Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) proudly announces that Tracy Matchinski, OD, FAAO has been named the inaugural recipient of The Rosenbloom Family Endowed Professorship in Low Vision Rehabilitation. This is the first named professorship in ICO’s history. This professorship – made possible through the generosity of the Rosenbloom Family, strengthens ICO’s long-standing commitment to advancing low-vision rehabilitation through research, education, clinical innovation, and community-based care, whether locally, regionally and/or internationally. Its impact is especially timely, as an estimated 51.9 million adults in the United States report difficulty seeing even with corrective lenses (American Foundation for the Blind, 2025), and more than 2.2 billion people worldwide live with some form of visual impairment (World Health Organization, 2019). Dr. Matchinski, a 1995 graduate of ICO, completed a Vision Rehabilitation residency at the Feinbloom Low Vision Center of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Since completing her residency in 1996, she has dedicated her career to low vision rehabilitation. As a tenured faculty member at ICO, Dr. Matchinski teaches the vision rehabilitation course and lab, and provides clinical care at the Rosenbloom Center, located at ICO’s Illinois Eye Institute (IEI). Additionally, she practices at The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, is a Low Vision Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry and has served as chair of the Low Vision Section and Diplomate program of the American Academy of Optometry. She has published and lectured nationally and internationally on Low Vision Rehabilitation. Her commitment extends deeply through her leadership in Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH). She is past president of VOSH/International and VOSH Illinois. As the faculty representative for Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH). Dr. Matchinski mentors ICO students as they participate in local and international volunteer clinics. Dr. Matchinski was appointed by Dean Stephanie Messner, OD, with the approval of ICO President Mark Colip, OD. “The ICO community is extraordinarily proud of Dr. Matchinski’s commitment to advancing care for individuals with low vision,” said President Colip. “Her work at the Illinois Eye Institute—and around the world through SVOSH and VOSH— continues to inspire the next generation of students to live the ICO mission so that all patients receive optimal care.” About the Rosenbloom Family Alfred A. Rosenbloom, OD, a pioneer in low-vision rehabilitation, is a 1954 graduate of ICO and served as its president from 1972 to 1982. To honor his and his wife Sarah’s lasting impact, their children—Alfred Rosenbloom III and Susan Tobert—established the Rosenbloom Family Endowed Professorship in Low Vision Rehabilitation. This professorship builds on the legacy, which includes the Dr. Alfred and Sarah Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging at ICO’s Illinois Eye Institute, established in 2015, to advance specialized care for individuals with low vision and age-related vision needs. About the Illinois College of Optometry Founded in 1872, the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is the nation’s oldest continuously operating optometric educational institution. With more than 8,000 alumni, ICO is dedicated to excellence in education, research, patient care, and service to the community. Located in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on the city’s South Side, ICO provides rigorous clinical training and serves over 85,000 patients annually through its teaching clinic, Illinois Eye Institute. For more information about Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu.

This honor recognizes students in the first and second professional year who have distinguished themselves White Courtney Carmain Class of 2026, Fall 2022 Tina Dobos Mikayla Kemp Pa Vang John (Jack) Latham Jana

laboratory, and clinical instruction, reflecting a deep and enduring commitment to student learning and professional Illinois Optometry Licensing and Disciplinary Board, contributing to the oversight and advancement of professional

These distinguished individuals represent professional achievement, leadership in education, and excellence Papineau Professional Achievement Award Christopher P.

Notable alumni were recognized for professional achievement, leadership in education, and excellence Soo Na Professional Achievement Award Gregg C.

Ten optometrists and one corporation will be honored for professional achievement, leadership in education Professional Achievement Award Peter A.

special event when students are presented with a white clinic coat, signifying the transition into professional

of undergraduate institutions throughout the U.S. and Canada, representing the college at graduate/professional

Pritzker, the IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation and IL Dept of Public Health passed a sites throughout Illinois and conducted by ICO faculty with oversight from a practicing healthcare professional

NAGAP is the premier organization for graduate enrollment management professionals, representing all

Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree involve the completion of an accredited four-year post-baccalaureate professional While the central theme of the Op-Ed is the negative impact of migration by health professionals out Doctors of Optometry, as well as other doctoral health care professionals including dentists, podiatrists

As a professor at ICO, Dr. in the areas of retina-vitreous and neuro-ophthalmic disorders and, as such, has authored numerous professional Knight, OD ’87 will receive the Professional Achievement Award.  support of continuing education programs and ICO’s Practice Opportunities Symposium, which provides professional