Robert Gerberry, OD FAAO – Class of 1970 – Notable Alumnus

Robert GerberryDr. Robert Gerberry practices optometry for Eye Care Associates Inc. in Poland, Ohio. He focuses on comprehensive optometry with a specialization in contact lenses. He was the Outstanding Young Optometrist of the Year in 1972 and most recently received the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award from Cardinal Mooney High School for providing leadership in his parish and community. He has had multiple board appointments including past president and secretary of the Ohio State Board of Optometry, member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Optometric Association, and Governor of Zone 4. He has served as Medical Consultant of the Youngstown Area Committee and has been involved in the Head Start Program while also working with the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Other service in his career includes Past President, Tippecanoe Country Club, Parish Council, and St. Charles Church; member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society; and President, Cardinal Mooney High School Alumni Society. Dr. Gerberry is a member of the Ohio Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and Epsilon Psi Epsilon and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Jess Boyd Eskridge, PhD – Notable Alumnus

Jess Boyd EskridgeDr. Eskridge began his career in optometric education at the University of Houston College of Optometry, where he taught for four years. In 1958, he enrolled in the Graduate Program in Physiological Optics at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He then received two degrees from Ohio State–his Master of Science in 1959 and his Doctor of Philosophy in 1964.

Dr. Eskridge began his service on the Ohio State faculty in 1961 and was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in 1967. While at Ohio State, his “orthoptics oral exams” given at the end of the third year that had to be passed before students could progress on into the fourth year clinics were legendary! He left Ohio State in 1971 for a comparable faculty position at the Indiana University School of Optometry. He was at IU for only one year; and then moved to the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Optometry, where he was appointed Chair of the Optometry program in 1972 by that school’s founding Dean, Dr. Henry B. Peters. He served as Professor of Optometry and Chairman of the Department of Optometry at UAB for the remainder of his career and retired from there in 1990.

Scholarship was a hallmark of Dr. Eskridge’s academic career. He published more than 70 articles and book chapters in the peer-reviewed literature areas of clinical optometry, binocular vision and strabismus, and glaucoma. Dr. Eskridge was also an early advocate of continuing optometric education for practicing optometrists and provided more than 400 courses to local societies, state, regional, and national optometric programs. He served as the Chair of the American Academy of Optometry’s Ellerbrock Committee on Continuing Education for 24 years; for his unselfish devotion to the Academy, he received that organization’s Eminent Service Award in 1994. He had a great intellect, a positive attitude, and unlimited compassion to help others in their career development. Dr. Eskridge passed away in 2011.

Jack Yager, OD – Class of 1973 – Notable Alumnus

Jack Yager1972-1973 Senior Class President of The Ohio State College of Optometry

1973 present in Clinical practice Specializing in Cornea and Contact Lenses (Drs. Bayshore, Swanson, Sowers, Lee and Yager, O.D., P.A.)

1977 Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry

1978 Diplomate of the Section on Cornea and Contact Lenses of the American Academy of Optometry

1983-1999 President of the Florida Chapter of The American Academy of Optometry

1989-1990 Chair of the Section on Cornea and Contact Lenses of the American Academy of Optometry

1992-2008 Board Member of the American Academy of Optometry

2005-2006 President of the American Academy of Optometry

2003 Selected Gas Permeable Practitioner of the Year by Contact Lens Manufacturers Association

2012 Awarded the Eminent Service Award from the American Academy of Optometry

Katie Greiner, OD MS – Class of 2009 – Notable Alumna

Katie GreinerI am employed full-time at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons in Stow and Kent, Ohio with five ophthalmologists and two other optometrists. I was a student intern there in 2008 and always hoped to be able to join the practice, as it is located close to my hometown and offers a wide variety of patient care opportunities. I practice medical-based optometry and specialty contact lens fittings along with serving as a facilitator for the refractive surgery division of the practice. I really enjoy hosting an optometry extern each quarter because teaching is one my passions. Prior to this position, I served for two years as Clinical Director of TLC Laser Eye Center in Columbus and as an attending in the Contact Lens and Primary Vision Services at The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

I am the Membership Chair for the Ohio Optometric Association and the Governor Elect of my local Zone. I also serve on the EastWest Planning Committee as co-chair of the Allied Eye Professionals Education track. In the community, I participate in the RealEyes program, volunteer as an elf on the Polar Express train, and serve as Membership Chair for the local Lions Club chapter where we also host eye screenings, collect eyeglasses, sponsor seeing eye dogs, and fundraise for the community’s needy. I am an avid skier and love to travel the world. I reside in Twinsburg with my husband Nathan and son, Henry. Optometry has always been a dream of mine, and I am so happy to be doing what I love every day. I enjoy staying in touch with so many OSU colleagues and especially reconnecting at national meetings.

