December 8, 2005

Southern Eye's Sonya Smoak, O.D., F.A.A.O., and Karmen Holdinghausen, O.D., F.A.A.O., attended Academy 2005 San Diego on December 8-11, 2005, in San Diego, California. Academy 2005 San Diego was the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry. The theme of the meeting was “Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Practice™: Rx for the Future.” Highlights of the meeting included almost 300 hours of continuing education courses, scientific presentations and an exhibit hall with more than 260 booths. More than 3,800 optometrists, vision care professionals, vision scientists, and optometry students from around the world attended this prestigious meeting.

At this year’s Annual Meeting, Drs. Smoak and Holdinghausen were awarded Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. Professionals who become Fellows of the Academy must complete a rigorous candidacy process. Candidates submit extensive written work and must also pass an oral examination. A panel of leading optometrists and vision scientists must approve both the written work and oral examination. Les than ten percent of practicing optometrists are Fellows of the Academy. “Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry constantly strive for the highest professional standards. The Annual Meetings are recognized as presenting the latest in research and information on patient and vision care,” said Joe Yager, President of the Academy.

Dr. Sonya Smoak graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon obtaining her degree in May 2003, she pursued and completed an ocular disease residency here at Southern Eye Associates and then joined our practice in June 2004.

Dr. Karmen Holdinghausen graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois, where she maintained a near 4.0 average. She then completed her residency in ocular disease at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at University of Miami in Miami, Florida. Dr. Holdinghausen joined Southern Eye Associates in August 2004.