Gary A. Lesher, Ph.D., F.A.A.O.
Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Chairman, Basic and Health Science
B.S. Carroll College
M.S., Ph.D. Purdue University
glesher@ico.edu

Dr. Lesher did his graduate work with Dr. George Spratto in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Purdue University, culminating with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1977. He took a teaching position with the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, where he taught and did research on the effects of opiates on drug metabolism. In 1983, Dr. Lesher assumed his duties at the Illinois College of Optometry, with responsibilities for teaching all the general and ocular pharmacology and therapeutics courses. Dr. Lesher was promoted to Professor in 1993 and appointed Chairman of the department of Basic and Health Science in 1999, and was elected to the Illinois College of Optometry Board of Trustees in 2000.

Dr. Lesher’s research interests continue in the areas of ocular pharmacology, drug metabolism in ocular tissue, as well as the use of contact lenses as drug delivery devices. He has authored numerous papers and abstracts and several book chapters on these areas of research interest, as well as presented numerous continuing education lectures on ocular pharmacology. In addition his activities at ICO, Dr. Lesher is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, and serves on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, Exam Construction Committee.

Arol Augsburger, O.D., MS
Professor of Optometry President
B.S. Ohio State University
M.S. Ohio State University
O.D. Ohio State University College of Optometry

Dr. Arol Augsburger serves as the President of the Illinois College of Optometry, the oldest and largest college of optometry in the country and the largest provider of vision care in Illinois in its clinic, the Illinois Eye Institute. Prior to his appointment at ICO in 2002, his 30 years of leadership in higher education include positions as the Interim Provost of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Dean and Professor of the UAB College of Optometry, and Professor of Clinical Optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Dr. Augsburger completed three degrees (B.S., M.S., O.D.) at The Ohio State University, graduating cum laude in 1971 with a Doctor of Optometry degree.

Dr. Augsburger has been widely recognized as a legislative facilitator, a corporate and government vision consultant, and as a leader in both his profession and the community. He has held multiple board offices of national professional associations, such as the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. He currently serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Chicago, the Partnership Foundation for Optometric Education, the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities, the Near South Planning Board of Chicago, and the Jackson Park Hospital Foundation. In addition, his combined commitment to vision care and service in the community has resulted in appointments to the President’s Council of The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired and to the Union League Club’s Blind Advocacy Committee.

Christine Allison, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry Coordinator, Pediatric/Binocular Vision Residency Program O.D. State University of New York School of Optometry B.S. University of Notre Dame callison@ico.edu

Christine Allison received her BS degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1991. She received her OD degree in 1995 from the State University of New York State College of Optometry. Upon graduation, she completed a residency program in Pediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry. Currently she is an Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry, teaching the Infant/Child Development and Management course, and the Treatment of Binocular Vision Disorders laboratory. She is the Program Coordinator for the ICO Binocular Vision and Pediatric Optometry Residency Program. Dr. Allison is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Disorders, and an American Academy of Optometry Diplomate in Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry. She is also currently the Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes Program for Illinois.

John Baker, O.D., M.S.Ed.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.S. State University of New York at Binghamton
B.S., O.D. Pennsylvania College of Optometry
M.S.Ed. Northern Illinois University
Jbaker@ico.edu

Dr. Baker received his optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1984 and completed a residency in Primary Care at the same institution in 1985. He joined the clinical faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 1985 as Chief of Primary Care Module A. Dr. Baker subsequently became the coordinator of the Primary Care Residency program, and later the Director of Residencies. Dr. Baker is currently the Chairperson for Clinical Education at the college and as well as an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute. He serves as an accredidation for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) as well as an examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Dr. Baker has special interest in optometric education and completed a Master of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University in 1999. Dr. Baker was part of the planning team for the ASCO Summer Institute for Faculty Development held in 2006 and 2007.

Barclay Bakkum, D.C., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
B.A. Wartburg College
D.C. Palmer College of Chiropractic
Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago
bbakkum@ico.edu

Dr. Bakkum received his chiropractic degree from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1981, and he practiced for four years in a busy multi-doctor practice in Charles City, Iowa. He decided to return to school in 1985 and entered the doctoral degree in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in the Lincoln Medical School at the University of Illinois at Chicago. After receiving his Ph.D. degree, he taught anatomy at the National College of Chiropractic (later known as the National University of Health Sciences) for 16 years, where he eventually became the chairman of the Department of Anatomy. Dr. Bakkum joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005, where he teaches histology and neuroanatomy. Dr. Bakkum has authored nearly 20 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and over 25 peer reviewed abstracts on a variety of subjects. Some of his research interests include the development of the visual cortex, synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord, and neuromuscular segmentation.

Sandra Block, O.D., M.Ed.
Associate Dean
Professor of Optometry
B.A. North Park College
B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
M.Ed. National College of Education
sblock@ico.edu

Dr. Block received her optometry degree in 1981 from the Illinois College of Optometry, after which she completed a Pediatric Residency at the same institution. She has been on faculty at ICO since 1982 when she completed her residency. 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 instrumental in developing the vision screening program that is now conducted globally. As a part of her involvement with the eye care of persons with intellectual disability, Dr. Block has been intimately involved in the development of a educational program for optometry and ophthalmology which has already been translated to Mandarin. The financial support for this educational tool has been provided through a generous grant from Lions Foundation (LCIF).

Dr. Block is an active member of the faculty and is an attending optometrist in the Pediatric / Binocular Vision Service. Her interests lie in primary eye care for children of all ages and persons with disabilities, as well as, the process of diagnosis and treatment of visually related learning problems. Dr. Block has been supervising the Maryville Academy Satellite Clinic since 1989 where eye care is provided for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Dr. Block has authored numerous publications and conducted presentations to students and peers. She has been invited to present all over the world. Dr. Block has been an active member of the American Academy of Optometry and American Optometric Association and sits on 2 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, achieving a Fellow in College of Optometrists in Visual Development. She is currently working on a degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Epidemiology and Maternal and Child Health. .

Brian W. Caden, O.D.,M.A., F.A.A.O.
Chair of Comunity Based Education
B.A. Providence College
B.S.,O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
M.A. Northeastern Illinois University
bcaden@ico.edu

Dr. Caden received his BS and OD degrees from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1972. After graduation, Dr. Caden received an MA degree in Education-Remedial Reading from Northeastern Illinois University in 1977. Dr. Caden currently holds a full-time position as an Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry and serves as the Chair of Community Based Education. Dr. Caden has lectured at many local and national meetings on visually related reading and learning disabilities. He has also published in many peer reviewed professional journals.

Dr. Caden is an attending optometrist in the Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye Institute and is also a part-time Clinical Associate in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at the University of Chicago. Dr. Caden’s research interests are in the relationship between vision and learning.

David Castells O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.A. Hobart College
O.D. State University of New York College of Optometry
dcastells@ico.edu

Dr. Castells received his optometry degree from the State University of New York College of Optometry in 1994 and in 1995 completed a residency in Urban Family Practice.Dr. Castells is currently a full time Associate Professor of Optometry at the college where he teaches 3 courses in the optometry techniques sequence for which he has won the Teacher of the Year award. He is also an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute, for which he has won the Clinician of the Year award. Dr. Castells has authored 9 peer reviewed papers and over 17 peer reviewed abstracts on a variety of topics. He is currently investigating the role of confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in the pediatric population. He has provided over 60 optometric education lectures. Outside of the college, he is the director of the Eye Care Educators group, a provider of optometric continuing education. Dr. Castells is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Grace Castells, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
BS Adelphi University
OD State University of New York College of Optometry
gcastells@ico.edu

Dr. Grace Castells is a graduate of the State University of New York College of Optometry, and she completed a residency in Rehabilitative Optometry and Primary Care at the Northport Veterans Administration Hospital in Northport New York. Currently Dr. Castells teaches in the Primary Care Clinic at ICO, and practices outside the college as well.

Michael Chaglasian, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Chief of Staff
B.S. University of Michigan
O.D. State University of New York College of Optometry
mchaglas@ico.edu

B.S.: University of Michigan Doctor of Optometry: State University of New York, College of Optometry Residency in Primary Care/Ocular Disease: Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Currently is an Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry, course instructor in glaucoma and perimetry.

Administrative Position: Chief of Staff of the Illinois Eye Institute, in charge of all patient care related activities for 60 staff optometrists and 80,000 patient visits.

Dr. Chaglasian sees patients within the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care at IEI and limits his practice to the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. He has written, taught and lectured extensively on glaucoma over the past decade and is a founding member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society.

Areas of Interest: Scanning laser imaging, structure /function relationship, and progression analysis for glaucoma

Kent M. Daum, O.D., M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Optometry
Vice President & Dean for Academic Affairs
O.D., College of Optometry, The Ohio State University
M.S. The Ohio State University
Ph.D. The Ohio State University
kdaum@ico.edu

Dr. Kent Daum attended The Ohio State University receiving his Doctor of Optometry (1976), Masters of Science (1978) and Doctor of Philosophy (1979) degrees. Following graduation from Ohio State, Dr. Daum accepted a position on the faculty of the College of Optometry at The Ohio State University. During this time, he taught courses relating to binocular vision and the eye as an optical instrument as well as graduate courses in those areas and was actively involved in teaching of optometry students in the clinic. In 1985, he accepted a position at the School of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Daum accepted the position of Vice President & Dean for Academic Affairs at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2007. In addition to teaching, Dr. Daum has been a contributor to optometric continuing education and ophthalmic research meetings and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Daum’s research interests relate to visual performance and visual comfort with respect to computers as well as a variety of clinical binocular vision problems. Dr. Daum has collaborated with researchers on problems identified by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Secret Service.