Jerry Christensen, OD PhD – Class of 1964 – Notable Alumnus

Jerry ChristensenDr. Jerry Christensen, Emeritus Dean and Professor of Optometry, University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry

Education: B. Sc. in Optometry, 1964; M. Sc. in Physiological optics, 1966; PhD in Physiological Optics, 1969.

In 1969, after receiving my PhD in Physiological Optics, I took a position as Assistant Professor at the Massachusetts College of Optometry (now New England College of Optometry) in Boston. While in Boston I was appointed Director of the Physiological Optics Tract, Chair of the Student Affairs Committee and the faculty representative to the Board of Trustees. In 1973, I took a position as Assistant Professor at the School of Optometry at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Two years later, I was promoted to Associate Professor and appointed as the School’s first Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. In 1976 I was awarded an American Council on Education Fellowship in Academic Administration. Following this yearlong program—including three months as a special assistant to the President of the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston—I was appointed UAB’s Chairman of the Physiological Optics Department and Director of the Graduate Programs. In 1978, I was appointed a member of the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Institutes of Health, the body that approves funding for all NIH funded vision research. Over these years, I also taught monocular sensory processes, ocular anatomy, ocular optics, ocular motility, and binocular vision.

In 1980, I applied for and was selected for the position of Dean Designate for a potential school of optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis—that is, I was to be dean if the school actually started. Nothing could be done until the school officially came into existence, which it did on June 1, 1980, and I had to hire faculty, ready facilities, and admit students by the start of classes in late August. When I arrived, the school consisted of a desk, a phone and a re-assigned administrative assistant; my first task was to order paper, pens, scissors, and tape. It was hectic, but verything came together, and eventually our first class, thirty-six students, graduated in 1984 and, shortly thereafter, the school became fully accredited. In 1991 I was elected President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. In 1992, I was appointed to a six-year term on the Council on Optometric Education, the accrediting body for schools and colleges of optometry. I left the deanship in 1995, but remained a Professor of Optometry and Physiological Optics, teaching bioethics, monocular sensory processes, ocular anatomy, and physical optics. In 2001, I became a member of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. I retired in 2007 and a year later was named Dean and Professor Emeritus. However, the title I’m happiest with is Poppy, the name my five grandchildren call me!

Julie Long Miavez, OD, FAAO – Class of 1990 – Notable Alumna

Julie Long MiavezCaptain Julie Long Miavez was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Upon graduation from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Captain Miavez was commissioned by Navy veteran, Dr. “Buckeye Bob” Newcomb, as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. During her first eight years she worked at the Naval Hospital Pensacola Florida, Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico, and Branch Medical Clinic Mayport Florida.

In 1998, she earned an Additional Qualifying Designator (AQD) in Aviation Optometry in Pensacola, Florida before reporting to Naval Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina. Captain Miavez served as Department Head for Tri-Command Beaufort Optometry, which included Naval Hospital Beaufort, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. She also served as Head, Extended Support Services at the hospital supervising the largest department of 14 separate medical specialties such as Dermatology, Ear Nose and Throat, and inpatient wards. While at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Captain Miavez provided urgent care, vision examinations, and optical fabrication to Marine recruits. At the air station, she attained Mach 1.03 and pulled 6.9Gs while flying backseat in the fighter attack jet F/A – 18D Hornet courtesy of the Marine Corps squadron, VMFA (AW) 332, the “Moonlighters”.

She transferred to Naval Health Clinic, Hawaii in 2002 and earned designators in Executive Medicine and Managed Care. After six months of providing patient care, she was chosen to lead the Branch Health Clinic Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. In June 2006, she transferred to Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, Maryland as Head, Specialty Clinics.

In November 2007 to June 2008, she deployed to Camp Lemonier Djibouti, Africa as Officer in Charge of the Expeditionary Medical Facility team in support of Combined Task Force Horn of Africa and Operation Enduring Freedom. During her deployment, the Commanding General of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) Army Hospital hosted Captain Miavez and a few in her unit to the military hospital in Addis Ababa. Her team exchanged medical knowledge with Ethiopian Army physicians to better serve both military health care teams in East Africa. Captain Miavez is the only optometrist in the Navy to have led a deployed medical force.

