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Dr. William Cochran, left, with Dr.
A. Roy Roberts, HOACLS Past President |
The Board of Directors of the Heart of America
Contact Lens Society is proud to present the 2008 Optometrist of
the Year Award to Dr. William Cochran at the 47th annual congress.
The award is presented annually to a doctor of optometry who, through
unselfish effort has propagated the ideals and philosophy of the
society. Dr. Cochran is a graduate of the Southern College of Optometry
in Memphis, Tennessee. He retired this past year as President of
the Southern College of Optometry (SCO).
Dr. Cochran, known to virtually all who know him as Billy, is
a third generation optometrist who grew up in Kosciusko, Mississippi.
His grandfather and both his parents were optometrists. In fact,
his mother was among the first women to lay the groundwork for
future female optometrists in the profession.
Like his parents before him, Dr. Cochran graduated from the
Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. After spending several
years in the U.S. Army, he practiced in his home town of Kosciusko,
where he served in many state, regional and national Optometric
positions. He also served as president of the Association of
Schools and Colleges of Optometry, as a member of the National
Board of Examiners in Optometry and as president of the Memphis
Association of Colleges and Universities
Dr. Cochran was named SCO President in 1984. He revitalized
the college in a number of areas, to include educational quality,
recruitment, scholarships, and endowment. Dr. Cochran also presided
over the construction of a new state-of-art 55,000 square foot
Eye Center at SCO in 2002. As an educator, he fostered a close
working relationship with his academic colleagues, and enjoyed
tremendous respect from his staff, students and graduates. His
contribution to optometry and optometric education earned him
the Tennessee Optometric Association’s Distinguished Service
Award in 2004.
Dr. Cochran and his wife Carolyn are the parents of three grown
children and one grandchild.
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The Heart of America Contact
Lens Society (HOACLS) Vision Service Award is presented annually
to an individual or group who exhibits extraordinary dedication
and untiring service to the profession of optometry. The 2008
honoree is no exception. The Board of Directors of the HOACLS
is proud to present the 2008 Vision Service Award to Dr. Richard
(Rick) Weisbarth.
Dr. Weisbarth is a 1980 graduate of The Ohio State University.
He has presented hundreds of papers and lectures, written parts
of many books, is affiliated with numerous eye care groups,
and has been recognized for numerous achievements and awards
from Optometric and other eye care organizations and associations.
Dr. Weisbarths’ service to the profession is also apparent
in a number of different areas by virtue of a couple of his
current positions. He serves the academic side of the profession
as the current president of the American Academy of Optometry.
He also represents the industry side of our profession by way
of his current position with Ciba Vision Corporation as Vice
President, Global Head for Professional Development and Partnerships.
Through his commitment to the profession, Dr. Weisbarth has
made for all of us who practice in this wonderful profession
called optometry a better career, and more importantly better
for the patients we serve.
Dr. Weisbarth and his wife Pam are the proud parents of two
grown children.
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February 16, 2008: The following 5 students were
each awarded $2,000 scholarships at the Awards Luncheon during
the Heart of America Contact Lens Society annual congress, in
Kansas City, MO.
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Christopher Scott Wolfe of Nebraska attending
Oklahoma College of Optometry
Clint Michael Wolk of Missouri attending UMSL College of Optometry
Lisa D. Sandell of Kansas attending Indiana University School
of Optometry
Karen Suzanne DeLoss of Iowa attending Illinois College of Optometry
Ashley Mae Blasi of Kansas attending Southern College of Optometry
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