OPT Visionary - Spring/Summer 2013

A Passion for Pediatrics Rachel “Stacey” Coulter, O.D., FAAO, FCOVD, who is a Diplomate and serves as associate professor, recently completed 20 years of NSUCO service. Since joining the faculty in 1992, she has been in- strumental in the growth of pediatric services at the college and is being recognized for her work with patients experiencing autism spectrum disorder. As a child, Dr. Coulter was a patient of William C. Lee, O.D., at the group practice Bayshore, Swanson, Sowers, Lee, and Yager. The practice was renowned for its progressive work in contact lenses, which was both innovative and quality orientated. Charles A. Bayshore, O.D., is now regarded as a pioneer in lens development, while Jack J. Yager, O.D., is a past president of the American Acad- emy of Optometry. At the time, Dr. Coulter was a patient; however, fitting rigid lenses was quite an art form, requiring skill and dexterity. The variety of lenses and level of automation was not available as it is today. As a high myope and fitted with contact lenses at age nine, she developed an interest in optometry, which was encouraged by Dr. Lee and the other practice partners. Direction and Influence Dr. Coulter received her B.A. from Duke University in 1983 and her Doctor of Optometry degree with honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in 1991. At this stage, she knew her main interest lay in pediatrics and planned to go directly into private practice. However, on the advice of her teacher, who suggested she would learn more during a residency, Dr. Coulter reconsidered. Be- cause fewer optometry schools existed in the 1980s, “Securing a competitive residency in pediatric optometry was a challenge,” said Dr. Coulter, who was raised in a family that highly valued education. “I only applied to PCO and was fortunate to be offered a position.” By Rachel Snell, Assistant to the Dean Dr. Rachel “Stacey” Coulter: THE V ISIONARY • S PRING /S UMMER 2013 — 12