2. NAP Class of 2011
National Academies of Practice
March 26, 2011

3. Optometry Academy
Douglas P. Benoit, OD
Distinguished Practitioner
Dr. Douglas Benoit received his optometric degree from New England College of Optometry. Since
receiving his optometric degree he has given back to the profession educating practitioners with
more than 90 presentations, 13 publications and numerous scientific posters. As a clinician in
Concord New Hampshire promoting “Healthy Eyes” and preserving his patient’s vision, he has
promoted the science of contact lenses as a clinical investigator bringing multiple lens designs and
solution regimes to the marketplace. As a leader in the field, he has devoted time to the discipline of
Contact Lens fitting and management ascending to the Chair of the Section on Cornea, Contact
Lenses and Refractive Technologies of the American Academy of Optometry. He is an advisor to the
Gas Permeable lens Institute and has been the education chair of the New England Council of
Optometrists. He has always strived to promote excellence of our profession serving as a clinical
examiner on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and president on the Board of
Optometry, State of New Hampshire. Dr. Benoit has always has a strong affiliation to his local
community by serving as a Lion’s Club Volunteer and receiving a Recognition Award numerous
times. He has also received the Robert Morgan Community Health Service Award. Dr. Benoit has
been voted one of the top 3 optometrists in New Hampshire by peers and now is being recognized as
one of the top 150 Optometrists in the country.
Larry J. Davis, OD, FAAO, (DipCL)
Distinguished Scholar
Larry J. Davis is Dean in the College of Optometry at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Under his
leadership the faculty revised faculty governance, college strategic plan and outcomes measures. He
helped advance several initiatives to improve the college facilities, including an architectural
rendering to co-locate the Colleges of Nursing and Optometry. College endowment funds doubled
during the period between July 2000 and July 2006 and now total more than $1 million.
He is a graduate of Indiana University (BSVS and OD) and completed residency training at the
University of Missouri Saint Louis. He later joined the faculty there following five years service on
the faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine where
he also served as Director of the Contact Lens Service.
He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and Diplomate of the Cornea and Contact
Lens Section. He has served on the Scientific Program Committee of the Academy. He is a member of
the Board of Directors and President of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and Past-
President of the Heart of America Contact Lens Society. He served as President of the Association of
Schools and Colleges of Optometry and the Saint Louis Optometric Society (SLOS). He has been
recognized as Outstanding Optometric Educator of the Year by students at UM-St. Louis,
Optometrist of the Year and Distinguished Optometrist by SLOS.
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4. Dr. Davis’s area of academic specialization is cornea, contact lenses and anterior segment ocular
disease with emphasis in refractive management of the diseased and/or injured eye. He has authored
or co-authored more than 50 scientific papers, book chapters and abstracts.
David A. Heath, OD, EdM
Distinguished Scholar
Dr. David A. Heath has served the 3rd President of the State University of New York State College of
Optometry since June 2007 and holds the rank of Professor. The State University of New York State
College of Optometry, founded in 1971, is dedicated to the education of optometrists, to the
advancement of eye and vision care through research and graduate education, and to the care of
communities through the provision of comprehensive visual health services. The College of
Optometry is a doctoral degree granting, research institution with approximately 300 students.
Prior to his current appointment, Dr. Heath was at The New England College of Optometry where
he served as Vice President/Dean of Academic Affairs (2000-2006), and Dean of Academic Affairs
(1994-2006). He was on the faculty of The New England College from 1984 and attained the rank of
Professor of Optometry in 1994. Dr. Heath received his BA from Ithaca College in 1976; his Doctor of
Optometry from The New England College of Optometry in 1983; completed his residency in 1984;
and his Masters in Education from Harvard University in 1992.
With approximately ninety scholarly publications and/or presentations to his credit, Dr. Heath is
best known for his work in educational program development and international vision care. In 2001
and 2007, Dr. Heath was the recipient of the Jack Bennett Innovation in Education Award from the
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry for his leadership in optometric education
nationally. In 2008, he received the “Distinguished Service Award” from the New England College of
Optometry Alumni Association.
