NSUCO - The Visionary Fall 2010

the VISIONARY • Summer/Fall 2010 40 In the years following graduation from optom- etry school, most optometrists rely on continuing education and journal articles to stay up to date with advances in research and technology. For 25 years, Terry Moehnke, O.D., M.S., FAAO, followed this ritual to both maintain his license and his clin- ical skills. Advances in computer technology have greatly increased the diagnostic ability of the clinical practitioner, but it also has uncovered disease processes that were suspected but undocu- mented until instrumentation was developed to assist in the management of the patient. Acknowledging that advancements in the prac- tice of optometry were occurring at a rapid pace that sporadic educational sessions couldn’t pos- sibly cover, Dr. Moehnke enrolled in the Master’s in Clinical Vision Research (MSCVR) program at NSU to help stay abreast with the professions advancements. Challenged for the first time in several years to read, analyze, and participate in structured educational sessions was a re- warding experience that resulted in a research project looking at optic nerve changes associated with migraine patients, which was later published in a peer-reviewed optometric journal. In- teracting with a top-notch faculty provided a stimulating edu- cational experience that fulfilled the goal of staying current with the advances in optometry and patient care. The pace of the MSCVR program is designed to keep the stu- dent enthused and interested in the educational progress. The weekly demands of reading and writing seem overwhelming at first glance, but with proper time management, practitioners can easily work it into their schedules. During the time frame that Terry was working on his degree, he remained in private practice and stayed involved in commu- nity activities. Professionally, he became a Fellow in the Amer- ican Academy of Optometry and serves as a COPE reviewer for continuing education. He also was the driving force behind the creation of Veterans Memorial Park in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and has been recognized as the club, district, region and na- tional Sertoman of the Year 2009 for his work in the community. In addition, he was recently named a Hero of the Heartland by the Red Cross for his commu- nity impact and is currently developing a Feeding America Backpack Program with the community school district to supply food to children on weekends when they are away from school. He also is researching juvenile macular disorders utilizing retinal tomography to detect the subtle retinal cell changes found in these disorders. The goal of obtaining advanced education in optometry should be considered by all optometrists for their personal growth as clinicians. Dr. Moehnke feels the MSCVR program is an excel- lent method to achieve this goal and the rewards are worth the time invested to receive it. D R . M OEHNKE Dr. Hannon Smith, 39, of Port Saint Joe, Florida, passed away in his sleep at his Panama City home on June 27 of a sudden illness. A graduate of Port Saint Joe High School, he ob- tained a Bachelor of Science degree fromFlorida State University, and received his Doctor of Optometry de- gree from Nova Southeastern University in 1998. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jack and Thetis Smith of Guntersville, Alabama, and Frank Han- non of Port Saint Joe. He is survived by his parents, Roy and Frann Smith, his brother, Andy Smith, and his grandmother, Dorothy Hannon, all of Port Saint Joe, and was loved by a very special friend, Nicky Zurback. Additionally, he is survived by numerous other loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and his classmate and best friend, Dr. Michael Williams (’99). He was a member of Kappa Alpha social fraternity. His family and friends were his treasures. A man of quick wit and quiet humor, Dr. Smith spread a feeling of warmth and caring on all hemet. The funeral was held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Port Saint Joe on July 1. According to Dr. Mark Marciano (’98), “Hannon always had a love of life and was liked by everyone. His welcoming smile always made those around him happy. And his wrinkled shirts and ties always brought a smile. He will be missed.” In Memoriam:Hannon Smith, O.D. MSCVR Program Graduate Dr. Terry Moehnke Recounts Program Highlights