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ICO News

3 ICO Marks 26th Year for providing vision care to DePaul University athletes
On September 9, the Illinois Eye Institute Sports Vision service conducted a sports vision screening for the DePaul University athletic department. ICO students joined Dr. Stephen Beckerman to screen over 130 athletes from about 10 sports. The purpose of the screening was to determine if problems within the visual system were limiting athletic performance. This year, the screening consisted of an evaluation of vision, eye health and athletic skills for vision.



ICO Announces winners of the 2009 Alumni Association Awards
Optometrists, two corporations to be honored during Alumni Weekend, September 11-13, 2009

ICO will recognize seven optometrists and two corporations on Friday for making exceptional strides in education, professional achievement, philanthropy, research and patient service, as well as for their outstanding contributions to ICO and the optometric profession.

• Louise A. Sclafani, OD '89, FAAO - Alumna of the Year Award
• Peter H. Kehoe, OD '84, DOS, FAAO - Alumnus of the Year Award
• Steve A. Leon, OD '80 - Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Haag-Streit USA - Distinguished Friend Award
• Dennis W. Siemsen, OD '76, MHPE - Professional Achievement Award
• Rebecca K. Zoltoski, PhD - Excellence in Education Award - Faculty
• Joseph J. Pizzimenti, OD '89, FAAO - Excellence in Education Award - Non-Faculty
• The Jenzabar Foundation - Humanitarian Award
• Darrell G. Schlange, OD '64, DOS, FAAO - Lifetime Service Award

 

3

ICO Volunteers Make a Difference at MedFest 2009
More than 40 ICO students, faculty and staff members volunteered their time and expertise at MedFest 2009, an event created in 1998 as a partnership between Special Olympics Illinois, Advocate Health Centers, and the United Center to provide free sports physicals to Special Olympics athletes. ICO volunteers joined Chicagoland Lions Club members at the United Center as part of the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes Vision Screening. The group screened 126 athletes and distributed 48 pairs of lenses and frames, all free of charge.

 

3 ICO Leaders Meet with AAO President
Drs. Augsburger, Block, and Roberts met with Dr. Mark Eger, President of the American Academy of Optometry, to discuss recent activities of the Illinois Chapter of the Academy including ICO’s twice annual Rosenbloom Rounds, the Chapter's blogspot, and funding of student travel fellowships. The ICO Student Chapter of the Academy (officers Doan Huynh and Fred Collison) also updated Dr. Eger about their efforts to increase active student membership in the Academy.

 

1 ICO & IEI Give Back to the Community
The Illinois College of Optometry and the Illinois Eye Institute partnered with Vistakon to provide free vision and eye health screenings to attendees at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) conference. More than 100 students, residents and faculty volunteered to screen several hundred adults and children in a specially designed booth at McCormick Place in Chicago. ICO students had the opportunity to practice their skills by interacting with attendees and working with equipment generously provided by Zeiss and Optos.

 

2 ICO Hosted Special Summer Program for Minority Students
Twenty-four college students from across the country came to ICO to learn
about the profession of optometry during ICO’s “Focus on Your Future” summer program. This week-long program, now in its second year, is designed to introduce underrepresented minority undergrads to the profession of optometry. Read the full press release.

 

ICO Faculty, Students Attend NOA Convention
Students and faculty joined ICO President Dr. Arol Augsburger at the 41st convention of the National Optometric Association (NOA). ICO Board of Trustees member Dr. Millicent Knight, also attended. Dr. Augsburger made a presentation at the convention on the successes of Focus on Your Future, an ICO program designed to introduce underrepresented minority undergrads to the profession of optometry. He also installed the new NOA officers, hosted Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) at the Awards Banquet, and discussed next steps in the implementation of Board Certification with attendees.

 

ProAV Spotlight Awards 15 Winning A/V Projects from Around the U.S.
Architect magazine, August 2009

ICO’s Eyepod again featured as an innovative technology utilization award winner.

 

ICO Provides Sports Vision Services to Jr. Olympic Athletes
ICO students, residents and faculty recently provided sports vision services to more than 200 AAU Junior Olympic athletes in Des Moines, Iowa. The event was organized by the American Optometric Association Sports Vision Section, which has been providing the free service since 1994, and co-chaired by ICO’s Stephen Beckerman.

