Educating future optometrists is a passion shared by these great optometry leaders at the nation’s schools and colleges of optometry. While this listing calls out the top spots of academic leadership, many associate deans, directors and faculty support the effort to continue to improve and enhance optometric education.
| Alabama | |
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Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO, Dean of University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry |
| Arizona | |
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Alicia Feis, OD, Dean of Arizona College of Optometry, Midwestern University |
| California | |
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Julie A. Schornack, OD, MEd, President of Marshall B. Ketchum University |
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Eric Borsting, OD, MSEd, FAAO, FCOVD, Dean of Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University |
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John Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, Dean of University of California – Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science |
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Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPH, Founding Dean of Western University College of Optometry |
| Florida | |
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Linda S. Rouse, OD, MBA, FAAO, Dean of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry |
| Illinois | |
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Mark Colip, OD, President Illinois College of Optometry |
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Stephanie Messner, OD, FAAO, Dean of Illinois College of Optometry |
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Melissa Suckow, OD, FAAO, Dean of Chicago College of Optometry, Midwestern University |
| Indiana | |
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Joseph Bonanno, MS, OD, PhD, Dean of Indiana University School of Optometry |
| Kentucky | |
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Michael Bacigalupi, OD, MS, FAAO, Dean of Kentucky College of Optometry – University of Pikeville |
| Massachusetts | |
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Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, President of New England College of Optometry |
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Erik Weissberg, OD, FAAO, Dean of Academic Affairs, New England College of Optometry |
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Maryke Nijhuis Neiberg, OD, FAAO, Dean of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Optometry |
| Michigan | |
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Daniel A. Taylor, OD, EdD, MS, MBA, FAAO, DipOE, Interim Dean of Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State Univeristy |
| Missouri | |
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Keshia Elder, OD, MS, FAAO, Dean of University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry |
| New York | |
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David A. Heath, OD, EdM, President of State University of New York, College of Optometry |
| Ohio | |
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Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, Dean of Ohio State University College of Optometry |
| Oklahoma | |
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Douglas Penisten, OD, PhD, Dean of Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry |
| Oregon | |
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Jennifer Coyle, OD, MS, President of Pacific University |
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Fraser C. Horn, OD, FAAO, Dean of Pacific University College of Optometry |
| Pennsylvania | |
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Melissa Trego, OD, PhD, Dean of Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University |
| Puerto Rico | |
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Andrés Pagán, OD, MPH, Dean of Inter American University School of Optometry |
| Tennessee | |
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Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, President of Southern College of Optometry |
| Texas | |
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Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO, ABO Diplomate, Dean of Rosenberg School of Optometry at University of Incarnate Word |
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Michael D. Twa, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dean of University of Houston, College of Optometry |
NEW OPTOMETRY SCHOOLS
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Utah
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Adam Hickenbotham, OD, MPH, PhD, Founding Dean of the College of Optometry, Rocky Mountain University |
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North Carolina
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Catherine Heyman, OD, Founding Dean at High Point University School of Optometry
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Read more about ODs who have made their career in academia here.
