About ICO
Administrator
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Dr. Allison received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and received her Doctorate of Optometry from the State University of New York College of Optometry. She completed a residency program in binocular vision and pediatric optometry at the ICO. She is currently a professor at ICO teaching core courses and laboratories in the pediatric curriculum, and is also the program coordinator of the binocular vision/pediatric optometry residency program. She works with patients at the Illinois Eye Institute, a private practice in Chicago, and at a clinic associated with the Chicago Public Schools.
Dr. Allison is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), and an American Academy of Optometry Diplomate in Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry, and a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow in the National Academies of Practice. She is the clinical director for the Illinois Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes Program, as well as a regional clinical advisor for this program. Dr. Allison is the secretary/treasurer for COVD, and the education trustee for the Illinois Optometric Association. She has published numerous articles, and given many presentations and lectures both nationally and internationally.
Why ICO?
ICO is a school that can provide a fantastic clinical education. The diversity of our patients makes every day unique and challenging.
| Assistant Professor | |
| Pediatric Optometry, Vision Therapy, Special Populations | |
| 312-949-7336 | |
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| Brady 2025 | |
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Dr. Teitelbaum is an associate professor of optometry and also serves as the associate dean. In addition, he is an attending optometrist at the Illinois Eye Institute with an interest in glaucoma. He completed his optometry training at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where he also completed a residency in pediatrics and binocular vision. Dr. Teitelbaum has been involved in private optometric practice in addition to clinical and administrative responsibilities in hospital and medical group eye practices. He has authored or co-authored 50 peer-reviewed scientific posters, papers and abstracts on a wide range of topics. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Diplomat of the American Board of Optometry and a member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society.
Why ICO?
The Illinois College of Optometry offers students an excellent comprehensive education in state of the art facilities, while the Illinois Eye Institute provides quality patient care and education in a collaborative environment of highly trained optometrists, subspecialty ophthalmologists, primary care physicians and opticians.
| Associate Professor of Optometry, Associate Dean | |
| Glaucoma | |
| 312-949-7120 | |
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| 1807 | |
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Dr. Caden joined the ICO faculty in 1972. Since then, he has been involved in teaching many of the binocular vision courses and related laboratories. He divides his time between administering the fourth professional year externship program and teaching in the Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service. Dr. Caden has served twice as the Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service Chief during his time at ICO. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and serves as a consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.
Why ICO?
I joined the ICO faculty because it gave me the opportunity to develop my clinical skills in pediatrics and stay abreast of the latest research and new techniques for examining children. Any student who chooses ICO for their optometric education will be exposed to a large and diverse clinical population. Additionally, you will be taught by a dedicated and approachable faculty, many of whom are nationally and inter-nationally known.
| Associate Professor of Optometry Assistant Dean for Community-Based Education |
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| Pediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision, Visually Related Learning and Reading Problems | |
| 312-949-7277 | |
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| 1801 | |
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Dr. Barclay W. Bakkum grew up in the small town of Manchester, Iowa, and got his undergraduate degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He received his chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. After several busy years in private practice in Charles City, Iowa, Dr. Bakkum decided he wanted to teach and do research, so he went back to graduate school. Dr. Bakkum received his PhD in anatomy and cell biology with an emphasis on neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He taught anatomy for 15 years at the National College of Chiropractic (now known as the National University of Health Sciences) in the western suburbs of Chicago. In 2005, Dr. Bakkum came to ICO, where he teaches microscopic anatomy (formerly known as histology) and neuroanatomy/neurophysiology. Dr. Bakkum lives in the western suburbs with his wife and their two children.
Why ICO?
Having been associated with other places of higher education, I can honestly say that ICO is a really nice place!!! The people are wonderful, and the culture is top rate. I hold myself to a high standard in most everything that I do (especially professionally), and I enjoy working at a place that also holds itself to a high standard. If someone wants to become an excellent optometrist, this is the place to do it.
| Associate Professor | |
| Chiropractic, Anatomy, Optometric Issues Related to Concussion, Neural Plasticity | |
| 312-949-7267 | |
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| Brady 2010 | |
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Dr. Speilburg earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and graduated with valedictory honors from the Illinois College of Optometry. She completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at ICO, where she currently works full time as an instructor of optometry. Dr. Speilburg serves as an attending optometrist in the Primary Care and Contact Lens services of the Illinois Eye Institute, educating second, third and fourth year students. In addition, Dr. Speilburg is involved in clinical laboratory education. She is a fellowship candidate with the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association.
Why ICO?
