SUMMER 2021
CLASS NOTES: SUMMER 2021
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1973
Steven Levin received the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indiana Optometric Association. In 50 years, the award has been given to only 15 people.
Gary R. Pabalis has spent 30 years in the Indian Health Service (IHS), serving as the IHS chief optometrist for five years. In 2003, he moved to Boise, Idaho, where he joined an OD/MD practice and is now working two days per week. Five years ago, he learned to fit scleral lenses which he considers an extremely rewarding subset within optometry.
1978
Joseph Maino photo illustrated a book, Star Chaser, which was authored by Mark Scheel, OD '85.
1980s
1981
Sandra Block, who serves as the World Council of Optometry's (WCO) Public Health Chair, received the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)’s Vision Excellence Award. Awardees are recognized for their outstanding contributions to advocacy, innovation, program implementation, institution-building, and disease control during the twenty years since VISION 2020 was established.
1983
Susan Cotter, was named a recipient of the 2020 Theia Awards of Excellence on Oct. 15, 2020. She was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the profession in the category of education and research.
1985
Mark Scheel authored the book, Star Chaser, which was photo illustrated by Joseph Maino, OD '78.
Deborah Zelinsky was named a recipient of the 2020 Theia Awards of Excellence on Oct. 15, 2020. She was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the profession in the category of innovation.
1988
Pam Lowe's practice, Professional Eye Care Center, in Niles, Ill., was named one of the Nation's Best Practices by CooperVision after a nationwide search.
1990s
1995
Tracy Matchinski received a Vision Excellence Award from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness VISION 2020, recognizing her contributions and voice for the low vision community and her leadership and service in VOSH/International.
2000s
2004
Andrew Makela released his debut solo album, Drubiquitous, available wherever you stream your music.
2006
Commander Christopher DeAngelis was selected as the 2020 Navy Optometrist of the year. He currently serves as the Associate Director for Public Health and staff optometrist at Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan.
2009
Joseph Aaron Ledford opened Inlet Eye Associates in Murrells Inlet, S.C., providing comprehensive primary eye care.
2010s
2010
Michael Landy joined Chautauqua Eye Care in Jamestown, N.Y.
2011
Lexi Derry joined the Center for Eye Care at the Watertown Regional Medical Center in Watertown, Wis.
2014
Mark Buboltz and Susie (Hemann) Buboltz, OD '15 welcomed their baby, May, in October 2020.
Daisy Mendez celebrated the grand opening of Perspective Eyes, LLC, on January 27, in Winnetka, Ill.
Caitlin Miller was named Young Optometrist of the Year by the Arizona Optometric Association.
2015
Alyssa (Bartolini) Parz welcomed daughter, Kaylee Margaret, into the world on January 21.
Katie Green has received ASCO’s 2021 Rising Star Award. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry and serves as Nova’s Director of the Acquired Brain Injury Visual Rehabilitation Clinic.
Zachary Holland and Joelle (Jaros) Holland, OD '16, welcomed their second child on January 18, Brooklynn Stone.
2016
Macy Dieleman joined McFarland Clinic's optometry department in Boone, Iowa.
2019
Jacqueline Anne Julio joined Shepherd Eye Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
2020s
2020
Ryan W. Eisel joined Scullion Vision Clinic in Lisbon, Ohio.
Friends and Family
Mea Culpa
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The following abbreviations denote predecessor names of the Illinois College of Optometry.
NICO: Northern Illinois College of Optometry
CCO: Chicago College of Optometry
MCO: Monroe College of Optometry
