Kefla Brown, OD MS – Class of 2001 – Notable Alumna

Kefla BrownKefla G. Brown, OD, MS received her OD and MS in Vision Science degrees in 2001 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in Columbus, OH and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Xavier University in 1997. She is Director of Community Outreach in the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry at Ochsner Health System (New Orleans, LA) and Director, Pediatric Optometric Services at Ochsner Children’s Medical Center. She provides primary eye care for children ages birth through 18, diagnoses and treats ocular disease, fits contact lenses and specialty pediatric contact lenses, and provides coordinated care of high risk patients in conjunction with Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Endocrinology, Genetics and General Pediatrics. She is involved in the optometric residency training program through the Southern College of Optometry, the Louisiana State University ophthalmology residency training program, as well as training of third and fourth year medical students at the University of Queensland.

Dr. Brown is a member of the American Optometric Association, Optometric Association of Louisiana, New Orleans Optometric Society, and The Greater New Orleans Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Her honors and awards include: Nominee for Young OD of the Year in the State of Louisiana, Vision Service Plan Scholarship Award for demonstrating excellence in the pursuit of primary care skills, Ohio Optometric Association’s Outstanding Senior Student Award for Outstanding Professional Interest and Public Concern, and First Prize in Philosophy, Xavier University’s Across Curriculum Thinking Program.

Her volunteer work and community service includes vision screenings at area churches, in the InfantSEE Mobile Eye Clinic, and at YMCA-sponsored activities. Dr. Brown has also lectured on “Protecting Your Sight in UV Light” – Guest Speaker for Shell, “Your Eyes, the Window to your Health,” – WLAE’s Hello Health on TV, and “The Facts about Macular Degeneration.”