NSUCO - The Visionary Fall 2010

NEWS Alumni Genia G. Beasley, O.D., FAAO, FCOVD (’94), alumna and former faculty member, appeared on HealthWise , a Charlotte WTVI-TV program, for a one-hour interview about “The Critical Link Between Vision and Learning.” The program aired on May 23 and was rebroadcast on May 29. Dr. Beasley specializes in neurodevelopmental optometry as well as vision therapy and rehabilitation at All Ages Vision Care in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jilma Ellison, O.D. (’06) and Donald Ellison, O.D. (’06) welcomed their daughter, Isabelle Rosalie, into the world on August 21, 2009. Also, they are proud to announce that they have opened a new practice in Oviedo, Florida, called Trinity Eye Associates. Massimo Gramanzini, O.D. (’07) celebrated his 11 th year in private practice in Plantation, Florida, and opened a second office in Dania Beach in 2007. He lives in Plantation Acres with his wife, Alycia, and their children Katelyn (6), Gianna (4), and Vince (2). Kristi Johnson, O.D. (’07) and Kyle Barnes, O.D. (’07) welcomed their son, Griffin, into the world on April 22, weighing in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Their private practice, Barnes Vision, is located in Dandridge, Tennessee. Andrea (Scott) Keele, O.D. (’06) and her husband, Gabe, welcomed their daughter, Maren Gabrielle, into the world on December 31, 2009. Andrea practices at Insight Eyecare Specialities in Kansas City, Missouri, specializing in pediatrics and vision therapy. Mark Marciano, O.D. (’98) has thrown his hat into the political arena and is a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in District 83. His campaign is supported by his wife, Brandee Owens Marciano, O.D., and their sons Adam (8) and Thomas (5). Ryan Meffley, O.D. (’01) was appointed to the professional staff of the Cleveland Clinic in Ashland and Mansfield, Ohio, on January 1. Maritza Nickerson, O.D. (’05) and her husband, Nathan, are expecting the arrival of their second child, a baby boy, in September. Barton Parker, O.D. (’97) was installed as president of the Palm Beach County Optometric Association on May 1 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Heather Long Riemann, O.D. (’08) and her husband, Mike, are the proud parents of Mikayla Marie, who was born on January 21 and weighed in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Tina Smrkovski, O.D. (’07) and Jeffrey Smrkovski, O.D. (’07) purchased an optical shop in December and combined it with Jeff’s practice (optical shop lease). The practice, Reed Optical, is located in Claremont, New Hampshire, and is doctor-owned and patient- focused. Tina and Jeff welcomed their first daughter, Lindsey, in mid-November. Jennifer Tabibzadeh, O.D. (’09) appeared on the San Diego CW television network news on May 15. The news segment was five minutes in duration and covered the topic of “UV Protection and Eye Health.” Marc B. Taub, O.D., M.S., FAAO, FCOVD (resident ’04) successfully defended his master’s thesis entitled “A Comparison of Three Clinical Tests of Accommodation to Hofstetter’s Norms to Guide Diagnosis and Treatment.” His thesis was supervised by Josephine Shallo-Hoffmann, Ph.D. Dr. Taub was officially awarded the degree of Master of Science in Clinical Vision Research by Nova Southeastern University on May 29. B Y N. S COTT G ORMAN , O.D., M.S., E D .D., FAAO, D IRECTOR OF D EVELOPMENT AND A LUMNI R ELATIONS , E DITOR - IN -C HIEF , T HE V ISIONARY ELLISON KEELE MARCIANO RIEMANN SMRKOVSKI the VISIONARY • Summer/Fall 2010 39