An Update from the UAB School of Optometry
From the Dean's Desk
The new school year kicked off with a great start just a few weeks ago and another exciting year is ahead for our School.  In particular, we welcomed the Class of 2020 - the class who will celebrate their graduation during our School's 50th year! Today, our School remains a leader in optometry and vision science education and research. While we look forward to our golden 50th anniversary in three years, we will continue to grow, excel, and lead as we approach this special milestone in our School's history. 
 
We have so many things to celebrate as we move into the fall semester, including new faculty joining us, our current faculty are receiving accolades fitting of their successes, and new research grants are being awarded to our faculty to name a few. The student lunchroom has even received an updated look. Please read through our eNewsletter and visit the website links for all the details!

September is Faculty Appreciation Month and on behalf of our School, I want to be the first to say "thank you" to all of our UABSO faculty.  You play a part in the success we achieve as a School. Thank you for all that you do to help UABSO uphold our reputation as a leader in education, research, and clinical excellence.

All the best,
Dean Kelly Nichols
Welcoming the Class of 2020

UABSO proudly welcomes the 50 members of the Class of 2020 to our campus this year. This class comes with a unique distinction, as they will receive their OD degrees during the year of the School's 50th-anniversary  celebration. Take a minute to learn a little more about our UABSO Class of 2020.


Faculty & Research News

Dr. Joe Fleming and Dr. Leo Semes recently announced their retirement from UABSO. We are appreciative of their tremendous contributions to our School and students, and with them the very best in all that is ahead. 

Faculty and PhD trainees, Anna Ablamowicz, OD, and Cameron Postnikoff, MA Sc , (pictured right) have bee n named Ezell Fellows by the American Optometric Foundation (AOF). Read mo re to learn about the awards and their research .

Dr. Alecia Gross has been named the inaugural recipient of the UAB President's Award for Excellence in Support of UAB and Shared Governance. She will be recognized for her service on Monday, September 12 during the University's Faculty Convocation. Dr. Gross will also be recognized during this month's UA System Board of Trustees meeting for her outstanding service as both 2015-16 Faculty Representative to the BOT, and Chair of the Faculty Senate.  

Congratulations to Dr. Mark Swanson on being named the School's 2016 recipient of the UAB President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.  Dr. Swanson will receive his "crystal apple" award during the University's Faculty Convocation on Monday, September 12.

Dr. Claudio Busettini (pictured right)  was named the UAB Faculty Senate's 2015-16 "Outstanding Member of Faculty Policies and Procedures Committee"  award for his work in reviewing new UAB campus-wide policies,  procedures, and protocols.

Several faculty members are celebrating successful grant applications, including the renewal of the Vision Science Research Center's P30. Find out more about these grants and our ongoing faculty research.

The UAB Vision Science Research Center will host a Visiting Scholar Seminar on September 16 at noon in the Worrell Conference Center. The seminar, "Using two-photon calcium imaging to investigate monkey visual cortex" will be presented by Dr. Kristina Nielsen of Johns Hopkins University. 
Residency Program News

The deadline to submit abstracts for Resident's Day at the upcoming American Academy of Optometry meeting is September 6. Submit yours online at 

Congratuations to the 2015-16 ocular disease residents (pictured right), Drs. Christopher Kruthoff, Emily Love, and Mark Miriello on the successful completion of their program at Omni Eye Services in Atlanta. 

Student News

UABSO held the annual White Coat Ceremony for second-year optometry students on Friday, August 19, 2016 at the UAB National Alumni Society House. The 48 members of the Class of 2019 were presented with the white coats as a symbol of their passage from the classroom into clinical training.  

Congratulations to Claire Mowrer (pictured right) for earning the title of "highest scoring UABSO student" during Part 1 of the NBEO exams. We're proud of you, Claire!

Class of 2017's Megan Swaringen is painting a mural in our pediatric clinic lobby that features animals and their eyes. Megan's work will definitely bring some smiles to our young  patients and we are appreciative of the time she has spent on this project!

Optometry students have a new dual-degree option with the combined OD/MPH program offered by the UAB Schools of Optometry and Public Health. Interested in pursuing an MBA? UABSO and UAB's Collat School of Business are offering the nation's first OD/MBA dual-degree program. 
Alumni & Friends

Thanks to everyone who participated in our annual alumni & CE weekend! Take a look at photos from the reunion dinner and the reception honoring the late Dr. Larry Alexander. 

The Alumni Association presented Dr. John Whitlow (pictured right) with the 2016 Alumnus of the year Award. Dr. Whitlow is a member of the UABSO Class of 1991 and currently resides in LaGrange, Georgia. 

Dr. Henry B. Peters, UABSO's first dean and faculty member has been inducted posthumously into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. During his 17-year tenure, UABSO became an integral piece of the UAB medical center campus and gained national recognition for its clinical and research faculty and high standards of excellence across its optometry, vision science and residency programs. Read more about Dr. Peters' legacy and this honor here. 


UAB School of Optometry | 1716 University Blvd. | 205.934.3036 | uab.edu/optometry