December 2014

SCO Destination CE Returns to New Orleans

Make plans to join us in two months when SCO hosts its second annual Destination CE on February 8-9 in New Orleans. Featuring COPE-approved CE in conjunction with the Optometry Association of Louisiana meeting, the program will include a number of courses taught by several SCO guest lecturers, including Michael Gerstner, OD '07, Whitney Hauser, OD '01, and Michael Dorkowski, OD '04. John Rumpakis, OD, president of PRMI, will also be speaking. SCO alumni and OAL members receive a $150 discount off the $399 event rate through January 5; the rate rises to $449 after January 5. Registration closes January 15th, with the Astor Crowne Plaza French Quarter serving as the host hotel. The event coincides with Mardi Gras, so it's a perfect time to join SCO in the Big Easy!

SCO Board Members Honored

Sandefur Receives Inaugural Advocacy Award

SCO Board of Trustees member James Sandefur, OD '65, was recently honored with the inaugural Advocacy Award at the Texas Optometric Association CE conference, known as EyeCon. The award, named after Dr. Sandefur, is given to an OD in Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana for exhibiting a high degree of legislative advocacy and integrity. Dr. Sandefur received the award in recognition for his many years of service as Executive Director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana. Pictured L-R are Drs. Jerry Gerdes and Sandefur, TOA President Fred Farias, OD '87, SCO Board member Chris Wroten, OD '02, and Kevin Kasovich, OD '04. On a related note, SCO Board member Carla Sanderson, PhD, will be receiving the Meritorious Service Award from SACSCOC in recognition of her service to the southeastern accreditation body. Congratulations to both of these board members!.

1974 Graduate Rediscovers Relic from 40 Years Ago

Mark Made on Sidewalk Still There 40 Years Later

Robert Grand, OD '74, returned to Memphis for the first time in 40 years this fall to attend SCO's Fall Homecoming and CE weekend. During his visit, Dr. Grand recalled the three years he lived at the Holiday Catalina Apartments on North Montgomery across from the school where a parking lot stands today. One night during his senior year, he etched a message ("eye doctor" and his graduation year) on a newly paved sidewalk on North Montgomery with classmate and friend, Allan Zeltser, OD '74. "Believe it or not," Dr. Grand says, "after 40 years it was still there and we found it." Pictured with his handiwork that has lasted 40 years, Dr. Grand said that he and his wife enjoyed their trip to Memphis. "I was so impressed with the changes in the school and the quality of education being offered to the students. Thanks so much for making all the arrangements for us alumni so seamless."

CLASSNOTES AND UPDATES

News about SCO's Alumni and Faculty

SCO President Emeritus Billy Cochran, OD '68, pictured, was joined by several family members as they competed in the recent 13th annual SVOSH Eye5k held near the SCO campus.

Martha Rosemore Morrow, OD '74, was recently elected President of the Alabama State Board of Optometry.

Billy Moscow, OD '78, SCO Board member Sharon Berger Moscow, OD '80, were profiled in a recent special issue of Optometric Management magazine.

Lloyd Tantum, OD '78, and Will Tantum, OD '14, recently announced plans to open a new practice in East Tennessee. Learn more in this story.

Chuck Aldridge, OD '80, recently authored this article on daily disposables in Contact Lens Spectrum.

Hayes Center Advisory Board member Stuart Tasman, OD '80, visited campus earlier this week

and met with the Optometric Private Practice Club officers and the Georgia Student Club.

SECO President Jim Herman, OD '86, pictured, recently visited campus for SECO Day and presented a check to President Richard W. Phillips, OD '78, to support scholarships. A drawing was also held for students excited at the chance to win cash prizes.

Jason "Bo" Beddingfield, OD '06, and Christopher Bullin, OD '07, tied for Young OD of the Year, and Lori Blackmer, OD '87, was named OD of the Year at the recent fall meeting of the Mississippi Optometric Association.

They're pictured with their awards.

Aimee Parker, OD '07, was recently inducted into Sussex Central High School's Alumni Hall of Fame in Delaware. Read more in this story.

Christina Heptig, OD '09, pictured, married Aaron Windhorst in Estes Park, Colorado on June 22. Thye live in Manhattan, Kansas.

Ashley Schuelke Reddell, OD '09, and Jonathan Reddell, OD '11, welcomed twins, Jolie Brooks and Parker Grace, on November 4.

Jessica Durham, OD '10, started her own private practice, Green Hills Eyecare, in Nashville on November 1. Her husband, Jeremy, was reelected to the Tennessee Legislature later the same week.

Lauren Goldsmith, OD '10, recently announced her engagement. Learn more in this story.

Jacob Hodges, OD '11, and Ginnie Hodges, OD '11, welcomed a son, Oliver Mark, pictured, on November 12. He weighed 7 lbs., 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

SCO residents Elizabeth Gault, OD '14, and Brian Knight, OD '14, were elected to leadership positions within the West Tennessee Optometric Physicians Society. Dr. Gault will be Secretary/Treasurer and Dr. Knight will be Vice President.

Canaan Montgomery, OD '14, recently opened a new practice, West End Eye Care, in Paducah, Kentucky. He's pictured with his wife, Rebecca, an optician who operates the optical boutique. Dr. Montgomery's interests include ocular disease, pediatrics, and office-based VT.

Lauren Nelson, OD '14, will wed Justin Morden, '15, later this month.

Faculty and SCO Updates

SCO was named one of the Top Workplaces in Memphis for the second year in a row at a ceremony this week hosted by the Commercial Appeal newspaper. The award was based on independently conducted surveys of employees throughout Memphis.

SCO recently acquired a mobile vision unit to expand clinical care throughout the community. Read more in this news release.

Robert Binkley, OD '13, pictured, recently joined SCO's faculty. He completed his residency at the Memphis VA Medical Center.

Alan Kabat, OD, published an article in November's Optometric Management issue titled, "Creating Wellness on the Ocular Surface."

A number of SCO's faculty presented posters or participated at this year's American Academy of Optometry meeting in Denver.

Freddy Chang, OD, PhD, and John Sharpe, OD '83, recently lectured at the Southern Indiana Pharmacology Seminars in Evansville, Indiana.

Paul Harris, OD, and Marc Taub, OD, are starting a new semi-monthly column in Review of Optometry focusing on refractive care. They will be highlighting cases they've seen and answering questions from doctors around the world.

Kelley Dasinger, OD, recently became a Diplomate in the American Board of Optometry.

Glen Steele, OD '69, lectured at the 142nd annual American Public Health Association meeting.

In Memoriam:

Willis Akre, OD '50; New Ulm, MN
Hite Kennady, OD '57; Elizabethtown, KY
Robert Koch, OD '57; Clearwater, FL
David George, OD '61; Kingman, AZ

UPCOMING EVENTS

Note the Dates for SCO's Events!

Jan. 14: State Day, SCO campus

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