Dr. Daum has published a textbook on binocular vision, and serves on the peer review panels of a number of journals. Dr. Daum is presently chair of the curriculum committee of the School of Optometry. He has been actively involved in numerous areas of optometric education locally and nationally. As a researcher and author, he has contributed papers, book chapters & abstracts to the scientific and medical literature.

Robert Donati, PhD
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
B.A. University of Chicago
PhD University of Illinois at Chicago
rdonati@ico.edu

Dr. Donati received his PhD degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1998 with a major in Anatomy and Cell Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the department of Physiology and Biophysics at the same institution in 2004. He joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 2004. Dr. Donati’s research focuses on the biochemical mechanisms of antidepressant action and he continues his research at UIC.

Dr. Donati teaches the 1st year course Human Physiology and Pathology. This course spans 3 quarters and explores the physiology and pathology of various organ systems. Part of the course focuses on immunology and its role in both normal physiology and pathology. Dr. Donati has published 6 peer reviewed articles and 23 abstracts for presentation at national and international meetings.

Gerald Dujsik, M.A.L.S.
Director, Learning Resources Center
B.A. University of Illinois
M.A.L.S. Rosary College
gdujsik@ico.edu

Gerald Dujsik has been a librarian for over 35 years and with the College for over 20 years. He is responsible for Learning Resources, updating the classroom technology, the library website and marketing the vision literature citation database, VisionCite, now that it is available via the internet. He co-teaches Evidence Based Health Care with Dr. Zoltoski.

He co-published an article in Optometric Education on reading habits of optometrists and authored a poster titled, VisionCite: a tool for searching the vision literature at AAO in 2004.

Kelly A. Frantz, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.C.O.V.D.
Professor of Optometry
A.S., Pennsylvania State University
B.S., O.D., Pennsylvania College of Optometry
kfrantz@ico.edu

Dr. Frantz graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1985, where she also completed a residency in pediatrics/binocular vision. She joined the ICO faculty in 1986, and currently serves as attending staff in the Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service and teaches two courses on management of binocular vision conditions (Binocular Vision Disorders and Strabismus/Amblyopia II). Dr. Frantz is a Diplomate in Binocular Vision, Perception, and Pediatric Optometry in the American Academy of Optometry, and has served as Diplomate Chair and Section Chair. She is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She is also continuing education coordinator for the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists, International, and faculty advisor to the FCO student chapter at ICO. Dr. Frantz has taught continuing education courses at meetings of the American Academy of Optometry and state associations. Her publications include more than 25 clinical research studies, review articles, case reports, and textbook chapters on binocular vision testing and treatment, applications of prisms in binocular vision, and evaluation of children's vision.

Helen Gabriel, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.S. University of Illinois at Chicago
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
hgabriel@ico.edu

Dr. Gabriel received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1989. She completed a one year post-graduate residency in Optometric Specialties at Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Tahlequah Oklahoma's Indian Health Service Hospital. She joined the ICO faculty in 1990 and currently serves as an attending in the Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Service and the Primary Eyecare Service of the Illinois Eye Institute. Dr. Gabriel currently teaches and coordinates the Optometry Laboratory on binocular vision and accommodative assessment and the Physical Diagnosis course and laboratory. She has lectured in other courses on topics related to microbiology, infection control and pediatrics. Her publications include both clinical and clinically related research studies and case reports related to these subject areas as well. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Illinois Optometric Association, College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Geoffrey W. Goodfellow, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Chairman of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor of Optometry
Chief, Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Service
B.S. Benedictine University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
ggoodfel@ico.edu

Dr. Geoffrey Goodfellow received his optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2001 and completed a residency in Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at the same institution in 2002. He joined the full time faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 2002.

Dr. Goodfellow is currently the Chief of the Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Service in the Illinois Eye Institute and is an attending optometrist there. As an Assistant Professor of Optometry, he teaches Physiological Optics, Binocular Vision Disorders Laboratory, and is coordinator for the Private Practice Clerkship. Dr. Goodfellow is the site coordinator for the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigators Group and is a co-investigator in several pediatric research projects, having authored 2 peer reviewed papers and 5 peer reviewed abstracts.

Dr. Goodfellow is an active member of the American Optometric Association, Illinois Optometric Association (IOA), College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He is a past recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the American Society of Ocularists and the Young Optometrist of the Year by the IOA.

Sanford M Gross, OD, MA, FAAO
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.S. Ohio State University
O.D. Ohio State University College of Optometry
sgross@ico.edu

Dr Gross attended the Ohio State University (1976 – 1979) as an undergraduate with a dual major in Psychology and English, where he earned a Bachelor of Science. He then began work on a Master of Arts degree at the same institution, via the College of Education, in the field of Family and Marriage Counseling, which was eventually completed in 2005. Dr Gross also attended the Ohio State University College of Optometry (1980 – 1984) and earned his Doctorate of Optometry. During the 1985 – 1986 academic year he completed a certified residency program in the area of hospital-based optometry through the Veteran’s Administration Medical Centers of Cleveland. His fellowship within the American Academy of Optometry was earned in the year 2000.

During his tenure at the Illinois College of Optometry, Dr Gross has held administrative positions within the Primary Care clinic of the Illinois Eye Institute and at the Sidney Hillman Healthcare Center.

Doctor Gross currently instructs interns in the clinical departments of Primary care, Low Vision, and Cornea / Contact Lenses. He also participates in the laboratory instruction components of these same clinical areas and has taught a course on professional communication skills. His scholarly and didactic interests include professional communication, healthcare ethics, and laboratory diagnostic testing for optometric use.

Gary Gunderson, O.D., M.S.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.S., M.S. Northern Illinois University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
ggunders@ico.edu

Dr. Gary Gunderson received his Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and his Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University. He joined the faculty at ICO in 1981. Dr Gunderson also has worked in several optometric practices and had a private practice for over 10 years.

Dr. Gunderson is currently the course coordinator for Ocular Physiology and the laboratory coordinator for the contact lens fitting laboratory. He is an attending optometrist in the Cornea and Contact Lens clinic and Primary Care clinic. Dr Gunderson has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry since 1992. He is the past president of the Association of Contact Lens Educators and the Chicago Cornea and Contact Lens Society. His research interests include contact lenses, lens filters, drug delivery and wavefront technology.

Wendy J Haaland Stone, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
whaaland@ico.edu

Dr. Haaland did her optometric training here at ICO, and then she completed a residency in Primary Eye Care at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia. She worked part time at ICO for three years while working at private practices, and in 2005 she began a full time position at ICO. Dr. Haaland currently sees patients and works with students in our Primary Care and Cornea/Contact Lens departments. She also teaches one of the optometric procedures courses to our second year students.

Neil Hodur, O.D.
Professor of Optometry
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
nhodur@ico.edu

Dr. Hodur is a 1975 graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. He has served on the faculty from 1975 - 1995 and 1998 - present full time. Dr. Hodur is a full professor of optometry, serving in that capacity from 1992 - 95 at ICO and from 1996 - 97 at the Pacific University College of Optometry. Dr. Hodur teaches optics at the Illinois College of Optometry and is involved in the Cornea and Contact Lens Center for Excellence clinically. Dr. Hodur is also involved in researach in both contact lens optics as well as ophthalmic equipment design.

Janice M. Jurkus, O.D., M.B.A.
Professor of Optometry
Coordinator, Cornea Contact Lens Management Residency
B.S. O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
MBA, Loyola University-Chicago
jjurkus@ico.edu

Janice M. Jurkus is a Professor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry. She is responsible for the didactic and laboratory teaching in the basic and advanced areas of contact lenses. She also co-ordinates the Business of Optometry course in Practice Management. In addition, she is a credentialed staff doctor in the cornea/contact lens clinic at the Illinois Eye Institute of the Illinois College of Optometry. As program coordinator for the Cornea/ Contact Lens Residency, she is responsible for the accredited program, which includes activity at the University of Chicago, Ciba’s Vision Care Specialists office and ICO. In Faculty governance, she serves as the elected Chair of the Faculty Council.

Dr. Jurkus is a frequent speaker at national and international meetings. She has given over 160 professional lectures. Her research and clinical findings are published in professional Optometric journals. She has written over eighty articles and twelve chapters in Optometric textbooks.

She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry with Diplomate status in the Cornea-Contact Lens section and serves as Chair of the Communication Committee. She is also a charter member of the American Optometric Association-Contact Lens section. Dr. Jurkus is part of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators and a Fellow of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators. Dr. Jurkus served as a voting member of the FDA Ophthalmic Device Panel and remains a consultant to the FDA Center for Medical Devices and Radiological Health. She completed a fellowship project in Poland for the World Council of Optometry (WCO).

Valerie M. Kattouf O.D., F.A.A.O.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Medical Director, University of Chicago Clinics
B.S. Miami University
B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
vkattouf@ico.edu

Dr. Valerie Kattouf is an optometrist who graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) in 1995 (cum laude) and went on to her post-doctoral residency training in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision at the State University of New York Optometric Center. Dr. Kattouf is currently a faculty member at ICO (as an Associate Professor) and the University of Chicago where she participates in patient care and training of ophthalmology residents and medical students. Her influence in her profession begins with the students and residents whom she mentors and teaches in her area of specialty – pediatrics. It extends to developing community programs that target her goal of educating the public and implementing early diagnosis and treatment of vision problems in the pediatric population. Dr. Kattouf has developed the Pediatric Outreach Program here in Chicago which is a grant that allows for comprehensive eye examinations, treatment and follow-up care at Head Start Agencies throughout Chicago. Dr. Kattouf is also a Board member of several organizations that stress early intervention for pediatricand disabled lives.

