Several recent developments happened at different optometry schools around the country. Here’s a recap:
Illinois College of
Optometry’s new Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging
is named after former dean, president and distinguished professor
emeritus Dr. Alfred Rosenbloom and his wife Sarah.
• Illinois College of Optometry. ICO will soon be the first optometric institution with a center for vision and aging. The college recently announced the founding of the Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging in honor of the doctor and his wife. Dr. Rosenbloom served as dean of ICO from 1955 to 1972, president from 1972 to 1982, and remains a distinguished professor emeritus.
The new facility will be located within the Illinois Eye Institute on ICO’s campus and will be devoted to the vision care needs of the aging population.
“ICO’s reputation in terms of current and future education offers the opportunity to elevate standards and raise awareness for providing professional vision care to this age group,” Dr. Rosenbloom said. “This may lead in time to the development of a geriatric care patient service model, including care for many underserved individuals in assisted living facilities and in nursing homes.”
• Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. The Practice Management Club of NSUOCO recently became the first-ever recipient of the Preston Cup. The Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN) created the award in honor of Preston Smith, a fourth-year student at NSUOCO and founding member of SOLN who died tragically in a car accident last November.
The Preston Cup is to be awarded each year to the most deserving SOLN private practice or practice management club. SOLN members who attend the annual Student Private Practice Symposium and Leadership Conference vote on which of their fellow organizations have gone above and beyond during the year.
• State University of New York College of Optometry. With a three-year, $421,160 grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, SUNY’s College of Optometry will expand the clinic at the Center of Excellence in Low Vision Rehabilitation at the Wenzhou Medical College in China.
NSUOCO Practice Management Club Vice President Benjamin Lynch accepts the Preston Cup trophy, donated by VSP. He is joined by VSP’s Dana Beards (left) and Vision Source’s Kelly Kerksick-Frisella, O.D. (right).
Established in 2008 with an initial three-year Lavelle Fund grant, the low vision clinic will now expand to include new patient populations in order to achieve full sustainability in three years. The recent grant money will be used to implement a new computer-based system of data collection and analysis. The funds will also pay for a training program at the medical college for faculty and staff from other locations in China.
“With this generous support, this model for the delivery of low and vision rehabilitative care can be replicated throughout China,” said project director Michael Heiberger, O.D.
• Michigan College of Optometry–Ferris State University. MCO has appointed Bruce Morgan, O.D., as interim dean. Dr. Morgan is a professor at MCO as well as the director of residencies. He succeeds Michael Cron, O.D., who announced his retirement last fall.
In addition to his 25 years of experience as an optometrist and educator, Dr. Morgan is currently president of the Association of Contact Lens Educators. He’s also been involved in numerous accreditation processes for both college and residency programs, including serving as a member of the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
