Jones previously served as president of both the Missouri Optometric Student Association and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists and has been heavily involved in the college.
LATEST IN optometry
Fourth-year Optometry student Emerald Jones honored as recipient of prestigious Remington R. Williams Award
Jones previously served as president of both the Missouri Optometric Student Association and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists and has been heavily involved in the college.
Fourth-year Optometry student Emerald Jones honored as recipient of prestigious Remington R. Williams Award
Jones previously served as president of both the Missouri Optometric Student Association and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists and has been heavily involved in the college.
Eye on UMSL: Primed to lead
The PRIMED Institute in Character Education’s annual five-day event held on UMSL’s campus is designed for school leaders committed to fostering character development in students.
Nursing, Optometry students team up for mock hypertension exams in Nursing Simulation Lab
The interprofessional event brought together students from the College of Optometry, the College of Nursing’s Accelerated BSN Program and the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy.
Nursing, Optometry students team up for mock hypertension exams in Nursing Simulation Lab
The interprofessional event brought together students from the College of Optometry, the College of Nursing’s Accelerated BSN Program and the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy.
Nursing, Optometry students team up for mock hypertension exams in Nursing Simulation Lab
The interprofessional event brought together students from the College of Optometry, the College of Nursing’s Accelerated BSN Program and the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy.
Accounting grad Abby Foust is law school-bound
Foust, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College, went on three study abroad trips during her time at UMSL.
Accounting grad Abby Foust is law school-bound
Foust, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College, went on three study abroad trips during her time at UMSL.
Accounting grad Abby Foust is law school-bound
Foust, who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College, went on three study abroad trips during her time at UMSL.
May graduate Cameron Schroeder builds on passion for research in College of Optometry
Schroeder conducted research and presented posters at several national conferences, including on refractive error and pinhole acuity relationships.
May graduate Cameron Schroeder builds on passion for research in College of Optometry
Schroeder conducted research and presented posters at several national conferences, including on refractive error and pinhole acuity relationships.
May graduate Cameron Schroeder builds on passion for research in College of Optometry
Schroeder conducted research and presented posters at several national conferences, including on refractive error and pinhole acuity relationships.
MORE IN optometry
May graduate Tiffany Aldridge Rhine pivots to career in optometry with new position at Center for Vision and Learning
Aldridge Rhine, who earned her bachelor’s from UMSL in 2000, decided to embark on a career in optometry after reading a story in UMSL Magazine.
May graduate Abbey Martin pursues passion for optometry with new position at Regional Eyecare
Martin found her passion for humanitarian work while volunteering with UMSL’s chapter of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity last month.
Optometry graduate Alex Fenson launching career in vision therapy
Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
UMSL College of Optometry launches partnership with Kansas City University Biomedical Sciences Program
The new agreement between the two universities will help funnel students in the one-year BIOS program into UMSL’s College of Optometry.
First-year optometry student Luke Pellegrino builds on passion for working with low-vision patients by raising a puppy for Dogs Inc
In addition to his studies, Pellegrino is teaching the puppy basic cues and exposing her to new environments.
College of Optometry partnering with Ritenour School District Husky Health Center to provide eye care to students
The newly opened health center allows students to access little-to-no-cost medical care and behavioral health services during school hours.
Longtime Optometry faculty members Dr. Ed Bennett and Dr. Vinita Henry recognized for contribution to field of contact lenses
Bennett received the CLMA Medal of Honor, while Henry received an award named for Bennett himself: the Dr. Edward S. Bennett GPLI Educator of the Year award.
Third-year optometry student Hallie Traverse awarded scholarship from Wisconsin Optometric Association
A Wisconsin native, Traverse was recognized for her academic performance, ability, character, leadership and interest in the profession of optometry.
From flash floods to four-day school weeks, UMSL’s Geospatial Collaborative is influencing research across campus
The innovative and ever-expanding collaborative is keeping UMSL at the forefront of the burgeoning geospatial industry in St. Louis and nationwide.
As president of the Missouri Optometric Student Association, Emerald Jones helps fellow students advocate for the future of the profession
The third-year optometry student is able to network with optometrists across the state, help out with conferences and learn more about the organization’s legislative work.
