OPT Visionary - Fall 2016

COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY • 29 Farewell to a First-Rate Professor Jay M. Rumsey, O.D., FAAO, who worked as an NSUCO faculty member since 1993, retired in January 2016. Rumsey, who held the rank of associate professor, had teaching assignments that included Optometric Theory and Methods Labs, as well as sections of the Geometric and Physical Optics Labs. He also served as webmaster for the NSUCO website, web-board administrator, faculty and student resource page editor, listserv moderator, Technology Advisory Committee member, and faculty adviser for computer software and web pages. Rumsey received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) in 1979. In the ensuing years, he practiced full-scope optometry, with particular emphasis on primary care, contact lenses, and clinical education. Before entering the optometric profession, Rumsey worked as an aerospace engineer for six years. After receiving his O.D. degree, he was in private practice in Missouri City, Texas, and provided part-time faculty support to UHCO until 1984, when he joined the college as a full-time faculty member. Initially, he became a clinical instructor with responsibilities in the primary care and contact lens clinics. Additional responsibilities included serving as an assistant professor in the health science test and procedures courses for the upper-level professional students. While associated with UHCO, Rumsey provided instruction in multiple diagnostic and therapeutic continuing education programs in Texas and surrounding states. In 1993, Rumsey left Houston to accept a position as an assistant professor at NSU’s College of Optometry. During his NSUCO tenure, he developed several software programs, which are being used for enhanced student learning, research activities, evaluation, survey, and administrative needs. Additionally, he was involved in the initial design and continuing maintenance of the Optometry Tests and Procedures website, which provides educational materials and resources for the optometric education of individuals, ranging from new students to postgraduate practitioners. NSUCO extends its heartfelt gratitude to Rumsey for his numerous contributions to the college and the optometric profession. u Assisting Bittner as coinvestigators in the study are • Tony Succar, Ph.D., a research fellow at the Envision Research Institute • John D. Shepherd, M.D., a board- certified ophthalmologist and assistant professor at the University of Nebraska • Angie Bowers, M.O.T., OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist employed by Alphapointe—a Kansas City-based agency providing rehabili- tation and education for people with vision loss • Vernon Odom, Ph.D., a professor of ophthalmology and adjunct associate professor of psychology at West Virginia University • Patrick Yoshinaga, O.D., M.P.H., a chief of low vision rehabilitation services and assistant professor at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University In addition, Andrew Jacobson, a sales engineer at Black Box Network Services—a technology solutions provider—will serve as wireless consultant on the project. Amy Nau, O.D., an optometrist in the Boston- based offices of Korb & Associates, will act as a telerehabilitation consul- tant, while Nicole Ross, O.D., M.Sc. , FAAO, assistant professor at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts, will serve as project manager. u