OPT Visionary - Summer 2014

PAGE 24 In early April, rachel A. “Stacey” coulter, O.D., M.S.ed , FAAO, FcOvD , associate professor, was the invited Behavioral Scholar-in-Residence at the New England College of Optometry (NECO). Supported by a college endowment, this program brings a distinguished optometrist to NECO for several days each spring to provide information and inspiration to students about this prac- tice area. The scholar meets with key administrators and faculty members to discuss the implications of behavioral optometry upon the curriculum and on clinical education. Prior recipients in- clude: Mitchell Scheiman, O.D., FAAO, FCOVD; Robert B. Sanet, O.D., FCOVD; Susan Cotter, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FCOVD; and Kenneth Ciuffreda, O.D., Ph.D. Dr. Coulter lectured to the first-, second-, and third-year pro- fessional classes and provided CE on vision and autism. In ad- dition, she participated in a panel discussion about the “Impact of Autism on Families and Society.” She also received a plaque from NECO honoring her distinguished career in vision therapy and pediatric optometry. Rates of blindness and impaired eyesight have dropped by 50 percent from 1990 through 2010 in the highest income countries in the developed world according to a study coauthored by Janet Leasher, O.D., M.P.h., FAAO , associate professor and director of community outreach, for the March 2014 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology . Dr. Leasher—the only American op- tometrist to participate in the research—was chosen to be the coordinator for the Ameri- cas hemisphere based on her extensive ex- perience in Latin America and the Caribbean as the UNESCO Chair in Visual Health and Development’s coordinator for North Amer- ica. “It has been a tremendous opportunity and the highest honor to work with some of the most renowned ophthalmologists and global health experts in the world,” she said. “When we first launched the results at the Royal Society in London with health minis- ters from many countries, I was humbled to introduce Nova Southeastern University to this global community.” Joseph Sowka, O.D., FAAO , associate professor, and Lori vollmer, O.D., FAAO , associate professor, presented two seminars at the Tasmanian Lifestyle Conference in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, in August 2013, which marked the third time they have presented at this intimate conference. Dr. Sowka lectured on the topic “Diagnosis and Management of Neuro-Ophthalmic Emergencies, Glaucoma, and Angle Clo- sure Glaucoma,” while Dr. Vollmer lectured on “Conjunctival Malignancies and Ocular Emergencies and Urgencies.” The 2013 conference celebrated a century of regulated optometry in Tasmania and the British Commonwealth. Research Review Research/Scholarly Activity Highlights DRS. SOWKA AND VOLLMER PRESENT AT THE TASMANIAN LIFESTYLE CONFERENCE Drs. Sowka and Vollmer enjoying quality time together on mainland Australia. DR. LEASHER ONLY AMERICAN TO PARTICIPATE IN BREAKTHROUGH STUDY DR. COULTER SERVES AS NECO INVITED SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE 1 2 1. Left to right: Joseph Sowka, O.D., FAAO, the Honourable Chief Justice Alan Blow, lieutenant governor of Tasmania, Margaret Blow, and Lori Vollmer, O.D., FAAO. 2. Left to right: Karen Garner, O.D., former president of Optometrists Association Australia, Joseph Sowka, O.D., FAAO, Lori Vollmer, O.D., FAAO, and Geoff Squibb, CEO of Optometrists Association Australia.