John Baker, MSEd, OD didn’t set out to be an optometrist. Instead, he graduated with a degree in chemistry, but without much love for chemistry.

Many optometrists love their profession, and we know that many of our current students are committed to optometry because their optometrist saw great potential in them. However, most optometrists cannot say they guided 82 patients into this wonderful field. Joseph Herba, OD ’88 can claim exactly that.

A lot was changing in optometry when Jordon Beller, OD ’71 joined ICO in 1967. Here are a few of his essentials.

We wanted to dedicate this issue’s Essentials to Lindsay Sicks, OD ’10 for her tireless work in implementing the vaccination training that allows doctors of optometry to serve as COVID vaccinators.

When Richard Raymer, OD ’50 attended NICO (a predecessor to ICO), it took two years to get an OD.

For a select few ICO alumni, optometry is not a final career goal. Rather, their degree acts as a steppingstone. R. Mark Hatfield, OD ’79, MD, is one of these people.

Optometry is rewarding in a variety of ways, but how many ICO alumni can say that commuting to work is an adventure? Hanna Fylpaa, OD ’14, is based in Southeast Alaska.

The National Optometric Association (NOA) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. C. Clayton Powell, OD ’52, co-founded this organization with the late John L. Howlette, OD ’51.