations have risen
at home), the financial havoc wreaked on
to the occasion to advocate on behalf of
the health of our practices and the economy our profession and our patients like never
at large, or the impact it’s had on our loved before. There’s not a Doctor of OptometryLESSONS LEARNED (CONT.)
has dominated the discussion Financial Considerations
surrounding the pandemic. Yet
More practically speaking, in general our office has also frozen non-essential spending, deferred debts,
despite our individual differ-
initially reduced staff while altering office procedures to improve efficiency, and added appointment
ences and our collective flaws
times to get through these challenging times. Our office applied for and received both an Emergency
as a nation, I’m extremely
EIDL Grant and funding from the Paycheck Protection Program, which allowed us to rehire staff and
thankful to live in the greatest
family members as we resumed full care in mid-May, after only seeing urgencies and emergencies the
country in the world. Policy
prior two months. In addition to consulting your CPA, business consultants, and/or financial planners,
can be debated, but I sincerely
all Doctors of Optometry would be well-served to watch the AOA’s webinars on these pandemic-specific
appreciate the bipartisan
efforts our government is federal assistance programs (aoa.org/coronavirus) to take full advantage of what’s available. SCO’s Hayes
making to assist the recovery. Center for Practice Excellence (sco.edu/covid-19) also continues to be a great resource for best practices,
Nowhere else in the world consults, tips and advice, as well. Further, it’s also incumbent on all of us to do our part by joining with
has the government been so the AOA and our state optometry associations to advocate for our patients and our profession’s priorities
engaged in trying to kickstart with our state and federal Senators and Representatives. Such efforts can (and already have) made a
the economy of the private huge difference, so remain engaged, as there’s more work to be done.
sector while still protecting
After a catastrophic flood several years ago that destroyed our office and our home, we recovered
against the pandemic.
(thanks in no small part to the overwhelming generosity of the SCO family and my wife and my
• Personally I’ve found it helpful classmates in the Classes of 2002 and 2003) but saw many in our decimated community not make it
to intentionally approach each back. The vast majority of those who didn’t recover had panicked, accumulated unnecessary new debt,
day with a positive attitude and made hasty decisions. None of us have been in the situation we find ourselves in today, but take
and to embrace the changes comfort in the fact that you’re not alone, and make wise, timely decisions based on what others are
forced upon us as just another doing, and avoid any rash decisions that may put your practice at unnecessary risk.
challenge to overcome.
It should also be mentioned that for those in a solid financial position and willing to accept some short-term
• Spending more time with my
risk for potential long-term gain, times like these can provide great opportunities to hire new employees
family has been a blessing!
from the deep pool of talent now available, for favorable terms on equipment purchases, and even for
I’m eternally grateful for being
practice expansion and acquisition, as sellers are typically willing to negotiate more favorable terms than
forced to slow down and
normal. Just proceed with caution and do your due diligence with your advisors before making any
re-focus on faith, family, and
large purchases.
friends (just wish it could’ve
come about without such a As we’ve ramped back up, we’ve also adopted new office protocols in several areas, including:
steep price for so many).
Screening Everyone Entering the Building
• Temperature and Symptom Checks
We use a contact-less thermometer to assess and record the temperature of all staff, patients, doctors, and visitors
(as summer temps rise, be aware that infrared thermometers can give falsely high readings if patients are sunburned
or wait for an extended period of time in a hot car, so consider having them cool off first). We also verbally screen
everyone for COVID-19 symptoms, and anyone answering yes to the symptom questionnaire,
or whose temperature is >100.3°F, is rescheduled to a
later date.
14 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]their car to be called back (our techs take
history and screen for COVID-19 symptoms
over the phone, too), which has been very
well received.
• Increased Exam Time Allocation
We’ve spaced patients farther apart on the
schedule to minimize how many patients are
in the office at any given time, and to allow
adequate time to disinfect the room between
patients, while at the same time adding some
new appointment times to increase revenue.
• Telehealth
As appropriate, we’ve taken advantage
of the relaxed requirements for providing
telemedicine visits by utilizing free video chat
services such as FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook
Plexiglass panels provide safety for patients and staff alike during this nationwide pandemic. Live, and Skype. The AOA’s coding and billing
webinars have been critical to understanding
reimbursement options.
