OPT Visionary - Spring/Summer 2013

THE V ISIONARY • S PRING /S UMMER 2013 — 19 Heidi Wagner, O.D., M.P.H., FAAO , was installed as a distinguished practitioner/member of the National Academies of Practice on April 6 at the annual membership banquet held in Arlington, Virginia. The National Academies of Practice was founded in 1981 in recognition of the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in health care. It comprises distinguished practitioners and scholars from the primary health professions and now includes 10 disciplines: dentistry, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, allopathic medicine, psychology, podiatric medicine, social work, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy. Bai-Chuan Jiang, Ph.D., FAAO , graduated from the Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1986 with a Ph.D. in Physiological Optics. Following graduation, he completed his postdoctoral training at the Uni- versity of Toronto’s Department of Physiology, Penn State University’s Depart- ment of Psychology, and the University of Houston’s College of Optometry between 1987 and 1990. From 1991 to 2000, he worked at the University of Houston’s College of Optometry, teaching in both the graduate and professional programs in various topics, including vision science, physiological optics, and optics. During this period, he obtained several research grants, including from the National Insti- tutes of Health. In 2000, he joined the NSUCO faculty with the rank of professor and taught Theoretical Optics 1 and 2 and Optics Lab 1 and 2. He was loved and appre- ciated by his students, who selected him as Professor of the Year in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2011. Dr. Jiang taught in NSUCO’s clinical master’s program and worked with many Chinese visiting scholars, whom he was in- strumental in bringing over to the college. Dr. Jiang, who was awarded an NSU President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant four times, has published over 70 papers and over 80 ab- stracts. He also is a visiting or consulting professor for four medical universities in China and serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Clinical Optometry , Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology , and Chinese Journal of Op- tometry , as well as Ophthalmology and Visual Science . His research—com- prising work on the oculomotor mechanism in the development of refractive error, the modeling of the visual system, and the evaluation of the retinal image quality—earned him worldwide respect from his peers. His coauthored article entitled “Optimal Dioptric Value of Near-Addition Lenses Intended to Slow Myopic Progression,” which was published in the No- vember 2008 issue of Optometry and Vision Science , was named as one of the top 20 articles on myopia development over the last five years by Bio- MedLib. Having the opportunity to work with Dr. Jiang was perceived as an honor by those of us who were fortunate to do so. His knowledge and sagacity will be greatly missed by both his students and colleagues. Dr. Jiang and his wife will be living in southern California with their son, where they plan to have a relaxed retirement. Esteemed Professor Dr. Bai-Chuan Jiang Retires By Ken Seger, O.D., Associate Professor In Memoriam: Dr. Manuel Bergman Manuel Bergman, O.D. , who started as an instructor with Southeastern University College of Optometry in 1989 and retired from NSU’s College of Op- tometry as an assistant professor in 2005, passed away on April 22. A graduate from the Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. Bergman taught the Ophthalmic Op- tics course at NSUCO. Prior to joining the college, Dr. Bergman owned an op- tometric practice in Chicago and worked as a licensed dispensing optician in Florida since 1956. He also served as an associate professor at Miami Dade College as a con- sultant and instructor for its Optometric Assistant Program and was a branch manager for Eyes Right Optical. In his free time, Dr. Bergman was the Boy Scouts of America district chairman of advancement. He also enjoyed photog- raphy and was a licensed ham radio operator. Dr. Bergman was a founding fac- ulty member of the college and a community leader who will be sorely missed. Dr. Jiang receiving the 2012 NSU President’s Distinguished Professor Award from NSU President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. Dr. Heidi Wagner Joins Interdisciplinary Health Care Organization