College of Optometry - College Administration - College of Optometry

College of Optometry

College of Optometry - College Administration

Academic Administration & Support Staff
	The Founding Dean of the College of Optometry, Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPH, comes to WesternU with several notable career accomplishments. She was the first woman chosen as editor of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry's peer reviewed journal, Optometric Education, and she is the first woman in optometry to hold the DrPH, which -to date- is still only held by a small percentage of women. Click to read the full article
	Daniel Kurtz, PhD, OD, is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the College of Optometry. Dr. Kurtz joined WesternU in August, 2007, from the New England College of Optometry. "I am truly thrilled to join the College of Optometry at Western University at its very beginning. To help create a program from the ground up is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a major, positive impact on my chosen profession and on the public health. This University radiates an atmosphere of professionalism and humanism coupled with the ambition to provide excellent health care education in new and better ways. I consider it a privilege to be here."
	Ann Ellis, MEd is the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for the College of Optometry. She joined WesternU's College of Optometry after serving for 16 years as WesternU's Director of University Student Recruitment. "My position allows me to directly assist and support students so that they will have the best possible educational experience. My goal is to do all that I can to help them achieve *their* goal."
	Lori Rees is the Executive Assistant for the College of Optometry and she joined WesternU in September, 2007. She assists the Deans of the college in everyday activities, event planning, accreditation, and acts as the college liaison. "I am very grateful for this opportunity to be an integral part in the growth and development of the College of Optometry at WesternU. Starting from accreditation and moving through to the graduation of our first class will be an exciting and rewarding new adventure."
	Kelly Joseph, BA is the Manager of Academic Programs for the College of Optometry. Kelly joined the WesternU family back in 2006 working in the Office of Medical Education with the DO Program. She joined the College of Optometry in May 2009, bringing with her the skills and knowledge from her previous positions as Clinical Education Coordinator and Assessment Spcialist for the osteopathic students. "I am very excited to embark in this new endeavor with the inaugural class."
	Melissa Minor, BS is the Administrative Assistant to the faculty of the College of Optometry. She joined WesternU in August, 2007 and has worked in the Admissions department assisting students in reaching their goal of attending professional school. As the faculty assistant in the College of Optometry, Melissa is working with the faculty so they may better serve the students. "I am very excited to be a member of the College of Optometry family! The spirit of the faculty and staff is very warm and encouraging and my hope is that students can feel our love for the University and College as well. The opportunity to be a part of the formation and dynamic development of a new college is very thrilling and is an ability that few people will ever have. I am looking forward to completing the cycle and graduating our first class of WesternU Optometrists!"
Patient Care Administration & Support Staff
	Charles Haine, OD, MS, is the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs for the College of Optometry. Dr. Haine joined WesternU in January, 2008, from Southern College of Optometry. "When Dr. Hoppe asked me to look at Western University, I jumped at the chance. WesternU offers a unique opportunity to create an optometry clinical program in a major medical program and do so in an interdisciplinary manner. Having been associated with the Department of Veterans Affairs for over 27 years, I believe that this is the way to educate and train optometrists for the future. Further, I believe that case-based, interdisciplinary education is the way to develop health care practitioners who will have a holistic and humanistic approach to delivery of care to all patients."
	Joanne Davis, BS is the Director of Patient Care Services for the College of Optometry. She joined Western University in July of 2009. She has 20 years of experience in health care and specializes in business development and new business start ups. She graduated in 2005 from Purdue University where she earned a B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. "Starting a new business is a very exciting time. I am looking forward to the opening of our clinic and participating in its growth to become a successful practice."
	Sylvia Pedersen is the Administrative Associate for the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs in the College of Optometry. She joined WesternU in October, 1997 working in Student Affairs, the College of Pharmacy, and recently transferred over to the College of Optometry. "I wanted to be part of the team in a new college and jumped at the opportunity to join the College in preparation for its inaugural class. I am looking forward to many challenges, new experiences, and rewards as we begin our first academic year."
	Patricia Gomez is the Clinic Receptionist at the University Medical Center on 2nd Street. Patricia shares a joint position assisting both the College of Optometry and the College of Podiatric Medicine. She is the first point of contact for our patients at the 2nd Street clinic and with her bilingual abilities; she will be able to assist patients who speak both English and Spanish. By serving both the College of Optometry and the College of Podiatric Medicine, she is truly the face of interprofessional patient care.