Alumni Focus 2026
Alumni Focus on Lindsay Sallecchia (OD'15)
April1, 2026
Dr. Lindsay Sallecchia earned her OD from Ohio State in 2015 and recently made a major life change, relocating from Colorado Springs to Canberra, Australia, where she is transitioning from a private practice specializing in therapeutic contact lenses and dry eye to a corporate optometry setting at Specsavers. She credits much of her professional foundation to mentors, as well as supportive classmates and enthusiastic faculty at the College of Optometry. Now, she's successfully navigating the challenges of re-establishing her career abroad. Outside of work, she embraces Australia's strong outdoor culture, enjoying hikes and runs where she has already spotted kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, and even an echidna.
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Alumni Focus on Eriq Hall (OD'22)
March 1, 2026
Dr. Eriq Hall earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University after completing his undergraduate degree in Biology at Capital University, where he also played collegiate football. Inspired by his childhood optometrist's kindness and professionalism, he now practices at Grove City Vision Center in Grove City, Ohio, where he focuses on comprehensive eye exams, ocular disease management, specialty contact lenses, and dry eye treatment. He is particularly concerned about the rising prevalence of myopia in children and undiagnosed glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, and hopes to expand his specialty services and community involvement in the coming years. Ohio State holds a special place in his heart, as it was there that he met his wife and built lasting friendships, and he stays connected with the College of Optometry through alumni events, conferences, and his role as a board member for the Epsilon Psi Epsilon Alumni Association.
Alumni Focus on Carolyn Chakuroff Gafford (OD'19, MS'18)
February 1, 2026
"I was one of those glasses-wearing kids who shadowed their optometrist in middle school and wanted to be an eye doctor from a young age," says Dr. Carolyn Chakuroff Gafford, a 2019 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Today, as the acting optometry clinic chief at the West Texas VA Health Care System in Big Spring, Texas, she is fulfilling her childhood dreams. Her Ohio State education prepared her well for a rewarding career in which she helps her patients see their best. She approaches her work at the VA with great reverence, as some veterans travel up to three hours for routine eye care. Dr. Chakuroff Gafford fondly remembers her time at Ohio State as being not only professionally formative, but fun. "I met my husband while at Ohio State, so Ohio State means a whole lot to my family! However, I truly consider my classmates from Ohio State to be members of my family as well," she says.
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Alumni Focus on Shane Mulvihill (OD/MS'16)
January 1, 2026
Dr. Shane Mulvihill earned both his OD and MS in Vision Science from Ohio State in 2016 and now practices at EyeXcel in Knoxville, Tennessee, where 75% of his patients are children. Inspired by his own childhood experiences as a young myope, he's passionate about pediatric optometry, myopia management, and vision therapy. He even works with future and current MLB players. His mentors at Ohio State, especially Dr. Cayti McDaniel and Dr. Don Mutti, shaped him into the clinician he is today by nurturing his love of pediatric care and integrating clinical research into his career. Dr. Mulvihill is deeply concerned about equitable access to eye care for all children and believes that even a basic pair of glasses can change the trajectory of a child's life.