2022 Congress Speakers

Review the list of qualified speakers below and begin exploring the topics they will be covering at the 2022 GWCO Congress.

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Dr. Roya Attar

University of Mississippi Medical Center 

Dr. Attar is an Assistant Professor and Director of Optometric Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center located in Jackson, MS. She is the first optometrist to be hired by the department of ophthalmology in the state’s only medical school. In her current role, she provides comprehensive clinical patient care, lectures regularly to ophthalmology residents, and manages the department’s optical services. Dr. Attar graduated from the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry as part of the inaugural class in 2013. She later obtained her Master’s in Business Administration and is currently working on her Doctorate in Healthcare Administration. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) where she also serves on the executive committee for the AAO Retina SIG. In addition, she is also a member of the AOA Leadership Development Committee and president of her local optometric society. In 2020, she was selected as SECO Young OD of the Year and the AOA Young OD of the Year.

Patrick Caroline

Pacific University College of Optometry 

Mr. Caroline serves as Associate Professor at the Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove Oregon. He is a Fellow member and Diplomat of the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Academy of Optometry and co-curator of The Contact Lens Museum. He has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association. For the past thirty years, Patrick has served as a contributing editor for the Contact Lens Spectrum. He has published over 360 papers and authored 124 scientific posters and has lectured extensively throughout the world.

Dr. Steve Ferrucci

Southern California College of Optometry

Dr. Steven Ferrucci is currently Chief of Optometry at the Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center and Nursing Home. He is also the Residency Director at his site, and a Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry/Marshall B. Ketchum University. Dr. Ferrucci has lectured and published extensively, with a special interest in Diabetes, Diabetic Eye Disease, AMD, OCT and Fluorescein Angiography. He is a fellow in both the American Academy of Optometry and the Optometric Retinal Society, as well as Past President of the ORS and Founding Chair of the Retina Special Interest Group of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Pinakin Davey

Western University of Health Sciences

Dr. Pinakin Davey is a tenured full Professor and Director of Clinical Research at Western University of Health Sciences. He earned a Doctor of Optometry (OD) from Southern College of Optometry and a Ph.D. from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England. His post-doctoral research fellowship at University of Louisville for three years was focused on improving imaging techniques in glaucoma. His research is focused on retinal physiology and glaucoma particularly improving visual function in disease states. He has authored over 75 international publications and has given over 400 conference and invited presentations both nationally and internationally. His research work is funded in past and present by the National Institute of Health and industry sponsored FDA trials. He serves as the Vice President of Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society. He is a fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society.

Dr. Blair Lonsberry

Pacific University College of Optometry 

Dr. Lonsberry grew up in Rossburn, Manitoba (Canada). He obtained his Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 1996 after completing a Master of Science in Physiology from the University of Manitoba. He completed his residency in Primary Care Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1997, then joined the faculty at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. During his time at SCO, he completed a Masters in Education degree with an emphasis in adult learning. Currently, Dr. Lonsberry is a Full Professor with Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon. Dr. Lonsberry is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the Optometric Retinal Society, the Optometric Glaucoma Society, and the Ocular Surface Society of Optometry.

Jackie O'Keefe

O’Keefe Optical Consultants

Jackie O'Keefe, ABOC is licensed in Virginia and has been in the Optical industry since 1981. She is a contributing writer for 2020 Magazine, on Transitions Optical Speakers Bureaus and a course preparer for Quantum Optical. She is a second generation Optician along with her two sisters, Candace O'Keefe Culp and Laure O'Keefe Pierce. She was active in the International Association of Lions Clubs, a volunteer for Maine's Prevention of Blindness Programs, Inc. and the Suicide Prevention Awareness & Resource Council. Jackie is Past President of the Opticians Association of Virginia and a founding member and Past President of the Opticians Association of Maine. She resides and consults in the Virginia Beach, VA area.

Dr. Robert Reed Jr.

