Greetings MCO Family
These are exciting times for the Michigan College of Optometry! We have a beautiful
new facility with nearly endless opportunities for enhanced student education, innovation,
research and comprehensive patient care. The quality of our student education and
strength of our clinical experience remains nationally-recognized. We have hired
talented faculty with diverse interests and experiences. Recognizing the importance
of connecting our graduates to the practice world we have initiated the Michigan Optometric
Student Private Practice Association (MOSPPA), which holds a successful conference
each year. Our optometric continuing education offerings continue to be an effective
way to give back to our alumni and friends.
Above all, we are proud of the success of our alumni and the many differences you
make in the lives of your patients, families and communities. As our MCO family,
you are always welcome to stop by for a visit, reconnect with our staff, administrators,
faculty and friends and take a tour of our marvelous facility.
Sincerely,
Sarah Hinkley, OD, MCO Alumni Coordinator
Robert Kocembo, OD, MCOAA Newsletter Chair
Bradley Taylor, OD, MCOAA Chair
Michael Cron, OD, Dean of MCO
A Kindle Richer
Test your MCO historical knowledge. Can you name this important person in MCO history?Congratulations
to Dr. Douglas Coon and Dr. Daniel Nash, the winners of our Kindle Fire give-away
at the Summer CE reception. Dr. Coon won based on his answers to the MCO Historical
Quiz prepared by Dr. J. James Saladin. After a three way tie on the quiz with Drs.
Dean Hartwig and Audry Poquette, he pulled it out in the bonus round.
Dr. Nash was just plain lucky, winning the drawing at the MCO Summer CE Reception.
Enjoy those Kindles and we look forward to seeing YOU at our next reception!
An active search is underway for our next Dean. If you have an interest or know someone
who would be an inspiring leader, contact Ryan from Parker Executive Search at [email protected].
MCO Welcomes New Faculty
As we said goodbye to a few faculty this year, we welcomed bright talent and renewed
energy. Here are a couple of MCO's new educational leaders.
Amy Dinardo, OD, MBA, FAAO
Dr. Dinardo is an assistant professor at the Michigan College of Optometry. She graduated
with high distinction from the Michigan College of Optometry in 2007. One year later,
she completed a residency focusing on corneal diseases and specialty contact lenses.
In 2011, she earned a Master of Business Administration with an Advanced Studies Certificate
in Management Tools and Concepts. Dr. Dinardo has experience working in various modes
of practice, including private practice. Her interests include advanced contact lens
fitting, anterior segment disease, pediatrics, and practice management. Dr. Dinardo
is very active in organized optometry. She is the president of the West Michigan Optometric
Association (WMOA) and serves on committees for the Michigan Optometric Association
(MOA) and the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). She is a fellow of the American
Academy of Optometry. Dr. Dinardo's top priorities are to provide an innovative learning
experience for her students as well as provide the highest quality eye care possible
to her patients.
Alison Jenerou, OD
 Dr. Alison Jenerou is an Assistant Professor at the Michigan College of Optometry.
She completed her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Chemistry at Central Michigan
University in 2007. She then attended NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry
in Ft. Lauderdale, FL where she obtained her Doctorate in Optometry in 2011, receiving
Honors and was awarded the Pediatric and Binocular Vision Clinical Excellence Award.
One year later she completed a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision at the
Michigan College of Optometry. Her areas of interest include vision related learning
problems, strabismus, amblyopia and vision therapy, with current research in preschool
vision screenings and peripheral visual awareness. Her current teaching responsibilities
include supervising 3rd and 4th year interns at the University Eye Center’s Pediatrics
and Binocular Vision Clinic and Primary Care clinic. As well as assisting in the Vision
Therapy lab. Dr. Jenerou is currently pursuing a fellowship from the College of Optometrists
in Vision Development and is a member of the American Optometric Association, the
Michigan Optometric Association, the Michigan Optometric Association’s Children’s
Vision Committee and the American Academy of Optometry.
Congratulations, Class of 2012
On May 4, 2012, the graduating class of 2012 received their doctoral hoods during
the MCO Hooding Ceremony in Williams Auditorium. Graduation took place on Saturday,
May 5 at Wink Arena. Dr. Cron provided the welcome remarks. Brian Dornbos, OD gave
the class address, providing humor and insight on the previous 4+ years. William
Lakin, OD gave an inspirational address. The graduates, family and friends were welcomed
with a catered reception at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center. Graduates, please
drop us a line and let us know where you are practicing and what is new in your life!
Did You Know?
The average MCO student today graduates with just under $100,000 in student debt.
Although MCO students have the lowest reported debt of any optometric institution,
the financial burden on new optometrists is still enormous and may prevent them from
entering the practice mode they desire or cause financial stress. YOU can make a
difference in the lives of our students by contributing to the MCO scholarship fund.
Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated by our intelligent, motivated students.
Giving is easy.
Just click the link to get started.
Nicholas Czinder, 4th Year at MCO with Paul Hodge, OD
White Coat Ceremony 2011
Tracy Moran, OD
Class of 2005
Alumni and Friends in the News
We are incredibly proud of our alumni and friends. Here are a few examples of the
great work you are doing. PLEASE send us more!
Dr. Dan Fortenbacher was quoted in a MSN article on motion sickness.
Dr. Robert Kocembo has been granted certified diabetes educator status, one of the
few ODs in the country to achieve this distinction.
