In This Issue
MothersbaughDeanDr. Erik Mothersbaugh Named  Dean  of Student Affairs

We are pleased to announce that the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) has named Dr. Erik Mothersbaugh its Dean of Student Affairs, effective August 6, 2018. Dr. Mothersbaugh brings an impressive professional history to this newly-defined role. He is a graduate of Augustana College and earned his OD here at ICO.
 
While a student, Dr. Mothersbaugh served as a Class Representative and President of the Student Association. He earned numerous awards, including Colleague of the Year, the Cribb Leadership Scholarship, the Wildermuth Foundation Scholarship, the Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care Award, the Richard J. O'Brien II Memorial Award, and scholarships from the Alumni Association and Faculty. 
 
Post-graduation, Dr. Mothersbaugh completed a Primary Care and Ocular Disease Residency at ICO. He was then hired as a faculty member to take over the 1st Year Visual & Physical Optics course and serve as an attending optometrist in the Primary Care and Urgent Care services of the IEI. He also worked part-time in a private practice in Hawthorn Woods, IL.
 
Dr. Mothersbaugh's homegrown experience has made him a relatable voice and advocate for students. ICO has seen him lead the Ethics Curriculum and serve as Primary Care Educational Coordinator. Dr. Mothersbaugh has devoted extensive time to students, both one-on-one and in groups, fine-tuning their skills and clinical thinking for the future. He currently holds the rank of Assistant Professor of Optometry, and was selected by ICO's Class of 2018 to receive the Golden Apple Award.
 
As an ICO faculty member, Dr. Mothersbaugh has served, or currently serves, the following committees and causes: Admissions, Branding, Awards and Scholarship, Exam Review, and the Student Success Task Force. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and the Vice Chair of the Ethics Educators SIG for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. 
 
We congratulate and support Dr. Mothersbaugh as he takes on this new, challenging role at ICO. 
MoveIn18Move-In Day and Orientation Kickoff

Happy Move-In Day! At this very moment, the ICO Class of 2022 is settling in to the Residential Complex. The Orientation Team did an amazing job unloading car after car, despite a bit of rain in the early hours. New students and their families experienced a photo booth, refreshments, custom music playlist, and plenty of encouragement from the ICO family.

There will be a mandatory RC Meeting in the Lecture Center tonight at 6 p.m., followed by dinner in the RC Lobby and Courtyard. All students are welcome to meet the new class.

Orientation begins bright and early tomorrow, with breakfast at 7:45 a.m. in the Cafeteria. We wish our new students a wonderful week getting to know ICO. We are so happy to have you! 

See photos from Move-In Day HERE. Be sure to share Move-In and Orientation photos on social media with hashtag #WelcometoICO. Each image earns a chance to win an ICO Prize Pack.

NOA50th18Winners at the 50th Annual NOA Convention

The 50th Annual Convention and CE Program of the National Optometric Association was held this summer in San Antonio, Texas. ICO's NOSA Chapter was represented by 4 students-  Ashleigh Burroughs, '20, Priscilla Chang, '19, Sabrina D'Haiti, '20, Mallory Scrimger, '19, plus recent alumnus  Nicole Akpunku, OD '18. Daphne Anderson, Director of Career development, and eight additional alumni also attended the conference. ICO-NOSA was recognized as Chapter of the Year, 2017-18. 

At this year's NOSA Scholarship Award Banquet, the following awards totaling over $11,000 were received:

Priscilla Chang, '19
  • 2nd Place - National Vision Essay Grant
Ashleigh Burroughs, '20 
  • The Dr. Robert Johnson Pediatric/Vision Therapy Award
  • NOSA Financial Scholarship
  • Cave Memorial Award
Nicole Akpunku, OD '18 
  • NOA Student of the Year
  • Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award                                                                                  
  • CooperVision Contact Lens Leadership Award
  • Dr. C. Clayton Powell Georgia Award
  • Walmart/Sam's Club Leadership                                                                                    
  • Educational Poster Award    
  • Allergan Travel Grant          
The NOA is looking forward to celebrating its 50th Anniversary in Atlanta, Georgia, July 10-14, 2019! See you there.