Internationally, Dr. Heath has worked extensively in China with the Wenzhou Medical College, the
Ministry of Public Health and the medical education system to increase the quantity and quality of
primary eye care providers in China. In 2002, he was recognized by China’s Ministry of Health and
appointed as the Honorary Director of the National Optometry Research Center in Wenzhou, PRC,
in 2008 received the “YanDang Friendship Award” from the city of Wenzhou, and in 2009 the “West
Lake Award” from the Governor of Zhejiang Province for his contributions to the community.
Dr. Heath is highly active nationally, providing service to organizations such as the Association of
Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO); the American Optometric Association, and the New
York State Optometric Association. Most recently, Dr Heath was appointed by ASCO to serve are
their representative member on the Board of Directors of the newly formed organization, the
American Board of Optometry.
The College of Optometry is one of the 64 campuses which constitute the State’s comprehensive
public university system.
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5. Dominick Maino, OD, MEd, FAAO, FCOVD-A
Distinguished Practitioner
Dr. Dominick Maino is a Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at the Illinois Eye Institute/Illinois
College of Optometry and is in private practice. He graduated from the Illinois College of
Optometry, received his MEd at the University of Illinois Chicago and Bachelor’s degree from Beloit
College. Dr. Maino is the past Director of the Institute for Advanced Competency Post-Graduate
Continuing Education Program, an Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics/Binocular Vision at the Centro
Boston de Optometria in Madrid Spain, and the Director of the Developmental Disabilities Service at
the Neumann Association. He is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Optometry and the
College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and holds membership in the American & Illinois
Optometric Associations, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, and the Artists of Casa
Italia.
Dr. Maino serves as the editor of Optometry and Vision Development, has authored approximately 200
books, chapters, and articles. Has given more than 100 presentations worldwide and is a co-author of
the ASCOTech column for Optometric Education and is currently the associate, consulting, and/or
contributing editor/manuscript reviewer for numerous publications. Dr. Maino has received
recognition for his work from the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, College of
Optometrists in Vision Development, Optometric Editors Association, and the Easter Seal Society of
Metropolitan Chicago. He is an internationally recognized expert on oculo-visual problems of
children and adults with disabilities. His research interests include special populations, pediatrics,
and binocular vision dysfunction. Dr. Maino’s avocations include website design, blogging, music
and photography.
Douglas K. Penisten, OD, PhD, FAAO
Distinguished Practitioner
Douglas Penisten received the OD and PhD degrees from Indiana University. From 1980-1984, he
served as the Acting Head and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Optometry at the University of
the North, Republic of South Africa. At that time, this was the only optometry program serving
black students in South Africa.
In 1988, Dr. Penisten joined the faculty at the Oklahoma College of Optometry, Northeastern State
University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. In 2009, Professor Penisten was appointed Dean of the
Oklahoma College of Optometry.
In addition to his teaching, patient care, and administrative duties, Dr. Penisten has a long and active
history of service to the profession. His experiences in South Africa inspired his passion for
international outreach teaching and for over thirty years he has delivered lectures and workshops all
over the world.
Dr. Penisten has served in many professional organizations, including the American Optometric
Association, Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, National Board of Examiners in
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6. Optometry, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, American Academy of Optometry, and
World Council of Optometry.
Dr. Penisten has received over fifteen teaching awards from his students and in 2002 he was honored
for his contributions to optometric education when he was awarded the Michael G. Harris Family
Award for Excellence in Optometric Education from the American Academy of Optometry. In 2008,
Dr. Penisten was inducted into the “Pioneers in Optometry Hall of Fame” of the Oklahoma
Association of Optometric Physicians.