Dr. Kattouf has rendered administrative experience as a residency coordinator, a medical director, and volunteer for the American Optometric Association (AOA). She also serves as the AOA’s national spokesperson for their media campaigns aimed to educate the public on vision care. Dr. Kattouf is currently a sought after lecturer is all areas of the country working to increase the level of knowledge and comfort that her profession has in the area of vision care of the infant and toddler. In addition she has authored articles and chapters in optometric literature and is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrists in Visual Development. In 2002 Dr. Kattouf was recognized as the Illinois Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year.

Valerie M. Klemencic, O.D.
Instructor of Optometry
B.S. Indiana University
O.D. Indiana University School of Optometry
sklemencic@ico.edu

Dr. Klemencic received her doctorate of optometry at the Indiana University School of Optometry where she also completed a residency in Ocular Disease. Prior to joining the Illinois College of Optometry faculty, she worked at an OD/MD practice in Ohio. She is an Instructor of Optometry, providing clinical instruction to third and fourth year students within the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute. She is currently a member of the American Optometric Association, Illinois Optometric Association and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Patrick Kwong O.D., F.A.A.O.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
Chief, Sidney Hillman Health Center
B.S. University of Alberta
O.D. New England College of Optometry
pkwong@ico.edu

Dr. Kwong received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in 2001. In 2002 he completed his residency in Ocular Disease at Seidenberg Protzko Eye Associates, an ophthalmology and surgical center affiliated with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Upon the completion of his residency, Dr. Kwong joined the faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Kwong is currently the Chief of the Sidney Hillman Health Center, an external community based clinic. He also serves as an attending in the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care as well as the Primary Eye Care service at the Illinois Eye Institute. Dr. Kwong has participated in multiple FDA clinical drug studies and has clinical interests in ocular disease as well as community based health care. Dr. Kwong is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association.

Patrick Kwong O.D., F.A.A.O.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
Chief, Sidney Hillman Health Center
B.S. University of Alberta
O.D. New England College of Optometry
pkwong@ico.edu

Dr. Kwong received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in 2001. In 2002 he completed his residency in Ocular Disease at Seidenberg Protzko Eye Associates, an ophthalmology and surgical center affiliated with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Upon the completion of his residency, Dr. Kwong joined the faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Kwong is currently the Chief of the Sidney Hillman Health Center, an external community based clinic. He also serves as an attending in the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care as well as the Primary Eye Care service at the Illinois Eye Institute. Dr. Kwong has participated in multiple FDA clinical drug studies and has clinical interests in ocular disease as well as community based health care. Dr. Kwong is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association.

David Y. Lee, O.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Optometry & Physiological Optics
B.S. Memphis State University
O.D. Southern College of Optometry
Ph.D. University of Alabama in Birmingham
dlee@ico.edu

Dr. Lee received his optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in 1976, and his Ph.D. in Physiological Optics at the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1981. He joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 1981.

Dr. Lee is currently a Professor of Optometry & Physiological Optics. He teaches a number of vision science courses, including color vision, binocular vision, spatial vision, temporal vision, and developmental neurobiology. His clinical specialty is on defective color vision. His research interest includes color vision, binocular vision, and psychophysical testing of magnocellular and parvocellular pathways. Dr. Lee is a member of the American Optometric Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

David Y. Lee, O.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Optometry & Physiological Optics
B.S. Memphis State University
O.D. Southern College of Optometry
Ph.D. University of Alabama in Birmingham
dlee@ico.edu

Dr. Lee received his optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in 1976, and his Ph.D. in Physiological Optics at the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1981. He joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 1981.

Dr. Lee is currently a Professor of Optometry & Physiological Optics. He teaches a number of vision science courses, including color vision, binocular vision, spatial vision, temporal vision, and developmental neurobiology. His clinical specialty is on defective color vision. His research interest includes color vision, binocular vision, and psychophysical testing of magnocellular and parvocellular pathways. Dr. Lee is a member of the American Optometric Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dominick M. Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO
BA Beloit College
OD Illinois College of Optometry
MEd University of Illinois Chicago
dmaino@ico.edu

Dr. Dominick Maino is a Professor in the Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye Institute and the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) and is in private practice in Harwood Heights, Illinois. He is also the past Director of the Institute for Advanced Competency Post-Graduate Continuing Education Program at ICO, an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics and Binocular Vision at the Centro Boston de Optometria in Madrid Spain, and the Director of the Developmental Disabilities Service at the Victor C. Neumann Association facility on Chicago's north side.

Dr. Maino serves as the editor of Optometry and Vision Development and has authored approximately 200 books, book chapters, monographs, websites and articles covering a wide range of topics from computers to Fragile X Syndrome and has given more than 100 presentations to optometrists and other health care professionals. He is a co-author of the ASCOTech column for Optometric Education, which is the journal for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and is currently the associate, consulting, and/or contributing editor and manuscript reviewer for more than 13 publications and writes frequently for various journals.

Dr. Maino has received recognition/honors for his work from the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Optometric Editors Association, and the Easter Seal Society of Metropolitan Chicago. He is an internationally recognized expert on oculo-visual problems of children and adults with developmental disabilities. His research interests include special populations (mental, physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities), pediatrics, computer applications in optometry and individuals with binocular vision dysfunction. Dr. Maino's avocations include website design, music and photography.

Janice McMahon, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.S. University of New Orleans
O.D. Southern College of Optometry
jmcmahon@ico.edu

Dr. Janice McMahon graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, in 1998. After completing a Primary Care Residency at the Illinois College of Optometry in 1999, she remained as a full time faculty member. She works primarily in the Primary Care setting, but also participates in labs, lectures, pediatric outreach, external sites, and the residency program.

Janice McMahon, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. University of New Orleans
O.D. Southern College of Optometry
jmcmahon@ico.edu

Dr. Janice McMahon graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, in 1998. After completing a Primary Care Residency at the Illinois College of Optometry in 1999, she remained as a full time faculty member. She works primarily in the Primary Care setting, but also participates in labs, lectures, pediatric outreach, external sites, and the residency program.

Leonard Messner, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Vice President for Patient Care Services
B.S. University of Pittsburgh
B.S., O.D. Pennsylvania College of Optometry
lmessner@ico.edu

Leonard V. Messner, OD, FAAO, is the Vice President for Patient Care Services of the Illinois College of Optometry and serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Eye Institute. The Illinois Eye Institute provides over 80,000 patient visits per years and is the principle clinical education arm of the ICO and is affiliated with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of the University of Chicago. Dr. Messner is an Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry, and holds clinical privileges in the areas of retina-vitreous and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. He is a former member of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, Ocular Disease/Trauma Subcommittee; the Clinical Science Examination Council and the TMOD Examination Council. He is a member and current chair of the Diplomate Section for Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders of the American Academy of Optometry, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Messner is a member of the American Academy of Optometry, the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association. He serves on the IOA’s task force on governmental relations committee and on the IOA’s managed care committee. He has completed executive education courses by the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in Financial Analysis for Non-financial Managers, and by the Harvard School of Public Health in Advanced Leadership Strategies for Health Care Executives.

Dr. Messner is the recipient of numerous awards, including ICO’s Professor of the Year eight of the last nine years. He is the author and co-author of numerous professional articles and textbook chapters on retina-vitreous and neuro-ophthalmic disorders, and a frequent guest lecturer in the United States and abroad. He is a visiting professor at the Colegio Nacional de Optics-Optometristas (Madrid, Spain). He also serves on the board of directors of the Guild for the Blind and the Vision First Coalition of Illinois.

Leonard Messner, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Vice President for Patient Care Services
B.S. University of Pittsburgh
B.S., O.D. Pennsylvania College of Optometry
lmessner@ico.edu

Stephanie Messner, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Chair, Post Graduate and IEI-Based Clinical Education
B.S. University of Pittsburgh
B.S., O.D. Pennsylvania College of Optometry
smessner@ico.edu

Dr. Stephanie Messner is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where she also completed a residency in primary eye care. She joined the ICO faculty in 1985 and holds the rank of Associate Professor. Currently, Dr. Messner serves as Chair, Post-graduate and Illinois Eye Institute-based Education, directing both residency education and on-campus clinical training of optometry students. In addition to her administrative position, Dr. Messner teaches in both the didactic and clinical programs, serving as a preceptor in the Primary Care Service and coordinator for the anterior segment disease course in the ocular disease sequence. Dr. Messner is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and consultant to the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. She served as a member of the Illinois Optometry Licensing and Disciplinary Board from 1990-1998.

Tricia Newman, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Chief, Advance Ophthalmic Care Service
B.A. University of Iowa
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
tnewman@ico.edu

Dr. Tricia Newman received her doctor of optometry degree in1997 from the Illinois College of Optometry. She then completed a residency in Primary Care Optometry/Ocular Disease at the Illinois College of Optometry/Illinois Eye Institute in 1998. Following her residency, Dr. Newman joined the faculty at ICO.

Dr. Newman served as Coordinator of the Primary Care Residency program at the Illinois College of Optometry from 1999 through 2002. Her didactic responsibilities have included course master and lecturer in the vitreo-retinal disorders course and course master for the neuro-ophthalmic disorders course at the Illinois College of Optometry. In addition, she has published multiple articles and a textbook chapter on these topics.

At present, Dr. Newman serves as Chief of the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care service at the Illinois Eye Institute. There she is involved in the coordination and examination of tertiary patient care, urgent care, as well as the clinical training of 4th year student clinicians and optometric residents. Dr. Newman is also an attending optometrist in the Primary care service at the Illinois Eye Institute. Additionally, she has been a staff optometrist at the Chicago Eye Institute working directly with a glaucoma specialist since 1998.

Dr. Newman is a member of the Illinois Optometric Association. She is also a member and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Mindy Nguyen, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S., Loyola University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
mnguyen@ico.edu

Dr. Nguyen graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She continued her graduate education at the Illinois College of Optometry and graduated in 2005 with Honors in Clinical Excellence. She went on to complete a post-graduate residency in Family Practice (Community-Based) at the University of Houston, College of Optometry.

