NEWSspectrum

AOF Awards Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care

The American Optometric Foundation (AOF) announced the 2016 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care program recipients. This award recognizes outstanding fourth-year student clinicians who have demonstrated excellent overall knowledge of the contact lens field plus skillful, considerate, and professional care of contact lens patients during their optometric education.

Here are this year’s recipients: Stephanie Lynn LaLiberte, Illinois College of Optometry; Sandra M. Huenink, Indiana University at Bloomington School of Optometry; Samantha Halvorsen, Inter-American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry; Michelle Sandler, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry; Trevor Fosso, Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University; Sarah Huff, Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry; Maria Denietolis, New England College of Optometry; Sarah Cook, Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry; Jonathan Akle, Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry; Kate Alexandra McClure, The Ohio State University College of Optometry; Kellen Robertson, Pacific University College of Optometry; Emily Rose Carr, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University; Justin Burgerson, Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University; Chalise Maybee, Southern College of Optometry; Alison Emiko Noritake, State University of New York College of Optometry; Kacey C. Cilimberg, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry; Peter Tien, University of California Berkeley School of Optometry; Delaram Shirazian, University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry; Paul Lamothe, University of Montreal School of Optometry; Alexis Keeling, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science; and Edward Hsieh, Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry.

B+L Renews Platinum IKA Sponsorship

Bausch + Lomb’s Specialty Vision Products business has renewed its platinum sponsorship of the International Keratoconus Academy (IKA) for the second consecutive year. IKA promotes ongoing professional education and scientific development in the area of keratoconus and other forms of corneal ectasia.

B+L Specialty Vision Products’ platinum sponsorship will continue to support these efforts as part of its commitment to help meet the needs of patients who have these challenging visual conditions. Throughout the year, the business will sponsor webinars and training sessions on lens options for patients who have these conditions.

NovaBay Appoints President, CEO

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has appointed Mark M. Sieczkarek as president and CEO, effective immediately. Sieczkarek has been a NovaBay director since Jan. 2014, was named chairman in April 2015, and has served as interim president and CEO since Nov. 2015. He has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the go-to-market strategy for the company’s Avenova prescription lid and lash hygiene product.

Mr. Sieczkarek previously was CEO of Solta Medical, Inc. (acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals) and of Conceptus, Inc. (acquired by Bayer HealthCare), where he led the launch of the medical device Essure. Prior to that, he was senior vice president and president of The Americas and Europe for Bausch + Lomb (acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals), where he was responsible for overseeing multinational commercial launches of several leading products.

CLMA Recognizes GP Excellence

The CLMA Membership sponsored the 2016 GP Clinical Excellence Award at the North American optometric schools and colleges of optometry. Each fourth year student, selected by the contact lens faculty at the respective academic colleges and schools, received an engraved wooden plaque and a certificate for a GP fitting diagnostic set complimentary from the sponsoring CLMA member company.

Recipients included:

• Illinois College of Optometry, Kylie Castans, OD, sponsored by Art Optical Contact Lens Company

• Indiana University School of Optometry, Jeffrey L. Simons, OD, sponsored by Essilor Contact Lens USA

• Michigan College of Optometry, Jamie Kuzniar, OD, sponsored by Art Optical Contact Lens Company

• Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, Ryan Terry, OD, sponsored by ABB Optical Group

• New England College of Optometry, Boris Severinsky, OD, sponsored by ABB Optical Group

• Nova Southeastern University - College of Optometry, Stephanie Drnek, OD, sponsored by Visionary Optics LLC

• NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry, Lana Hess, OD, sponsored by Essilor Contact Lenses USA

• Pacific University College of Optometry, Danni Griffith, OD, sponsored by Advanced Vision Technologies, Inc.

• Southern California College of Optometry, Elaine Ramos, OD, sponsored by Custom Craft Lens Service of Nevada, Inc.

• Southern College of Optometry, Greg Stewart, OD, sponsored by Visionary Optics LLC

• SUNY College of Optometry, Irene Christine Frantzis, OD, sponsored by Conforma Contact Lenses

• The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Kate Alexandra McClure, OD, sponsored by Art Optical Contact Lens Company

• The Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, Sean Patrick Dempsey, OD, sponsored by Advanced Vision Technologies, Inc.

• UAB School of Optometry, Heather Cain, OD, sponsored by Essilor Contact Lenses USA

• UC Berkeley, School of Optometry, Britney Kitamata-Wong, OD, sponsored by ABB Optical Group

• UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry, Anthony Vanrachack, OD, sponsored by TruForm Optics, Inc.

•University of Houston College of Optometry, Nicole Cavazos, OD, sponsored by TruForm Optics, Inc.

•University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry, Brett Keller, OD, sponsored by Art Optical Contact Lens Company

AOF Announces 2016 Ezell Fellows

The American Optometric Foundation (AOF) recently announced the nine recipients for the 2016 William C. Ezell Fellowship program. The Ezell Fellowship program is named after the founding president of the AOF, William C. Ezell, OD. It was established to provide talented post-doctoral students who are pursuing an advanced degree in optometric research and education recognition and support.

The AOF congratulates the following students selected as 2016 - 2017 Ezell Fellows:

• The Alcon Foundation Ezell Fellow: Jessica Wei, BS, University of California Berkeley School of Optometry

• American Academy of Optometry Ezell Fellow: Kristen Bowles, OD, MS, University of Houston College of Optometry

• AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies Ezell Fellow: Cameron K. Postnikoff, MASc, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

• Irvin M. Borish –Essilor Ezell Fellow: Aiswaryah Radhakrishnan, BS Optom, M.Phil. Optom, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

• Mike Daley – Essilor Ezell Fellow: Wenlin Zhang, MD, Indiana University School of Optometry

• Merton C. Flom Leadership Ezell Fellow: Anna F. Ablamowicz, OD, FAAO, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

• Michael G. Harris Ezell Fellow: Alexandra E. Boehm, BS, University of California Berkeley School of Optometry

• Optometric Glaucoma Society Ezell Fellow: Jack Phu, B. Optom, MPH, FAAO, University of New South Wales School of Optometry

• Vision Impact Institute Ezell Fellow: Preeji S. Mandathara, BSc, MSc, University of New South Wales School of Optometry

This year’s Ezell Fellows will be honored at the AOF’s Annual Celebration Luncheon on Nov. 12, 2016 during the American Academy of Optometry’s Annual Meeting being held in Anaheim, CA.