OPT Visionary - Spring/Summer 2013

THE V ISIONARY • S PRING /S UMMER 2013 — 9 What he did accomplish instilled in me why I’m here and why I have become an optometrist. We do this to serve others. We do this not for recognition but for what goes unseen. We do this for those who are no longer able to. It is my sincere hope I can do right by Mike by be- coming a great optometrist.” (Michael Fish was honored along with the class of 2013 with a posthu- mous degree during the commencement ceremony in May.) externships lead to hometown return Dr. Hutto, who completed an externship at the veterans’ adminis- tration in Salisbury, North Carolina, explained that, “This rotation fo- cused on obtaining information quickly and forming treatment plans efficiently. Although there is some disease at this site, it concentrates more on producing a well-rounded optometrist.” In comparison, Dr. Hutto’s first externship was done at Vision Amer- ica in Birmingham, Alabama, where NSUCO had not sent an extern in many years. “It is a multi-doctor facility owned and operated by O.D.s that also employs M.D.s with various subspecialties (cataract, cornea, oculoplastics, and retina),” he said. “Working closely with three O.D.s and five M.D.s gave me the opportunity to see copious amounts of oc- ular disease and allowed me to manage each case under supervision. It was an amazing experience.” After graduation, Dr. Hutto returned to his hometown of Alma, where he partnered with a doctor whose practice is in its second generation and in desperate need of a third-generation practitioner to keep up with growing demand. “The practice was started by the partner’s father, who was a huge asset to the field of optometry,” he said. “Father and son built one of Georgia’s most successful single doctor practices.” Now that Dr. Hutto is back in Alma, he is concentrating on the future of his practice as it focuses on serving the local community and is the only access to eye care for the county. He sincerely hopes to “continue to grow the practice and serve the people of Alma for many years.” We couldn’t end Hutto’ story without a mention of Fran Franconeri, the college’s coordinator of Recruitment and Student Services. “I am eternally grateful to Fran for the many recommendations of local eateries she gave us,” he said. “She was always spot on.”