by Caleb Jones

Lawrence Sincich, PhD, professor of vision science and director of the graduate program at the UAB School of Optometry, has received the 2022 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This honor recognizes full-time regular faculty members at the university who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching.

The UAB School of Optometry’s ground through fifth floor renovations received a 2022 People’s Choice Award from Birmingham’s American Institute of Architecture. Managed by the architecture firm Birchfield Penuel & Associates (BPA), the renovations began in 2018 and the latest phase was completed in December 2021.

The teaching faculty at the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) was awarded the Dr. Jack Bennett Innovation in Optometric Education Award at the 2022 Optometry’s Meeting held in Chicago, IL. 

Keshia S. Elder, OD, MS, FAAO, professor at the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO), was awarded the Millicent Knight Trailblazer Award at the 2022 National Optometric Association (NOA) Conference.

Yuchen Wang, PhD, has joined the UAB School of Optometry as an assistant professor in research. Wang is fascinated by how neurons communicate with each other, and his long-term career goal is to understand how synapses in sensory systems, particularly visual systems, achieve and maintain fast and reliable signal transmission, which enables a seamless and accurate perception of our environment.

Two UAB School of Optometry students were recognized at the 2022 National Optometric Association (NOA) National Convention.

by Satina Richardson 

Gerald Simon, OD, was named 2022 Optometrist of the Year by the National Optometric Association (NOA).

The World Games represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase UAB on a global stage — and transforming our residence halls and Commons on the Green into the Athletes’ Village or serving as the official medical provider for Games athletes and spectators aren’t the only ways to shine a spotlight on the best of UAB.  Read more on UAB News

No kid wants to be told they are nearsighted. Emory Carter was 8 years old when he was diagnosed with myopia, or nearsightedness. However, unlike many children his age, Emory saw his diagnosis as an opportunity, not an obstacle. Read more on UAB News

Summer months are made for spending time outdoors. But the extreme heat can lead to health concerns if one does not take care of themselves, especially at The World Games. University of Alabama at Birmingham experts provide tips on how to stay safe and well when attending the major sporting events coming to our area. Read more on UAB News

by Satina Richardson

Jason Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, UAB School of Optometry professor and the UAB Office of Research’s senior associate vice president for research, received the 2022 Donald R. Korb Award. Given by the American Optometric Association (AOA) Contact Lens and Cornea Section, the award recognizes an individual who has been a true innovator and leader in the field of contact lenses and anterior segment disease.

by Satina Richardson

Samantha Chapman, a rising second year optometry student, reached the final round of the AOSA Optometry Student Bowl XXXI.

by Satina Richardson

Dr. Keshia S. Elder, associate professor at the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO), will become the first African American female in the nation to lead a school of optometry. Effective September 1, 2022, she will be dean of the College of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL).

by Caleb Jones

Many UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) graduates do a great deal of work to advance the optometric profession in their communities and abroad. One such alumna is Dr. Angela Amedo, PhD. A native of Accra, Ghana who lives in Kumasi, Amedo earned her doctorate in vision science from UABSO in 2005 on a Fulbright scholarship. She returned to Ghana after graduation and has helped advance the profession in the country.

by Satina Richardson

Gerald Simon, OD, received the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award at the 2022 Hooding and Convocation Ceremony. The Dean’s Distinguished Service Award acknowledges leadership and service to the community and the optometric profession.

by Satina Richardson

The Dean’s Outstanding Staff Award was given to Chris Boutwell at the 2022 Convocation and Hooding Ceremony. Boutwell earned the award due to his countless contributions to the school since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

by Satina Richardson

Kelly Forbus and her fiancé Johnny Thompson planned to visit the courthouse to get their marriage certificate processed in time for their formal wedding ceremony the following day. Her work family, however, had alternate surprise plans. They secretly arranged a ceremony on the plaza at the UAB School of Optometry.

Thomas T. Norton, PhD, FAAO, UAB School of Optometry professor emeritus, has been granted an honorary Doctor of Science degree from State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry for making substantial contributions to the advancement of optometry and public healthcare.

by Satina Richardson

The UAB School of Optometry is leading efforts to provide eye and vision care to World Games athletes during the multi-sport international event in Birmingham, July 7-17, 2022.

by Caleb Jones

According to the American Optometric Association, about 89 to 90 million Americans of all ages participate in sports. With many sports, players always assume the risk of some kind of injury, whether it be broken bones, torn ligaments, or damaged muscles. But what happens when a sports injury affects an athlete’s ability to see?