Posted:  Fullerton, CA, June 28, 2012

		Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) Alumnus Ronald L. Hopping, O.D., M.P.H., has been installed as the President of the 36,000-member American Optometric Association (AOA). Dr. Hopping took the oath of office during the 115th Annual AOA Congress & 42nd Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting recently held in Chicago, IL. "Dr. Hopping has served his profession with pride and dedication throughout his career and we are pleased and proud to support our friend and alumnus as he begins his term," said SCCO President Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph.D.  "Last month, Dr. Hopping gave the Commencement Address to SCCO's Class of 2012 and at the same event we honored him with the prestigious Distinguished Service Award for his decades of service to the profession of optometry."
New AOA President Ronald L. Hopping, O.D., M.P.H., ‘78, was the Commencement Speaker at his alma mater, SCCO, on May 25, 2012.

His installation as president marks the first time in the century-plus history of the AOA that a father and son have both served in the top position of the national organization.  His father, SCCO President Emeritus Richard L. Hopping, O.D., D.O.S., D.Sc., D.O.S., was AOA President, 1971–72.

Last year, as AOA President-Elect, Dr. Ron Hopping, served as a member of the AOA Executive, Investment, Agenda and Personnel Committees.  His board liaison assignments included the Meetings Center and affiliate association in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon.  Dr. Hopping was also the liaison for the Armed Forces Optometric Society, and two colleges of optometry, including his alma mater, SCCO.

Prior to his election to the AOA Board, Dr. Hopping served as chair of the AOA Information and Member Services Group and also of the AOA Communications Group Advisory Committee.  He has served on the Healthy Eyes Healthy People Oversight Committee.  He is a charter member of the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section and the Sports Vision Section.  He is an InfantSEE® provider and a contributor to the AOA PAC at the Visionary level.  He has served as a full-time faculty member with the rank of Assistant Professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry.  Dr. Hopping served as President of the Texas Optometric Association in 1996.

In 1978, Dr. Hopping earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from SCCO, and in 1982 he received his Masters in Public Health from the University of Texas.  He has received Presidents' Awards for Outstanding Service from 10 different state presidents and was recognized as the Texas Optometrist of the Year in 2002.  He has also been recognized with the Outstanding Faculty Award at the University of Houston, College of Optometry.  Dr. Hopping is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is recognized as a Diplomate in Cornea and Contact Lenses.  Additionally, he is recognized as a Distinguished Practitioner by the National Academies of Practice in Optometry.

Dr. Hopping is in full-time, independent practice with his wife, Desiree Hopping, O.D., and two associates in the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas.

About the Southern California College of Optometry

Established in 1904, SCCO is a private, non-profit, educational institution dedicated to educating today's minds to provide tomorrow's eye, vision and health care.  SCCO grants a four-year, professional degree, Doctor of Optometry (OD) and a Master of Science in Vision Science (MS).  In August 2011, the College announced plans to start a Physician Assistant program – the first in Orange County – via a two-year graduate degree.

The College's superior clinical education program provides patient care experiences in community optometric clinics; exposure to the delivery of optometric care in multi-disciplinary settings; and experiences in practices serving a wide variety of ethnic and socio-economic patient groups.  SCCO owns and operates two premier eye and vision care centers¬ – the Eye Care Center located on its campus in Fullerton, CA, and the Optometric Center of Los Angeles located in south-central LA.

A special component of SCCO's educational program is community service.  Annually, SCCO faculty and optometric interns provide eye and vision care to thousands of uninsured or underinsured children and adults in our local communities through collaborations with other nonprofit organizations.