We take great pride in the success of our graduates, many of
whom have become leaders in their state, if not nationally. One graduate who exemplifies leadership is
Dr. Scott Burks (’02). Like so many UMSL
graduates, his motivation to pursue optometry came from gaining experience
beforehand while at Drury University. “While an undergrad I was able to do a
semester as an intern at Missouri Eye Institute in Springfield, MO. After starting there, I quickly came to
appreciate what optometry was and that it was the field for me,” commented
Burks.
Scott had many reasons in making UMSL College of Optometry
his choice to pursue his optometric education.
“When I was applying to optometry schools I was looking for a school
where the class size was small. I feel
this creates a better learning environment and it helps you develop more
personal and professional relationships with your classmates and
professors. These relationships helped
me in school and I still enjoy them today 15 years after graduation,” Burks said.
Upon
graduation in 2002 he joined the practice of Buffalo and Marshfield Eye
Clinics, which is owned by two doctors, Dr. David Kramer and Dr. Rex
Newcomb(’84). The practice emphasized the importance of being involved in the
profession. Dr. Newcomb has served as
past president of the Missouri Optometric Association, past president of the
Missouri Optometric Foundation, and past president of the Greater Ozarks
Optometric Association.
In addition, Newcomb received the University
of Missouri-St. Louis Distinguished Alumni Award and he was the recipient of
the prestigious “Missouri Optometrist of the Year” award.
Dr.
Burks also became a leader both in the state of Missouri and beyond because he
had this opportunity to work with good role models. He is very active in the
American Optometric Association and the Missouri Optometric Foundation and he
has recently served as President of the Missouri Optometric Association after
serving as President of the Greater Ozark Optometric Society. His efforts and service to the profession
gain recognition by his peers through the awarding of the Missouri Optometric
Association’s, “Young Optometrist of the Year”.
Continuing this trend Dr. Burks has been a very good mentor
to the youngest member of the Buffalo and Marshfield Eye Clinics team, Dr.
Shawn Yarnell (’10). Yarnell, a former class president at the College of
Optometry, has followed the examples of her peers by recently serving as
President of the Greater Ozarks Optometric Society. She is appreciative of what
Dr. Burks has meant to her career. “I joined Scott's practice as a new
practitioner, and through these several years we have worked together, he has
been a great example of a true leader in optometry. From being on the MOA board for several
years as well as being actively involved in other optometric and local organizations,
Scott is constantly ensuring optometry remains a desirable, respectable
profession,” commented Yarnell. She
also appreciates his openness and availability to discuss clinical cases in our
office, as he always offers great insight.
Scott is appreciative of the role his wife Karen has played
in his professional career. “Karen has been active with the MOA Auxiliary and
their yearly scholarship for Missouri optometry students. She probably loves the profession as much as
I do,” said Burks.
Burks also feels a commitment to serve his community, his
country, and his alma mater. He has served as past president of the Rotary Club
within his community and served as an Optometry Officer in the Missouri Army
National Guard for eight years. The College
of Optometry has benefitted from his commitment to the new Patient Care Center
capital campaign. It is evident that his
service to the community and to the profession will continue long into the
future. He currently serves on the
VisionUSA Committee for the American Optometric Association and is
president-elect for the North Central States Optometric Council. His goal is an admirable one, “By serving in
various positions over the years I hope to have strengthened the profession for
current and future doctors,” commented Burks.
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Dr. Scott
and Karen Burks
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