2018 College of Optometry graduate Dr. Joann Adams honored at Make-A-Wish fundraiser
Adams, an optometrist at EYE-Q Vision Care in Fresno, California, helped diagnose a young patient with a brain tumor and ultimately save his life.
UMSL Optometry graduates Mariah Strahm and Kevin Pizarro-Miller reinvigorate passion for humanitarian work in El Salvador
The recent graduates joined Associate Clinical Professor Dr. Linda Marks for an I Care International clinic in San Alejo in March.
College of Optometry Student Services partners with vendors in Anchor Action Network footprint
The network seeks to advance opportunity and equity across the St. Louis region.
60 for 60: David Henton, Dan Isom, Evelyn Moore, Michelle Moore, Cathy Phillips and Alex Stallings honored as exceptional alumni
To celebrate its anniversary, UMSL is spotlighting 60 alumni who apply one or more of the university’s core values in the world and help to make it a better place.
UMSL Patient Care Center’s renovated second floor features cutting-edge teaching labs, study nooks and lounge spaces for College of Optometry students
The roughly 14,000-square-foot space features teaching labs and study and lounge spaces, and will serve more than 170 students in the program.
Optometry Scholar and 2023 graduate Dr. Katie Kyles builds on her passion for vision therapy and pediatric care through UMSL residency
As a pediatric resident, Kyles is continuing her work with the Pupil Project, which helps manage learning-related vision problems in children.
UMSL Optometry and Nursing students explore complexities of poverty and impact on patient care
A simulation facilitated by the Missouri Community Action Network gave participants the chance to step into the shoes of someone experiencing poverty for a few hours.
Optometry graduate Jacob Travis learns to meet patients where they are through humanitarian work in Kansas City and Alaska
As part of his fourth-year experience, Travis spent the spring semester working in Nome, Alaska, at Last Frontier Eye Care and Tundra Health Initiative.
Optometry student Claire Saylor named vice president of the American Optometric Student Association
The optometry student was also honored as AOSA’s Trustee of the Year for the 2022-23 school year.
Celebrating Black History Month 2023 with stories of UMSL excellence
Commemorate Black History Month with UMSL Daily by revisiting 12 inspiring stories of Black student, faculty, staff and alumni triumphs and contributions.
UMSL College of Optometry hosts NASA’s Tyson Brunstetter for telehealth lecture
Brunstetter’s lecture focused on Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and the challenges of performing ocular telemedicine onboard the International Space Station.
Meet Keshia Elder, dean of UMSL’s College of Optometry
Elder, who previously served as an associate clinical professor at UMSL from 2011 to 2016, recently became the first Black female dean of optometry in the country.
Optometry Assistant Clinical Professor Dr. Tareq Nabhan named to national advisory committee for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The committee advises the government on what tools, tests, techniques and procedures should be covered through Medicare and Medicaid.
College of Optometry engages community members about eyecare during First Fridays at the Saint Louis Science Center
The monthly event offers visitors the opportunity to learn the real science behind science fiction, featuring hands-on activities, trivia, presentations and more.
College of Optometry Professor Julie DeKinder named vice chair of the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
The organization is the only accrediting body for professional optometric degree programs and optometric residency programs.
Dr. Keshia Elder named dean of College of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis
Elder, who previously served as an associate clinical professor at UMSL from 2011 to 2016, will assume the role on Sept. 1.
College of Optometry’s graduating class features 4 second-generation students
They have faced countless challenges, including a life-changing global pandemic, but they all remained committed to their professional goals.
College of Optometry holds collaborative workshop with University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy
Assistant Clinical Professor Casey Hamm set up the collaboration so that future practitioners could learn how to collaborate across disciplines.
College of Optometry launches cutting edge telehealth course
Tele-optometry and tele-retinal services can help optometrists reach patients who might not otherwise have access, or easy access, to care.
Not-so-traditional path gives optometry student Jasmine Welch unique lens for outreach efforts
Welch has been inspired to join efforts such as the UMSL Eyes on Diversity outreach program and Black EyeCare Perspective’s The 13% Promise.
College of Optometry students help treat 103 patients at OneSight Kansas City clinic
Assistant Clinical Professor Tareq Nabhan and Kristin Doefler, Alisha Musau, Patrick Stifter and Katie Wilhelmus volunteered at the one-day children’s eye clinic.
Back to school: Scenes from Move-In Day 2021
A new class of freshmen brought life to campus last week as they settled into Oak Hall ahead of the fall semester.
