ALUMNI

OCMETRO – 40 Under 40

Eric Bender, ’02, was chosen in May 2012 by the OCMETRO magazine as one of the 40 Under 40 in Orange County, CA under the heading: Optometrist, Bender Optometric Group. Accompanying the article was a wedding photo. Paraphrasing the text of the article: After seven years of working for other doctors, Eric Bender opened his own practice in 2009; he remodeled and transformed an older practice into a modern office with state-of-the-art optometric equipment. To remain successful, Bender strives to offer the latest technology, reinvent and improve his practice, and keep abreast of new eye care techniques. He treats his patients as he would his family and credits this level of patient care with his success. Bender is involved with a program that treats patients diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and wants to raise awareness on the importance of eye care for these patients, since many of them do not regularly visit an optometrist. He is also an avid guitarist. First job: Host and food runner at Red Robin. [Many thanks to Harue Marsden, ’87, for spotting the article about Eric in the magazine and bringing it to our attention. She also pointed out that Eric is the Education Chair for the Orange County Optometric Society.]

It's a Girl!

10 days old

Elizabeth Ng was born on 10/30/12 to Drs. Karen Lin '03 and Jason Ng '03. She joins her big siblings (James and Jacquelin 1.5 yrs. and Kathryn 7.5 yrs.). Weighing in at 7lbs. 2oz, Kathryn was noted as saying, “Whew, she didn’t break my record!”.

Amazing Year of Involvement

Kellye J. Knueppel, O.D., ‘93, owns a private practice in Brookfield, WI, devoted entirely to vision therapy.  She is currently serving as President of the Wisconsin Optometric Association and has been chosen as an International Volunteer to help with the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes Program at the Special Olympics World Winter Games to be held in Pyeongchang, Korea Jan 31-Feb 5 2013. The weekend following the Olympics she has the privilege of speaking at the Japanese optometry school. And it’s the 20th anniversary year for her Class Reunion, too!

Serving the Profession with Enthusiasm

Steve Langsford, ‘95, was elected to the California Optometric Association Board of Trustees at COA’s annual House of Delegates in February 2012.  Upon completion of his initial two-year term, Dr. Langsford will be up for re-election in 2014.  He looks forward to serving on the Board of Trustees for many years. (If elected to the office of President-Elect, he’s looking at a minimum of 6 more years of volunteer participation.)  Other SCCO alumni serving on the current COA Board are James Dallas, ’86, Trustee, and Movses D’Janbatian, ’83, Board President.

It's Never Too Late for a PhD

This past May Sam Hanlon, ’77, received his PhD degree in physiological optics from the University of Houston, College of Optometry, where he has been a faculty member for the past 13 years. (See Sam on the far right in the photo). The title of his dissertation was "Neutrophil Interstitial Migration". His research was pertaining to studying molecular and physical events involved with infiltration of the mouse cornea by neutrophils following an epithelial abrasion. Per Sam: “I'm not sure but I may be the oldest person to receive the degree and may also be the only one to do it while maintaining full faculty status.” Since graduation, Sam has been conducting research with other doctors involving neutrophil interactions with keratocytes during inflammation and corneal nerve regeneration and research relating to ocular surface distress and meibomian gland dysfunction.

Ever the Writer

30 years ago, Byron Newman, ’54, (seen in a current photo with wife, Bunny) wrote a book called, "A Romp Through an Eye Examination" in which he wrote about the tests taken in the proper order, and all the clever things his patients said as he gave those tests. SCCO has a copy of it in the school library, but it now has been reprinted by Amazon.com. Dr. Newman says that the book can be found on the search through the title or under Byron Y. Newman. The Y is very important. - there is another Byron Newman who is the photographer for Playboy Magazine.