FY-EYE on UMSL Optometry

Dr. Ethan Brilley Dr. Courtney Brilley Every year at new student orientation in August – and most recently at the pre-mixer in April for entering students – I (Ed Bennett) will always look at the students and indicate for them to “look around because four of you will ultimately get married to each other; therefore, you might as well get to know your class well at the beginning so these decisions can be made early.”   This always gets a laugh but it is backed up by fact as with most classes that is exactly the number of students who marry within the class.  It was true with the Class of 2017.  Drs. Michael Roberts and Aubrey Koehler were recently married and, earlier in their optometric training Drs. Courtney (Berry) Brilley and Ethan Brilley also were married. As Ethan relates, he never thought marrying within his class would happen to him. “I remember meeting Courtney at orientation, and after learning she was from Dallas, I asked her if...

Dr. Fyizza Abbas (‘14) and her husband Ajax are the proud parents of Aliya Laila, born May 26th. Dr. Christy Hayes (‘11) and husband James welcomed Nora Josephine into the world on May 28th. Adam Wira (’19) and wife Afsheen are the proud parents of Elizabeth Ruby, born June 5th. Dr. Phil Lueckenhoff (‘16) and wife Laura Christine welcomed Leo Philip into the world on June 8th.

In addition to receiving their Doctor of Optometry degree many of the Class of 2017 also received individual honors and recognition during the awards ceremony that followed commencement. This year the College of Optometry recognized three students who were part of the Optometry Scholar Program.  The Optometry Scholar Program is a program created by Professor Carl Bassi along with several other faculty members. They guide students in assisting in research in various areas including dry eye, glaucoma, and macular pigment.  Drs. Molly Gorder, Amy Schaag, and Lindsay Swenson all participated in the program. Dr. Gorder   Dr. Schaag Dr. Swenson Dr. Robert Koetting scholarship in the amount of $1,500 went to Drs. Kelsey Haugen and Lindsay Swenson. Dr. Haugen Dr. Swenson The Mary Gilbert scholarship for scholastic achievement and leadership went to Dr. Yousef Ibrahim. Dr. Ibrahim This year’s studen...