Jeffrey Myers, OD, FAAO – Class of 1984 – Notable Alumnus

Jeffrey MyersDr. Jeffrey Myers attended Otterbein College, earning a BA in Chemistry in 1980, and then attended The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he was class president, graduating in 1984. Following graduation, he began practice in Canal Winchester, Ohio, and also practiced part-time at the Chillicothe Veteran’s Administration Medical Center (VAMC) for more than two decades.

Within the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA), he has served on various committees, on the Board, and as President. He has presented the RealEyes program, an OOA educational program about eyes and vision, to more than 4,000 elementary school children. He has been recognized by the OOA with their Outstanding Service Award, Young Optometrist of the Year, and Warren G. and Ruth P. Morris Optometrist of the Year awards. He has been recognized by Prevent Blindness Ohio four times since 1992 for providing benevolent care to more than 500 patients. He has served as President of the Ohio Optometric Foundation and chaired the East/West Eye Conference. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, where he has chaired the annual meeting Exhibits Committee. He has served the American Optometric Association on their Industry Relations Committee. In addition, Dr. Myers is a Clinical Associate Professor of Optometry at the College and has served Optometry Alumni & Friends as the Editor of their award-winning magazine BuckEYE Optometry Alumni Magazine. In 2009, he and his wife established the Jeffrey and Joyce Myers Lecture Series at the College. Since 2010, he has chaired the College’s Capital Campaign Committee and served on the University’s Campaign Coordinating Committee.

In scouting, he has served as Scoutmaster, District Vice-Chairman, Council Senior Vice-President, Council Representative to the National Council, Life Member of the Council Executive Board, and Regional Camp Inspector. He led three contingents to the Philmont Scout Ranch and provided leadership to two National Jamboree contingents, including one as contingent leader. He served on staff for more than three dozen adult leader training courses, providing key leadership for eight, including being Course Director for Wood Badge, Scouting’s advanced leadership course. He was recognized with two Scouter’s Keys, the District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award, and the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms, for unusual heroism in attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self.

Dr. Myers has been a member of the Groveport United Methodist Church for most of his life where he has served as the religious awards coordinator, seeing over 150 awards earned. He has also served as Lay Leader, Capital Campaign Co-Chair, Education Chair, and Finance Chair. He has led 24 Bible studies, including ten long-term studies of 30 weeks or more. Several local churches have given him the opportunity to preach. For the last four years, he has traveled with another church member to Liberia to interview students for education scholarships. Their work has seen more than 525 students receive scholarships to attend Phebe Community Lutheran School in Bong County over four years, and Dr. Myers has supported two eye clinics with donations of eyewear, equipment, and basic refraction training. In 2000, he was recognized by the Columbus South District with the Towel & Basin Award. He has attended the Walk to Emmaus and has served as a weekend Lay Director twice for the three-day Christian retreat.

In the community, he has served as President of the Groveport Lions Club, is an 18-gallon Red Cross blood donor, was awarded the Medal of Heroism by the Sons of the American Revolution, and was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award for Community Service by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association.

Jeffrey is married to the former Anita Joyce Maynard and resides in Groveport, Ohio. They have three adult children, Amanda (Scott), James, and Jennifer, and two grandchildren, Isla and Sladen.