UAB School of Optometry

The UAB School of Optometry is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor with expertise in the areas of ocular disease, cornea/contact lenses, and other clinical specialties. See more here: go.uab.edu/optometryprof. #optometry #optometrist #highereducation

Dean Kelly Nichols along with faculty and students from the Vision Science Graduate Progam gathered recently for a social. Thank you to Drs. Julie Quinet and Lawrence Sincich for bringing everyone together!

UABSO is pleased to announce that Drs. Jillian Ziemanski and Amy Logan have been promoted to associate professor. Dr. Ziemanski, a 2023 UAB Excellence in Teaching Award winner, joined UABSO as a half-time clinical assistant professor in 2014 while pursuing a PhD. After completing her PhD in 2020, she joined the faculty as a full-time assistant professor teaching the glaucoma course. She also leads the Dry Eye Clinic and faculty recruitment efforts. Dr. Logan, class of 2018, joined the faculty in 2019. She is course director of Assessment of Systemic Diseases in Optometry, course director of the Advanced Posterior Segment Evaluation lab, co-course director of Systemic Pharmacology, and an instructor in the methods and procedures course. Also, She sees patients in the Ocular Disease and Primary Care clinical services at UAB Eye Care and at the UAB 1917 Clinic.

Susan Cotter, OD, professor at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University, a distinguished pediatric optometrist, was honored as the 2024 UAB School of Optometry’s Springer lecturer. A clinician-scientist, her presentation highlighted the advancements in amblyopia treatment, a vision disorder Cotter is passionate about. The presentation covered the evolution of amblyopia treatments, noting significant changes such as reduced hours of patching, the sequential use of refractive correction and patching, and the introduction of atropine as an alternative to patching. Cotter also highlighted emerging treatments, including binocular therapy and potential therapeutics. Key takeaways from the presentation included the importance of evidence-based treatments for amblyopia, the effectiveness of refractive correction as a treatment modality, and the need for personalized treatment plans for each child. Despite advancements, Cotter acknowledged that many children still experience residual amblyopia, a challenge that continues to drive research in the field. In addition to the Springer lecture honor, Cotter was honored to visit where two of her former students are now faculty members and pediatric optometrists. “It feels incredibly special to be here, especially knowing that two of my favorite pediatric optometrists, Kathy Weise and Kristine Hopkins, are now faculty members,” she said.

After experiencing poor vision for years, Jermaine Brown, Jr., found his way to Dr. Kathy Weise through the BlazerVision program, which she founded. Jermaine has now overcome his vision problems to thrive with UAB football. He first noticed an issue with his vision in his left eye in 2017 when he was on a family trip to Mexico. But as a high school quarterback, it wasn’t that big of an issue. When Brown arrived to UAB, all of the wide receivers were taken to UAB Eye Care for an exam. Dr. Weise was able to help diagnose Brown with keratoconus, a disease that alters the cornea and causes poor or blurred vision. Watch the entire story!

Last week, the UAB School of Optometry community attended Academy in Indianapolis. Congratulations to everyone who presented papers, posters and represented the school as industry leaders!

Candice Turner, OD, associate professor, has been named the Alabama Optometric Association Educator of the Year. A 2003 graduate of UAB Optometry, Turner joined the faculty fulltime in 2015. She is the school’s director of externships, course director of Ocular Pharmacology, a CEVS lab instructor, chair of the Awards and Scholarship Committee, and a member of the Curriculum and Admission committees. Her involvement in various aspects of the school allows her to interact with students at every stage of their optometric education, an experience she finds immensely rewarding.

Janelle Sventek, OD, has joined the UAB School of Optometry as an assistant professor after four years as a pediatric optometrist in private practice. Her interest in becoming an eye doctor started when she received her first pair of glasses at age eight. "Throughout my education, I always enjoyed being a peer tutor and teaching assistant," she said. "Becoming an assistant professor at UABSO allows me to continue that passion. I am forever grateful for the educators who taught me, and I delight in paying it forward to the next generation of optometrists. After four years in private practice, I bring a unique perspective to the student's education and can provide them with insight into life after optometry school."

Kristine Hopkins, OD, MSPH, has been selected to receive the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which honors those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching. She has been selected to receive the honor three times.

Go Blazers!