Recently opened SSM Health Express Clinic serves community from UMSL Patient Care Center
The clinic provides non-emergency care to patients 2 years and older and offers walk-in visits as well as scheduled appointments.
Hearing loss doesn’t limit optometry student from improving others’ vision
Riley Liss was born with hearing loss in both ears and received her first pair of hearing aids when she was 6 months old.
College of Optometry partnership with Affinia Healthcare helps address health care equity in St. Louis
Under the supervision of UMSL optometry faculty, fourth-year students help provide affordable primary and preventive health care in downtown St. Louis.
Optometry alumna’s Humaneyezing Healthcare brings the art of doctoring to Instagram
With her Instagram account, Delaram Shirazian brings together her passion for improving doctor-patient communication and community health care.
Jane Lakayil hopes to use optometry degree to do work that matters
After graduating from the Honors College then the College of Optometry, Lakayil heads off to a residency in ocular disease at VA Illiana Health Care System.
Optometry on the edge of the Earth: A clinical rotation in Nome, Alaska, fosters cultural exchange, cutting-edge practice
Optometry student George Dowdy helped treat Native Alaskan patients in Nome and the surrounding villages with preceptor and alumna Dr. Marcy O’Neil.
Family history inspires optometry student Salmedina Alic to help patients see
Time spent as a child in Bosnia around her great uncle, who became blind in his old age, first made Alic interested in low-vision rehabilitation.
Walman Scholarship helps new father Aric Waltz balance life
Walman Optical granted the optometry student its maximum possible scholarship, $5,000, to complete his studies.
Inaugural medical mission trip impacts patients and providers alike
A group from the College of Optometry treated approximately 800 patients over an eight-day period on a Helping Hands Medical Missions trip to El Salvador.
Optometry student overcomes cancer, national boards as a new father
After studying through testicular cancer treatment, Adam Wira is on track to graduate in the spring and plans to use his optometry degree for good.
College of Optometry updates Marillac Hall for recruitment, student success
Four floors have been upgraded to both refresh existing study spaces and create new ones for students in the college.
UMSL Patient Care Center serves as backdrop for Johnson & Johnson Vision campaign
The modern interior and excellent lighting made the UMSL building an attractive location for the health-care campaign photo shoot.
Mother and daughter optometrists team up to bring quality eye care to communities near and far
Tami Soriano opened Carthage Eye Care in 1992. Now her daughter, Torie Soriano, is a doctor there as well. Together they make mission trips to Haiti.
‘Eye antiques’ give optometry alumna’s modern practice a vintage vibe
When Katie McElvaine and her husband opened Springfield Family Vision, they gave it an antique flare with some family help.
See the ball, hit the ball: Optometrist Ed Bennett treats Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham
Bennett monitors Pham’s vision and fits his contact lenses to help keep the athlete’s game strong.
Optometry offers Alex Gada a second chance at a career she loves
The third-year student’s love of learning and passion for helping people made returning to school later in life worth all the effort.
UMSL optometrist offers new contact lens technology for all eye shapes, sizes
EyePrintPRO is a contact lens designed to match the exact contours of the individual eye, making contact lenses an option for those with irregularly shaped corneas.
Optometry student wins first place InfantSEE Scholarship, gains extensive externship experience
Shelby Baugh Bruner’s advocacy for infant vision examinations won her the first place InfantSEE Scholarship, which she’ll use to fund externships beyond those she will do in St. Louis.
LATEST NEWS
- Eye on UMSL: Primed to lead
- Master’s grad Shiori Kaji has audit accounting role lined up with Anders CPA
- Geospatial summer camp offers high schoolers hands-on experience with emerging technology
- Fourth-year Optometry student Emerald Jones honored as recipient of prestigious Remington R. Williams Award
- Chemistry Professor Michael Nichols discusses Alzheimer’s disease research in latest episode of Inside UMSL podcast
- Inaugural UMSL Engineering Camp helps high school students build excitement about the field
- UMSL names College of Business after accomplished alum and marketing industry leader Ed G. Smith
- College of Education hosts annual Future Teacher Leadership Academy for local high schoolers
- Eye on UMSL: For a good cause
- Art and Design Professor Jeff Sippel named Missouri Arts Council’s Featured Artist for June 2025