 

Leading by Example
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn joined ICO’s Dr. Arol Augsburger at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Chicago. “One of our key principles is to extend the role of the Illinois College of Optometry through community service,” said Dr, Augsburger. Dr. Augsburger just completed his term as president for the organization, which is dedicated to promoting ethical leadership, professional success and friendship among Club members through service in the community and around the world.


Other News

ICO’s Dr. Valerie Kattouf Featured in Carolina Parent
Carolina Parent, September 2009

Vision changes are typical during pregnancy, says Dr. Valerie Kattouf, an associate professor of optometry and spokesperson for the American Optometric Association. “Even though every pregnant woman doesn’t experience blurriness or need new lenses, many find the hormonal fluctuations can cause a myriad of vision symptoms during pregnancy and throughout nursing,” Kattouf says. Read the article.

 

ICO’s Drs. Maino & Donati published in special autism issue of Optometry & Vision Development
Reuters.com (press release), September 9, 2009

Autism. What is its cause? How does it affect brain anatomy, electrophysiology, visual function and perception? What must we do to meet the needs of these patients? How can optometrists as health care providers be in the vanguard for screening for this spectrum of disorders? The latest issue of Optometry & Vision Development (Vol 40 #3) tries to answer these important questions. Authors Maino, Viola and Donati investigate the many possible etiologies of Autism starting from the psycho-social belief that emotionally uninvolved parents were the cause (never true) to vaccines and the mercury they contain (doubtful) to the role genetics and environment play (most likely)…


Stay healthy and fit with the help of area professionals
Chicago Gazette, September 4, 2009

Drs. Baas and Tyler have created an environment where the entire Chicago community, as well as students and faculty of the nearby University of Illinois at Chicago, can feel comfortable and confident addressing their eye care needs, knowing that their eye doctor is residency trained and emphasizes patient education. Both Drs. Baas and Tyler are members of the faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry/ Illinois Eye Institute


Smith celebrates 40 years with a new clinic
The Daily Journal
, August 17, 2009
A local optometrist is marking 40 years in the Fergus Falls community. As a student, Smith became interested in his future profession through the father of a classmate, who was an optometrist. After graduating from the University of Iowa, he attended the Illinois College of Optometry, where his coursework included classes in vision therapy — a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain.


Two Prominent Baltimore-Area Doctors Join The Polakoff Foundation Board of Directors
PRWeb, August 12, 2009
Brian T. Woolf. O.D., a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry, has been appointed to the Polakoff  Foundation’s Board of Directors.


Researchers: Pediatrics/Ophthalmology statement on vision therapy outdated, flawed
AOA News, July 29, 2009
ICO’s Dr. Dominick M. Maino was quoted on the AOA News Web site discussing the fatally flawed joint statement on Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision in the Journal Pediatrics.

“It should also be noted that every school and college of optometry teach courses in and provides clinical experiences for students in the area of vision therapy and that the procedures used in vision therapy have been codified within text books published by major publishers throughout the United States and the international community,” said Dominick M. Maino, O.D., M.Ed., professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry and editor of Optometry & Vision Development. “Optometric vision therapy is a scientifically sound series of therapeutic procedures used successfully for a number of vision disorders from amblyopia to learning-related vision problems,” Dr. Maino said.

 

Industry Briefs
The National Optometry Hall of Fame has inducted Charles Mullen, OD, former president of the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Mullen has planned and redesigned optometry during his 33-year career. He has built institutions of quality education, formed national healthcare policy and strengthened urban communities through optometric and ophthalmic care.

 

New doctor joins local practice
Valley Free Press, July 27, 2009
Dr. Michael Menconi joined Csiszer’s practice at the Eyecare Center on July 9. A recent graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry, the 42-year-old Menconi found his passion for eyes during a mission trip to Honduras.

 

Kosir Graduates Doctor Optometry
Peshtigo Times, July 22, 2009
Michael Kosir, son of Dan and Mickey Kosir of Silver Cliff, graduated cum laude from the Illinois College of Optometry as a Doctor of Optometry.