FY-EYE on UMSL Optometry

On Friday evening, January 20, 2017, the UMSL chapter of the National Student Optometric Association winner of the “Chapter of the Year” at the Annual National Optometric Association Meeting last July – once again hosted a great annual tradition, the NOSA Talent Show.  The Master of Ceremonies was Lulette Fermil (’19) who also provided between act entertainment.  The show featured several talented students who could sing, play instruments, and dance.  The top winner was Madison Moss (’20), who gave a spellbinding performance in singing and playing the keyboards to the epic, Fleetwood Mac song “Landslide.”  Second place went to Kate Hamm (’19) who also gave a wonderful performance singing, “Lost Boy” by Ruth B. Kate also provided her own accompaniment on the keyboard.  Sara Taylor (’19) was awarded third place for an excellent dance routine to the song, “Latch” by Sam Smith.  A very well received fourth place performance was by t...

Nine students at UMSL Optometry started the spring 2017 semester with a $2,500 scholarship from the Healthy Vision Association (HVA).   The HVA is an organization that is dedicated to helping its members see well and be healthy by providing access that might not be available through employers to products, services, and information that promote vision and overall health. The scholarship was awarded to Kandace Alfred (’18), Jessica Arnoldy (’20), Shelby Baugh Bruner (’17), Kelly Cochran (’20), Yousef Ibrahim (’17), Cailyn Katsev (’17), Julia Katsev (’18), Trisha Smith (’20), and Lacie Spagnola (’20); each received a check for $2,500. One of the scholarship recipients, Kelly Cochran (’20), shares her vision of optometry in ten years as part of the essay she was required to write for the scholarship. “I believe the scope of practice for optometrists will involve an evolution toward deepening our involvement in vision research, medicine, surgery, and cooperatio...

The College of Optometry students have always been very active in the UMSL campus intramural program.   Every class has, at minimum, two intramural Co-Chairs who help to coordinate teams and times for their class. In fact, the first year students, in the fall participated in wiffle ball, flag football, kickball, sand volleyball, three-on-three basketball, soccer, and indoor four-on-four volleyball.   They not only participated, but they won the campus championships in co-ed wiffle ball (“strike 1 or 2”), flag football (“Inferior Rectus”), and kickball. Class of 2020’s intramural co-chair Quinn Gallen comments on the activeness of his classmates, “ The first year class is a competitive class that likes to alleviate the stresses of class by competing in intramurals,” commented Gallen.  Quinn’s  Co-chair Trisha Smith (’20) also likes the opportunity to fill a void from her college days, “ Our class intramurals is a way for us to get away fro...

In late October, Stray Rescue, a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter became victim of a deadly distemper outbreak and the call for help went out to the community.   Students, faculty, and staff at the College of Optometry stepped up and provided needed donations for the shelter, including blankets, bleach, cat litter, and Dawn dish soap. The College of Optometry stepped up and donated over 100 items to Stray Rescue. According to Nick Palisch, “Giving back to an organization that really works hard in the community was something that we needed to do and I am impressed by the students, faculty, and staff who donated to the cause.”  The members of Stray Rescue met the donations with sincere gratitude. Krystal Matson (’20), felt the need to help, “ As a pet owner, I empathize with how costly it is to provide animals with the proper care. STL Stray Rescue is an amazing organization that has saved the lives of many animals and could not do so without commu...

During the December 2016 University of Missouri (UM) Board of Curators meeting on the UMSL campus the Board, along with invited guests, were able to attend a reception in the Patient Care Center. In essence, the reception brought the inception of the project to reality as Chancellor Tom George explains, “The Board of Curators were thrilled to see the new facility.  Indeed, it was at a meeting right here on our campus that they originally approved the bond issue necessary to construct the building.  They clearly saw first-hand the wisdom of their positive decision.” Having crossed all the hurdles along the way to get the new Patient Care Center built and a reality, the reception was a celebration of the completion of the long road and process.   Over 70 people attended the reception along with the curators and the UM Interim-President Middleton.   During the reception, guests were able to take a tour of the new facility from several stude...

Dr. Robert Goerss (‘01) and his wife Emily welcomed Nora Margaret into the world on October 20 th . Dr. Arthur Wang (’12) and his wife Dr. Rachel Lamis (’12) are the proud parents of Rowan Alexander, born on October 18 th .  Dr. Kevin Biermann (’09) and his wife Jennifer welcomed Hallie Marie into the world on January 20 th .  Dr. Courtney Kwan (’14) and her husband Phil are the proud parents of Aleksander Philip, born January 23 rd . 

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 h...