In the News: Optometry Alumni Featured in AOA Focus Magazine

Optometrists: Look for several Pacific University alumni in your September 2016 edition of Focus, the magazine of the American Optometric Society.

Faculty member Tad Buckingham ’92, OD ‘94 appeared in the cover story, which explored the impact that climate change may have on vision care. Buckingham is not only an optometrist; he’s also a firefighter and paramedic who teaches students about ocular trauma through his first-hand knowledge. In this story, he talked about how smoke and irritants from increasing wildfires may affect ocular health in communities.

Another piece in the magazine provides tips for optometrists planning for their retirement. Included in the story are alumni Eric Halperin OD ‘86 and Beatrice Michel ‘OD 87, who are preparing for retirement after practicing together in Tillamook since 1989.

Fellow alumnus Raymond Mans ’70, OD ‘72 explained his retirement strategy, which included renting out his former office building and planning the future of his practice by bringing in two fellow Pacific alumni: his son Justin Mans OD ‘07 and his nephew Robert Mans OD ‘94.

Finally, Brenda Heinke Montecalvo ’82, OD ‘85 was featured in a piece about traumatic brain injuries. Montecalvo, immediate past chair of the AOA’s Vision Rehabilitation Section treats her patients with first-hand experience after suffering her own TBI in a car crash just after graduating from Pacific.

Though not available publicly, Focus is available to AOA members in print and online.