OPT Visionary - Summer 2014

PAGE 3 Visit us at http://optometry.nova.edu “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NSUOptometry Phone: (954) 262-1101 or 877-640-0218 Email us at optadmit@nova.edu D EAN ’ S M ESSAGE 2014—A Special Year for NSU C HANCELLOR ’ S C OMMUNIQUÉ NSU-HPD founded by visionaries challenging traditional education systems. N EWS B LASTS STUEY Nominations; Meeting the Optometric Needs of Autistic Children; Florida Optometrists Can Prescribe Oral Medication...and more S TAFF S POTLIGHT Jeanne DeCaro—Dedicated NSUCO Employee E YE S ITE Student News; Student Spotlight on Drs. Cory Collier and Kara Deibel; Raising Money–Cycle For Sight...and more F ACULTY 411 Dr. David Loshin Honored; Introducing New Faculty Members...and more C OVER S TORY NSU TURNS 50 NSU O VERVIEW News from Across the University R ESEARCH R EVIEW Research/Scholarly Activity Highlights; Research and Scholarship; Faculty Research Highlight: Dr. Ava Bittner—Innovative Research in Retinitis Pigmentosa G RADUATION 2014 Celebrating the Class of 2014 A LUMNI N EWS Greetings from Dr. David Loshin; Alumni Chapter President’s Message; News Briefs S POTLIGHT ON R ESIDENTS Residents’ Day; Class of 2014 Residents C ONTINUING E DUCATION U PDATE 18 th Annual Eye Care Conference; Upcoming CE Events; Cruise 2015 (and Back Cover) 2 4 5 7 8 16 19 22 24 30 35 37 38 CONTENTS C O -E DITORS Michelle Merida Scott Colton, B.A., APR C ONTRIBUTING W RITERS Michael Bacigalupi, O.D., M.S., FAAO Ava Katherine Bittner, O.D., Ph.D., FAAO Rachel A. "Stacey" Coulter, O.D., M.S.Ed, FAAO, FCOVD Fran Franconeri Janet Leasher, O.D., M.P.H., FAAO Vanessa McDonald Arnie Patrick, O.D. David Rouse, O.D., FAAO Rachel Snell Lori Vollmer, O.D., FAAO Bin Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. A RT D IRECTOR / G RAPHIC D ESIGNER Brandee Evans 19 10 28 37 Volume 9, Number 1