Dr. Nguyen has recently joined ICO as a full-time faculty member with clinical and laboratory teaching responsibilities in Primary Care and the Cornea and Contact Lens Services. She is currently a member of the American Academy of Optometry and American Optometric Association.

Zeki Nur
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Finance
Director, Benefits Administration
B.A. Roosevelt University - Honors
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa Statistics and Actuarial Science Dept
Graduate Studies in Investments, IIT
Znur@ico.edu

Mr. Nur is a Fulbright Scholar who received his degree with Honors from Roosevelt University in Actuarial Science. He received a teaching assistantship from University of Iowa and pursued graduate studies in Actuarial Science while teaching Quantitative Methods II for undergraduate business-major students. He also completed graduate courses in Investments at IIT.

Mr. Nur joined Illinois College of Optometry after working as a consultant for nine years in Actuarial Consulting firms. He has been with the College for 12 years. He is currently the Director of Benefits Administration. He developed two elective courses "Planning/Managing Debt & Career Goals" and "Investment Basics" and is also a part-time faculty member.

He was recently interviewed live on National TV (BRT, Turkish North Republic of Cyprus) regarding a new legislation proposed in Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Dominick L. Opitz, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Assistant Professor
B.S., Loyola University
O.D., Illinois College of Optometry
dopitz@ico.edu

Dr. Opitz received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University and proceeded to earn his doctorate of optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1996. Following graduation, he completed a hospital based primary care residency at the Hampton Virginia Veterans Administration Medical Center from 1996-1997.

In July 2006, Dr. Opitz accepted a full-time academic appointment at the Illinois College of Optometry where he serves as Assistant Professor in the department of Clinical Education. Prior to his academic appointment, Dr. Opitz was a partner in a multidisciplinary medical/surgical eyecare center since completion of his residency in 1997. Dr. Opitz continues to practice there in addition to his clinical education responsibilities at the College.

Dr. Opitz is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association. He is also a member and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Currently, Dr. Opitz is the President of the Illinois State Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Opitz has lectured nationally for various optometric continuing education programs and is a columnist for the Journal of the Illinois Optometric Association.

Yi Pang Ph.D., O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry

Director of Research
Ph.D. University of Alabama at Birmingham
O.D. The New England College of Optometry
ypang@ico.edu

Dr. Pang received her Ph.D. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her O.D. degree from the New England College of Optometry. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry as an assistant professor in 2005. Dr. Pang is an attending optometrist in the Pediatric and Binocular Vision service and Primary Eye care service at the Illinois Eye Institute. Her research interests are in the areas of amblyopia, strabismus, and binocular vision function. Currently, she participate in several NIH funded multi-center amblyopia studies and other research projects. She has authored 11 peer reviewed papers and many peer reviewed abstracts.

Yi Pang Ph.D., O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
Ph.D. University of Alabama at Birmingham
O.D. The New England College of Optometry
ypang@ico.edu

Dr. Pang received her Ph.D. degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her O.D. degree from the New England College of Optometry. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry as an assistant professor in 2005. Dr. Pang is an attending optometrist in the Pediatric and Binocular Vision service and Primary Eye care service at the Illinois Eye Institute. Her research interests are in the areas of amblyopia, strabismus, and binocular vision function. Currently, she participate in several NIH funded multi-center amblyopia studies and other research projects. She has authored 11 peer reviewed papers and many peer reviewed abstracts.

Andria M. Pihos, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
Primary Care Residency Coordinator
B.S. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
O.D. New England College of Optometry
apihos@ico.edu

Dr. Pihos received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in 2001. She joined the faculty at Illinois College of Optometry after the completion of her residency in primary care/ocular disease at the Illinois Eye Institute in 2002. Dr. Pihos serves as an Assistant Professor of Optometry in both clinical and didactic capacities. Her clinical responsibilities at the Illinois Eye Institute include primary care optometry and advanced care of ophthalmic disease. Dr. Pihos didactic role at the Illinois College of Optometry consists of lecturing in the ‘Optometry’ course sequence, which teaches technique and analysis of clinical procedures. Additionally, she has been the Primary Care Residency Program Coordinator since 2005 and facilitates the post-graduate training of five new residents annually.

Renee Reeder, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Chief, Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence
B.S. University of Georgia
O.D. University of Alabama School of Optometry
rreeder@ico.edu

Dr. Renée Reeder graduated magna cum laude with her BSA in Microbiology from the University of Georgia in 1992. She is a 1996 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where she received the PBH recognition award for excellence in contact lenses and the Bernell award for excellence in pediatric care. She continued her education with a post-doctoral clinical residency in Advanced Cornea and Contact Lens Management at Indiana University in 1997. After completing her residency, Dr. Reeder joined the faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry where she currently holds the rank of Associate Professor and serves as Chief, Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence. While at ICO, she has developed the contact lens residency program serving as the program coordinator for two years. Additionally, Dr. Reeder has been recognized with Dean’s awards for cutting edge teaching for developing a workshop fitting series for the students and for excellence in leadership in her role as contact lens chief. Dr. Reeder’s teaching responsibilities include lecturing on eyelid disease and medical microbiology and assisting with contact lens and physical diagnosis laboratories. In addition, to lecturing to students Dr. Reeder is active in research and continuing education lectures in the areas of dry eye, keratoconus, and other contact lens related issues. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is working toward her diplomate in cornea and contact lenses. Dr. Reeder is also an active member of the Lions Club of Westmont, Illinois for which she holds the position of first vice president.

Daniel K. Roberts
Professor of Optometry
B.S., O.D. Indiana University
M.S. University of Michigan
droberts@ico.edu

Daniel Roberts completed his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1986 at the Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, Indiana, and he completed residency training in Hospital Based Primary Care Optometry at the VA Medical Center in Danville, Illinois. He has also completed an M.S degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1999. He is currently enrolled in the Ph.D program in Public Health Sciences with Specialty in Epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Dr. Roberts holds the rank of Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Roberts is an attending staff within the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute, where he sees patients and provides clinical instruction. He is also an active researcher at the Illinois Eye Institute where he is involved in clinical and epidemiological research. His primary research interests involve glaucoma, with particular emphasis on pigmentary glaucoma and other secondary glaucomas. He has been the Editor-In-Chief of the textbook entitled “Ocular Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment,” and he has authored many articles in the peer-reviewed ophthalmic literature.

Selected recent publications
1. Roberts DK, Winters JE, Castells DD, Teitelbaum BA, Alexander CC. A cross-sectional study of Krukenberg spindles and pigmented lens striae in a predominatly black population: two highly associated clinical signs of anterior segment pigment dispersal. J Glaucoma 2005;14:57-63.

2. Roberts DK. Digital infrared photography assists in the detection of iris and ciliary body cysts. J Glaucoma 2003;12:288-91.

3. Roberts DK, Lo PS, Ecklund Winters J, Castells D, Clark Alexander C, Teitelbaum B. Prevalence of pigmented lens striae, a potential indicator for age-related pigment dispersion and pigmentary glaucoma. Optom and Vis Sci 2002;79:681-7.

4. Chan EC, Roberts DK, Loconte DD, Wernick MN. Digital camera system to perform infrared photography of iris transillumination. J Glaucoma 2002;11:426-7.

5. Flynn Roberts M, Fishman GA, Roberts DK, Heckenlively JR, Weleber RG, Anderson RJ, Grover S. Retrospective, longitudinal and cross-sectional study of visual acuity impairment in choroideraemia. Br J Ophthalmol 2002;86:658-62.

6. Roberts DK, Ecklund Winters J, Castells DD, Clark CA, Teitelbaum BA. Pigmented striae of the anterior lens capsule and age-associated pigment dispersion in a group of older African-Americans: an age, race, and gender matched study. Int Ophthalmol 2001;24:313-22.

7. Flynn MF, Fishman GA, Anderson RJ, Roberts DK. Longitudinal study of visual acuity change in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. RETINA 2001;21:639-46.

8. Roberts DK, Flynn MF, Gable EM. Anterior chamber angle anomalies associated with signs of pigment dispersion in a group of African-American probands and their first-degree relatives. Optom & Vis Sci 2001;78:133-41.

9. Roberts DK, Ho LA, Beedle NL, Flynn MF, Gable EM. Heritage characteristics reported by a goup of African-Americans who exhibit the pigment dispersion syndrome: a case-control study [published erratum appears in Doc Ophthalmol 2001;102:81-2]. Doc Ophthalmol 2000;101:179-93.

10. Roberts DK, Meetz RE, Chaglasian MA. The inheritance of the pigment dispersion syndrome in blacks. J Glaucoma 1999;8:250-6.

Daniel K. Roberts
Professor of Optometry
B.S., O.D. Indiana University
M.S. University of Michigan droberts@ico.edu

Daniel Roberts completed his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1986 at the Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, Indiana, and he completed residency training in Hospital Based Primary Care Optometry at the VA Medical Center in Danville, Illinois. He has also completed an M.S degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1999. He is currently enrolled in the Ph.D program in Public Health Sciences with Specialty in Epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. Dr. Roberts holds the rank of Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Roberts is an attending staff within the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute, where he sees patients and provides clinical instruction. He is also an active researcher at the Illinois Eye Institute where he is involved in clinical and epidemiological research. His primary research interests involve glaucoma, with particular emphasis on pigmentary glaucoma and other secondary glaucomas. He has been the Editor-In-Chief of the textbook entitled “Ocular Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment,” and he has authored many articles in the peer-reviewed ophthalmic literature.

Alfred A. Rosenbloom, O.D., M.A., D.O.S.

