Tasha J. Schellenberg, OD
Northeastern State University, College of Optometry
Tahlequah, Okla.

After being encouraged by a friend who was in optometry school, Tasha Schellenberg, who had been teaching eighth-grade math, took her advice. She then shadowed an optometrist who was a friend. “After that, I felt I would really enjoy it. It’s a good mix of math, science, technology, medicine, and more all rolled into one,” she told VM.

Schellenberg graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the school’s Honor Society. She received the college’s Clinical Excellence Award, and the GP Lens Institute Clinical Excellence Award, and the Dr. Chester H. Pheiffer Scholarship for the 2006 Outstanding Research Project. Her professional memberships include the AOA, the AOSA, COVD, and the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians.

She will begin her service to the United States Army as an optometrist stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, starting in October. She would like to be involved in rural eyecare. She believes primary optometric care is important. She will also continue being involved with the state optometric association. “We learn a lot about the legislative process and lobby while we are in school,” she noted.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “She consistently demonstrated the highest level of professionalism in the clinic, classroom and social settings.”

Sylvia Lynn Jones, OD
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Columbus, Ohio

Sylvia Jones started out as a biology major and became interested in optometry via a fellow student who loved the profession. She shadowed optometrists who loved their work, and decided that optometry would give her the flexibility to raise a family.

She was admitted to OSU in 2003 into the school's OD/MS dual degree program, and she became president of the school’s chapter of the National Optometric Student Association. She was also involved with the AOA, the Academy, and the National Optometric Association.

Her graduate project tested a form that would allow more efficient communication between optometrists and general physicians with regard to diabetic patients’ eye problems. Her interest in diabetes is intensely personal, as her own husband is diabetic. She also presented and defended her thesis while eight months pregnant.

Jones would like to do more research, especially with underserved populations with diabetes and glaucoma. She is also considering teaching in the future as well.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Sylvia is one of the most positive individuals we have worked with. The faculty and administration take great pride in Sylvia Jones’ outstanding accomplishments, contributions and leadership. She will clearly serve as a top role model.”

Courtney M. Goetsch, OD
Pacific University College of Optometry
Forest Grove, Ore.

Courtney Goetsch's interest in optometry stemmed from observing her aunt, an optician, who loved her work. “That made me curious,” she told VM. She wound up working for an optometrist in Nebraska as an optician.

At the Pacific University College of Optometry, she maintained a high grade point average and received the President's Award for outstanding dedication to optometry, and was inducted into Beta Sigma Kappa. She also served on a variety of professional groups. In the AOSA, she was a trustee and sat on the executive council as secretary. She also was a student representative to her school's Academic and Professional Standards Committee, and helped organize the school's First White Coat Ceremony. She also served as local liaison for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry and for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and national liaison for Infants and Children's Vision Coalition. She was a student member of COVD and of Amigos, a non-profit organization dedicated toward providing eyecare for underserved populations locally and globally.

Goetsch would like to continue her involvement with state- and national-level optometric groups. She likes “organizing optometry” and wants to be politically involved for children's vision causes.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “She is a leader for her class and a role model for other students."

Ruth Shoge, OD
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Elkins Park, Pa.

An internship during high school whetted Ruth Shoge’s appetite for optometry. “I liked the ability to really work with patients and still be able to raise a family, which is important for women,” she told VM.

In addition to serving as class president throughout her four years at PCO, she also worked with school's chapter of First Year National Optometric Student Association, and the school's chapters in the National Optometric Student Association, the AOSA, and SVOSH. Additionally, she received the Maryland Optometry Student Scholarship.

During her years at PCO, Shogue worked as a teaching assistant and was also a clinical skills instructor to second year medical students at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Shogue is currently doing her residency at PCO, where she specializes in pediatrics and vision therapy, the latter of which helps people train their eyes to focus better. She worked with a doctor who specialized in vision therapy, which led to her taking some classes in the subject.

"Vision therapy is a concept that people still need to learn about. It’s a great alternative to having surgery on children," she noted. She would also like to work with adults and people with learning disabilities, mainly children.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Our choice was clear [in suggesting she be in this section]. She was president of the class all four years she was a student at PCO, and she delivered the commencement address.

Stacey Gin, OD
Southern CaliforniaCollege of Optometry
Fullerton, Calif.

Stacey Gin's interest in optometry began during high school, when she worked for Glenn Nakayama, OD, as his receptionist. Thus inspired, she worked with Jay M. Enoch, OD, while an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley.