In June 2009, she was selected to lead the Naval Branch Health Clinic Key West, Florida, as Officer in Charge. In July 2012, she transferred to Naval Health Clinic Charleston, South Carolina, her last tour of duty before she retires from the Navy.

Captain Miavez was named Navy Optometrist of the Year in 2004. In 2009, she was recognized for being ranked in the top three of all Navy optometrists, civilian and military, for patient satisfaction through anonymous survey of beneficiaries. Her military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and tour and campaign awards.

Captain Miavez is Past President of the Armed Forces Optometric Society, a member of the American Optometric Association and Florida Optometric Association, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. She is married to David Miavez and they have two children, John (13) and Jeffrey (8). Of her experience while at The Ohio State University, she comments, “In addition to the best band and sports teams in the land, I am grateful and honored to have graduated from an optometry college that provides world-class education, employs compassionate and competent faculty, and yields a network of the best and brightest alumni. Go Buckeyes!”

Michael Earley, OD PhD Class of 1988

Michael EarleyJune 9, 1988 was a great day. It was the day I earned my OD degree from Ohio State and the day my wife and I decided to stay in Ohio for me to continue my graduate work to pursue my PhD degree. “Let’s give it a year” was our plan then, and now, 26 years later, I realize the opportunities that began that day. My life truly has been a “But for Ohio State …” ride.

I have had the opportunity to teach 1,500 optometrists in the didactic areas of general anatomy, histological anatomy, ocular anatomy, and even in spatial perception – yes, the revered “horopter course.” I have worked with Gregory Good and Kelly Nichols in a thorough curricular review and implementation of a clinical diagnostic reasoning course series, Keystone, and have since directed those courses. I teach the first year course in primary care procedures as our students prepare to serve as technicians in the second half of their first year. Teaching these talented individuals is a pleasure in itself. Having received teaching recognition from the students, the university, the American Optometric Association, and the American Academy of Optometry over the years was a tremendous honor.

Our incoming dean, Karla Zadnik, says that what defines a field as a profession (vs. a technical field) is the field’s unique contribution to research. Over the last quarter century, I have had the opportunity to help define optometry as a profession by working with colleagues like Paulette Schmidt, Marjean Kulp, and many others in research projects that have changed the way we practice optometry, e.g., Vision In Preschoolers (VIP), the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT), and Amblyopia Treatment Studies (ATS). I am currently working with Andrew Hartwick and Cayti McDaniel on a project that just might explain the neural basis of photosensitivity following traumatic brain injury. Where else but Ohio State can a Chicago southsider be given the opportunity to participate in such important endeavors?

Clinically, I served as an attending and chief of service in the Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Service and seen it grow and become a center of excellence that receives national referrals for many binocular vision issues, aniseikonia, and amblyopia. I served as part of the comanagement team at OSU in the care of patients with traumatic brain injury. Over the last two years I served as Assistant Dean of Clinical Services and had the opportunity to work more closely with our attendings and service chiefs who balance clinical care excellence and clinical teaching so well! The future of optometric education is looking very good given the team of clinical educators that has been established at Ohio State!

I have also had the honor of working with optometric leaders as a trustee on the board of the Ohio Optometric Association and the board of Optometry Alumni and Friends. Working more closely with Rick Cornett and Linda Fette convinces me that optometry has not passively moved from getting diagnostics, as it did when I was a student, to having the ability to pharmacologically treat all diseases of the visual system without a neverending amount of work from people like Rick and Linda and all the doctors who volunteer many hours to serve on boards and committees of OOA , AOA, AAO etc. It has been an honor to serve alongside these true leaders.

Of course all of this is secondary to the fact that my career has allowed me to thoroughly enjoy my life with my wife of 31 years, Tracy, and my kids Mick, Sean, and Maggie (some of you may have heard me mention them in 1 or 1,000 lectures). I could not love them more or be more proud of all of them despite the fact that, of our kids, only Maggie has decided to pursue educational opportunities at Ohio State.

Honestly, I wasn’t really sure I liked the whole “But for Ohio State” line when I first heard it, but when I look back over the last 30 years I have spent here as a professional student, graduate student, faculty member, and administrator, I have decided it is actually quite accurate. So thank you to all that so far have made this ride such a truly productive and enjoyable experience! Go Bucks!!