Dr Alfred A. Rosenbloom has been cited as a "visionary leader." His career is marked by stellar accomplishments for over 50 years as a teacher, writer, lecturer, and administrator. He was appointed in 1981 as Illinois College of Optometry's first and only Distinguished Professor. Preciously, within a 25 year period, he served as Dean and then President. His awards for distinguished service within and outside the profession are virtually without peer. He has published more than 95 professional journal articles on topics of low vision rehabilitation, optometric gerontology, optometric education, and public health. He has been co-editor of 3 major textbooks and has been a contributing author to 9 textbooks.

Several generations of optometric students have benefited from his wisdom, insight, integrity, and his concern for humankind. Dr Rosenbloom has been a pioneer and moving force in the field of low vision rehabilitation, serving as the founding Director of the Low Vision Service at the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. His international influences are equally significant. He has established low vision clinics at the Homai College, New Zealand's residential school for children who are blind and visually impaired, as well as at the School of Optometry, University of Auckland, New Zealand. He also organized low vision clinics for the Associations for the Blind in Hong Kong and Singapore.

As a leader in VOSH (Volunteer Optometrists Serving Humanity), he has participated in over 25 humanitarian eyecare missions in developing countries. At the Chicago Lighthouse Centennial Symposium dinner on October 3, 2006, the Chairman of the Board of Directors presented Dr Rosenbloom with a Centennial Medal for his impact on people with low vision and announced in his honor the naming of the Lighthouse service as the Dr Alfred A. Rosenbloom Low Vision Rehabilitation Service.

Jefferey Ross, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry B.S., M.D. University of Illinois jross@ico.edu

Anne Spies Rozwat O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Chief, Primary Care
B.A. Amherst College
O.D. Indiana University School of Optometry
arozwat@ico.edu

Anne Spies Rozwat received her optometry degree from Indiana University School of Optometry in 1994. She did a Primary Care Residency at Illinois College of Optometry in 1995. Since that time she has been working full time at ICO in the Primary Care clinic. In addition, she is the Chief of the Primary Care department.

Faheemah Saeed, O.D.
Instructor of Optometry
B.S. University of Calgary
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
fsaeed@ico.edu

Dr. Saeed received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005. She completed a residency in Low Vision Rehabilitation at the Deicke Center and in Ocular Disease Management at ICO / IEI in 2006. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry soon after that in 2006. Dr. Saeed is currently an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute.

Darrell Shlange, O.D.
Instructor of Optometry
B.S. University of Calgary
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
fsaeed@ico.edu

Dr. Saeed received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005. She completed a residency in Low Vision Rehabilitation at the Deicke Center and in Ocular Disease Management at ICO / IEI in 2006. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry soon after that in 2006. Dr. Saeed is currently an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute.

Janice E. Scharre, O.D., M.A., FAAO
Professor of Optometry
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
M.A. DePaul University
jscharre@ico.edu

Janice Scharre is a Professor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Il. She is the Dean/ Vice President for Academic Affairs. As the Dean she oversees the didactic and clinical training programs in the four-year graduate level program of professional health care leading to the doctorate degree in optometry. She has had extensive experience in institutional strategic planning and accreditation issues. She chaired the College’s first comprehensive strategic planning process “Prescription for Excellence”. She is also a member of the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. Dr. Scharre is the former coordinator of the Rehabilitative Services and Chief of the Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye Institute of the Illinois College of Optometry. She has lectured in the United States, Europe and Africa and conducted research on infant vision development, assessment techniques for infants and preschoolers and the visual assessment of children with special needs. Her publications include vision anomalies in children exposed to cocaine, visual skills of autistic children and visual development in children. Dr. Scharre is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, the World Council of Optometry, Council of Vision Development and a Diplomat in the Binocular Vision and Perception of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Scharre is also a member of the Columbia College Chicago Board of Trustees.

Darrell Schlange, O.D., D.O.S.
Associate Professor of Optometry B.A. Wartburg College B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry D.O.S. Illinois College of Optometry dschlang@ico.edu

Dr. Darrell G. Schlange received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Illinois College of Optometry, where he also completed a residency program in pediatrics/binocular vision. He serves as an attending optometrist in the Pediatrics & Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye Institute and teaches a course on Binocular Vision & Ocular Motility.

Dr. Schlange’s research interests include eye movements, the Visagraph and Readalyzer, visual attention (T.O.V.A.), colorimetry, developmental disabilities and visually related reading and learning disabilities. He has given numerous research presentations at local, national and international meetings. He has also published articles in several professional journals. Dr. Schlange is active in local and state organizations dedicated to the education and treatment of disabled children and adult. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Illinois Optometric Association, College of Optometrists in Vision Development, Optometric Extension Program and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Schlange received in 2003 an honorary degree Doctor of Science in Optometry.

Janice E. Scharre, O.D., M.A., FAAO

Janice Scharre is a Professor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Il. She is the Dean/ Vice President for Academic Affairs. As the Dean she oversees the didactic and clinical training programs in the four-year graduate level program of professional health care leading to the doctorate degree in optometry. She has had extensive experience in institutional strategic planning and accreditation issues. She chaired the College’s first comprehensive strategic planning process “Prescription for Excellence”. She is also a member of the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. Dr. Scharre is the former coordinator of the Rehabilitative Services and Chief of the Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye Institute of the Illinois College of Optometry. She has lectured in the United States, Europe and Africa and conducted research on infant vision development, assessment techniques for infants and preschoolers and the visual assessment of children with special needs. Her publications include vision anomalies in children exposed to cocaine, visual skills of autistic children and visual development in children. Dr. Scharre is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, the World Council of Optometry, Council of Vision Development and a Diplomat in the Binocular Vision and Perception of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Scharre is also a member of the Columbia College Chicago Board of Trustees.

Melissa Sigler, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry BS Northern Illinois University OD Illinois College of Optometry msigler@ico.edu

Dr. Melissa Sigler received her BS degree from Northern Illinois University in 1991. She received her OD degree in 2000 from the Illinois College of Optometry. Upon graduation, she completed a residency program in Pediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry. Currently she is an Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry and is an attending optometrist in the Pediatric/ Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye. In addition to her teaching, she is the Pediatric and Vision Therapy Specialist at the Brenart Eye Clinic. She is a functional vision consultant for many Northern Illinois school districts and Early Intervention for children with special needs. She also currently is the Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes Program for Chicago, IL.

Joan Stelmack, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry (Hines VA)
B.A. Connecticut College
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry

Thomas Stelmack, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry (Westside VA)
B.S., Loyola University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry

Derrald Taylor, O.D., M.S.
Professor of Optometry
B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
M.S. Illinois Institute of Technology
dtaylor@ico.edu

Dr. Taylor is a 1968 graduate of ICO. Soon after graduation he served in the Navy Reserve as an optometrist at the Boston Naval Hospital returning to a faculty position after 3 years. He served as Executive Director of Clinics for seven years during which he developed an interest in low vision and has served the college in that curriculum for since 1985. He earned a Master of Science from the Il. Institute of Technology in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry earned his Diplomate in the Low Vision Section. He has served as the primary examiner for the Lions of Il. Foundation Pediatric Low Vision Clinic held semiannually for over 30 years at the Il. School for Visually Impaired in Jacksonville, Il., received a commendation medal from the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, and a Humanitarian Award from the ICO Alumni Association. He has served for over 20 years on the Advisory Council of the Il. School for Visually Impaired and each year presents to their Parent and Infant Institute for new parents of kids with vision loss As a full professor he instructs in the Low Vision Rehabilitation Clinic on and off campus, and in the lecture series. He lives with his family in Mokena, Il.

Bruce A. Teitelbaum O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.A. University of Pittsburgh
B.S. O.D. Pennsylvania College of Optometry
bteitelb@ico.edu

Dr. Teitelbaum received his optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1978 and completed a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision at the same institution in 1979. He joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 1979. Before returning to the college full time in 1993, Dr. Teitelbaum had administrative and clinical responsibilities in multidisciplinary and hospital based eyecare practices in addition to private optometric practice.

Dr. Teitelbaum is currently an Associate Professor of Optometry, a consultant in the color vision laboratory and an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute. He has authored 15 peer reviewed papers and over 20 peer reviewed abstracts on a variety of topics. He is currently investigating the role of base in prism in the treatment of convergence disorders. Dr. Teitelbaum is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Ruth A. Trachimowicz, Ph.D., O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Ph.D. University of Michigan
O.D. New England College of Optometry
rtrachim@ico.edu

Dr. Trachimowicz received her Ph.D. degree in Anatomy from the University of Michigan in 1978 and did a Gerontology Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Boston University School of Medicine 1978-81. From 1981-85 she taught anatomy, histology and embryology at an Osteopathic College in Long Island, NY. In 1985 Dr. Trachimowicz, decided to change careers, and attended the New England College of Optometry’sRT two-year accelerated program (for people with advanced academic degrees), graduating with an O.D. degree in 1987. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in the fall of 1987. Currently, Dr. Trachimowicz teaches the Human Anatomy and Ocular Anatomy courses, and she assists in teaching the second year optometry labs, spring first year optometry lab and Neuroanatomy lab. She is currently collaborating on two research projects: one as co-investigator to analyze the expression of IP-10 and its receptor CXCR3 in rat endotoxin-induced uveitis and another project with several faculty on the development of optic nerve normative data for children younger than 18 years of age. The study is looking into several optic nerve head parameters using the HRT. Dr. Trachimowicz has received eight Teacher of the Year Awards and three Golden Apple Awards while teaching at the College. Dr. Trachimowicz is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Janis E. Winters OD
Associate Professor of Optometry
BS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
OD, Illinois College of Optometry
jwinters@ico.edu