IndiaLibraryICO Library Makes Incredible Delivery

The ICO Library recently facilitated a very special book loan. Dr. Bharadwaj of the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad, India, asked their librarian, Banu, to procure an expensive book via inter-library loan: The Pupil: Anatomy, Physiology and Clinical Application by Irene E. Loewenfeld.  LVPEI is a member of the Association of Vision Science Librarians, of which the ICO Library is also a member.

Banu contacted Christine Weber, Director of the ICO Library, to ask if she could borrow this book from us. ICO had an older edition and offered to give it to LVPEI.  Unfortunately, the two-book set is very heavy and would have been prohibitively pricey to ship it to India.
 
Thankfully, help was nearby; an elaborate hand-off began. Since the ARVO annual meeting was taking place in Hawaii,  Dr. Elizabeth Wyles offered to carry the books there. Dr. Wyles then passed the set off the Pam Sieving, retired NIH librarian and AVSL member, at the conference.  Pam, in turn, gave the books to Dr. Balu from LVPEI, who carried them back to India.  The books were received in time for the ARVO-INDIA meeting with Aravind Research Scholars!

Though this was an extreme case, these are the types of international relationships in which the ICO Library is involved.  AVSL libraries all assist one another through group endeavors. Many thanks to Dr. Wyles, Pam Sieving, Christine Weber, and all who helped the books reach their destination.
ISpyI Spy Around Campus

Pardon Our Dust...

Please be aware of multiple construction zones and improvements around campus:
  • Multiple issues are currently being repaired in the parking structure. Traffic flow and parking are still functional, but areas are blocked off and barricades may be shifted around each day. Please drive slowly and safely.
  • Starting TODAY, the men's and women's shower rooms will begin the process of floor/base resurfacing. Please do NOT take showers until the all-clear is given by our Facilities staff. While the much-improved epoxy dries, the locker rooms and lavatories will remain open as often as possible. Thank you for your patience.
  • Finally, construction began TODAY on our new Pediatric and Binocular Vision Center. This project will affect the southwest side of the hallway on the first floor of the IEI. Please be careful and considerate as contractors from Bulley and Andrews complete this exciting work. Construction is expected to be conclude in mid-November.

Cafeteria Set to Re-Open

Meal service in the Cafeteria will re-start on Monday, August 13. ICO has engaged A'viands as our new food service vendor. The Cafeteria Manager's name is Robert Carter. He comes to ICO with great previous experience at Oakton Community College and Roosevelt University. Enjoy!
BitsBits & Pieces

Fourth-Year Scholarship Opportunity

Applications are now open for the Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Scholarship. In tribute to a father and son's legacy, the Cummings family established this award through Optometry Cares. The national winner will receive $5,000. Applicants must write a paper, no more than 3,000 characters, addressing the following questions:
  1. Dr. Pat Cummings was passionate about improving the overall health of the public. How do you exemplify this passion and what are your goals in the area of public health?
  2. Do you plan to take a leadership role in optometry? Please tell us about leadership roles you have had in optometry school and your future aspirations.
For more information and to submit your application, contact Sharon Uher. The deadline is October 31, 2018.
MoversMovers & Shakers 

Christine Weber  has been accepted for Senior Level membership into the  Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP.) AHIP  is a peer-reviewed, accomplishment/portfolio-based certification and career development program. M embership certifies that Christine met a high standard of professional education, experience, and accomplishment, and is committed to career development.

Dr. Janice Jurkus was featured in Franja Visual, a Spanish visual health magazine.

ArrivalsArrivals & Departures

Welcome...
Matthew Borschnack, Fitness Coordinator

Farewell to...
Dr. Qiong Li, the first research fellow at ICO. She successfully completed her training under Dr. Yi Pang's mentorship. Drs. Len Messner, Janis Winters, Elsa Zhuang, David Lee, Dan Ren, and Sandy Block helped Dr. Pang in mentoring, as well. This program consisted of 900 research hours and 100 clinical hours. 

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