Personal Protective COVID-19. Masks are replaced when soiled or
Equipment (PPE) torn, or after about five individual uses. • Social distancing
• PPE Supply • Surface Cleaning Closing staff break rooms, creating one way
We discovered our state Department of office flow, separating dispensing tables and
We’ve found 1:10 diluted household bleach
Health/Office of Emergency Preparedness waiting room chairs, and reminding patients and
in spray bottles to be a readily available and
was offering health care providers a limited staff to maintain a safe distance in the office is
extremely cost-effective cleaning option for
amount of PPE at no charge, and so far also essential (but a challenge!). Additionally,
high touch surfaces that are amenable to
have received hundreds of masks, face patients are discouraged from having visitors
bleach. Equipment and other surfaces can
shields, gloves, and bottles of hand sanitizer. with them, but if absolutely necessary, are
be cleaned with 70% alcohol, hypochlorus
Be sure to take advantage of any similar limited to no more than one).
acid, or Clorox wipes (which don’t contain
opportunities in your state. bleach). We also use an ultraviolet sanitizer There will undoubtedly be some lasting
• Masks/Eye Protection/Gloves to disinfect frames in our optical.
changes to the way we practice, but I also
We require patients, staff, and doctors to • Avoiding Fogging think the status quo will return to a much
wear masks, and all clinical staff in close Since it’s still recommended that we use larger degree than some with a vested
contact with patients must also wear eye goggles or face shields in the provision of interest might like us to believe. Time will
protection (e.g. face shields or goggles). care, it can be helpful to use a piece of gauze
tell, but regardless, we have to be willing to
Gloves are available for staff, but not tape over the bridge of the nose to better
required as long as proper hand hygiene adjust, and as challenging as it’s been for
seal the mask and prevent fogging. This can
recommendations are followed (i.e. frequent our practices, I couldn’t be prouder of SCO
also be used for patients to prevent fogging
hand washing with soap for 20 seconds or of phoroptor lenses and handheld diagnostic and how well the administration, faculty,
use of 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, lenses. In lieu of tape for patient masks, and staff have led the College through
and not touching the face/nose/eyes with using the ring finger of the hand holding the these times.
unclean hands). diagnostic lens to gently press the top of the
patient’s mask against their cheek during Here’s to everyone’s continued success,
• Optimizing PPE Supply
examination is also effective in minimizing and let’s just remember that our attitude is
Our doctors and staff use a different mask
(N95/KN95 for those in close contact with fogging of diagnostic lenses. vital to maximizing what we achieve, so let’s
patients, surgical masks for everyone else) attack every day and each new challenge
Limiting In-Person, with the mindset of “How can we get this
for every day of the week, storing them in
In-Office Contact
individual bags with the employee’s name done?” and “How can we do it better?”
• Parking Lot Waiting Room
and with the day of the week on them, and If we do, better days are definitely ahead!
re-using them seven days later, by which time For several months, we’ve had patients
the mask has essentially self-sanitized against call or text when they arrive, then wait in
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 15Can Telehealth Help Optometry Thrive? — Mike Rothschild, OD ‘97
Technology continues I have been interested in tele- So in 2019, I opened a new practice provided on behalf of our patients.
to introduce many optometry for many years now. from scratch with the intention Some optometrists make more
opportunities and I have been actively investing in in of exploring the opportunities clinical decisions based on data
threats to our world and optometry pushing its limits and studying how available through teleoptometry. than direct patient observations.
is certainly no exception. As new we can best use emerging technol- Optometrists always
I joined the American Telemedicine
technologies arise, we carefully ogy to expand optometry’s reach to need to utilize clinical
Association and attended their
study them and debate the benefits more people who need us.
annual meeting. Then, I partnered judgement.
that they can eventually bring to Any teleoptometry solution that
My primary motivation in with a provider of all digital
our patients. Some adopt early and removes the clinical judgment from
exploring the best way to practice comprehensive eye exams with
others hold off to weigh out the an optometrist simply cannot be
teleoptometry was to find a way a distance provider and I opened
pros and cons until we know what accepted. We have to judge the
to bring high quality eye care to the door. Together, we have been
we are dealing with. quality of the data and the ability
those in our country who don’t have working to make the experience
Telehealth in optometry (teleop- access. There are a lot of factors better for the patient, ensure quality of the patient to comprehend and
tometry) is one of those disruptive that contribute to the growing care that is responsible, legal and constantly adjust to endless factors.
technologies that is being tested numbers of people in America who accurate. I call this “Rule #1”.
right now. Some companies are do not have access to eye care.