Dr. Elizabeth Hoppe, the founding Dean of the Western University of Health Sciences
College of Optometry, received the Vision Care Award from the American Optometric
Association Vision Rehabilitation Section in June for demonstrating excellent service
to the community and the field of low vision rehabilitation.
Dr. Barbara Horn is a trustee of the American Optometric Association for 2012-13.
Dr. David Cook is the new president of the Michigan Optometric Association.
Dr. Rachael (Peterson) Wruble was named a Vision Monday 2012 Influential Women in
Optical Rising Star.
Read more about it here
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We Need YOU!
Help us keep you connected with MCO, classmates and friends in the following ways
- Drop us a line by email and let us know where you practice, your practice mode, what
is new in your family life and/or anything interesting you'd like to share to [email protected]. Be sure to include your home address, practice address and email so we can stay
in touch with newsletters, etc.
- Become an active part of our online community. If you haven't yet joined, please
do so by clicking this link https://www.ferris.edu/alumni/. Your ID number can be obtained from Mary Kay MacIver at 231-591-3739 or [email protected].
- Stop by and visit our new facility when you are in the area or passing through. We
are proud and love to show it off! Come and see the new home of our state of the
art program. If you want to arrange a tour ahead of time, just give us a call at
231-591-3700.
MCO Students Conquer NBEO Part 2 PAM
Congratulations to the MCO Class of 2012 who had a remarkable 100% on Part 2, Patient
Assessment and Management of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry licensing
examination. Our students were above the national average in every section of every
discipline. The strength of our clinical program shines again. We are so proud of
all of you!
Dr. Bruce Morgan, MCO's new Director of Externships, hard-at-work in his office
MCO/FSU Announce the Retirement of
Dean Michael Cron
 After 34 years of service to MCO, Michael Cron, OD, announced his retirement as Dean
of MCO effective August 23, 2012. Although we will miss him greatly, we are grateful
for his many years of service to MCO, passion for the college and its students and
extraordinary leadership and wish him the best as he transitions into retirement.
His retirement plans include relaxing, watching sports (particularly U of M), traveling,
continuing his hobbies of acting and photography and spending time with his children
and grandchildren.
An active search is underway for our next Dean. If you have an interest or know someone
who would be an inspiring leader, contact Ryan from Parker Executive Search at [email protected].
Drs. Chad Kresnak, Mike Pack and Daniel Wrubel
Drs. Michael Keating and Robert Carter
MCO Ribbon Cutting
What's New at MCO?
- Dr. Jim Miller accepted an appointment to serve on the Ethics and Values Committee
for the American Optometric Association
- Dr. Bruce Morgan was appointed Chair of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens
Educators (AOCLE).
- Dr. Phil Walling organized yet another fantastic continuing education event with the
help of Michelle Aldrich, Lisa Roach, and Jenny Ososki, among others. Almost 200
optometrists attended the high quality continuing education. CE lecturers from MCO
included Drs. Josh Lotoczky, Karen Kehbein, and Amy Dinardo.
- Dr. Amy Dinardo's peer reviewed article, "The Pharmacist's Role in Managing Pain Associated
with Ocular Trauma" was published in the May edition of U.S. Pharmacist. Here is the
link to the online version of her article: https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/the-pharmacists-role-in-managing-pain-associated-with-ocular-trauma
- Dr. Amy Dinardo also received the George Mertz New Educator Travel Award for the
AOCLE annual meeting.
- Dr. Sarah Hinkley was a presenter at the 2012 SoTL Academy in Grand Rapids on May
21-22. Her presentation was “Integration of Classroom Learning into Patient Care
Experience”
- Dr. Sarah Hinkley was also a presenter at the 2012 Great Lakes Conference on Teaching
and Learning” on the same topic.
- Dr. Sarah Hinkley has been reappointed as a member of the American Optometric Association’s
Health Promotion Committee.
- Congratulations to Dr. Mark Swan who was married in June!
- The University Eye Center has implemented electronic health records. Although not
without some bumps in the road, we are now well on our way. Special thanks to Lisa
Roach and Dr. Josh Lotoczky who put an unbelievable amount of time into the project
(and still are) as well as the technology committee members Drs. Robert Buckingham
and Mark Swan who put in a lot of time on the front end.
- Dr. Bruce Morgan was appointed Director of Externships at MCO. Dr. Morgan will now
oversee the fourth year externships in all facets, from site selection to educational
quality. We thank him for taking on this important role.
- Dr. Sarah Hinkley was appointed Alumni Coordinator for MCO. She will work with the
MCO Alumni Association Board to foster alumni relationships and communications. She
appreciates any feedback or ideas at [email protected]
- Dr. Robert Carter's retirement means he has more time with the grandkids, to travel
and to....GOLF
- Drs. Karen Kehbein, James Nash and Renee Mika have resigned for other opportunities
and we wish them the best. We are involved in active faculty searches.
- Dr. Daniel Wrubel continues to serve as a Trustee of the Michigan Foundation for Vision
Awareness and the leader of the MCO/Michigan VOSH program.
- Dr. Robert Buckingham received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Western
Michigan University. His dissertation was on the Predictors of Success for Optometry
Students.
- Dr. Roger Kamen lectured at the European Academy of Optometry and Optics in late April
in Dublin. His topic was "Creating uniformity and high level scope of optometric practice
in the United States: the importance of standardization of optometric education".
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