Arol Augsburger, OD, MS, FAAO – Class of 1971- Notable Alumnus

Arol AugsburgerDr. Arol Augsburger has served with privilege for more than 43 years at three distinguished optometry programs—The Ohio State University College of Optometry, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Optometry and the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO). Following graduation from the OSU College of Optometry he joined the faculty there, where he served for 23 years. He became dean of the UAB School of Optometry in 1994 and was later Interim Provost of UAB, serving for nine years in those roles. In 2002, Dr. Augsburger was named president of ICO. During his tenure at ICO, he has advanced student performance on National Board examinations, expanded the clinic program to include an electronic health care record system and additional patient care clinics in communities surrounding the college, and provided leadership for the long-term investment in ICO’s assets by overseeing the addition of an enhanced learning center and state-of-the-art Lecture Center. Among his numerous awards are: AOA Optometrist of the Year (1986) and Distinguished Service Award (2008), OSU’s H. Ward Ewalt Medal for Service to Optometry (1993), the Ohio Optometric Association’s Warren G. and Ruth P. Morris Optometrist of the year (1985), Alabama Optometrist of the Year (2000), the American Academy of Optometry’s Carel C. Koch Award (2001), Illinois Optometrist of the Year (2007), and OSU Optometry Alumni & Friend’s Distinguished Alumnus Award (2011).

He has authored more than 140 articles and chapters, including studies that have been published in the Journal of National Academies of PracticeAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine, Journal of the American Optometric Association, and the Journal of Optometric Education. Dr. Augsburger received his BS, cum laude, in 1969 from The Ohio State University and his OD, cum laude, in 1971 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

Throughout his career, Dr. Augsburger will tell you that he has benefitted from professional colleagues who helped to build optometry into the profession it is today. Optometry has changed from its modest roots in the OSU Department of Physics at OSU in 1914, and Dr. Augsburger has been honored to contribute to optometry’s recent evolution as an integral part of the nation’s health system.

Elizabeth Muckley, OD – Class of 1997 – Notable Alumna

Elizabeth MuckleyDr. Elizabeth Muckley has practiced at Northeast Ohio Eye Surgeons in Kent, Ohio for over 13 years and is the Director of Optometric Services. She concentrates on medical glaucoma and management of anterior segment disease. She is an extern preceptor and Assistant Clinical Professor for The Ohio State University advance practice site extern program. Dr. Muckley is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and was the third woman inducted into the International Optometric Glaucoma Society. She currently serves as Trustee on the Board of the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA). Prior to that, she was co-chair of the OOA legislative committee, where she testified before the Ohio House and Senate for the 2008 scope of practice expansion (HB 149). She was the 2007 recipient of the Jack T. Keith Young Optometrist of the Year award for Ohio and subsequently was named the Young Optometrist of the Year for the American Optometric Association in 2008. Dr. Muckley is married to Tim, who is an attorney and Director of Corporate Real Estate at Sherwin Williams. They have one son, Max, age 9. She enjoys spending time at their summer home on Lake Erie, gardening, and entertaining friends and family–especially for OSU football games!

Dr. Muckley writes, “Graduating from The Ohio State College of Optometry has provided me opportunities in my career that I am forever grateful for. I get up every day knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of patients. I have countless friends and colleagues from my experiences at Ohio State. Congratulations on 100 years! I am proud to be a BuckEYE!”

Harry Fagedes, OD – Class of 1954 – Notable Alumnus

Harry FagedesHard work got me through The Ohio State University College of Optometry to achieve a B average. I also ran the dishwasher at Baker Hall — dirty dishes but delightful women — where I met my wonderful wife. I spent 3.5 years in the Navy and became the Signal Officer on the USS Intrepid. We returned to Cincinnati and soon established an urban practice with emphasis on contact lenses. Also, at night school, I was awarded an MBA degree, perhaps the first for an OD. I published several articles on the subject of contact lenses and was the first person to publish information on the dangers of thimerosal and the million dollars of damage it caused contact lens wearers. I served two years as Secretary of Radio Reading Services.

Concerned about the future of optometry, I became active in optometric affairs. I caused the state association to take a stand against vertical integration within the optical industry. Look at us now! I served for five years and became the President of the Ohio Optometric Association. In that capacity, I was instrumental in passing the law that allowed us to use diagnostics. I became aware at this time of the dangers of the commercial elements achieving price advantage over the independents and created the name “Diversified Ophthamics” and worked with my colleagues to make it a major corporation serving the independent optometrists. Optometry has been wonderful to me. I sold my last optical laboratory this year and have retired at age 82. I am so blessed to have a daughter who became an OD.