In response to the COVID-19 Patient connection is
taking advantage of easy access
My primary caution in this endeavor pandemic, I worked with my actually better.
to data and looking for ways to
has been to protect the sanctity technical team at Leadership OD Previously, I mentioned that we
leave the optometrist out of the
of the profession. I am a fourth and quickly developed TheTeleOp. are using great data already. These
equation all together. At the same
generation optometrist, I feel a com, a free online tool that images, measurements and test
time, access to quality care is
special responsibility to always do converted scheduled appointments results are often printed on a
continuing to decline in many
what I can to honor all of those who to Virtual At-Home Visits (VAHoV). computer screen in the exam room.
parts of the country.
came before me and make Even though almost no OD’s were So many of us are looking at this
it better for those who providing VAHoV’s, we had to do computer screen while we talk to
come after me. something right away for the sake patients. Our backs are literally to
of our patients and our practices. our patients. While connecting to
I have learned a lot and realize that patients through a webcam, we can
there is still a great deal to learn, look at the data WHILE the patient
to discuss. 2020 was shaping up sees us looking directly at them.
to be a year with teleoptometry as a I was most concerned about this
primary topic. But the COVID-19 ability to connect with patients. I
pandemic has thrust the subject have been surprised to find that it is
into the spotlight and the benefit actually better because of this.
of a long, casual debate will be
postponed. Now is the time to There are a lot of lessons yet to
do what we can – together. be learned in the delivery of care
to our patients. I am committed
The technology to fostering lively, respectful and
is here. thoughtful conversation on the
We have continued to enhance topic. I look forward to hearing
optometry with more and more what you think, contact me via
technology. We have adopted these email at mrothschild@
advancements to varying degrees LeadershipOD.com.
but we all embrace the information
16 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]SCO Residents Assist with NYC
COVID-19 Response
SCO HAD AT LEAST TWO 2019 GRADUATES, DRS. SHELBY KRUSE (L) AND LAILA TAWFIK (R), WHO WERE COMPLETING THEIR
RESIDENCIES IN A NEW YORK CITY HOSPITAL WHEN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DEVASTATED THE REGION.
IN THIS REPORT SHARED DURING THE HEIGHT OF INITIAL SPIKE, DR. TAWFIK WROTE ABOUT THE
CHALLENGES AND REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED.
we're healthy enough to floors whenever they need "We've been doing our best physician.
be there. additional help. to shelter in place whenever
On May 18, they were
"Thankfully, we're still we're not working or on
"Finally, the family medicine "As I mentioned, living in given the go-ahead to
doing okay and just taking call. It's very strange to see
floors of our hospital have New York presents with its return to routine patient
it one day at a time. Things the city that never sleeps
understandably been own set of challenges due care with a number of
have definitely been crazy suddenly fall quiet."
overwhelmed with COVID to the density of the city. adjustments. They’re
here, and New York comes patients. They've called Because so many people After the initial devastat- required to wear full PPE
with its own set of chal- upon us for backup to help rely on public transpor- ing wave of the highest while seeing patients,
lenges in terms of the virus. wherever we can, so one tation to get around, it's numbers of COVID-19 in including N95 masks, face
As optometry residents in day per week we're each 'on virtually impossible to the U.S., Drs. Tawfik and shields, and gowns in some
a hospital setting, we're call' for the family medicine social distance. Kruse transitioned to tele- situations.
considered essential and medicine calls with patients
we're required to go in “We’ve limited the number
and determining whether
each day in case of ocular of patient seen per day to
or not patients needed to
emergencies. allow for enough time to
be seen for emergencies.
disinfect rooms between
"It's definitely been a For about six weeks, each patients and to enforce
learning curve adjusting to resident was assigned to social distancing as much
the new normal for a while. answer phone calls for the as possible in our waiting
For our routine patients, family medicine depart- rooms,” Dr. Tawfik said.
we switched to telemedicine ment one day per week.
for the time being, and the Because no visitors were She added that New York
hospital is working dili- allowed in the hospital, seems to develop a sense
gently to implement video family medicine was of cautious optimism as
calls for our patients. We bombarded with phone the number of new cases
created makeshift breath calls from loved ones in the city per day steadily
guards for when we do see wanting updates on family declines and people began
patients, and of course, members who were either venturing outdoors for
we wear masks and gloves COVID positive or admitted activities and to break up
while examining them. for other reasons. the monotony.
