Model Nomination

DR. W. DAVID SULLINS, JR. INFANTSEE® AWARD

  1. PUBLIC SERVICE FOR INFANTSEE® (WEIGHTED 75%)

Dr. John Smith has, since his graduation from XXXXX College of Optometry, been active in optometric projects and organization. His practice reflects a high caliber of patient relationships and his civic activities are exemplary. The15-year old practice has always encouraged the examination of young children and many of his patients have been very young children.

When InfantSEE® was first proposed, Dr. Smith recognized its potential for public service, and he promptly signed on as a volunteer and a leader in the movement. His success is reflected in the number of ways he fused the examination of infants into his daily practice.

Here are some of the projects he has undertaken:

He has decorated his reception area to reflect his interest in infants and infant vision.

He has special “take one” displays of AOA and other literature on children’s vision, particularly on InfantSEE®.

He and his staff wear InfantSEE®badges that say “Ask Us About InfantSEE®” – encouraging dialogue among staff, patients, and himself on the value of the early examination of infants.

He has spoken at various service clubs (and particularly women’s clubs) on the AOA InfantSEE® program encouraging young mothers and fathers to bring their infants into the office for a comprehensive eye/vision assessment.

He has talked with the local newspaper feature editor and local radio program director, contacts that resulted in a feature story on infants’ vision in the Sunday edition of the paper. He has appeared as a guest expert on the local radio morning talk show.

He includes a paragraph on InfantSEE® in his semi-annual newsletter urging patients to tell acquaintances about the program.

He encourages his colleagues who have hesitated about signing up for InfantSEE® to join the program.

He has opened his office to colleagues to demonstrate some of the latest tests that can be used in infant examinations.

He has had numerous meetings with staff members so they are all fully committed to the program. He examined the infant of one of his staff and an infant of a relative of a staffperson, conclusively demonstrating to all of his staff what can be done.

  1. SERVICE TO OPTOMETRY AND SPECIAL SERVICE (WEIGHTED 25%)

To assist patients and the public to understand and appreciate the scope of optometry better, Dr. Smith has always been active on the public relations front. He is deeply proud of his profession and speaks about it with gusto and confidence. Here are just a few things he has done to advance optometry in the public sector:

As member of the Kiwanis, he has given prepared talks on optometry and has arranged for other optometrists to be speakers about subject such as Sports Vision, Vision Therapy, and Contact Lenses. With the coming of InfantSEE®, he himself has proudly talked on that subject to fellow Kiwanians and their spouses.

He has been active in community affairs working with the Mayor and civic leaders on beautification projects and safety. He headed the Bicycle Safety Programs in 2004.

He is a frequent speaker at other clubs speaking on optometry and related subjects.

He has worked with other groups on local health fairs, hunter safety programs, etc.

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