Dr. Winters received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and later went on to complete a residency in Rehabilitative and Geriatric Optometry at the Birmingham Alabama Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In 1995, Dr. Winters joined the faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Winters is currently medical director for the Vision of Hope Health Alliance and Sight for Seniors programs and is an attending optometrist in the Primary Care and Low Vision Services of the Illinois Eye Institute. She has authored 8 peer reviewed papers and over 15 peer reviewed abstracts on a variety of topics. Her research interests are currently focused on better understanding visual function and its relation to quality of life and health disparities in an adult low-income population. Dr. Winters is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Elizabeth Wyles, O.D., FAAO
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. O.D. Southern California College of Optometry
ewyles@ico.edu

Dr. Wyles received her optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1998 and completed a residency in Hospital Based Primary Care Optometry at the Crownpoint Indian Health Care Facility in Crownpoint, New Mexico in 1999. She was a member of the faculty at Pacific University College of Optometry for seven years. Currently she is a full-time faculty member at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Wyles is an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute and teaches several didactic and elective courses. She has authored papers and co-authored a chapter in a text book. She is very active with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry as a committee member of the Ocular Visual Biology/Ocular Disease Trauma examination construction committee and as the ICO Site Coordinator for the Clinical Skills Examination. Dr. Wyles is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Mrs. Lavern Young, M.S.
Registrar
B.A., M.S. National-Louis University
lyoung@ico.edu

Mrs. Lavern Young, a native of Chicago, Illinois has served as the Registrar for the past sixteen years. Mrs. Young has approximately thirty-three years of experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Prior to joining the Illinois College of Optometry, she served as the Registrar/Systems Coordinator at DeVry Institute of Technology and the Chicago Institute of Technology. She was responsible for the overall management of the Office of the Registrar and Systems Department. Her primary responsibilities, as Registrar at the Illinois College of Optometry, involves every aspect of the Registrar’s function which includes, but not limited to grade processing, academic transcripts, class/lab/clinic scheduling, licensing certifications. Mrs. Young received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from National-Louis University in Evanston, Illinois. She is currently an active member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officer, Illinois Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Association of International Educators, National Association of Jenzabar (CX) Users and Jenzabar (CX) Midwest Users Group.

Rebecca Zoltoski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D. Wake Forest University
rzoltosk@ico.edu

Dr. Zoltoski started in sleep research as an undergraduate, while she was pursuing her B.A. in Biochemistry at the University of Pennsylvania (1981). Then she moved to Wake Forest University where she studied the development of the neural mechanism of blood pressure control in the maternal-fetal ovine unit, resulting in a Ph.D. (1985) with a concentration in Neuropharmacology. She then returned to sleep research in a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Diego where she studied the pharmacology of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep mechanisms. Dr. Zoltoski then changed her career to include teaching when she moved to another fellowship at Brock University, St. Catharines, ON where she taught several courses on Neuropsychology and continue her sleep research, in the field of REM sleep deprivation and the influence on brain activity. She joined the faculty full time in 1997 when she was hired to teach Biochemistry. In addition to teaching Biochemistry, Dr. Zoltoski currently teaches Neuroanatomy Laboratory, and Evidence Based-Healthcare, a course which aims to incorporate the field of research into a clinical setting, and is the coordinator for the independent study course currently required at ICO.

For the past eight years, Dr. Zoltoski has collaborated with Dr. J.R. Kuszak at Rush University where she has joined the group to investigate the structure and function of the lens. She uses animal models of metabolic disorders, surgical procedures, and transgenic mice, as well as human lenses to learn more about the ultrastructure of the lens and its role in maintaining transparency and proper focusing abilities. She has just begun a clinical research project in which she hopes to meld the basic science research with the clinical setting. She and Dr. Wyles are investigating the lens ultrastructure while the subject is responding to an accommodating stimulus and how this response changes with age. She has co-authored 24 peer reviewed papers on a variety of topics during her research career.

Patrick Adkins, BCO, DDT
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ocularistry Baylor University, Houston, Texas Stanford University, San Fran. DDT Kensington University padkins@ico.edu

Frederic Banser, M.S., O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. Arizona State University
M.S. Southern Illinois University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
fbanser@ico.edu

Stephen A. Beckerman, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.S. Washington University
O.D. SUNY College of Optometry
sbeckerm@ico.edu

Dr. Beckerman received his optometry degree from the SUNY College of Optometry in 1982 and completed a fellowship in Low Vision/ Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry in 1983. He joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 1983. Dr. Beckerman was a full time faculty member until 1986 when became a part time faculty member and joined a private optometry practice. He currently maintains a solo optometric practice in Glenview, Illinois.

Dr. Beckerman is currently a part time faculty member in the areas of Primary Care, Binocular Vision/ Pediatrics and Sports Vision at the Illinois Eye Institute. He has authored 9 peer reviewed papers and over 20 peer reviewed abstracts in the areas of Binocular Vision, Sports Vision and Optics. He is currently investigating the role of fixation and stereopsis on basketball free throw shooting and putting in golf. Dr Beckerman is the vision consultant to the DePaul University athletic department and the co chairman of the American Optometric Association Sports Vision section AAU Sports Vision Screening program. Dr. Beckerman is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Sarah A. Boulais O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry
Attending Optometrist, Advocate Eye Clinic
B.A. Wheaton College, Norton, MA
O.D. The New England College of Optometry
sboulais@ico.edu

Dr. Boulais received her optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in 2003 and completed a residency in Hospital-Based Optometry/Ocular Disease at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 2004 through the Ohio State College of Optometry. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 2006. Before starting at the college, Dr. Boulais had administrative and clinical responsibilities in hospital based eyecare at the Painesville and Ravenna, OH Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.

Dr. Boulais is currently an attending optometrist and in the Advocate Eye Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute, as well as part-time attending faculty in the Primary Care Service at the Eye Institute. She is currently a candidate for fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry.

Pam Boyce, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.S. Saint Xavier College
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry

Dr. Boyce received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1990 and completed a residency in Primary Care at the same institution in 1991. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 1991. Dr. Boyce has had administrative and clinical responsibilities in Primary Care, Advanced Care, Contact Lenses, and The Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence in addition to private optometric practice.

Dr. Boyce is currently an Associate Professor at the college and is an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service and the Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence of the Illinois Eye Institute. Additionally, she teaches courses in anterior segment disease, contact lenses, practice management, and ophthalmic optics. She has authored a number peer reviewed papers on a variety of topics. Dr. Boyce is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the American Optometric Association, a member of the American Association of Contact Lens Educators (AOCLE), and a member of the Association of Practice Management Educators (APME).

Grace Castells, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
BS Adelphi University
OD State University of New York College of Optometry
gcastells@ico.edu

Dr. Grace Castells is a graduate of the State University of New York College of Optometry, and she completed a residency in Rehabilitative Optometry and Primary Care at the Northport Veterans Administration Hospital in Northport New York. Currently Dr. Castells teaches in the Primary Care Clinic at ICO, and practices outside the college as well.

Elyse Chaglasian, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.A. State University of New York
O.D. State University of New York College of Optometry
echaglas@ico.edu

Michelle Chan, OD
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
B.S. McGill University, Montreal
O.D. New England College of Optometry
mchan@ico.edu

Kara Hagerman, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Hon. B.Sc. University of Waterloo
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
khagerman@ico.edu

Dr. Hagerman received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2003 and completed a residency in Low Vision and Ocular Disease at the same institution in 2004. Upon joining the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry on a part-time basis in 2004, she also began practice as a Low Vision Consultant with the Chicago Lighthouse.

Dr. Hagerman is currently the Coordinator of the Low Vision and Ocular Disease Residency program at the college and an attending optometrist in the Primary Care Service of the Illinois Eye Institute. Her research interests include the association of Low Vision with: Charles Bonnet Syndrome; Cognitive Impairment; and Alzheimer’s. Dr. Hagerman is a member of the American Optometric Association Low vision Section, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and a board member of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness.

Casey Hogan, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. Northern Illinois University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
chogan@ico.edu

Dennis Ireland, O.D., M.Ed.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. University of North Dakota
B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
M.Ed. Loyola University
direland@ico.edu

Luis C Lewis O.D.
Clinical Instructor
BSc. University of Toronto
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
llewis@ico.edu

Dr. Lewis received his optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005. Following graduation, he completed a residency program in Primary Care at the Illinois Eye Institute in 2006. He joined the faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry shortly thereafter where he provides patient care in the Primary Eye Care service. Dr. Lewis is a member of the American Optometric Association.

Ingryd Lorenzana, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
BA Moorhead State University
OD Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry
ilorenzana@ico.edu

Tiffany Lueken Polanek, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
B.A. Moorhead State University
O.D. Michigan College of Optometry
tlueken@ico.edu

Dr. Polanek received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota. After graduating from the Michigan College of Optometry in 2000, she completed a residency in Primary Eyecare and Ocular Disease at the Illinois College of Optometry and Illinois Eye Institute. Dr. Polanek joined the ICO faculty in 2003, where she is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in Primary Eyecare.

Stacie Lynn, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.A. Emory University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
slynn@ico.edu

Sun Ae Ma, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. St. Mary of the Woods College
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
sma@ico.edu

Tracy Matchinski, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
Chief, Low Vision Rehabilitation Services
B.S. University of Wisconsin - River Falls
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
tmatchin@ico.edu

Dr. Matchinski’s area of expertise is Low Vision Rehabilitation. She is involved in both clinical and didactic education at the Illinois College of Optometry and Illinois Eye Institute. She is the course coordinator for the Low Vision Rehabilitation Class for third year students. Clinically, Dr. Matchinski works with people of all ages with visual impairments and with developmental disabilities.

