Press Release

Oregon Optometric Physicians Association Installs Board Members and Hosts Award Ceremony

RELEASE: April 10, 2024
CONTACT: Geoff Knapp, Executive Director; [email protected]; 971-282-3292

Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA) elected its 2024-2025 board of directors during its annual meeting held April 4-7 at Salishan Coastal Lodge, Gleneden Beach, OR.

Those elected to the board include:

President - Craig Bowen, OD (Tualatin Eye Associates, Tualatin, OR)
President-Elect – William Hefner, OD (Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, OR)
Immediate Past President – Derri Sandberg, OD (Lifetime Vision Care, Bend, OR)
Senior Past President – Darrin Fleming, OD (Sterling Vision, Eugene, OR)
Secretary/Treasurer – Yelena Galuza, OD (Woodburn Vision Source, Woodburn, OR)
Board Member at Large – Mila Ioussifova, OD (South Waterfront Eye Care, Portland, OR)
Board Member at Large - Emilee Nehring, OD (Woodburn Vision Source, Woodburn, OR)
Board Member at Large – Shaina Sullivan, OD (Charles McBride, Optometrist, Beaverton, OR)

President Ronald L. Benner, OD, representing the American Optometric Association (AOA) presided over the installation of officers ceremony.

The Annual Awards ceremony recognized the following:

Student Award – Amanda Ackerson (Pacific University College of Optometry)
Special Industry Award - Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute
Advocacy Award - Emilee Nehring, OD (Woodburn Vision Source)
President’s Award - Gabby Marshall, OD, FCOVD (Elemental Eyecare)
Young OD of the Year - Ayla Jade Himmelsbach, OD (Multnomah Vision Clinic)
OD of the Year Award - Nicole Rush, OD (Bandon Vision Center)
Social Media Award - Mila Ioussifova, OD (South Waterfront Eye Care)
Distinguished Service Award – Lynne Olson (OOPA)

*Photos available upon request.

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Optometrists to offer free diabetic eye exams to underserved Oregonians
RELEASE:              October 31, 2023
CONTACT:            Geoff Knapp, 971-282-3292; [email protected]

Milwaukie, OR – Oregon Foundation for Vision Awareness (OFVA), in partnership with Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA), has launched a program offering no cost diabetic eye exams and glasses to patients who otherwise cannot afford care. Entitled “Eyes on Diabetes”, the program will be available at participating locations throughout the state in November in alignment with American Diabetes Month activities.

 According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 360,000 adults in Oregon have been diagnosed with diabetes. An additional 93,000 Oregonians have diabetes but are unaware of the condition and more than a million individuals have prediabetes.

 “Optometric physicians are often the first health care providers to diagnose diabetes because they are able to see changes to the retina,” said Dr. Rachel Martel, OFVA board chair. “In addition to diabetic retinopathy and refractive error changes, diabetic patients are at much higher risk for glaucoma, cataracts and other sight-threatening eye conditions,” she said.

 As part of November’s awareness campaign, participating doctors of optometry will provide care to uninsured or underinsured individuals in need.

 “Diabetes is responsible for over one million amputations each year, a large percentage of cataracts, and at least 5% of blindness worldwide,” said Dr. Derri Sandberg, OOPA president. “Many early symptoms of diabetes are too mild to notice,” she added. “Early detection is key to avoiding health complications that can often be debilitating.”

 Those who do not have insurance coverage or are underinsured and have been diagnosed with diabetes or suspect that they may have symptoms related to the disease, may learn more about a participating optometrist in their region by visiting OFVA.

 OFVA is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission and goals are to provide education and charitable services related to eye care to various segments of the general population and underprivileged individuals. This year, OFVA’s goal is to help diabetic patients establish care with optometric physicians to prevent blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.

 OOPA is a statewide organization comprised of doctors of optometry, college of optometry faculty, optometric students, and industry related associates. Its mission is to promote, protect and advance the professional practice of optometry.

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Press Release Archives

RELEASE: July 12, 2022
Dr. Gabby Marshall Elected to National Board of Optometry

The American Optometric Association (AOA) Board of Trustees have unanimously elected Gabby Marshall, O.D. as one of four new members to the board of directors for AOAExcel.

Click here to read full release

RELEASE: October 19, 2020
Associations unite to promote comprehensive eye exams 

Salem, OR – Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (OSSA) is partnering with Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA) to encourage all Oregonians to make 2020 the year to make an in-person comprehensive eye exam. 

More information may be found at https://oregonsheriffs.org/2020eyeexam/  

Release August 10, 2020

Nicole Rush, OD, president of the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association’s board of directors, was announced today as one of Vision Monday’s “Most Influential Women in Optical.”  Click here to read full release 

 RELEASE: July 26, 2020

Oregon Optometric Physicians Association Elects Board of Directors

Milwaukie, OR – The Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA) elected its 2021-2022 board of directors during its annual meeting held July 23. 

Click here for full release

RELEASE: January 27, 2021

Oregon Optometrists Appointed to National Committees

Dr. Ashley McFerron and Dr. Nathan Roland joining American Optometric Association committees

Click here for full press release