Richard W. Phillips, OD, FAAO
Distinguished Practitioner
Dr. Richard W. Phillips graduated from Milligan College in 1974 and Southern College of Optometry
in 1978. He was in private practice, forming Tennessee’s first optometry/ophthalmology partnership
(John Wilson Eye Clinic) until accepting the position of Executive Director of TLC Laser Eye
Centers – TriCities in 1996. Dr. Phillips served as Regional Executive Director for Tennessee
Operations until 2006, and additionally served as Regional Clinical Director Advisor for the
Southeast United States. He has published many articles and lectured internationally on the subject
of refractive surgery. He became President of Southern College of Optometry in May 2007.
Dr. Phillips is a Past President of the Tennessee Optometric Association as well as the Tennessee
Academy of Optometry. He was awarded Tennessee Optometrist of the Year in 1998. He is a Fellow
of the American Academy of Optometry. He has served as a member of the New Technologies
Committee of the American Optometric Association, as well as the Refractive Surgery Committee.
Additionally, he served as Chair of the Professional Relations Committee of that organization and
was appointed to the Healthy Eyes, Healthy People Oversight Committee. He is a Past President of
SECO International. He Chairs the Clinical Affairs Committee for the Association of Schools and
Colleges of Optometry, and serves as liaison from the ASCO board to the Clinical Directors SIG and
Practice Management Educators SIG. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Tennessee
College Association, and is on the Board of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities
Association.
Christopher Quinn, OD, FAAO
Distinguished Practitioner
Dr. Christopher Quinn has committed his career to the service and advancement of the profession of
optometry. He established an optometric referral center in 1986 with the goal of fostering
collaborative and cooperative patient care between community optometrists and surgically skilled
ophthalmologists. Today this practice includes 15 doctors, 5 offices, an accredited ambulatory
surgical facility and a laser refractive facility. They provide care to thousands of patients each year on
a referral only basis. Our practice has served as an educational resource to the profession. Dr. Quinn’s
group has established a robust student externship program with 6 different schools and colleges of
optometry, an accredited residency program, and an active program of external optometric
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7. education for post-graduate optometric physicians in the community. He has been honored to
provide education to the optometric community via publications, as well as hundreds of national
and international presentations on eye disease related topics. He feels privileged to serve the
profession in our state and national association. He has also served as State President of the New
Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians and now serves as a member of the American Optometric
Association Board of Trustees. Dr. Quinn is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a
founding member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society, and a member of the American Public Health
Association.
Christina M. Sorenson, OD, FAAO, ABCMO
Distinguished Practitioner
Dr. Sorenson received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis
before completing her residency at the Kansas City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
in Low Vision Rehabilitation. She has practiced optometry at Mayo Clinic Arizona, Department of
Ophthalmology, Scottsdale, Arizona, and recently has been appointed Dean of Clinical Instruction at
the Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry in Glendale, Arizona. She is a Fellow of
the American Academy of Optometry as well as a member of both the Arizona and American
Optometric Associations who named her Arizona Optometrist of the Year in 2006. She has served as
a member of the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) Board of Directors since
2003 and was the President of ARBO in both 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Dr. Sorenson was
appointed by the Governor of Arizona to the Arizona State Board of Optometry in 2001 and served
as its Vice-President and President.
Dr. Sorenson was President of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) 2009 - 2010.
Since joining the National Board in 2006, Dr. Sorenson has previously served as Secretary-Treasurer
and has been a member of several NBEO examination development committees as well as the Vice-
Chair of the 2006 National Board Examination Restructure Task Force.
Mary Jo Stiegemeier, OD, FAAO, Dipl.
Distinguished Practitioner
Dr. Stiegemeier is in private practice in Beachwood and Hudson, Ohio where she specializes in
therapeutic contact lens fitting. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry
where she earned the Bausch and Lomb Contact Lens Award. Dr. Stiegemeier was also presented
with a Distinguished Teaching Award from Mt. Sinai Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr. Stiegemeier is the 2009 recipient of the American Optometric Association Cornea and Contact
Lens Section Luminary Award for Distinguished Practice.
