EyeCode Media

Dr. Lindsey Behrendt - Myopia Control and Outreach to Underserved Communities

Dr. Lindsey Behrendt completed her Doctorate of Optometry at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee.  Her clinical externship training included an ocular disease focused rotation at the Robert Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas and a contact lens and primary care rotation at a private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area.  During her time at SCO, she was an active member of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH) and took part in mission trips to Mexico and Belize. Dr. Behrendt has continued her involvement in this organization as the president of VOSH-Nebraska.

She was born and raised in Oakley, Kansas and attended Kansas State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences with minors in Biology and Gerontology.

Dr. Behrendt practices primary eye care for patients of all ages.  She has specific interest in specialty contact lenses, family vision, pediatrics, and myopia control.  She holds membership in the American Optometric Association, Nebraska Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry where she received her Fellowship in 2018, Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, and the Omaha Sunrise Lions Club.  Personally, Dr. Behrendt enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her husband, John, cheering on the Kansas State Wildcats, and traveling.

Stephanie Sharp, JD - Healthcare Law, Using Your Attorney Wisely

Stephanie Sharp is an attorney with 15 years of experience representing corporate clients and individuals on all matters impacting their business operations.  She primarily focuses her practice on serving health care providers and has expertise in all major health care regulations, including HIPAA, Stark and anti-kickback.  Stephanie served as the Vice President & General Counsel for Nebraska Medicine and recently left a large law firm to follow her passion:  partnering with and advocating for individual health care providers and their practices as a solo practitioner. 

Dr. Curtis Ono - Membership, Psychology of Joining and Running for the AOA Board

Dr. Ono attended Indiana University for both his undergraduate and graduate education. While at Indiana University, Dr. Ono served as a clinical instructor and was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa optometric honor fraternity.

Giving back with volunteer service to both the community and profession is a powerful calling. Dr. Ono was the Founder and Chair of the Minnesota Vision Project, which provided eye examinations and spectacles patients without adequate eye care insurance coverage. He currently volunteers in many public health eye care programs including the Millionair Club Charity Eye Clinic in Seattle for homeless individuals (http://www.millionairclub.org/how-we-help), InfantSEE for infants under 12-months of age (http://www.infantsee.org/) and Vision USA (http://www.aoafoundation.org/vision-usa/) for under-insured patients. In addition, Dr. Ono served as the Senior Warden and Vestry (board) member at St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish.

Dr. Ono is an active member with his professional associations at the state, regional and national level. He currently serves as the Executive Chair of the Affiliate Relations and Membership Group and Chair of the Membership Development Committee of the AOA and Washington State Director of GWCO. Dr. Ono’s other leadership positions include President of GWCO, President of the Optometric Physicians of Washington (OPW), President of the Pierce County Optometric Society and Trustee and Membership Chair of OPW. 

The Consumers' Research Council of America's Guide to America's Top Optometrists has recognized Dr. Ono as one of the top optometric physicians in America. His awards include the AOA President’s Award, OPW Jack Hale (Lifetime Achievement) Award, OPW Optometric Physician of the Year, OPW President’s Distinguished Service Award and the Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) President’s Award. 

 

Dr. Terri Gossard - AOA Board of Trustees, Children's Vision in Underserved Communities

Terri Gossard, O.D., M.S., was elected to the American Optometric Association (AOA) Board of Trustees at the 122^nd Annual AOA Congress & 49^th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting® in June 2019.

Dr. Gossard is the board liaison to the Ethics and Values Committee, Evidence-Based Optometry Committee, Paraoptometric Resource Center Committee, and the Optometric Extension Program. Her board liaison assignments include affiliate associations in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, University of California Berkeley School of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry, Southern California College of Optometry, and Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry. Dr. Gossard previously chaired the AOA Multidisciplinary Practice Committee and most recently served on the AOA Third Party Executive Committee and the AOA Professional Relations and Health Center Committees.

Dr. Gossard is a past president of the Ohio Optometric Association, also serving on the OOA Board and chaired the OOA's Children's Vision Task Force and Legislative Committee. She serves on the executive project team for the OneSight Vision Center at Oyler School. She volunteers for the RealEyes Save Our Sight classroom initiative and serves on the selection committee for the Young Investigator Student Fellowship Awards for Female Scholars in Vision Research as well as Healthy Eyes, Healthy Children. Dr. Gossard was awarded the OOA's Optometrist of the Year in 2017.

She is a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Optometry with both her doctorate of optometry and master's degree in physiological optics in 1996. She practiced for 17 years in Cincinnati, Ohio in a multidisciplinary practice and consulted for the Eye Care Provider Network, Primary Eyecare Network, and the Northmark Integrated Eyecare Network.

Dr. Gossard lives in Cincinnati with her husband Ted and children Maggie and Will.  She enjoys snow skiing and rooting for her hometown Buckeyes, Bengals, and Reds.

Bibin Cherian - Optometry Students, Student Loan Debt, AOSA

Bibin Cherian is a 4th-year student at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry and the President of the American Optometric Student Association.

Tracey Peterson - Helping Doctors Reach Their Fullest Potential

Tracey is the Director of Network Development for Vision Source.  She helps doctors evaluate if VS is right for them.

Dr. Kristin O'Brien - iCare Advisors, Cold Starts, Vision Source Next and Time Management

 

Dr. O’Brien attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Biology with a Vision Science concentration. She went on to complete her Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree at the Michigan College of Optometry (MCO). Dr. O’Brien has additional training in the areas of low vision, pediatrics, specialty contact lenses and working with patients who have a mental or physical handicap. She particularly enjoys getting to know her patients and takes pride in providing exceptional eye care.

