Robert Newcomb

Robert D. Newcomb received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University in 1971. He then served for three years at the Mayport, Florida, Naval Station as the officer-in-charge of its optometry clinic. He began his career with the Veterans Administration(VA) in 1974 while working toward a Master of Public Health degree, which was granted in 1975, from the University of Alabama in Birmingham(UAB). Dr. Newcomb taught at the UAB School of Optometry and examined patients at the Birmingham VA Medical Center for six years, during which time he founded the National Association of VA Optometrists and their newsletter, Optimum VA. In 1980, he returned to his home state to begin a nationally-recognized program of optometric patient care, education, and research at the Columbus, Ohio, VA Outpatient Clinic. In 1997, Dr. Newcomb accepted a faculty appointment at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he is now a Professor of Clinical Optometry, the Vision Service Plan (VSP) Chair for the Advancement of Professional Practice, and the Residency Director. He received the Optometry Outstanding Service and Recognition Award from the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States in 1997; and was elected into the National Academies of Practice in 1998. In 2002, he received the Warren G. and Ruth P. Morris Optometrist of the Year award from the Ohio Optometric Association. Over the past thirty years, he has served on numerous local, state and national committees for the profession of optometry; and has authored over 70 publications, including two textbooks and seven textbook chapters.