Dean’s Message
“Most professors really are the people who you and I thought they were when we were on campus as 20-year-olds, … people who fell in love with some set of questions, and they spend their lives living with those questions.” –John Tomasi
I’ve been back as dean of The Ohio State College of Optometry since June. After two years as interim dean of the College of Public Health and one as provost, I can definitely say, “There’s no place like home.” On reflecting about what exactly makes this college feel like home, it’s the people. Faculty, staff, students and alumni alike, our college’s hallmark is everyone’s dedication to the college, the university, and the profession of optometry.
I’m often asked by people from other schools and colleges about our “secret sauce.” What’s the key to our board exam performance, our over-the-top school spirit at optometric conferences, our low attrition of faculty and staff, and our leadership in the profession? It’s our people’s excellence and deep commitment. The faculty research the questions they fell in love with and teach the topics and clinical concepts at which they excel. The students fall more in love with eyes and vision every day. The alumni answer their patients’ questions with Ohio State knowledge as they deliver first-class eye care in their communities and beyond.
We’re recognized beyond the Ohio State campus, too, again for excellence and commitment. In addition to the inspiring leadership profiles on Mark Orso (OD’86), James Chung (’26), and Jeff Walline (OD, MS’98, PhD’92) in this edition, I just learned that we can claim five awards at the upcoming American Academy of Optometry meeting! Don Mutti, OD PhD, will receive the Charles F. Prentice award. Phil Yuhas (OD/MS’14 PhD’19) will be the Irvin and Beatrice Borish awardee. Derik Holmberg (‘27) will be recognized with the Julius Neumueller award, and the Academy’s Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies will honor Loretta Szczotka-Flynn (OD/MS’92) with the Max Schapero lectureship and Christine Sindt (OD’94) with the Founders’ award. I only have one word to say—Wow!
Sincerely,
Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD
Dean, Glenn A. Fry Professor in Optometry and Physiological Optics
