ALUMNI

Ranjeet Bajwa,’08 – Debunking Eye Health Myths

Ranjeet Bajwa, O.D., ’08, is a Trustee of the California Optometric Association, practicing in Bakersfield, CA. He also is serving his second year on the COA Communications Committee, where when a media opportunity arises committee members are contacted by the PR firm. Ranjeet has participated in many interviews on TV and radio in the past year. The latest was in a March 12 US News and World Report article debunking eye myths such as” I only need to visit the optometrist if something seems wrong”; "My vision is perfect, so there's no need to see the optometrist"; "I only need to worry about UV rays in the summer sun"; and "I'll just wear these contact lenses until they start to hurt."  For as long as it’s available, the full story can be seen at US News and World Report .

Rachel Schumann, ’78 and Lynval Williams, ’85 – Making an Impact

		Rachel Schumann (nee Snyder), Ph.D., R.N., and Lynval (Lenny) Williams, M.S., M.P.H., are graduates of the SCCO Optometric Technician Certificate program. Lenny Williams, ’85, has served as the Vision Program Consultant and Hearing and Vision Coordinator for the State of Ohio since 1989. On February 25, he had a conference call with the current Vision Program Consultant for the State of Michigan and was surprised to learn that Rachel Schumann, ’78, was also a graduate of the OT program at SCCO. Both are in positions that focus on children's vision and the prevention of amblyopia. Lenny already had his M.P.H. when he took the OT courses, receiving an AA degree at the time. He later earned his M.S. in Vision Rehabilitation in 1989 from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Rachel went on to earn an M.S. in Occupational Education in 1986, her R.N. in 1999 and a Ph.D. in College and University Administration in 1993 from Michigan State University.  SCCO graduates are making an impact everywhere!