I have always been so fortunate in my career. A high school job as an optometric assistant led to my interest in optometry. Upon graduation from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, I expected to enter private practice like most of my colleagues. As it turned out, I happened onto another course and became a staff optometrist at a multidisciplinary clinic. That experience opened the door to my selection as the first optometrist at the Cleveland VA. During my 35 years as the Chief of Optometry there, I have had wonderful opportunities. In addition to caring for those who have selflessly served our nation, I have had the opportunity to teach and develop programs for residents and externs from Ohio State and other optometry programs as well as for students and residents from the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. I was also instrumental in growing the optometry services at the Cleveland VA to a group of 22 optometrists in 12 eye clinics. I’m most grateful to have been a member of our profession during very exciting and evolutionary times and am thankful for my very supportive family: Dave (Optometry ’77), our son Tom, our late son Dan, and many friends and colleagues and extended family.
Month: April 2014
Bernard S. Abrams – Class of 1952 – Notable Alumnus
Bernard S. Abrams (1929–2003) was the founder of the Institute of Vehicular Safety. He received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Visual Optics at Ohio State. Dr. Abrams began pursuing his lifelong interest in traffic safety in 1954 as a member of the Ohio Traffic Commission. Over the years, his interest in night vision and vehicular accidents wa
s enhanced by his work in electrophysiological testing of night vision in the aged. He lectured about vision on three continents; designed and built optical factories in several countries; and was Chairman of the Board of BSA Industries.
Dr. Abrams authored numerous papers and articles dealing with driver visibility, object conspicuity, and nighttime discernibility. He conducted research projects and served on committees related to the vision requirements of older drivers. Dr. Abrams served as a consultant to industry, attorneys, and governmental agencies. He was a nationally recognized expert witness in nighttime/daytime vehicular accidents.
He also had a movie made about his and his wife’s fight for treatment for their young daughter with a rare form of epilepsy that starred Jerry Lewis and Patty Duke, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_for_Life_(film).
Aaron Zimmerman, OD, MS, FAAO – Class of 2006 – Notable Alumnus
Dr. Zimmerman graduated with a BS in Biology in 2002 and an OD degree in 2006 ,both from The Ohio State University. He was an Ohio State College of Optometry Advanced Practice Fellow from 2006-2008 and earned his MS degree in 2008. Dr. Zimmerman is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry and teaches in the contact lens, binocular vision and pediatrics, primary vision care, environmental vision, and student health services. He has recently started teaching a course on injections and ophthalmic lasers. He has been involved with research on head and eye movements in baseball, impact resistance and optical properties of football helmet faceshields, and risk factors associated with contact lens related corneal infiltrative events. He and wife, Amanda, are the proud parents of Clayton (age 4) and Leo (age 1).