"When we're on call for Drs. Tawfik and Kruse “Once the city fully
emergency patients, we were in charge of provid- reopens, much like the
can now triage over the ing status updates and rest of the country, it’s up
phone in terms of severity, taking messages for family to each member of this
whereas previously we medicine patients who community to do their part
were required to go in for needed medication refills or to continue preventing the
every call. Nurses check our patients who were experi- spread of this virus,” Dr.
temperature, once, some- “As I mentioned, living in New York presents with its own encing new symptoms and Tawfik added.
times twice, per day while wanted to discuss them
set of challenges due to the density of the city. Because
we're at work to ensure with a family medicine
so many people rely on public transportation to get
around, it's virtually impossible to social distance.”
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 17LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCO
Jonathan Shrewsbury, OD, was
named OD of the South at this year’s
SECO meeting in Atlanta.
Terry Wood, OD, and his niece,
Miranda Maynard, OD ’08, were
recently profiled in a newspaper
story about their practice together in
Pontotoc, Mississippi.
1983 Stephen Kepley, OD, was reappointed
1947 The late Robert Koetting, OD, was 1974 Len Brown, OD, received the Southern to a four-year term on the Florida Board
one of the inductees into this year’s Council of Optometrists’ Distinguished of Optometry.
Optometry Hall of Fame. His grand- Service Award at SECO.
Douglas Scruggs, OD, recently
daughter is Cecelia Koetting, OD ’12.
Walt Megown, OD, reports that he purchased the longtime practice of
1950 C. Wayne Shearer, OD, recently retired a year ago. He and his wife, Sara, fellow classmate Don Lemon, OD.
completed his 36th and final World War have been married 45 years. They will
II article for the Chattanooga newspaper welcome their first great-grandchild 1985 Max Raynor, OD, was installed as
in August. SECO president during the House of
as part of an ongoing series that he
Delegates meeting held in Atlanta on
plans to publish as a book recounting
1975 Ray Atanasoff, OD, retired from his March 7
his experiences.
practice in Michigan earlier this year.
William T. Reynolds, OD, was
1962 Bob Sams, OD, attended his 59th
Robert Cress, OD, recently retired after installed as AOA President during a
straight SECO this year and hopes to
44 years of practice in South Carolina. virtual ceremony held in June. Dr.
make it 60 in a row next year.
Reynolds is the 14th SCO alumnus to
1977 Lonnie Randolph, OD, was recently
1969 Larry Moomey, OD, recently retired serve as AOA President.
inducted into the Richland One Hall of
after practicing in Lexington, Nebraska
since 1972. He will be moving to
Fame by the Richland County School 1987 SCO Board member Mark Kapperman,
District One in South Carolina. OD, and his partners, Troy White, OD,
Milliken, Colorado.
and Robert McGarvey, OD ’08, and
1980 Wes Garton, OD, of Wichita Kansas,
1971 Steve Shum, OD, his son, Andrew associate Megan Kortum, OD ’13, were
was elected as President of the Board
Shum, OD ’16, and Eleanor Null, recently honored with their practice
of Directors of the Heart of America
OD ’15, received the 2020 Small being named one of CooperVision's
Eye Care Congress at its 59th annual
Business Award of the Year. The award 2020 Best Practices.
meeting in Kansas City, MO. Dr. Garton
was bestowed by the Germantown
(Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce for
is a Fellow of the American Academy 1990 Garry Collins, OD, has organized a
of Optometry and a Diplomate of the number of Zoom online video meetings
their practice, the Optical Boutique.
American Board of Optometry. He has for classmates in recent months during
served on the Heart of America’s Board the COVID-19 shutdown.
of Directors and as President of the
Kansas Optometric Association.
1981 Kenneth R. Lord, OD, reports that he
retired in May 2019 after 38 years of
practice in Tucson.
18 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]1996 David Wichnoski, OD, Scott Phillipe, 2006 Greg Loose, OD, lost his wife, Tana, in 2012 Adam Ramsey, OD, recently appeared
OD ’88, and Courtney Dryer, OD a January automobile accident that also on West Palm Beach's WPTV newscast
’11, were named among the "5 Best injured one of their sons. to discuss dry eye symptoms and
Optometrists in Charlotte" by a North treatment options. He is also one of
Carolina blog. Megan Lott, OD, has the co-founders of Black Eyecare
authored a new book about Prospectives, and was featured in a
2003 Chris Stansbury, OD, visited the White amblyopia for children. video interview about the organization's
House in April as part of an update Available on Amazon, work to cultivate and foster relationships
about small businesses. “My Eye…the Bully” was between African Americans and the
inspired in part by Dr. Lott’s eyecare industry.
