Illinois College of Optometry announces new office and leadership advancements

March 6, 2008 (CHICAGO)—The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) today announces the creation of an integrated and robust Student, Alumni and College Development Office. In addition to a newly created service unit, ICO also announces the appointments of Mark Colip, O.D. to Vice President for Student, Alumni and College Development and Vincent Brandys, O.D. to Senior Director for Government Relations and Advancement.

The new Student, Alumni and College Development Office combines key services into a more centralized service unit to increase operating efficiency and provide customer service to ICO students, alumni and supporters. As a result, these constituents can expect convenient access to personal and professional resources, increased networking opportunities and enhanced support for programs and services that impact ICO’s mission to provide excellence in optometric clinical education.

“I firmly believe that our faculty and staff are central to what sets ICO apart, so we took advantage of some recent opportunities to really look at the way we were conducting business,” said Illinois College of Optometry President Arol Augsburger, O.D.  “We made a decision not to fill a recently vacated senior leadership position and instead have been able to promote several staff members and create new support staff positions—a real luxury given the uncertain economy.”

As the Vice President for Student, Alumni and College Development, Dr. Colip will leverage 16 years of experience with ICO to lead a multi-faceted service unit to further extend student, alumni, and development relations. He will also draw on his experience in staff management and development to elevate staff to take on new roles and responsibilities as part of a new staffing model. Dr. Colip’s extensive background and expertise encompassing student affairs, fundraising and teaching showcase his ability to act as a student advocate and manage and cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni and supporters for the benefit of ICO. As a graduate of ICO and an active member of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, American Optometric Association, and Illinois Optometric Association, Dr. Colip will continue to advance the field of optometry through his new role at ICO.

With the recent establishment of the Illinois Eye Institute Foundation, Dr. Brandys will serve as the fundraising liaison for both the Illinois Eye Institute and its foundation. One of Dr. Brandys first responsibilities as the Senior Director for Government Relations and Advancement is to oversee the fundraising effort of the Illinois Eye Institute Foundation’s Inaugural Gala, which will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009. He will also continue connecting with legislators for support of the Illinois Eye Institute’s mission and programs. Also a graduate of ICO, Dr. Brandys is a past president of the Illinois Optometric Association (IOA) and the recipient of the IOA's 2008 Keyperson of the Year award for his legislative and lobbying efforts on behalf of optometry.

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Illinois Eye Institute will dedicate Visual Electrophysiology suite
and honor State Senator Mattie Hunter

February 12, 2009 (CHICAGO)— The Illinois Eye Institute, the clinical division of the Illinois College of Optometry, is now home to a state-of-the-art Visual Electrophysiology Service, made possible in part through the generous support of Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago, 3rd District). Senator Hunter will be honored for her support of the advancement of the Illinois Eye Institute on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. as the Visual Electrophysiology suite is dedicated.

Visual Electrophysiology provides sophisticated visual testing as a means of evaluating the electrical activity in the retina and visual cortex. This technology also gives optometrists the opportunity to detect and diagnose inherited eye diseases, which can be potentially devastating.

“Hereditary diseases affect people of all ages and the more than 90,000 patients that we see each year are the ones really benefitting from this technology,” said Illinois Eye Institute Vice President for Patient Care Services and Executive Director Leonard Messner, O.D. “Senator Hunter has been very supportive of the Illinois Eye Institute and as a result, we are able to enhance patient care and better serve the Chicago community.”

The most common clinical tests performed as part of the Electrophysiology Service are electroretinograms (ERG), electrooculograms (EOG), and visual evoked potentials (VEP). These types of tests measure performance of electrical impulses in the eye and are often the only means of diagnosing hereditary eye disease such as retinitis pigmentosa. In addition, they can also be used to determine visual potential in infants and non-verbal adults and with neurologic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, to aid in the diagnosis of the condition.

“From an education standpoint, it is important that our students are exposed to this technology. The diseases that we can detect can be devastating and the students need to be able to recognize them and make the proper referrals,” said Illinois Eye Institute Electrophysiology Service Coordinator Mary Flynn Roberts, O.D., F.A.A.O.  “We feel very fortunate to be able to serve our patients with this superior technology.”

"The Illinois Eye Institute has always been in the forefront of the medical community in advancements made in eye care, education and research,” said Senator Hunter.  "This advanced and sophisticated method of testing for potentially devastating eye problems and hereditary diseases is remarkable. As a Senator of the Third District and, on behalf of the vast number of people who will benefit from the addition of the Visual Electrophysiology suite, I am pleased to partner with this prestigious Institute.  I am honored to be recognized by this organization and look forward to working with the Institute as it strives to further develop advanced eye care treatment.”

Illinois Eye Institute delivers donated glasses to 95-year old Chicago woman in time for Obama inauguration

January 27, 2009 (CHICAGO)— With the Obama inauguration fast approaching, Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) student and Chatham native Bethany Ward joined Vincent Brandys, O.D. of the Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) to deliver donated glasses to a patient in need. Georgia Thomas, a 95-year old woman from Englewood, graciously accepted the donated glasses in time to watch the historic inauguration of Barack Obama.

"It was an honor to be able to help Mrs. Thomas, who has seen so much in her life, witness one of the biggest moments in world history,” said Bethany Ward, who will graduate from ICO in May.

Recently, Thomas’ daughter, a patient of the IEI, reached out to the eye center to find out if an optometrist would consider a house call for her 95 year-old mother. The daughter explained that her mother was immobile and needed an eye exam.

“While this was a unique situation, we were happy to get involved and help,” said IEI Director of Professional and Governmental Relations Dr. Vincent Brandys.

When asked how this type of service was made possible, Dr. Brandys pointed to partnerships and the importance of giving back to the community as explanation for ensuring that someone in need received the appropriate care. The IEI was able to partner with local optometrist Keith Lavallee, O.D., an alumnus of the Illinois College of Optometry, who visited Ms. Thomas in the comfort of her own home to conduct an eye exam. At the conclusion of the donated eye exam, Dr. Lavallee determined that Thomas would benefit from a new prescription. Dr. Lavallee donated the frames and the IEI was able to donate the lenses due to funding that State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3) helped secure for the IEI’s clinical programs.

For more information about the Illinois Eye Institute, visit www.illinoiseyeinstitute.com.

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ICO Professor is Appointed SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE
The 2003 Behavioral Optometry Scholar in Residence at the New England College 0f Optometry (NEWENCO) was Dominick M Maino, OD., M. Ed., F.A.A.O., Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry and the Illinois Eye Institute. He was at NEWENCO from March 30 through April 3 and gave two COPE approved lectures for the optometric community. The lectures were: "To BV or Not To BV: VT in the Primary Care Office" and "Diagnosis and Management of Special Populations". Read On

ICO students get real world experience with the Victor C. Neumann Association
Real world experience is one of the key learning objectives of the Illinois College of Optometry [ICO] and its clinical teaching division the Illinois Eye Institute. Students enrolled at ICO have a real world experience opportunity by virtue of the college’s affiliation with the Victor C. Neumann Association [VNA] which is one of the region’s leading social service agencies, VNA provides services to individuals who are diagnosed both with developmental disabilities and mental illness. Patients generally have conditions that include mental retardation, schizophrenia and/or depression. The center treats approximately 500 people at any one time through a combination of traditional therapy as well as horticultural and music programs. Until recently, though, vision care was not readily accessible. Read On

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