Strategic planning was an important activity for 2023 as the university and each of UAB’s schools revised strategic plans for 2024-28. Strategic planning provides an opportunity to revisit successes, chart new directions, and determine which activities will help us achieve our goals. Our strategic plan will also position the school to make valuable contributions to university leadership’s strategic goals.
In our 2024-28 strategic plan, we are adopting UAB’s values, We C.A.R.E. This translates to collaboration, act with integrity, respect and excellence. Taken together, these values help us create a sense of belonging and pride for the School of Optometry.
Featured Stories
Vision science doctoral program celebrates banner year
Vision Science Graduate Program students, each of whom have prior academic and/or professional success, are driven by the desire to make discoveries that could impact humanity. During the 2022-2023 academic year, several students made significant steps towards achieving this worthy goal.
Research evaluates how retina could yield early Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis
UAB School of Optometry vision scientists are participating in research to evaluate how changes in the retina might play a role in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings could lead to non-invasive, low-cost tests and the early diagnosis of the disease, which progresses for decades before symptoms of dementia emerge.
CEC celebrates half a century of compassionate care
Community Eye Care (CEC), the UAB School of Optometry’s community outreach arm, celebrated 50 years of providing vision screenings and comprehensive eyecare to underserved communities while training future optometrists to provide compassionate care. To date, the program has cared for approximately 25,000 patients.
UAB Eye Care finds success at 1917 Clinic
Since UAB Eye Care’s 1917 Clinic location opened in 2022, 250 patients have received care. The success of this external location has paved the way for growth that will allow a greater number of patients to be seen there in the future.
Springer Lecture celebrates 25 years
The 2023 Springer Lecture marked a significant milestone for the endowed series—25 years. The first endowed lecture funded by the Nathaniel E. Springer Memorial Fund occurred in 1999. This year’s speaker was Jill Autry, OD, RPh. Autry, much like Donald Springer, OD, who was the impetus for the lecture series’ establishment, is passionate about optometry, the betterment of the profession, and lifelong learning.