Dean’s Report 2019 2 2 UABSchool of Optometry OurVisionGoingForwardDean's Group KELLY K. NICHOLS, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO DEAN Executive Committee CHRIS BOUTWELL, MAC DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION AND FISCAL AFFAIRS ADAM GORDON, OD, MPH, FAAO CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF OPTOMETRY AND VISION SCIENCE TIM KRAFT, PhD INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH KRISTINE HOPKINS, OD, MSPH, FAAO ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ELIZABETH STEELE, OD, FAAO ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR CLINICAL AFFAIRS GERALD SIMON, OD DIRECTOR, STUDENT AFFAIRS 3 A Letter from the Dean 4 UABSO By the Numbers 6 Celebrating 50 Years 8 Student Success 10 Faculty Excellence 12 Community Service 16 Advancing Optometric Science 18 Alumni Excellence 20 Special Honors and Retirements TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 2019 EDITIONThe School of Optometry had an outstanding 2019—our UABSO family celebrated the school’s 50th anniversary throughout the year by recognizing our past and looking forward to our future. The celebration culminated with a festive gala. Alumni from every decade—as well as current and former faculty and staff—traveled from near and far to laud our rich 50 year history. We came together to celebrate our golden anniversary with pride. In the midst of this special year, students and fac- ulty continued to shine. Students excelled by becom- ing Ezell Fellows, scholarship winners and leaders within the American Optometric Student Association and the National Optometric Student Association. Our renowned faculty continued to best- represent the UAB School of Optometry by holding leadership positions in local and national organiza- tions, including the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry, and the National Optometric Association. Amongst our research faculty are R01 grant recipients, award winners, and authors of over 44 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Now we have the privilege of educating our 50 th class, set to graduate in the year 2023. Our school has such positive momentum! I am honored to serve as dean at this time in our young and remarkable history. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in the success of our students. As an educator, positive outcomes for all of our future alumni is our ultimate goal. I like to say, “UABSO is small but mighty” and indeed, we have a bright future ahead. Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO Dean, UAB School of Optometry A LETTER FROM THE DEAN UAB SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY DEAN'S REPORT 322,872 patient visits at UAB Eye Care 1,186 patient visits at Western Health Center optometrists have completed residencies at the UAB School of Optometry class members of 2019 matched into competitive residencies optometry students graduate students doctoral students dual-degree students residents in six programs UABSO BY THE NUMBERS EducationDevelopment & Alumni Patient Care Total Dollars Raised in 2018-19: $457,963 newly endowed scholarships in 2018-2019 for a total of 56 8 391 13 185 26 22 15 11 4 2019 EDITION UABSO BY THE NUMBERS Research Class of 2023 74% of UAB School of Optometry faculty participate in research. TOTAL FUNDING FOR 2018-2019 $4.95 million Ranked 4th Nationally in total vision research funding to schools and colleges of optometry, as reported by ASCO 2nd IN TOTAL NIH/NEI RESEARCH FUNDING 308 Number of Applicants 144 Number of Interviews 45 Number of Students 3.66 Overall GPA 321 Average OAT Score UAB SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY DEAN'S REPORT 5In 2019, the UAB School of Optometry proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary, a tremendous milestone that cements the school’s legacy as one of the premier programs in the nation. U nder the leadership of Henry B. Pe- ters, OD, MA, FAAO, the school’s inaugural dean, the first class of optometry students at UABSO began their studies in 1969 in the former Life of Georgia In- surance Building. Peters was the school’s only faculty member in the first year. The school went on to become the first optom- etry school in the United States to be fully integrated into an academic health center, and the school awarded its first Doctor of Optometry degree in 1973. The only optometry program in the state of Alabama, UABSO’s rich history and commitment to serving the state’s patients have helped cement the school’s impressive legacy. “What makes the School of Optometry so unique is that we train the next generation of leaders who provide comprehensive, evidence-based eye care, and have faculty and researchers who are committed to discovering new principles of vision science, treatment options, and managing ocular diseases and disorders,” said Kelly Nich- ols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO, dean of the School of Optometry. “We’re committed to continuing to lead the field of academic and clinical optometry, and look forward to seeing the many accomplishments the next 50 years will bring.” Since its inception in 1969, UABSO has graduated more than 1,650 students. UAB graduates compose 68 percent of the cur- rent licensed and practicing optometrists in Alabama. Several aspects of the school’s training and curriculum set the school apart from others nationwide, and affirm UABSO’s commitment to training the next generation of providers. LOOKING AHEAD While 50 years is an impressive milestone, what the school can accomplish in the next 50 years is an exciting prospect for all asso- ciated with the school and its successes. “It’s really remarkable to celebrate a milestone birthday like 50 years and to look back at the rich heritage that we celebrate, as well as the opportunity to look forward to the things we can achieve in the next 50 years,” Nichols shared. “UAB is a young university, and we’re a young School of Optometry, so it’s import- ant to see how far we have come in such a short period of time and how we can be even better moving forward.” ■ School of Optometry celebrates 50 years of improving vision CELEBRATING 50 YEARS 6 2019 EDITION On September 13th and 14th, the UAB School of Optometry gathered to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary, an