Joseph McCray, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
jmccray@ico.edu

Erika A. Melchiorre, OD
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
B.A. DePauw University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
emelchiorre@ico.edu

Dr. Erika Melchiorre received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2005. Upon graduation, she completed a residency at the Illinois Eye Institute with emphasis in primary care and ocular disease. After her residency, Dr. Melchiorre joined the staff at IEI as a clinical instructor.

Dr. Melchiorre is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Illinois Optometric Association, and a candidate for fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry.

Eric J. Conley, O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
B.S. Millersville University of Pennsylvania
O.D. Pennsylvania College of Optometry
econley@ico.edu

B.S.: Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Doctor of Optometry: Pennsylvania College of Optometry with Clinical Honors
Residency in Ocular Disease: Baltimore VA Medical Center
Currently serves as Clinical Instructor at the Illinois College of Optometry.
Dr. Conley received his Doctor of Optometry degree with Clinical Honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2006. In 2007, he completed his residency in Ocular Disease at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Within this residency program, Dr. Conley also performed advanced care rotations at the Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Eye Institute, a multidisciplinary surgical eye hospital. Upon the completion of his residency, Dr. Conley served in private practice optometry in the Washington, DC metro area before finally joining the faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Conley sees patients within the Primary Care Service at the Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) with emphasis on detection and management of ocular and systemic related eye disease. Additionally, he currently provides clinical care at the Sidney Hillman Health Center, an external community based clinic.

Dr. Conley has lectured on the topic area of novel medication trials involving glaucoma treatment and was the recipient of the National Glaucoma Society Residency Award in 2007. Currently, he is involved in clinical research at the college, providing valuable insights on instrumentation and technology devices utilized in glaucoma detection and management. Dr. Conley is also pursuing graduate studies in the Master of Jurisprudence in Health Law program at Loyola University of Chicago Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy. Dr. Conley is also a member of the National Glaucoma Society, Illinois Optometric Association and American Optometric Association.

Areas of Interest: Technological advancements for the analysis and management of glaucoma and ocular disease; Understanding laws and policies affecting healthcare delivery systems, specifically the field of optometry; Development of fiscally responsible healthcare delivery models that provide greater efficiency and pre-disease intervention.

Kerry M. Navin, O.D.
Clinical Instructor, Illinois Eye Institute 2005-present
B.S.V.S., O.D., Illinois College of Optometry 2000
B.A., Indiana University 1996
knavin00@hotmail.com

Dr. Navin received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2000 and completed a residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease in 2001. Before returning to the college in 2005, Dr. Navin practiced optometry in a large private practice in Chicago with an emphasis on specialty contact lens fitting. She also served as an instructor in contact lens for Rush University Medical residents. Dr. Navin co-managed hundreds of LASIK, PRK, and CK cases while serving as the assistant clinical director for a refractive surgery practice in Schaumburg, Illinois. Presently, Dr. Navin splits her time between the Illinois Eye Institute and a private practice in Lincoln Park. She is a candidate for her fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry in October 2007.

Melanie Riley, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. Kansas State University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
mriley@ico.edu

Mary Flynn Roberts, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Associate Professor of Optometry
B.A., Miami University
B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
mflynn@ico.edu

Dr. Flynn Roberts received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1991. The following year she completed a residency in Binocular Vision and Pediatrics at the Illinois Eye Institute. She joined the clinical education faculty in 1992 and has been an educator in the Primary Care service of the Illinois Eye Institute since that time. From July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000 she was a Visiting Research Specialist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology. During that time she completed a Fellowship in hereditary retinal disease and electrophysiology under Gerald A. Fishman, M.D.

Dr. Flynn Roberts is currently the Coordinator of the Electrophysiology Service. She has authored peer-reviewed articles about inherited retinal diseases and has presented research in visual electrophysiology at national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Flynn Roberts is active in the American Academy of Optometry as a Fellow and the Faculty/Student Liaison for ICO. She is currently an officer in the Illinois State Chapter of the AAO. She is also on the Board of Governors of the River Forest Community Center.

Melanie Riley, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. Kansas State University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
mriley@ico.edu

Dr. Melissa Sigler received her BS degree from Northern Illinois University in 1991. She received her OD degree in 2000 from the Illinois College of Optometry. Upon graduation, she completed a residency program in Pediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry. Currently she is an Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry and is an attending optometrist in the Pediatric/ Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye. In addition to her teaching, she is the Pediatric and Vision Therapy Specialist at the Brenart Eye Clinic. She is a functional vision consultant for many Northern Illinois school districts and Early Intervention for children with special needs. She also currently is the Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes Program for Chicago, IL.

Melissa Sigler, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
BS Northern Illinois University
OD Illinois College of Optometry
msigler@ico.edu

Dr. Melissa Sigler received her BS degree from Northern Illinois University in 1991. She received her OD degree in 2000 from the Illinois College of Optometry. Upon graduation, she completed a residency program in Pediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry. Currently she is an Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry and is an attending optometrist in the Pediatric/ Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye. In addition to her teaching, she is the Pediatric and Vision Therapy Specialist at the Brenart Eye Clinic. She is a functional vision consultant for many Northern Illinois school districts and Early Intervention for children with special needs. She also currently is the Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes Program for Chicago, IL.

Jerold Silverman, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S., O.D. Illinois College of Optometry

Lavender S. Streiff O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
B.A. Augustana College
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
lstreiff@ico.edu

Dr. Streiff graduated in 2003 from the Illinois College of Optometry and completed a residency in primary care at the San Francisco Veterans Hospital. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Illinois Optometric Association and American Optometric Association. Dr. Streiff joined the Illinois College of Optometry faculty in 2006. She also practices optometry at a couple of private practices and a nursing home in chicagoland.

Shmaila S. Tahir, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.A. University of Illinois, Chicago
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
stahir@ico.edu

Dr. Tahir graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1999. She completed her Pediatrics and Binocular Vision residency at the same institution in 2000. She currently teaches the Strabismus and Amblyopia laboratory and works in the Primary Care and Pediatric services at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Tahir has presented 11 Posters at the American Academy of Optometry meetings over the past 7 years and one at the American Optometric Association meeting. She has authored one peer reviewed paper. Dr. Tahir is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and has a special interest in Pediatrics.

Alex Tan, O.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry
BA University of California Riverside
BSVS Illinois College of Optometry
OD Illinois College of Optometry
atan@ico.edu

Michael Zost, O.D.
Associate Professor of Optometry O.D. Illinois College of Optometry mzost@ico.edu

Jane Dyonzak, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry BA University of Missouri MA Southern Illinois University PHD Pennsylvania State University

David Gurka, Ph.D., M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine BA Northeastern University Ph.D., Northwestern University M.D. University of Illinois Chicago

Susan Kelly, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
B.S. Regis College
Ph.D. Syracuse University
skelly@ico.edu

Michelle Marciniak, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry
B.S. University of Illinois
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
mmarcini@ico.edu

David Vitale, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
B.S., M.D. Georgetown University

Jennifer S. Harthan, O.D.
Instructor of Optometry Cornea/Contact Lens Department B.S. Bethel College, MN O.D. Illinois College of Optometry JHarthan@ico.edu

Dr. Harthan received her bachelor’s of science degree in biology from Bethel College in Minnesota in 2002. Dr. Harthan received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2006 and completed a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at the same institution in 2007. She joined the faculty of the Illinois College of Optometry in 2007. Throughout her clinical experience, Dr. Harthan has also worked in private practice and hospital based settings.

Dr. Harthan is currently an attending optometrist/clinical instructor in the Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence of the Illinois Eye Institute. She has received several awards for her clinical work. Dr. Harthan is currently investigating corneal aberrations post-orthokeratology and the association of superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis and graft-versus-host disease.

Scott Anthony, OD
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optometry Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC

Shana Brafman O.D.
Clinical Instructor
Cornea/Contact Lens Department
BBA Ohio University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
sbrafman@ico.edu

Dr. Brafman received her bachelors degree in finance from Ohio University in 1999. Dr. Brafman is a 2007 graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. After completing her residency at the Illinois College of Optometry in Cornea and Contact Lens in 2008, she stayed on as part time faculty. She also works in a private practice in the Chicago suburbs where she specializes in corneal conditions and specialty contact lens fits.

Dr. Brafman is currently a candidate for fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry.

Jessica Schara O.D.
Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Resident
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
jschara@ico.edu

Jessica Schara graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2008. Jessica is originally from White Bear Lake, Minnesota and attended undergraduate studies at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish minor. Upon completion of optometry school, Jessica decided she enjoyed working with the pediatric population so much so she decided to do a residency in pediatrics and binocular vision.

Ryan M Schultz, O.D.
Low Vision and Ocular Disease Resident Optometrist
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
jschara@ico.edu

Dr. Schultz received his optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2008. A Colorado native, Dr. Schultz received his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University in Biologic Science with minors in Anatomy and Neurobiology. He has a passion for helping blind and visually impaired individuals to maximize their remaining vision, empowering them to function and contribute to their fullest extent in today's visually demanding society. In his spare time, Dr. Schultz enjoys music, running, baseball (go Rockies and White Sox), theatre and performing arts, and the outdoors.

Jacueline Haro O.D
Cornea/Contact Lens Resident
B.Sc. University of California, Los Angeles
O.D State University of New York College of Optometry
jharo@ico.edu

Dr. Haro received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psycho-Biology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1999. She then worked as a molecular genetics technician at a cancer laboratory. In 2008, she graduated with honors from the State University of New York College of Optometry, where she received the American Optometric Foundation 2008 Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care. Dr. Haro is currently completing a residency in Cornea and Contact Lens at the Illinois College of Optometry.

Melissa A. Misko, O.D.
Primary Care Resident
B.S. Case Western Reserve University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
mamisko@ico.edu

Dr. Misko received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2008. She is expected to complete the Primary Care Residency at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2009.

