by Satina Richardson
The 2023 Springer Lecture marked a significant milestone for the endowed series—25 years. The first endowed lecture funded by the Nathaniel E. Springer Memorial Fund occurred in 1999. This year's speaker was Jill Autry, OD, RPh. Autry, much like Donald Springer, OD, who was the impetus for the lecture series' establishment, is passionate about optometry, the betterment of the profession, and lifelong learning.
Donald was instrumental in founding the UAB School of Optometry in 1968. His father, Nathaniel, was influential in the foundation of optometry in Alabama when he helped write the first optometry law in 1916 and opened his Anniston, AL, practice three years later. Donald, one of three children, eventually joined his father's practice. Nathaniel's impact on the profession continued until he died in 1967.
Following Nathaniel's death, the Springer family generously provided the funds to endow a lectureship in his honor, creating the Nathaniel E. Springer Memorial Lectureship in 1999.
"I am proud that this is still happening and am proud of everything Donald did and the family coming together to do something that benefits the school," said Rita Springer, Donald's widow. "His interest was always to better optometry and help the state."
The lecture series has featured a who's who of respected optometrists and vision scientists. This is in keeping with the lecture's purpose: to bring distinguished visual scientists or clinicians to the UAB School of Optometry to share knowledge with faculty and students.
"The lectureship continuously enhances the educational experience of our optometry students. These lectures expose them to some of the most knowledgeable minds in the eye care profession," said Kelly Nichols, UAB Optometry dean. "These individuals are passionate teachers and respected practitioners who contribute greatly to optometry and vision science. Autry is a fitting addition to the rich history of this event."
Autry began her career as a pharmacist and transitioned to optometry after realizing that she wanted the challenges and responsibilities of being a doctor. She explored dentistry and medicine but realized that optometry suited her best.
Following graduation from the University of Houston College of Optometry and an internship in Australia, Autry joined Eye Center of Texas, a Houston OD/MD practice. There, she founded and co-supervises the UABSO-affiliated Eye Center of Texas residency program, which focuses on ocular disease with an emphasis in refractive and ocular surgery. With dual degrees and years of ophthalmology experience, she also consults and lectures extensively for optometric continuing education (CE) nationally and internationally.
Autry's lecture aimed to demonstrate how she learned to manage various pathological conditions over the years and impart that knowledge to residents, students, her local optometrists, and attendees at her CE presentations. The title of her lecture, "See One, Do One, Teach One," speaks to this process.
"Healthcare professionals hear and see didactically how to handle a patient in school and take it to the next level by doing or taking care of these patients in residency and/or practice. When you get good at doing so and seeing many different presentations of the same issue, teaching others so they can develop the skills keeps the cycle going," she described.
Autry stressed to the students that only so much can be taught in the classroom. Learning continues after graduation, and knowledge must continue building to treat patients at the highest level.
"It is certainly an indescribable honor to be associated with the Springer family and what they have meant to UAB and to optometry, as well as being considered in the same category as previous Springer lecturers. A humbling opportunity, to say the least," Autry said.