As a relatively new optometry doctor, it was not so long ago that I was investigating the different schools and colleges of optometry across the country. The educational experience at ICO speaks for itself with respect to National Board scores, but I chose to attend ICO because of the comfortable atmosphere. I knew the patient population would create a superior clinical experience; the ability to see what you’ve learned with hands-on experience elevates the educational experience. The faculty at ICO are committed to the students and make learning top priority. I felt this commitment as student, and witness it daily as a faculty member. Classroom education, laboratories and clinical experiences meld together creating an environment that is both challenging and supportive. I never regretted my decision to attend ICO and I am proud to be a faculty member.
| Instructor | |
| Primary Eye Care | |
| 312-949-7231 | |
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| 1002 | |
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Dr. Rozwat graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry in 1994 and completed a primary care residency at the Illinois College of Optometry. After her residency she was hired at ICO and has been there since. Dr. Rozwat is the chief of the Primary Care Eye Service. She also precepts students in the Primary Care clinic. Dr. Rozwat has been a member of the Admissions Committee since 1997 and enjoys doing weekly applicant interviews. She is the Chair of the Faculty Candidate Committee and the Faculty Travel Committee. She is an ACOE consultant. Dr. Rozwat has done several contract research projects for Essilor, comparing visual performance of progressive lenses.
Why ICO?
Chicago is a great city to live in with amazing restaurants, entertainment, culture and access to parks and the lakefront for outdoor activities.
Faculty and students come from a wide range of backgrounds and work together to create a cohesive learning environment.
The Illinois Eye Institute offers students the chance to examine patients with a high proportion of diverse pathology. IEI has the newest technology to manage patients fully and top notch specialty services.
| Chief, Primary Care | |
| Primary Eye Care | |
| 312-949-7170 | |
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| 2577 | |
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Dr. McLeod received her optometric degree from ICO and completed a residency in ocular disease and special testing at SUNY State College of Optometry in New York. Dr. McLeod is an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service, Urgent Care Service, and Advance Care Service at the Illinois Eye Institute. In addition, she serves as a lab coordinator in the optometry sequence for second-year students. Dr. McLeod is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and member of the American Optometric Association.
Why ICO?
ICO has an excellent didactic and clinical education program with faculty members who are dedicated and enthusiastic about teaching. The Illinois Eye Institute, ICO's onsite clinic, offers a rich and rewarding clinical experience.
| Assistant Professor | |
| Primary Eye Care, Retinal Disease, Glaucoma, Clinical Optometric Methods | |
| 312-949-7283 | |
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| Brady Hall 2006 | |
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Dr. Valerie M. Kattouf is a 1995 graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. Upon graduation, Dr. Kattouf completed a residency in pediatrics and binocular vision at the State University of New York. Dr. Kattouf is currently chief of the Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Service and a clinical instructor at the University of Chicago. Dr. Kattouf’s career focus is teaching courses in the areas of strabismus and amblyopia and infant and toddler examination skills. Dr. Kattouf has authored articles in optometric literature and lectured at numerous scientific meetings on the topics of pediatric eye care and strabismus. Dr. Kattouf also is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrists in Visual Development, and a volunteer member of the American Optometric Association. Dr. Kattouf was named the Illinois Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year in 2002.
Why ICO?
My aspirations as a student NEVER included a career in academic optometry. Throughout my years as a student and resident, my teaching skills were fostered and my love of teaching within the optometric profession grew. I felt humbled when asked to join the faculty at ICO in 1997. As a student and as a faculty member, the warmth of the faculty, staff and students at ICO creates a family environment that makes going to work each and every day a joy.
| Chief, Pediatrics Department, Associate Professor | |
| Pediatrics/ Binocular Vision PEDIG Investigator King- Devick Ocular Motor Research | |
| 312-949-7279 | |
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| 2575 Suite C | |
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Dr. Augsburger is the fifth president of the Illinois College of Optometry. He previously served in academic and administrative positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and at the Ohio State University. He is the only person to have been named the Optometrist of the Year in three states, and also be named the National Optometrist of the Year by the American Optometric Association.
Why ICO?
ICO offers the best in clinically focused optometric education. It is a privilege to lead such a dynamic institution.
| President of the Illinois College of Optometry | |
| 312-949-7700 | |
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| 2203 | |
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Dr. Block received her optometry degree in 1981 from the Illinois College of Optometry, after which she completed a pediatric residency at ICO. She has been on faculty at ICO since completed her residency in 1982. In 1988, Dr. Block completed her Master of Education from National Louis University. She has been a consultant to the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program since 1995 and has been instrumental in developing the vision screening program that is now conducted globally.
Dr. Block is an active member of the faculty, served as the associate dean for academic affairs for two years and then became medical director of school-based vision clinics for the IEI. Her interests lie in primary eye care for children of all ages, with a social focus on persons with disabilities, as well as, the process of diagnosis and treatment of visually related learning problems.
Dr. Block has been an active member of the American Academy of Optometry and American Optometric Association and sits on two committees for Prevent Blindness America. She is a Fellow and has achieved the level of Diplomate in Public Health and Environmental Optometry at the American Academy of Optometry, as well as a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Visual Development.
Why ICO?
I chose ICO because my father was a 1948 graduate of NICO (an ICO predecessor). He loved his work as an optometrist and valued his education from NICO. I am proud to say I am a graduate of the same institution.
| Medical Director, School-based Clinics | |
| Pediatrics, patients with special needs, vision therapy, vision information processing, Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes, interprofessional collaboration, access to care, public health | |
| 312-949-7011 | |
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| Brady Hall 2020 | |
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