Dr. Reed was the Founder & Director of the group practice All Eyes PC, in St. Joseph, Michigan for 38 years. He graduated in the first class of doctors from Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry in 1979. Dedicated to the education, & recognition of the importance of paraoptometrics, Dr Reed served on the AOA Paraoptometric Resource Center committee for 6 years. For over 20 years he has enjoyed speaking to paraoptometric staff at state & national conferences making complicated topics easier to understand, using his extensive theater background. After ‘virtually’ making a spectacle of himself in 2020, he’s ‘on the road again’ connecting with paraopomtetric pros!

Dr. Leo Semes

Leo P. Semes, OD, earned his OD from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and completed residency at The Eye Institute of PCO. He currently holds an appointment as Professor Emeritus of Optometry and Vision Science at UAB.Dr. Semes has authored numerous articles, book chapters and posters. He is a fellow of the AAO. Dr. Semes is a founding member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, where he has served as Secretary and on the Executive Committee. He is a founding fellow of the Optometric Retina Society. In 2015 he received the Educator of the Year award from the Alabama Optometric Association. He has also been recognized with the Dean’s Distinguished Service award (2016). Dr. Semes has authored and contributed to the AAO’s Clinical Practice Guidelines and was recognized as among the 50 most influential in Eye Care in 2015.

Mary Schmidt

EyeSystems

Mary E. Schmidt is the President of EyeSystems, a leadership development firm specializing in the eyecare field.Mary has over 42 years’ experience within the eyecare field. The last 30 years have been focused on leadership and staff development. She has trained thousands of practice leaders and paraoptometrics.Her passion is the professional development of new and emerging practice leaders and team members. She was voted one of Vision Monday's 50 Most Influential Women in Optical.

Dr. Marc Taub

Southern College of Optometry

Dr. Marc Taub is a professor and Chief of Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Services at Southern College of Optometry. He teaches in the vision therapy and pediatric clinics. He is also the co-supervisor for the Pediatric and Vision Therapy Residency.Dr. Taub is the Editor-in-Chief of Optometry & Visual Performance and serves on the review board of Optometry Times. He has written numerous peer-reviewed articles and has lectured and presented posters at international, national, and local conferences. He is an editor and a multiple chapter author of Visual Diagnosis and Care of the Patient with Special Needs, Visual Development, Treatment, and Diagnosis of the Pediatric Patient, and Applied Concepts in Vision Therapy 2.0. Dr. Taub is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and is active in the Optometric Extension Program Foundation.

Phernell Walker

VSP Ventures

Anyone who meets Phernell Walker knows that optics is his passion. Phernell has become a nationally-renowned speaker because of his unique talent for teaching his students everything they need to know to become a professional optician. He authored the textbook, Pure Optics, which is used in optometry and opticianry colleges. Mr. Walker is one of only a few hundred people to earn a Master in Ophthalmic Optics (ABOM). He currently serves as the Director of Optometric Relations at VSP Ventures, and proudly serves on the board of directors for the National Academy of Opticianry and the American Board of Opticianry. His educational achievements include an MBA, BS in Business, and an AS in Ophthalmic Optics. He is certified by both the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners.

Dr. Walter Whitley

Eye Care Associates of Nevada

Walter Whitley, OD, MBA, FAAO serves as the Director of Professional Relations and Education at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, VA and Regional Medical Director for Eyecare Partners, LLC. Dr. Whitley’s practice encompasses ocular surface disease, glaucoma, surgical co-management and clinical research. He is a nationally recognized author and lecturer and serves as co-chief medical editor for Modern Optometry, contributing editor for the Review of Optometry and co-medical editor for Dry Eye Coach. Dr. Whitley is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Academy of Optometry Anterior Segment Section and a past president of the Virginia Optometric Association where he has been recognized as the 2012 Young Optometrist of the Year, the 2015 Legislative Keyperson of the Year and the 2020 Optometrist of the Year.

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