Mirjana Dordevic, O.D.
Primary Care Resident
B.S. University of Wisconsin - Madison
O.D. New England College of Optometry
mdordevic@neco.edu

Emily J. Parker O.D., M.S.
Low Vision Rehabilitation/Ocular Disease Resident
B.S. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
O.D., M.S. Ohio State University
eparker@ico.edu

Dr. Parker received her optometry degree from the Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2008. She is expecting to complete the Low Vision Rehabilitation/Ocular Disease Residency at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2009.

Alicia Feis, OD
Pediatric Resident
afeis@ico.edu

Dr. Feis completed her optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry in 2008 and is now pursuing a residency in Binocular Vision/Pediatrics at the Illinois College of Optometry. Her duties include pediatric primary care at the Illinois Eye Institute, Univeristy of Chicago Hospital and the Infant Welfare Clinic. She also is involved in direct care of vision therapy, laboratory courses for binocular vision and covers an emergency care slot during the week. Dr. Feis completed her undergraduate education at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dustin A. Krassin, O.D.
Primary Care Resident
B.A. Union College - Lincoln, Nebraska
O.D. Southern California College of Optometry

Dr. Krassin received his optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2008 and is completing a residency in Primary Care at the Illinois College of Optometry to be completed in 2009. His duties include eyecare services in the Primary Care section and Advanced Ophthalmic Care section of the Illinois Eye Institute. In his free time Dr. Krassin enjoys playing piano/keyboard, cooking, camping, photography, and juggling. He is also SCUBA certified and was able to do some diving in Guam and Palau last winter while completing a fourth year rotation at the Guam SDA Eye Clinic. He is happy to be back in the midwest as he was born and raised in North Dakota.

Ashley Firby, O.D.
Primary Care Resident
B.Sc., University of Windsor
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
asfirby@ico.edu

Ashley Firby, O.D.
Primary Care Resident
B.Sc., University of Windsor
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
asfirby@ico.edu

Kelsey L. Barnes O.D.
Primary Care Resident
B.S. Iowa State University
O.D. Southern California College of Optometry
kbarnes@ico.edu

Dr. Barnes received her optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry in 2008. Originally from Pella, IA, she received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 2004. Dr. Barnes is expected to complete a residency in Primary Care at the Illinois Eye Institute in 2009.

Ryan M Schultz, O.D.
Low Vision and Ocular Disease Resident Optometrist
rmschultz@ico.edu

Dr. Schultz received his optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2008. A Colorado native, Dr. Schultz received his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University in Biologic Science with minors in Anatomy and Neurobiology. He has a passion for helping blind and visually impaired individuals to maximize their remaining vision, empowering them to function and contribute to their fullest extent in today's visually demanding society. In his spare time, Dr. Schultz enjoys music, running, baseball (go Rockies and White Sox), theatre and performing arts, and the outdoors.

Kristin M. Skluzacek O.D
Primary Care Resident B.Sc. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire O.D Illinois College of Optometry kmskluzacek@ico.edu

Dr. Skluzacek received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2007. She is expecting to complete the Primary Care Residency at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2008.

Tanya Halikias O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry B.S. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
tahalikias@ico.edu

Dr. Halikias received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2007. Following graduation she completed a residency in the Primary Eye Care Service and the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care at the Illinois Eye Institute. Currently Dr. Halikias continues to serve as a clinical faculty member at the same institution. Dr. Halikias is a member of the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry and the Illinois Optometric Association.

Amanda M. Hobbs O.D.
Primary Care Resident O.D. Illinois College of Optometry B.Sc. University of Calgary amhobbs@ico.edu

Dr. Hobbs graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2007. She is expected to complete the primary care residency at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2008.

Shamroze Khan O.D.
Low Vision Rehabilitation / Ocular Disease Resident/B.Sc. University of Waterloo
O.D. University of Waterloo School of Optometry
shkhan@ico.edu

Shamroze graduated from the University of Waterloo in Canada where she was awarded for excellence in contact lens care as well as for ranking highest in clinical optometry. Prior to graduation she volunteered on an eye-care mission to South America, taught in the Binocular Vision laboratory, researched the efficacy of aspheric intraocular lens implantation and bravely endured winter as an intern in Western Canada. She looks forward to the unique skill set that a combined residency in Low Vision and Ocular Disease will bring, and is proud to be affiliated with ICO/IEI and the great city of Chicago.

Jeffrey A. Oakland, O.D
Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Resident
B.S. Augustana College
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
joakland@ico.edu

Dr. Oakland received his optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2006. After practicing in a corporate setting his first year after graduating, he has returned to complete a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision. Originally from Sioux Falls, SD, Dr. Oakland received his undergraduate degree from Augustana College, in Sioux Falls. He currently has specific interests working with children who have learning and reading difficulties associated with their visual system. In his spare time, Dr. Oakland enjoys music, running, sports, and the outdoors.

Dr. Danielle Poole O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
Low Vision/Primary Care Optometrist
B.A. Mercyhurst College O.D.
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
dpoole@ico.edu

Dr. Danielle Poole received her Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2007, after completing a Bachelor’s of Arts in Science from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. She completed a residency in low vision and ocular disease at ICO, where she participating in patient care at The Chicago Lighthouse and The Diecke Center for Vision Rehabilitation. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Fellowship from the Academy of Optometry.

Janice E. Scharre, O.D., M.A., FAAO

Janice Scharre is a Professor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), Chicago, Il. She is the former Dean/ Vice President for Academic Affairs at ICO. As the Dean she oversaw the didactic and clinical training programs for the graduate and residency programs. She has had extensive experience in institutional strategic planning, accreditation and faculty development. She chaired the College’s first comprehensive strategic planning process “Prescription for Excellence”. She is a member of the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and chair of the ACOE’s Professional Development Committee. She was recently awarded the “Dr. Jack Bennett Award for Innovation in Education” for her work in the development of the ASCO’s Faculty Development Institute.

Dr. Scharre is the former coordinator of the Rehabilitative Services and Chief of the Pediatric/Binocular Vision Service of the Illinois Eye Institute of the Illinois College of Optometry. She has lectured in the United States, Europe and Africa and conducted research on infant vision development, assessment techniques for infants and preschoolers and the visual assessment of children with special needs. Her publications include vision anomalies in children exposed to cocaine, visual skills of autistic children and visual development in children. Dr. Scharre is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, the World Council of Optometry, Council of Vision Development and a Diplomat in the Binocular Vision and Perception section of the American Academy of Optometry.

Helen Gabriel, O.D.

Dr. Gabriel received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1989. She completed a one year post-graduate residency in Optometric Specialties at Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Tahlequah Oklahoma's Indian Health Service Hospital. She joined the ICO faculty in 1990 and currently serves as an attending in the Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Service and the Primary Eyecare Service of the Illinois Eye Institute. Dr. Gabriel currently teaches and coordinates the Optometry Laboratory on binocular vision and accommodative assessment and the Physical Diagnosis course and laboratory. She has lectured in other courses on topics related to microbiology, infection control and pediatrics. Her publications include both clinical and clinically related research studies and case reports related to these subject areas as well. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Illinois Optometric Association, College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Keith F. Tyler, O.D.
Primary Care Resident
B.A. Minnesota State University Moorhead
O.D. Southern California College of Optometry
ktyler@ico.edu

Dr. Tyler received his optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2007 and is expecting to complete a residency in Primary Care at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2007. Prior to Optometry School, Dr. Tyler earned his B.A. in Biology from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Eric Baas, O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry B.S. University of Wisconsin, Madison O.D. Illinois College of Optometry ebaas@ico.edu

Dr. Baas received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He then earned his doctorate of optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. Following graduation Dr. Baas completed a primary care and ocular disease residency at the Illinois Eye Institute. Upon completion of his residency he began working at a private practice while continuing to serve as a clinical faculty member at the Illinois Eye Institute. Dr. Baas is a member of the American Academy of Optometry, the Illinois Optometric Association, and the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness.

Timothy Tsang, O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
Hon B.Sc. University of Toronto
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
ttsang@ico.edu

Dr. Tsang received his undergraduate degree in Human Biology specialty at the University of Toronto, Canada. He completed his doctorate in Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry in 2006. Dr. Tsang further accomplished a residency in Primary Care with the College and received a position as an attending Optometrist. He is currently a Clinical Instructor ofOptometry in the Primary Eye Care Service at the Illinois Eye Institute.

Megan S.Allen, O.D.
Clinical Instructor
Pediatrics/Binocular Vision Department
B.A. Indiana University
B.S. O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
msallen@ico.edu

Dr. Allen is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry and recently completed a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision at the same institution. Dr. Allen graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington campus, in 2003 with a degree in Biology as well as a concentration in Spanish. Since completing her residency, she has begun working at a private practice in the city of Chicago as well as continues to serve as a clinical faculty member at the Illinois Eye Institute.

Kaori Asano O.D.
Resident, Primary Care
B.S. University of California, Los Angeles
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
kasano@ico.edu

Dr. Asano received her optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2006 and is currently doing a residency in Primary Care at the college.

Dr. Asano currently provides patient care in the Primary Care Service and the Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care of the Illinois Eye Institute. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Illinois Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, National Glaucoma Society, and the American Public Health Association.

Ramona Baumfaulk O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
rbaumfaulk@ico.edu

Colleen Morrisey , O.D.
Clinical Instructor Of Optometry
B.S. University of Illnois, Urbana-Champaign
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
cmorrisey@ico.edu

Cheryl Adams , O.D.
Clinical Instructor of Optometry
B.S. Ohio University
O.D. Illinois College of Optometry
cadams@ico.edu

Charles Kinnaird, O.D.
Assistant Professor of Optometry (Westside VA)
BA West Virginia University
OD NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry