News
Heersink Family Foundation endows optometry scholarships
The Heersink Family Foundation has endowed four scholarships at the UAB School of Optometry. The Heersink Family Foundation Scholarship Endowment in Optometry is a gift of $100,000 which will support up to four recipients who plan to serve the Southeastern Alabama region after graduation.
Read moreAlumni Association hosts panel for fourth year students
On Tuesday, May 7th, the UABSO Alumni Association hosted a panel discussion for fourth year students entitled, “We don’t know what we don’t know.” The panel consisted of recent graduates, and provided practical advice about the transition from being a student to becoming a practicing optometrist.
Read moreZiemanski awarded NEI K23 grant to study Sjögren’s-related dry eye disease
Jillian Ziemanski, OD, MS, FAAO, research assistant professor at the UAB School of Optometry, has been awarded a 5-year K23 grant for $717,250 from the National Eye Institute to evaluate mechanisms of autoimmunity in patients who have dry eye disease due to primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS).
Read moreJessica Jasien named 2019-2020 Merton C. Flom Leadership Ezell Fellow
UAB School of Optometry Vision Science Graduate program student Jessica V. Jasien, MEn has been named an Ezell Fellow by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF).
Read morePucker receives Platinum Teaching Certificate from UAB's CTL
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Platinum Certificate program provides UAB teachers with more advanced professional development opportunities in teaching. To receive the certificate, participants must earn at least 100,000 additional points beyond the 100,000 points required for the CTL’s Gold Certificate. These points must include at least 70,000 “Platinum” points which are earned by attending specially designated Platinum-level workshops, through teacher observations, and by completion of a capstone project and presentation. The remaining 30k points may be either Gold, Green, or Platinum. Only six educators total have earned this special designation at UAB since the start of the program in 2018.
Here is a Q&A with Dr. Pucker regarding the benefits of earning the prestigious certificate and challenges along the way:
Read moreSchool of Optometry’s first dual OD/MBA student graduates
When Taylor Phillips graduates from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry on May 10, she will be the school’s first dual-degree Doctor of Optometry/Master of Business Administration graduate, in a partnership with UAB’s Collat School of Business.
Read moreWeise named hero by Sight Savers
Dr. Kathy Weise received the 6th annual Hall W. Thompson Hero for Sight Award from Sight Savers America. Weise was selected for the award because of her longtime dedication to improving children’s eye care in Alabama.
Read moreUAB alumni forging the future of medicine, patient care in Alabama
For alumni of the University of Alabama at Birmingham schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Optometry, the commitment to Alabama is significant, and it continues to make a tremendous impact on significant health needs in the state.
Read moreUAB Eye Care named the 2019 Outstanding Student Affairs Partner
UAB Eye Care was named the 2019 Outstanding Student Affairs Partner for their collaborative work with UAB Student Health Services.
Read moreFourth year student finishes the Boston Marathon
On April 15, 2019, fourth-year optometry student Shannon Kirchmer accomplished her goal of running in the world’s oldest annual marathon, the Boston Marathon.
Read moreInfants benefit from comprehensive eye exams, early detection
Early detection by comprehensive, dilated examination is a great way to identify current or potential vision problems to assure infants’ eyes are healthy and their vision is properly developing.
Read moreSydney Madrigal: Transitions Lens Ambassador for the Transitions Academy
Sydney Madrigal a 3rd year student here at UABSO was invited to the Transitions Academy as a Transitions Lens Ambassador. The Transitions Academy is one of the most recognized and unique educational events in the optical industry where attendees participate in professional development and product technology workshops, hear from experts on marketing and industry trends, and learn from their peers at panel discussions.
Following her time at the Academy we caught up with her for a Q&A concerning her time there.
Read moreFaculty Spotlight: Dr. Terri Call
Call is a graduate of UABSO who completed her residency in Geriatric and Low Vision Rehabilitative Optometry at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs. Upon the completion of her residency, she returned to the school as an assistant professor in the summer of 2016 and has continued as full-time faculty and a clinical attending in the Primary Care and Ocular Disease clinics.
Read moreUABSO Honors Longtime Faculty and Staff
The UAB Service Awards proudly honors employees who have made a significant career commitment to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the School of Optometry.
Read moreDr. Andrew Pucker named Fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society
Dr. Andrew Pucker has been named a Fellow of the Scleral Lens Education Society (SLS). Fellows of the Scleral Lens Education Society are comprised of optometrists, ophthalmologists, and Fellows of the Contact Lens Society of America who have proven themselves in the field of scleral lens fitting.
Read moreAlumni Spotlight: Dr. Joel Jenkins
Your Story
What is your hometown? Clarkesville, GA
When did you graduate from UAB School of Optometry? 1983
Your career in Optometry
Name of your employer(s)/Practice and title, including location. I have a Private Practice, Jenkins Vision Care, in Athens, GA.
Why did you choose a career in Optometry? I chose optometry to be in a health profession that involved a significant amount of math (optics).
Where do you hope to see your optometric career in 5 years? I hope to still be practicing in 5 years, but to be within another 5 years of walking away from practice ( or maybe still practice a day or two per week).
Which optometric issues concern you the most? I am concerned about the corporate influence upon optometry and hope that private, independent optometry can remain a viable option for future O.D.'s.
Read moreNew UAB Eye Care clinic helps improve vision in the workplace
To help combat the adverse effects that constant computer usage has on a person’s overall eyesight and vision, the University of Alabama School of Optometry has launched a new specialty clinic. The Vision in the Environment and Workplace Clinic, located in UAB Eye Care, can help those who work in front of a computer with vision wellness, ergonomics and overall eye safety.
Alumni Spotlight: Dr. J Caleb Gardner
Your Story
What is your hometown?
Greenville, Alabama
When did you graduate from UABSO?
2008
What would you say is your greatest accomplishment outside of the field of Optometry?
I would have to say that convincing my wife, Sarah Ellen, to marry me is my greatest accomplishment outside the field of Optometry.
Read moreSavannah Coker elected national secretary of the AOSA and named Trustee of the Year
Savannah Coker, a third year UAB School of Optometry Student, has been elected national secretary of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and was also named Trustee of the Year. The award is given to one member of the board who has gone above and beyond. This is the second year in a row that a UAB Trustee has won this distinction, and the third straight year that UABSO has been represented on the AOSA Executive Council.
Read moreDean Kelly Nichols named Distinguished Fellow of NAP in Optometry
Dean Kelly Nichols elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Optometry. A Distinguished Practitioner, Scholar or Policy Fellow within NAP is a very high honor that acknowledges her outstanding achievements. This honor also identifies Dean Nichols as a recognized leader in the optometry profession and indicates that colleagues in other Academies of NAP recognize her ability to help establish and lead her new Academy in the days to come.
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