Beta Sigma Kappa - International Optometric Honor Society

The Central World Council directs and manages the affairs of the Society. CWC members elect officers every two years.

Current Officers

Chancellor
William H. Ridder, III, OD, PhD

William H. Ridder,III, OD, PhD is a tenured Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University where he teaches courses in Ocular Physiology and Neurophysiology of Amblyopia, and runs the Electrodiagnostic Service. He is also the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies. He received his OD degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and his PhD from the University of Houston. His areas of interest include animal and human electrophysiology and human visual performance. He has published over 55 papers in refereed journals, 4 book chapters, and has given over 125 invited lectures at major meetings in the United States, Asia, and Europe. He is on the editorial board of Documenta Ophthalmologica and the Austin Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. Dr. Ridder is a member of the American Academy of Optometry, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology and Vision, the Society for Neuroscience, the Vision Sciences Society, and the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society.

Chancellor-Elect
Greta Gregg, OD, FAAO

Dr. Gregg completed her bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She then received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating in 2019. Following her residency in ocular disease and primary care at ICO, Dr. Gregg joined the faculty. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Optometry at ICO, working with students and residents in various clinical settings, including glaucoma, urgent care, contact lenses, and geriatric care. She also teaches the clinical methods and procedures course to second-year students. Dr. Gregg received the Teacher of the Year award in 2021. Additionally, she serves as an advisor to students in the ICO chapter of Beta Sigma Kappa. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and an active member of both the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association.

Vice-Chancellor
Natalie West, OD

Dr. Natalie West is an Associate Professor at the UAB School of Optometry. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from Troy University before receiving her Doctor of Optometry from the UAB School of Optometry. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at the UAB School of Optometry, where she saw a very diverse population of patients, including primary care, vision therapy, mild traumatic brain injury, autistic and developmentally delayed patients, as well as students at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. Dr. West is course director for Methods and Procedures I and II, as well as the Pediatric Optometry course. She sees patients in the pediatric clinic, Infant Aphakia clinic, and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind clinic. In her spare time, Dr. West enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys. .

Secretary/Treasurer
Ilana Gelfond-Polnariev, OD, FCOVD.

Dr. Gelfond-Polnariev is a 2002 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She completed a residency in Vision Therapy and Head Trauma Rehabilitation at the State University of New York College of Optometry, where she continues to be an Assistant Clinical Professor working with fourth years students in a pediatric clinic for over nine years. Dr. Gelfond also has a successful private practice in Staten Island, NY in which she specializes in vision therapy and head trauma rehabilitation for children and adults. She is a recipient of the Dr. Martin Birnbaum honorary award for extensive knowledge in behavioral vision therapy. She is currently a NYS coordinator for College of Optometrist in Visual Development (COVD), Board Member at Children’s Vision Coalition in New York State, and National Treasurer for Beta Sigma Kappa organization. She is a member of the Allied Health Staff at Staten Island University Hospital.

Executive Director
Mira Silbert Aumiller, OD, FAAO

After completing her undergraduate degree at Rutgers Universtiy, Dr. Aumiller completed her optometric training at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2002. She completed her residency in primary care optometry at The Eye Institute of PCO in 2003. Dr. Aumiller currently serves as an attending optometrist at the Wilmington VA Medical Center where she works directly in patient care as well as supervision over students and residents. She holds adjunct faculty positions with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, the State University of New York, and the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Aumiller is certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry in Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry (ACMO) and has attained board certification in medical optometry by the ABCMO. She has been an active fellow of the American Academy of Optometry since 2004. She has had multiple publications and actively serves as a peer-reviewer for multiple ophthalmic journals. Dr. Aumiller has also served as a course reviewer for national educational programs through the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) and the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) since 2006. Along with her duties as Chancellor for BSK, Dr. Aumiller has acted as the executive director since 2012.

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Board of Regents

The Board of Regents reviews applications for Beta Sigma Kappa research grants and makes recommendations to the CWC.

Willard B. Bleything, OD, MS, FAAO, FCOVD, FNAPO
Chair
Dr. Willard B. Bleything holds the rank of Distinguished University Professor of Optometry and Public Health and has also served as Director of Graduate and International Programs within the College of Optometry, Pacific University, Oregon. Prior to this he served for 17 years as dean of Optometry at Pacific University and prior to this practiced in Central Oregon for a period16 years. His research interests center around health care delivery issues including international optometry as well as pediatric optometry. He has over 47 publications in various professional journals and has lectured widely in countries such as China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and Germany. He has been recognized of his interests with the following awards: International Optometrist of the Year Award, World Council of Optometry, 2002; The Armand Bastien Certificate for Service to the International Optometric Community Award, Societe d' Optometrie d' Europe and the Optometric Extension Program Foundation, 2002; and, the Skeffington – Alexander International Award, Optometric Extension Program Foundation, 2006

Ann E. Clark, OD, FAAO
Dr. Clark has been on staff at the Wheaton Eye Clinic in Wheaton, IL since 1993. She is certified by the Illinois Board of Optometric Examiners for the practice of optometry and in the use of diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents. Her specialty areas include pre-operative and post-operative co-management of cataract and refractive surgery patients, visual rehabilitation following retinal surgery and geriatrics.

Dr Clark did her undergraduate training at Michigan State University, where she was a member of the Honors College. She graduated cum laude from the Illinois College of Optometry, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Visual Science degree in 1976 and Doctor of Optometry degree in 1978.

Dr Clark is a member of the American Academy of Optometry and was made a Fellow in 1987. From 1988 through 2010, she served as an officer for the Primary Care Section of the AAO, acting as section chair from 2004-2008. In addition to the national level of the AAO, Dr Clark is a member of the Illinois Chapter and is a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Honorary Fraternity.

She serves as a course reviewer for national educational programs through the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) and the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE). Dr Clark is a reviewer for grant proposals for Beta Sigma Kappa and the American Optometric Foundation (AOF).

Anthony P. Cullen, MSc, OD, Ph.D., DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, DipCLP
Dr. Tony Cullen is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo where he taught full-time in the School of Optometry from 1978 to 2004 and also served as Director of the School. He was cross-appointed to the Departments of Biology and Systems Engineering. He holds academic credentials in optometry, ophthalmology, vision science, radiation biology and ocular therapeutics. His clinical experience includes private primary care and contact lens practice, hospital and military optometry, and academic optometry and ophthalmology. He is a Past President and Life Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Life Fellow of the College of Optometrists (UK). Dr. Cullen has served as an advisor to optometric organizations and universities in a number of countries around the world, and acted as a consultant to government agencies and industry. Dr. Cullen has been an invited lecturer in more than thirty countries worldwide and was named the 2001 International Optometrist of the Year by the World Council of Optometry. He has an extensive list of publications including several key textbook chapters. He has been a member of the Editorial Board or referee for more than a dozen journals devoted to optometry, ophthalmology, vision science, physics, photobiology and toxicology. He was designated a Noteworthy Educator by BSK in 1983 and has served on the Board of regents since 2002.

Thomas F. