Women in the News – February 2024

February 27, 2024

Women In Optometry regularly recognizes the awards and accomplishments of women ODs in the profession and in their communities in the “Women in the News” series. Have you received an award or acknowledgement for your contributions to optometry or your community? Send us a note: MBijlefeld@jobson.com.

Congratulations to all honorees.

Renee Reeder, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FSLS, FIACLE, FNAP, became Dean of the Kentucky College of Optometry at the University of Pikeville.

Read the full story from WO here.

Ranju Welch, OD, joined Synchrony Healthcare Communications as a Medical Editor.

Dawn Williams, OD, of Garden City, Kansas, became the president of the Heart of American Eye Care Congress at its meeting in February.

Lynda Jones, OD, of Torrington, Wyoming, was named the WOA Optometrist of the Year – 2023.

Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO, was named the Treasurer of the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) and Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) Boards at UAB School of Optometry.

Samantha Slotnick, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, was inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry.

Melissa Barnett, OD, was named Practitioner of the Year by the Scleral Lens Education Society.

Leslie O’Dell, OD, FAAO, joined Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as an Associate Director – Medical Affairs National Educator.

Jennifer Schad, OD, joined the Michigan College of Optometry as the Assistant Dean for Clinical Education and Outreach.

Carol Lin, OD, was awarded a four-year K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Career Development Investigator Award from the National Institute of Health (NIH).

California Optometric Association Meeting 2023 Award Winners Named Feb. 2024
	Rachelle Lin, OD, MS, FAAO, Excellence in Optometric Education
	Janine Nguyen, George I. Deane award
	Tameen Ahmed, George I. Deane award
	San Diego County Optometric Society, Society of the Year, Society Project of the Year and Society Website of the Year
Dr. Celia Gong Dr. Stacy Hu Dr. Britney Kitamata-Wong Dr. Christine Yoo	Young OD of the Year: Celia Gong, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS; Stacy Hu, OD, MS, FAAO; Britney Kitamata-Wong, OD; Britney Kitamata-Wong; and Christine Yoo, OD.
	Julie Schornack, OD, mEd, OD of the Year
Dr. Rachelle Lin Dr. Mika Moy Dr. Heidi Miller Dr. Tamami Candi Kimura	Secretary Treasurer: Rachelle Lin, OD, MS, FAAO Trustee 2024: Mika Moy, OD, FAAO; Heidi Miller, OD, FAAO, FSLS; and Tamami Candi Kimura, OD (immediate past president)

Also named: Dr. Christopher Gee, President; Dr. Brian Park, President-elect; Trustees: Dr. David Ardaya, Dr. Christopher Fisher, Dr. Munish Sharma and Dr. Henry Hua.

Susan O’Farrell joined the National Vision board of directors and audit committee.

Lauren Schneider, a PhD student in the vision science graduate program at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, was selected as the 2024 recipient of the Arene T. Wray Fellowship.