Dr. Julie DeKinder recently became chair of the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, which is responsible for setting the standards for the profession of optometry. (Photo by August Jennewein)

Dr. Julie DeKinder is passionate about the importance of accreditation, the process in which an external body verifies that an institution or program meets established standards of quality. As a clinical professor of optometry, director of residency programs and associate dean of academic programs at the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry, she’s well aware that accreditation plays an important role in the education of optometrists and other health care providers.

In addition to her work at UMSL, DeKinder has served on the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education for the past seven years. As the only accrediting body for professional optometric degree programs, optometric residency programs and optometric technician programs in the United States and Canada, the organization is responsible for setting the standards for the profession of optometry.

“The accrediting body makes sure that every optometry degree program meets high standards of compliance in defined areas so that we know that programs are doing their best to have transparency for both potential applicants and current students, have a rigorous curriculum that meets the standard of care in the nation and follow through with due process and fair treatment of all stakeholders in the college or school,” DeKinder said. “When a new graduate applies to become licensed in a state, they can say, ‘I went to a school that’s accredited because they’re meeting these high standards,’ and then the state can feel confident about providing a license based on the knowledge that they received an education that’s recognized by an accrediting body.”

DeKinder was first appointed to the 13-person council in 2018 after training as a site consultant in 2005 and serving as team chair for several site visits, and in 2022, was appointed vice chair. Now, she’s taking on an even larger role with the organization: As of July 1, DeKinder began her new role as the council’s chair.

As chair, DeKinder said she’ll effectively be the voice and face of the council. She’ll be responsible for meeting with the executive director on a regular basis, leading discussions on any concerns or ongoing activities within the ACOE and meeting with various optometric groups. She will serve a two-year term as chair and is excited that her new role will give her the opportunity to be an ongoing advocate for accreditation.

“I feel pretty passionately about accreditation in general – maintaining standards and ensuring that all optometric programs and residency programs are meeting those standards,” DeKinder said. “I’m excited to be a representative of those standards and to try to be transparent and helpful so that all schools, programs and residencies can continue to improve and meet the highest standards to be producing the best doctors.”

DeKinder is the first faculty member in UMSL’s College of Optometry to have served on the ACOE board. She’s proud to represent the college and believes that her involvement speaks to a larger culture among the college’s faculty and staff, who are eager to volunteer their time in service of improving optometric education.

“It shows that we have an engaged faculty body that volunteers and participates locally, regionally and nationally in optometric service,” DeKinder said. “The various service roles performed by our college faculty demonstrate to our students that we as a college are not just educating students to be optometrists; we are educating by example that being an optometrist is not just a job, it is a profession that is made stronger through the work of all the doctors who volunteer to advance the profession. I personally feel very blessed to have the college support when I was initially appointed to the council, and now, as I serve as chair, continue to have the support of the college administration as I balance this role with my various roles in the college.”