While in school Dr. O’Brien founded the Michigan Optometric Student Private Practice Association (MOSPPA) and was influential in beginning the Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLutioN) of which she has served as President, followed by the Executive Director and is now on the Alumni Board. She also spends time on the lecture circuit, speaking about private practice and the business aspects of the profession with Optometric Insights to inspire success in future generations of optometrists. She currently leads the Vision Source MentorOD program with the goal of providing resources to students most interested in private practice. Dr. O’Brien has participated in optometric missions to Guyana and Mexico to provide eye care to the underprivileged and has served nationally on the Vision Council Young Professionals Advisory Committee, Liaison to the Allergan Jumpstart Ambassador Program, is the Past-President of the Colorado Young Professionals Club and current Vision Source Co-Administrator in North Carolina. Dr. O’Brien also works as the Director of Marketing and Analytics for iCare Advisors where she helps others achieve their dreams in opening a private practice from scratch.

Dr. O’Brien has earned multiple honors in her short 6 years as an optometrist; early in her career with the Marchon Practice Management Award and the William Feinbloom Low Vision Award and later was named the 2016 International Vision Council Next Generation Innovator. Most notably, Dr. O’Brien was awarded the 2017 Colorado Optometric Association Young OD of the Year.

Dr. O’Brien moved to Colorado in 2013 and opened a cold start private practice with her two business partners and the help of many mentors who have guided her along the way. In 2019, Dr. O’Brien relocated to Charlotte, NC and traded mountain views for life on Lake Norman. In her spare time, Dr. O’Brien enjoys spending time with her dogs, boating, and exploring local eateries in Charlotte with her husband, Chris. 

Dr. Christopher Wolfe - Dr. Ted McElroy interviews Chris!

Dr. Christopher Wolfe is a graduate of Northeastern State  University Oklahoma College of Optometry.

During his education, Dr. Wolfe received extensive training in all aspects of primary eye care; including eye infections, cataracts, diabetic eye care, specialty contact lenses and pediatrics. He completed a rotation at BVA Advanced Eyecare in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he gained specialty training in minor surgical techniques, as well as therapeutic laser ocular surgery. Dr. Wolfe won the Golden Retinoscope Award, the Oklahoma College of Optometry’s highest distinction for clinical excellence. Dr. Wolfe also served as president of the American Optometric Student Association, where he represented over 6,000 members.  He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Nebraska Optometric Association.

In 2013 and 2015 he was awarded Young Optometrist of the Year for the Nebraska Optometric Association.  In 2016 he was awarded the Optometrist of the Year for the Nebraska Optometric Association and the Young Optometrist of the Year for the American Optometric Association.  In 2014 he was awarded Political Keyperson of the Year for the Nebraska Optometric Association and Alumni of the Year from Skutt Catholic High School.

Dr. Wolfe has a passion for education.  He is the founder of EyeCode Education, a company specializing in clinical and billing education. Dr. Wolfe is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.  He also has special interests in therapeutic scleral contact lenses to correct visual distortions in patients with corneal diseases.  Dr. Wolfe is an avid runner and most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jaime, daughters Ryan, Paityn, Camryn, Logan, Maisyn and sons Lincoln, Deacon and Benton.

Dr. Brad Byergo - Private Equity, EBITDA and Frame Dream

Dr. Brad Byergo received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri­Columbia in 1998. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri­ St. Louis School of Optometry in 2002, where he graduated with highest honors.

 

 

Dr. Byergo joined the Midwest Eye Associates team in 2002, and has been the medical director of the practice since 2004. He is a member of the St. Louis Optometric Society, the Missouri Optometric

Association, and the American Optometric Association. In 2012, Dr. Byergo and Midwest Eye Associates joined forces with Vision Source, the largest network of independent Optometrists in the country. Dr. Byergo currently serves as the administrator for Vision Source St. Louis. In 2013, he was the recipient of the Vision Source Outstanding Leadership Award.

Dr. Abie Chadderdon - AOA PAC, Fiscal Responsibility, Empowering New Graduates

Dr. Chadderdon graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1981. He practiced four years at Eisenhower Medical Center in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, while serving in the U.S. Army from 1981 to 1985; he joined Dr. Hinson in partnership. Shortly thereafter, the practice name was changed to Family Eyecare Associates and the Tama office was added. Dr. Chadderdon has additional training in pathology, contact lenses and children’s vision. He is a member of New Hope Christian Church, Noon Lions Club, Rotary Club, Chamber Ambassador, and he coaches youth sports. He has served on the Junior Achievement Board, Mid-Iowa Community Action Health Advisory Board, YMCA Board, and the United Way Executive Committee serving as co-chair in 2006. He is an active member of the Iowa Optometric Association, currently serving as Eyecare Benefits Chairman. He served as the 1995-1996 president and was named young OD of the year in 1986 and OD of the year in 2007. He is active in the American Optometric Association serving as state representative on two committees. He serves as a member of the Iowa Army National Guard now retired at a rank of Lt. Colonel.

Dr. Tad Kosanovich - Running for AOA Board of Trustees in 2020

Dr. Kosanovich is in practice in Englewood, FL.  He is a past president of the Florida Optometric Association and a current member of the AOA's State Government Relations Committee.  He is running for a position on the AOA Board of Trustees in 2020.

Dr. Johndra McNeely - Opternative/Visibly, Patient Protection and State Government Relations Committee

Dr. McNeely is a Past President of the South Carolina Optometric Association and a member of the AOA's State Government Relations Committee.

A native of Florence, Alabama, Dr. Johndra McNeely graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Alabama in Professional Biology. She received her doctorate of optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she graduated with honors and received the VSP Excellence in Primary Care Award for her graduating class. Dr. McNeely has completed an externship at the Tuscaloosa VA hospital focusing on eye disease and primary care, and she has been in practice in the Upstate since 2009. Her special interests in optometry include diabetic eye disease and children’s vision.