Congratulations to Devin Sasser (’15) who was selected by Xavier University as one of the 40 initial recipients of their “Under 40 Young Alumni Award”.
Jenna Osseck ('15) is the recent recipient of two recent prestigious honors. She received the Vision Service Plan/American Optometric Foundation Practice Excellence Scholarship at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Denver and the Missouri Optometric Foundation/Missouri Optometric Student Association Leadership Scholarship at the Missouri Optometric Association meeting in Springfield.
Jenna Osseck ('15) receiving the MOF/MOSA Leadership Scholarship from Dr. Scott Ream ('87)
Alison Schafers ('16) was awarded a Missouri Optometric Association Auxiliary sponsors scholarship in the amount of $3000.00. This scholarship, presented at the MOA meeting in Springfield, is awarded on academic achievement, college and community service, and the quality of the required essay.
A Record Number of College of Optometry Students attend the American Academy of Optometry Meeting in Denver
The American Academy of Optometry is synonymous with lifelong learning. The best education one can receive is often obtained by attending their annual meeting. This is not only a great meeting for education but also for networking with other students, researchers, and clinicians. Often it serves as a stimulus to pursue student fellowship in the academy and, ultimately, fellowship.
This year 16 students, including five members of the Class of 2015, nine members of the Class of 2016, and two members of the Class of 2017 attended the annual meeting, held November 12 - 16 in Denver. This large turnout was, in part, a result of the leadership of the UMSL Student Chapter of the AAO under the direction of faculty liaison Dr. Jennifer Bulmann, as well as funding efforts from the Heart of America chapter under the direction of Dr. Jim Hoekel (’94).
The attending students – to a person – found it to be a very rewarding experience. According to Allison Schafers (’16): “The Academy Meeting at Denver was both humbling and inspiring. It was humbling sitting in rooms with some of the most well-respected optometrists, but inspiring to learn from them. I highly recommend any student to participate in the student fellowship program. It provides an outstanding introduction to the Academy and what it means to be a fellow. After attending the AAO meeting in Denver, I look forward to pursuing fellowship in the Academy after graduation.” Kristen Kramlich (’16) agrees, “In all honesty, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the meeting in its entirety. It was no secret that I was in the presence of some of the greatest minds in optometry. I attended lectures on sports vision, traumatic brain injury, and the most recent research in low vision, just to name a few. I appreciated the flexibility of being able to choose CE that touched on subjects that have not yet been covered in detail in school. I completed the student fellowship program, which helped me feel like an actual piece of the puzzle in the community of optometrists at the meeting. Attending a majority of the meeting also allowed me to network with doctors that I will be working with at my externship sites.”
Third year student, Kelly Freeborn (‘16) commented on the impact of the AAO meeting on her perception of her chosen profession, “The lectures were cutting edge, and I found interests I didn't even know I had. I will most certainly be returning to amplify my education and grow even more excited about the field of optometry!"
The UMSL faculty and graduates had a prominent role in Denver as well. Drs. Ed Bennett (Assistant Dean, Student Services and Alumni Relations), Mohammad Rafieetary (’88), Jim Hoekel (’94), Anthony Dewilde (’07), Tina Porzukowiak (’05), and former Cornea and Contact Lens resident Dr. Stephanie Woo (‘12) presented continuing education courses. In addition, Dr. Aaron Franzel (’90), Chief of Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Services, presented two scientific posters, one co-authored with both Assistant Dean of Academic and Clinical Programs Dr. Ralph Garzia and Assistant Clinical Professor Erin Brooks, OD, MS (’11).
And what the AAO means to students in respect to their future career is best summarized by Kristen Kramlich (’16): “Not only did I value the educational gains, but I also enjoyed being able to see the strides that the UMSL faculty and colleagues were making in their own research. I was proud to see the great representation UMSL Optometry had at the meeting, particularly at the poster presentations. The AAO meeting opened my eyes to the possibility of continuing to advance my education, even after I graduate. The idea of applying for a residency and eventually AAO fellowship is very real for me. I believe in pushing myself to achieve my fullest potential, and that can be done through the fellowship program. The AAO conference was obviously a very positive experience for me, and I look forward to attending again next year!”
Students for the Advancement of Independent Optometry: An organization dedicated to helping students interested in pursuing independent practice
The student body of the College of Optometry prides itself in being very engaged in various student and professional optometric organizations and a large percentage of our students are active in these organizations - both at the school level as well as nationally. Several years ago, Dr. Barbara Brown helped to create a new organization that is dedicated to independent practice optometry, Students for the Advancement of Independent Optometry (SAIO).
Today the organization is under the direction of faculty sponsor Dr. Mary Beth Rhomberg and President Tony Brown (’16). During the first semester SAIO welcomed speakers from both industry and private practice to help a large number of interested students potentially meet their long time goals as president Brown communicates: “We had 68 attend our first event, sponsored by VSP and featuring Dr. Justin Bazan,” commented Brown.
Dr. Bazan told the group his journey from optometry school to owning his own Brooklyn, New York practice. He provided many different interesting perspectives and philosophies that he puts to use. SAIO’s second event was with Greg Raeman of Allergan. In his powerpoint entitled “Optometry 101” Mr. Raeman addressed the current Optometry Market Dynamics, Optometry Specific Trends, and how to position yourself for a career in optometry. He provided those in attendance with three practical documents which will come in very useful when evaluating potential job opportunities and practices.