Dr. Stiegemeier currently enjoys a faculty appointment as an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at
Pacific College of Optometry. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Diplomate
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8. in Cornea and Contact Lens, a member of the American Optometric Association, and a member of
the AOA Contact Lens Section.
Dr. Stiegemeier is one of the founding board members of Women of Vision, an organization
dedicated to helping female optometrists. Dr. Stiegemeier represented the American Academy of
Optometry on The Joint Board Certification Project Team. Dr. Stiegemeier is the immediate past
Vice Chairman of The American Board of Optometry and is currently serving on the American Board
of Optometry as secretary.
Dr. Stiegemeier has lectured extensively on the topic of contact lenses, has done numerous clinical
studies and pre-market tests, as well as research in the area of contact lenses, contact lens solutions
and pharmaceuticals. She has authored or co-authored several scientific publications and abstracts.
Andrea P. Thau, OD, FAAO, FCOVD
Distinguished Practitioner
Andrea P. Thau, OD, FAAO, FCOVD is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a
Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She is an associate clinical professor
and former chair of Admissions at the SUNY State College of Optometry. Dr. Thau was elected to
the Board of Trustees of the American Optometric Association in 2007. Prior to her election to the
AOA Board, she served as the first woman president of the New York State Optometric Association,
the New York Academy of Optometry, and the Optometric Society of the City of New York. Dr.
Thau is a former member of the Executive Board of the College of Optometrists in Vision
Development.
Dr. Thau is a founder of the AOA's InfantSEE® public health program. Created in 2005, this program
provides no cost vision assessments to every baby in this country. This program was created at the
request of President Jimmy Carter and is designed to help our country’s children maximize their
visual development and potential. She is a founding member and former vice president of the New
York Children's Vision Coalition, a multi-disciplinary coalition dedicated to ensuring that every
child in New York receives an eye examination prior to school entry. Dr. Thau has served as the
Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee alternate for optometry in New York State since 1997. A
champion of children’s vision, she has been called upon to advocate on their behalf at the state and
national level including as a speaker at a Congressional staff briefing. Dr. Thau is a nationally
recognized lecturer in the area of infant’s and children’s vision. As a spokesperson for the American
Optometric Association, Dr. Thau has been featured on national television, radio, and print to
educate the public about eye and vision care. She is the recipient of numerous awards including New
York State Optometrist of the Year, SUNY Optometry Alumnus of the Year, and Vision Monday’s 20
Most Influential Women in Optical. Dr. Thau is the owner of a 4-woman group private primary care
practice on Park Avenue in Manhattan with special emphasis on children's vision and vision
therapy.
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9. John C. Whitener, OD, MPH
Distinguished Practitioner
Dr. Whitener graduated from Illinois College of Optometry and received a master’s degree in public
health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He provided clinical care in the Army
Reserve at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for 15 years and served as an optometrist during
Dessert Storm. He was hired by the American Optometric Association (AOA) in their Washington,
DC office where his responsibilities included interacting with staff at government agencies, such as
the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control, as well as various health
professions' associations and Congress. He was the founding staff person for AOA’s Council on
Research, Public Health and Disease Prevention Committee, Healthy Eyes Healthy People
Committee, and the Low Vision Section.
In 2002, he was instrumental in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the AOA
and the Department of Health and Human Services to help achieve the objectives of Healthy People
2010. The MOU was renewed in 2006.
Dr. Whitener has been an active participant in the American Public Health Association (APHA)
serving on the Nominating Committee, Chair of the Vision Care Section, Section Councilor,
Governing Council, and Awards Chair and as member of the Action Board. In 2002, he received
APHA Vision Care Section’s prestigious “Distinguished Service Award” and in 2010 the
“Outstanding Scientific Project Award”.
Currently, he serves as Chief of Staff of the Commission on Vision and Health. He is adjunct faculty
at Salus University where he also serves on the Masters in Public Health Advisory Committee.
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