People In The News – November 18, 2024

DIFF Charitable Eyewear announced the appointment of Joseph Ciechanowski as Global Wholesale Liaison. With over 15 years of experience in the eyewear industry, including a significant tenure at EssilorLuxottica, Joseph brings invaluable expertise and a passion for innovation and sustainability to DIFF Eyewear.

In his new role, Joseph will serve as the primary contact between DIFF’s internal departments, distributors, international agents, and the field sales team.

DIFF Eyewear also announced the appointment of Roslyn Moody as the company’s new Director of Sales. With over 25 years of experience in the optical industry, Moody’s extensive background and proven track record in sales leadership make her the perfect fit to spearhead DIFF Eyewear’s wholesale division and further drive the company’s growth.
Roslyn’s career began as a sales representative with Liberty Optical and evolved through several key roles at leading optical brands such as Luxottica and De Rigo REM

Bob Alexander, ABOM, NCLEM has joined the United Opticians Association (UOA) as the new Director of Education. With an impressive background in opticianry and a demonstrated commitment to professional development, Bob will lead initiatives aimed at expanding UOA’s educational offerings, enhancing credentialing programs, and providing resources that support opticians’ growth in a rapidly evolving optical landscape.

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization’s Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, FAAO, who has served in the role since April 2022. Mikulecky has more than 25 years of experience leading healthcare organizations, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of Vision Source. Until her appointment as Executive Director, she served as Treasurer of OGS’s U.S. and Canada Boards of Directors.

IU School of Optometry to Honor Three Alumni. The IUSO Foley House Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is Raymond A. Applegate, OD, MS, PhD, of Kingwood, TX. He is Professor Emeritus in Vision Science at the University of Houston’s College of Optometry. The IUSO Foley House Basement Key Award recipient is Kyle King, OD, of Evansville, IN. He is an optometrist and partner at Evansville Eyecare Associates. The IUSO Foley House Early Career Achievement Award recipient is Chelsey (Brickweg) Moore, OD, of Chatham, IL. Since her graduation from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2010, Dr. Moore, has served as a full-time optometrist at Prairie Eye Center in Springfield, IL.

The American Academy of Optometry recently hosted Academy 2024 Indianapolis, in Indianapolis, IN. During the organization’s annual meeting, the Academy welcomed 271 new Fellows to its ranks. Along with this strong showing of new Fellows, 16 current Fellows earned the distinction of Diplomate. Among those eligible for Fellowship are: optometrists, scientists, educators, librarians, administrators, and editors. Those who pass the rigorous criteria and application process earn the distinction and right to use “FAAO” in their credentials.

2024 Diplomates

Breanne McGhee, OD, MEd, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Anterior Segment

Debora Lee Chen, OD, MPH, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Binocular Vision, Perception & Pediatric Optometry

Ann Morrison, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Binocular Vision, Perception & Pediatric Optometry

Maureen Plaumann, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Binocular Vision, Perception & Pediatric Optometry

Stephen Chun, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

Shelly Kim, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

John Buch, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Obinwanne Chukwuemeka, OD, MOptom, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Mari Fujimoto, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Kathrine Osborn Lorenz, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Brett King, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Glaucoma

Derek MacDonald, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Glaucoma

Micaela Gobeille, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Low Vision

Emily Aslakson, OD, MEd, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Optometric Education

Patricia Cisarik, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Optometric Education

Damaris Pagan-Torres, OD, MPH, FAAO, Dipl AAO
Diplomate, Public Health & Environmental Vision

2024 Fellows