WINTER 2025
CLASS NOTES: WINTER 2025
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1977
Tommy Lim, OD ’77, and his wife Bonnie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2025. Dr. Lim served on the ICO Alumni Council for three terms, from September 2011 to September 2020.
1979
David Gunderson, OD ’77, is celebrating his retirement after 45 years of serving the residents of Muskegon County, Michigan. Soon after graduating from ICO, he and classmate Ronald Zucker, OD ’79, purchased what was then the oldest optometry practice in the state, founded in 1895, and later expanded with a second location in Whitehall. Dr. Gunderson and his wife, Kay, look forward to more time with their three children and six grandchildren as he closes a remarkable career built on dedication, friendship, and community care.
1980s
1981
Sandra Block, OD ’81, was recently featured in Healthcare Asia Magazine during the 2025 Asia–Pacific Myopia Management Symposium in Hong Kong. As president of the World Council of Optometry, Dr. Block shared insights on the organization’s global mission to close myopia care gaps between high– and low–resource regions through education, technology, and strategic partnerships. Her leadership continues to elevate the international visibility of optometry and reflects the global impact of ICO alumni.
1982
Eric Paulsen, OD ’82, was named the 2025 Philanthropist of the Year by the Door County Community Foundation. The longtime owner of Door County Eye Associates, Dr. Paulsen has held leadership roles at both state and national levels, including service as president of the Wisconsin Optometric Association and recognition as Wisconsin Optometrist of the Year. His commitment to giving back extends well beyond optometry—he has served on city committees, taught Sunday school, and raised funds for the United Way. Together with his wife, Dee, Dr. Paulsen has also provided free eye care on mission trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, continuing a lifelong legacy of service and compassion.
1983
Jerome Lietz, OD ’83, after 42 years, 40 of them providing eye care to the adults and children of Will Co., Il. Dr. Lietz is retiring as the Pearle Vision Optometrist in Crest Hill. He and his wife Susan are relocating to Parke Co. Indiana, Covered Bridge capital of America. They intend to continue enjoying the bridge fest held every October along with the other hundreds of thousands of attendees.
1985
Neil Margolis, OD ’85, was honored to present at the 2025 Annual Stroke and Neuroscience Symposium sponsored by Advocate Health. He presented a 2 hour lecture on vision skill rehabilitation for concussion and stroke to occupational and speech therapists.
1990s
1995
Tracy Matchinski, OD ’95, received the 2025 Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award at the American Optometric Association’s annual conference in August. This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to clinical vision rehabilitation. A longtime leader in low vision care, Dr. Matchinski served as Chief of ICO’s Low Vision Service and played a key role in launching the Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging in 2012, where she continued as Service Coordinator until 2019.
2000s
2005
Joshua Baker, OD ’05, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University, effective September 11, 2025. His leadership spans both the Arizona and Illinois campuses, building on years of dedicated service in academic administration. A veteran of the United States Army, Dr. Baker previously served as Chief of Optometry Service at the U.S. Army Health Clinic in Stuttgart and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. His appointment is an inspiring testament to his commitment to education and service.
2007
Taylor D. Tedder, OD ’07, was recently appointed to the California State Board of Optometry. With nearly two decades of experience across clinical, corporate, and strategic roles, Dr. Tedder brings a deep commitment to advancing eye care access and innovation. He practices at Opticore Optometry Group, PC, and has previously served as Chief Medical Officer at Visibly, Director of Strategy at CVS Health, and Eyecare Director at Luxottica Retail. A dedicated member of the California Optometric Association, he continues to champion excellence in the profession.
2007
Karina V. Langle, OD ’07, is celebrating eight years of serving Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community through Lunettes Family Eyecare and Optical Boutique. In addition to leading her busy private practice, Dr. Langle serves as a clinical instructor at ICO and is active in multiple professional organizations, including the Illinois and American Optometric Associations, the American Academy of Optometry (Fellow), and the American Board of Optometry (Diplomate).
2010s
2016
Brittany Fox, OD ’16, has had an exciting few years—getting married, welcoming two sons, and launching her own optometry practice in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Earlier this year, she purchased the long–standing local clinic from Drs. Spencer Seibert and James Busche, continuing their legacy of community care. A Blue Earth native, Dr. Fox is thrilled to be practicing in her hometown and celebrated her clinic’s success with an open house on October 22.
2019
Keralyn Totten, OD ’19, was named to Moody on the Market’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. A practitioner at Rx Optical, a MyEyeDr company, in Michigan, Dr. Totten is deeply committed to service both locally and abroad. She volunteers with Opening Eyes vision screenings at Michigan’s Special Olympics and with His Eyes, a branch of the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists, providing eye exams in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. A recipient of MyEyeDr’s Living Our Values Award, she is also involved in the Called to Care ministry, serving seniors at First Congregational Church in St. Joseph, MI. Dr. Totten hopes to inspire her son and others to value hard work, compassion, and purpose in all they pursue.
2020s
2024
Tayler Greenagel, OD ’24, joined Lunettes Family Eyecare and Optical Boutique as its newest optometrist. A lifelong Mount Greenwood resident, Dr. Greenagel’s journey with Lunettes began years earlier—she first worked at the practice as a college student receptionist during summer breaks. Now, as a practicing optometrist, she returns to her hometown to work alongside Karina Langle, OD ’07, her longtime mentor, serving the same community that helped shape both of their careers.
2024
Diana Masolak, OD ’24, received the AAO Sheldon Wechsler Contact Lens Residency Award. This $2,000 award is intended to promote the practice and development of the field of contact lenses by providing incentives and support to sustain talented optometric residents, and Dr. Masolak was chosen for her outstanding passion and commitment to practice, research, and education.
Friends and Family
Zanna Kuroch, OD, was named the 2025 Utah Educator of the Year for her pioneering work in optometric education. An associate professor at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Dr. Kruoch helped establish the university’s College of Optometric Medicine and continues to shape its curriculum. A graduate of the University of Houston and an ICO residency alumna, she is passionate about mentoring students and fostering collaboration across disciplines—from pediatrics to pharmacy—while advancing excellence in optometric education.
Anthony Gordon, OD (BS ’84) has joined SightMD Connecticut as part of its team of eye care professionals. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Gordon offers comprehensive optometric care at the practice’s Enfield location. A graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry (BS ’84) and the Inter–American University School of Optometry (OD ’89), he has devoted his career to preserving and restoring vision for patients at every stage of eye health.
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