During her years at the Southern California College of Optometry, Gin was very involved with the student association and “took pride in serving my fellow colleagues.” She also served as a student liaison for the Asian American Optometric Society and SCCO’s liaison for Sports Vision University. Gin was politically active as SCCO’s volunteer coordinator for the state assembly campaign for Lynne Gabriel, OD, and served as Editor in Chief of the school’s SCOPE Magazine.

She was also active in terms of serving patients, as well as a vision outreach volunteer to five elementary schools, and performing vision screenings at the Special Olympics, the Chinese Lions Club, and a senior center.

Gin is currently doing a residency in Primary Eye Care at the Veterans Hospital in San Diego and is also working at the Pasadena Optometry Center. She hopes to someday work in private practice and to be a clinical staff doctor at SCCO.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “She was been very active in student government for three of her four years with us at SCCO.”

Kristi R.Merritt, OD
Southern College of Optometry
Memphis, Tenn.

Kristi Merrit was an undergraduate in a program geared toward getting African Americans into medical schools when she wound uphaving her first-ever eye exam at SCO. She had planned on becoming a dentist, but after talking with SCO’s Leroy Norton, Jr., OD, she changed her mind. She got a job at a optical store and also went to work for an African-American optometrist who wound up becoming her mentor.

While at SCO, Merritt served as class vice president and president. She also worked with the AOSA, the National Optometric Student Association, and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists. She also has mentored incoming students. Merritt also earned a service scholarship award for her work with vision screenings for the local community.

Merritt would like to be involved with primary care. She would also like to travel to black colleges and talk to students about optometry, “which is often overlooked by all universities,” she pointed out. “High blood pressure, strokes, and diabetes are prevalent in minority populations, and I feel it is my duty to tell people to get checked out and take care of their eyes, as well as the rest of their bodies,” she told VM.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Kirsti was elected to Gold Key, which is one of the highest honors for an optometry student.”

Sunny M. Stimson, OD
SUNY College of Optometry
New York

While studying to become an optometrist, Sunny Stimson, like many New Yorkers, kept herself very busy. In addition to maintaining a high grade point average, she was treasurer of the school's student council, was secretary of the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society, and  was a technician/assistant in the ocular disease clinic. She also spent time as a clinical skills tutor, and gave tours to student interviewees.

As a member of the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists, she served as secretary and national liaison. She also went on optometric humanitarian missions two years in a row to Oaxaca, Mexico, with the FCO. Additionally, she did vision screenings for athletes in the Special Olympics, and served as student coordinator for an MS Walk vision screening.

Ideally, Stimson would love to work at a Veterans Administration hospital affiliated with an optometry school, so she could stay involved with both patients and academia. She currently plans to do a residency at a VA hospital in Los Angeles and recently completed an externship at the Southern VA Hospital In Tucson, Ariz.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Sunny Stimson received the Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence this year. She has a high GPA and demonstrated great leadership abilities.”

Angela Everett MacDonald, OD
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
Birmingham, Ala.

As an optician in North Carolina, Angela Everett MacDonald was in the optical world for many years before deciding to become an optometrist. 0034I love working with the patients and wanted to learn more about the medical aspect of it and realized I could do more if I became the doctor myself,0034 she told VM.

MacDonald received the Dean's Award of Excellence and Dean's List with Honors. She was also in the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society, and received the Eschenbach Award for Excellence in Low Vision, and the GP Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award from the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association and ABBA Optical.

While at UAB, she was president of her class for a year, and worked with AOSA, and did vision screenings with SVOSH in Costa Rica and Honduras. Locally, she has been involved with health screening for the Latino community, and doing diabetes and glaucoma screenings.

MacDonald really likes the private practice aspect of optometry and her main goal is to see the several generations of patients in a family and follow their progress.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Angela is a well-rounded student. She did well academically and actively participated in student groups and missions.”

Marisa A. Perez, OD
University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry
Berkeley, Calif

She always wanted to be a doctor, but wasn’t sure what kind. As an undergraduate, Marisa Perez worked for an ophthalmologist. After awhile, she realized that optometrists had more time to spend with patients. “I liked the rapport ODs have with patients, and that appealed to me,” she told VM.

Perez was also a member of Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. She was also selected to serve on the school's Admissions Committee. She also spent a lot of time working with student associations. She was a member of the AOSA, was a student member of the California Optometric Association, and was a member of the student chapter of the American Academy of Optometry.

Perez also reached out to the community, performing vision screenings for Special Olympics, a Save Your Vision Week event on campus, and the local Suitcase Clinic, where 70 percent of the clientele are homeless.

Perez loved observing the relationship between ophthalmology and optometry. “There’s more to know about primary care and ocular disease,” she said. She would also like to get into academia.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “She was the unanimous choice of Dean Levi and our four Associate Deans for this recognition in VM.”