Kent Daum, OD, PhD, FAAO – Class of 1976 – Notable Alumnus

Kent DaumDr. Kent M. Daum graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1976. He subsequently received his MS and PhD degrees from Ohio State under the tutelage of Dr. Richard Hill and Dr. Glenn Fry. He has been a faculty member at four optometric institutions (Ohio State, the University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Optometry, the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Optometry (MCPHS) and served as Dean of Academic Affairs at ICO and MCPHS. His achievements have included chairing the curriculum committee; directing a faculty intramural practice; managing budgets; recruiting and mentoring faculty; designing, building and renovating new and renovated facilities; and teaching, precepting, and providing patient care. He played a role in the Chicago Vision Outreach program providing eye and vision care to thousands of Chicago schoolchildren and also contributed to the development of the Black Belt Eye Care Consortium. He published a textbook as well as a number of papers in the peer-reviewed literature. He served on the Environmental/Occupational Vision Committee in the American Optometric Association; chaired the Student-Faculty Liaison Committee of the American Academy of Optometry; and served in several roles within the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. He provides vision care to patients at the Mobile County Health Department in Mobile, Alabama. Dr. Daum has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 42 years. He enjoys people, running, swimming, reading, and sports.