2004 CDR Emily J. Sprague, OD, was recog- son’s experience with vision therapy
nized as Navy Medicine's Senior and includes art that pays tribute to WC 2014 Whitney Cansler, OD, recently married
Optometrist of the Year Maples, OD ’68. Drs. Lott and Maples Keith Head, OD ’12.
for 2019. She is currently practice together at Belle Vue Specialty
stationed at Fort Belvoir Eye Care in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Community Hospital
where she serves as 2010 Amanda Blakely Kirk, OD, recently
the Director for Clinical joined Lighthouse Optical of Tennessee
Support Services, leading in Cookeville.
a team of more than 500
personnel across Radio- 2011 Jason Hair, OD, opened a new practice
logy, Pharmacy, Pathology, Public in Washington state right before the
Health, Medical Readiness, and Virtual COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Health service lines.
2005 Rob Szeliga, OD, accepted the U.S.
Eyecare Practice of the Year Award from
Transitions Academy for his practice, 2013 Janelle Driedger, OD, recently opened her new practice, View PointeVision + Style, in
Spring Hill Eyecare. Last November, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Dr. Driedger writes: “I opened my own private practice, a cold
his practice was named second runner start, with the help of The Williams Group. After 5+ years of working in another practice, I am
up in Review of Optometry's Office excited to bring my dream of practice ownership to life.”
Design Contest. Last year the practice
also received an honorable mention by
Invision Magazine for the America's
Finest Optical Retailers category.
Amanda Tompkins, OD, wrote an article about preventing contact lenses patient dropout for
Review of Optometry.
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 19LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCO
CLASS NOTES (Cont.)
Meredith Yingling, OD, and Josh Natalie McIntosh, OD, was selected
Parmelee, OD, have announced their as the one-year trustee for the North
engagement. Carolina Optometric Society on June 13
at its Spring Congress.
2016 Dani Gretz Chambers, OD, and her
husband welcomed a daughter, Rosalyn 2017 Tindall Morrison, OD, was voted
Marie, born May 2. Woman of the Year and Starkville's
Best Eye Doctor in the Best of
Alumni Drs. Linh Hong, Stephanie Starkville 2020 awards.
Veilleux, Amy Combs, Annie Hao,
Bradley Richlin, OD, wrote about
Jacque Short, Jeanne Chen, Tina
the safety protocols implemented at
Phan, and Kim Orr are also using Zoom
his California practice in an article for
video conferencing to keep in touch with
Review of Optometric Business.
each other.
2018 AJ McCleary, OD, recently joined the
2015 Carissa Chambers, OD, was joined faculty at the University of the Incarnate
by a number of classmates for her
Word's Rosenberg School of Optometry.
recent wedding to George Garland in
Jonesborough, Tennessee. 2019 Mary Chivetta, OD, Jessica
Jankiewicz, OD, and Laila Tawfik, OD,
presented posters at this year's Heart of
Anthony Fioravanti, OD, married
America Eye Care Congress. Each poster
Brittney Angelo, OD, on February 22
was awarded a 1st Place Blue Ribbon as
in Raleigh, North Carolina. A number
a Scientific Poster Award Winner.
of fellow alumni were in attendance,
including Drs. Trent Gaasch, Daniel
Brigham, Logan Oliver, and Stephen
Ellison from the Class of 2016 as
groomsmen, and as bridesmaids,
Whitney Seltman Kooden, OD ’16,
and Elizabeth Fioravanti Ellison,
Amanda Radeke Geary, OD, and
OD ’15.
Daniel Geary, OD, welcomed their first
child, Levi James, on April 9. Hannah Jarrard, OD, and her husband,
Blake Jarrard, OD ’14, welcomed a
daughter, Nora Rose Jarrard, on
March 14.
Aaron Neufeld, OD, wrote about how
the COVID-19 pandemic is changing
practice growth projections an article for
Review of Optometric Business.
20 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]Arkansas Hosts Virtual
Spring Meeting
Jeff Netzel, OD ’02, was recently sworn in as President
of the Arkansas Optometric Association during the
association's virtual spring meeting. Other alumni officers
include President Elect Joe Sugg, OD ’09, Vice-President
Melia Robertson, OD ’10, Secretary/Treasurer James Hertzog, OD ’06; new Director Justin Beavers, OD ’07, and
returning Directors Rusty Simmons, OD ’83, Alex Bell, OD ’09, and Katie Brown, OD ’12.
