ALUMNI

Brett Richardson, ‘11 – It’s Better With Two

Brett Richardson, ’11, completed his residency training this spring at the Spokane Veterans Hospital, and recently joined his dad's practice, the Richardson Eye and Contact Lens Clinic in Vancouver. His dad started the practice 33 years ago and maintained the practice as a sole practitioner until Brett joined him. In a column in The Columbian, it was shared that both owners are excited about the expansion stage of their business. Within the next year, they plan to completely redesign their office, upgrade the interior design and transition into electronic health records.

Ann Johannsen, ’82 – Mission at Natuvu Creek, Fiji

Ann Johannsen, ’82 and her husband, Jess spent 4 days of fast paced medical work at The Mission at Natuvu Creek, in  Savusavu, Fiji in early November 2012.  In Ann’s words: With 30 patients scheduled each day, another 40 would just show up, traveling for 4-5 hours by foot, bus or ferry from their rural village. We worked hard not to turn anyone away. We had a great system worked out between 8 mission staff and "Dr. Jess" (handling most of the reading glasses) and Dr. Ann seeing everything else. The Fijian people were very appreciative and patient, arriving dressed in their best clothes. The mission clinic is first class, especially for being in the middle of the jungle! It has 2 auto refractors, minus cyl phoropter, slit lamp and all the eye drops you would ever need. The most common patient complaints (most speak an accent mix of British and Aussie English) were "I don't see properly." and "I have pain in my eyes when I go out in the sun." Most needed reading glasses and sunglasses, pterygium or cataract surgery. I was surprised to find very little myopia, astigmatism (unless related to pterygia) or allergies.

Denise Valenti, ’84 – NIH Study Section Appointment

Denise (DeSylvia) Valenti, ’84 of Quincy, MA, has been appointed to a National Institutes of Health Study Section, her second study section appointment since 2007.  A study section is the group of professionals/scientists that review the grant applications submitted to NIH. This appointment is to the Bioengineering of Neuroscience, Vision And Low Vision Technologies Study Section.

Eric White, ’86 - Transitions Eyecare Practice of the Year Award

Transitions Optical, Inc. has named Complete Family Vision Care the 2012 Transitions Eyecare Practice of the Year – recognizing the staff for displaying excellence in promoting eye health and the Transitions® brand within their practice and community. Practice owner Eric White, O.D. accepted the award on behalf of the San Diego-based practice at an awards ceremony held on Jan. 29, during the 17th annual Transitions Academy in Orlando.  His wife Laurie is with him in the accompanying photo. Complete Family Vision Care was also recognized for its community outreach in 2012. Dr. White personally drives patients to and from Lasik surgeries on Saturdays and ensures that they are aware of the need to protect their eyes from UV after surgery. Dr. White and his team are also active in their community, frequently visiting an Asian preschool to speak with families. To support Complete Family Vision Care in continuing its healthy sight efforts in 2013, Transitions Optical provided the staff with a $1,000 grant through the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life™ Fund.