Dr. Tareq Nabhan, an assistant clinical professor in the College of Optometry, is now president of the St. Louis Optometric Society. He’s been a member of the organization since graduating from UMSL’s College of Optometry in 2012. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
For nearly 75 years, the St. Louis Optometric Society has provided continuing education to local optometrists with the goal of improving visual health across the greater St. Louis community. And as of this summer, a familiar face is leading the local chapter.
Dr. Tareq Nabhan, an assistant clinical professor in the College of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, was inducted as president on June 10.
Nabhan, who has been a member of the SLOS since graduating from UMSL’s College of Optometry in 2012, was first asked to serve on the board in 2022. He started his work with the chapter as sergeant at arms before moving into the position of treasurer, then secretary, and, now, president.
“Tareq will be an amazing fit as our president,” SLOS Executive Director Jan Oliver said. “He has an all-encompassing perspective as a full-time faculty member and lead attending physician at UMSL and Affinia Healthcare. His knowledge and expertise when it comes to computers and software knowledge has already streamlined the way that meetings are presented. With his expertise and travel background, Tareq has the ability to introduce our society to endless possibilities.”
As president, Nabhan is working closely with Oliver and other board members to coordinate speakers, preside over board meetings, secure sponsorships and lead monthly continuing education meetings with members. Already, he said the position has allowed him to connect more deeply with members and understand what their needs are and how SLOS can serve them. With close to 200 members, the St. Louis Optometric Society is the largest chapter in Missouri and one of the largest societies in the country, and Nabhan has enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at how it operates.
“I’ve been very excited to learn more about what the society is, what the society does and where the society wants to go,” he said. “We’re navigating at a time when so much can change in a very short period of time. There have been a lot of changes politically and geopolitically in terms of health care in general, and our profession and our scopes of practice are not immune to these challenges. In this capacity, I get to hear what our members are dealing with and what we can do to support them in practice. Moreover, we identify members of distinction, and I believe these awards are meaningful and provide the opportunity for recipients to be recognized at our annual installation and awards banquet for the incredible work they do.”
Nabhan is excited to bring in nationally known speakers, including optometrists, ophthalmologists and industry sponsors, to build continuity of care and expand members’ understanding of what’s out there. He’s also looking at ways to get both UMSL students and faculty members even more involved in the society’s work to enhance its impact on local and national optometric practice.
“I want to contribute to this society in ways that I do both in the clinic and in the classroom,” he said. “It means a lot that our faculty are not only teaching in the classroom or in the clinic or doing scholarship on campus; we are very integrated with off-campus service engagements that have direct effects on what our profession looks like. Everyone’s scope of practice rests on what our societies and state associations do throughout Missouri and throughout the country, and to have faculty members involved in any capacity, whether on the board or as society members, I think it really helps us put more of a finger on the pulse of where things are and where we’re headed as a profession in St. Louis.”