Arkansas Optometric Association alumni award recipients included: Optometrist of the Year Belinda Starkey,
OD ’04, Creighton Simmons, OD ’90, as recipient of the Myron Shofner Award; and as recipients of the Special
Service Awards: Creighton Simmons, OD ’90, Matt Jones, OD ’09, Belinda Starkey, OD ’04, Chev Ergle ’04, Bryan
Armstrong, OD ’00, and Joe Sugg, OD ’09.
Matthew Lorson, OD, is engaged to 2020 Class of 2020 graduates announced
Brittany Murrell, OD '20. They have for SCO's 2020-21 residency programs
set a wedding date of August 8th. include: Drs. Jacob Boehme, Lindsey
(Holcomb) Butler, Torrie Garner,
Callie Mashburn, Matthew Meredith,
Alison Moore, Annie Nguyen, Vishal
Patel, John Phifer, Jhaleil Phillips,
Chawan Rasheed, Elyse Rayborn,
Julia Reimold, and Mallory Troyer.
Vishal Patel, OD, is newly engaged
to Lona Patel from The University of
Tennessee School of Pharmacy.
Joel Saslawsky, OD, has joined
MyEyeDr. in Memphis.
Kira Winston, OD,
Taylor Wrege, OD, married Zac became engaged on June
Williamson, OD, on February 29, 2020. 14 to Cameron Janz.
Anna Fuller, OD, and AJ Barbiero, OD,
were married earlier this month in Salt
Lake City. The couple met and started
dating while in Memphis attending SCO!
VISIONS [SUMMER 2020] 21LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCO
CLASS NOTES (Cont.)
2007 Graduate Reaches
50-State Marathon Mark
Many of our alumni enjoy sports Arkansas, which is an active
or other athletic events to help community with an expansive
keep active and healthy, including running and biking trail system.
running. Derrick Pierce, OD ’07, I completed the 50 states goal
throughout the decade of my 30s,
recently completed his goal of
rerunning marathons in states
running a full marathon in all
which I had run prior to 2010.
50 states! In celebration of this
milestone accomplishment, here’s Favorite state from the 50?
It’s hard not to say Hawaii or
Alaska because the scenery is
unlike anything I regularly see,
but the course of the Horse
Capital Marathon in Lexington,
Kentucky through miles and miles
of manicured horse farms was so
picturesque. The rolling hills were
lined with endless white fences
and these beautiful horses, who
seemed equally interested and
confused by all the runners. I
guess I should also divulge that
I have family ties to Kentucky,
which helps make it a favorite.
Favorite marathon that you'd
a Q&A featuring some of his like to run again?
observations from competing in The Niagara Falls International
Marathon starting in Buffalo,
every state in the nation.
New York and ending at the
First, tell us about Niagara Falls Overlook in Ontario,
your practice.
Canada was so cool! My wife
I opened Bentonville Eye Care took up running after we met
in April 2012 in Bentonville, and ran the half-marathon. We I also really enjoy experiencing far or often. I did manage to run
Arkansas, which is where the also took one of the boat tours new places so this goal seemed one marathon, the Go! St Louis
home office of Walmart is located. to the foot of the falls, which was like a perfect fit. Marathon, during my second year
What was the first full exhilarating…and very wet. Any other feats or goals you of optometry school.
marathon you completed? have planned?
What got you started? Favorite memory of
2002 Country Music Marathon in I registered to compete in time at SCO?
I have a strong family history of
Nashville when I was a senior in a full Ironman triathlon in Building friendships! It seems that
heart disease on both sides of
undergraduate. May of this year, which was challenging times have a way of
my family and lost my dad at the
Which one made it #50 age of 51, after multiple open delayed to November due to bringing people together, and
for you? COVID-19. A full Ironman my classmates built a solidarity
heart surgeries including a heart
2019 Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas transplant. While recovering from consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 and comradery during optometry
Marathon in Las Vegas, which one of his surgeries, he asked mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile full school that still exists today. I
happened to be my 40th birthday! me to promise to take care of marathon. often meet up with classmates
How long did it take to myself physically and mentally Were you running as when I travel to run races in
reach 50? to prevent a similar unhealthy a student? different parts of the country.
Running became more of a prior- future for myself. Yes I ran some, but my spare
ity once I settled into Northwest time was too limited to run very
22 VISIONS [SUMMER 2020]You can also read