epic milestone that has been a half century in the making. The weekend began with Alumni Night at the Woolworth and culminated with a 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala. It was simply wonderful to have the school’s family of alumni, faculty, staff, students and longtime friends together for this significant occasion. With the band Sweetwater Junction, this was a night of fun and reminiscing, and more than anything, a night to be proud of all that the school has accomplished so far. For 50 years, the UAB School of Optometry has been leading the nation in educating optometrists and vision scientists, cutting-edge research and discovery, and providing high-quality compassionate patient care. Thank you to our event sponsors: Hoya, Allergan, VSP Vision Care, CooperVision and Alcon. ■ “It’s really remarkable to celebrate a milestone birthday like 50 years and to look back at the rich heritage that we celebrate, as well as the opportunity to look forward to the things we can achieve in the next 50 years.” Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO CELEBRATING 50 YEARS Ɋ PICTURED ABOVE AND LEFT: FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS CELEBRATED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY AT A SCHOOL WIDE LUNCHEON. PICTURED RIGHT: GALA ATTENDEES DANCED INTO THE NIGHT AS THE CELEBRA- TORY YEAR CONCLUDED. UAB SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY DEAN'S REPORT 7SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY’S FIRST DUAL OD/ MBA STUDENT GRADUATES When Taylor Phillips graduated on May 10, she was the school’s first dual-degree Doctor of Optometry/Master of Business Administration graduate, in a partnership with UAB’s Collat School of Business. The first program of its kind in the nation, UAB’s OD/ MBA dual-degree program is intended to give future optometrists a strong business foundation and education that will help them navigate their future as potential private practice owners and health care providers. Phillips completed her MBA courses in conjunction with her optometry curriculum and with students from other schools on UAB’s campus. Collat offers similar dual-degree paths for dental, medical, public health, engineering, and health administration graduates as well. While Phillips is the first OD/MBA graduate, several other students are currently enrolled in the program, and the collaboration between the School of Optometry and Collat School of Business has a bright future. ■ STUDENTS EXCEL AT NOA NATIONAL CONVENTION At the 2019 National Optometric Association (NOA) National Conven- tion, five UAB School of Optometry students and alumni were awarded scholarships, honored, and elected to leadership positions for the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA). The students and alumni receiving recog- nition were as follows: WALTER JACKSON RISING 3RD YEAR • Fay Howlette Student Volunteer Award presented by NOA Foundation • John L. Howlette and C. Clayton Powell Student Founders Award Offices: Current NOA/ NOSA National Liaison, National NOSA President Elect, local NOSA Vice President (2018-2019) STERLIN BLAKELY, OD 2019 GRADUATE • Walmart and Sam’s Club Leadership Scholarship • VSP Global Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award • NOA Student of the Year Office: National NOA President DANA SHANNON RISING 3RD YEAR • Walmart and Sam’s Club Academic Scholarship Office: National NOSA Treasurer-Elect, local NOSA Class Representative JESSICA GRIMES PATTON, OD 2019 GRADUATE • NOSA Executive Board Scholarship • Dr. C Clayton Powell Georgia Student Award SYDNEY MADRIGAL RISING 4TH YEAR (NOT PICTURED) • NOA Future Contact Lens Leader Scholarship Office: local NOSA President (2018-2019) ■ STUDENT SUCCESS 8 2019 EDITION JESSICA JASIEN NAMED 2019-2020 MERTON C. FLOM LEADERSHIP EZELL FELLOW Vision Science Graduate Program student Jessica V. Jasien, MEn was named an Ezell Fellow by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF). Jasien, was named the Merton C. Flom Leadership Ezell Fellow. Her PI/mentor is Dr. J. Crawford Downs, professor of ophthalmology, biomedical engineering, and computer and information science at UAB. ■ KWAKU OSEI ACCEPTED INTO 2019 CCTS CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE TRAINING PROGRAM Kwaku Osei, OD, Vision Science program doctoral student, was accepted into the 2019 CCTS Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) Training Program. The CTS Training Program, part of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), places UAB in an elite group of academic institutions that conducts broad-based clinical and translational research and provides educational programs for individuals starting careers in this type of research. Osei is a joint graduate student in the laboratories of Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAP, and assistant vice president for industry research development at UAB and Champion Deivanayagam, PhD, UAB School of Medicine associate professor. ■ EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY LAUNCHED A student exchange program with the University of South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Science (UNSW). Two UAB optometry students had eight-week externships in the UNSW clinic, while four UNSW students were hosted in four-week clinical rotations at UAB Eye Care. Sydney Madrigal and Craig Brown, both fourth-year students, were the first UAB School of Optometry students to participate in the exchange program. Discussions about a partnership between the two schools began in 2015 when then UAB Provost Dr. Linda Lucas and Vice Provost Suzanne Austin visited UNSW with Assistant Vice President of Industry Research Jason Nichols,OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO and UAB School of Optometry Dean Kelly Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO. The Nichols had a longstanding research collaboration with UNSW and the Brien Holden Vision Institute in Sydney. That visit led to the development of an undergraduate exchange program for UAB/UNSW, and ultimately the optometry/ optometry externship exchange between UAB and UNSW. ■ STUDENT SUCCESS UAB SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY DEAN'S REPORT 9Next >

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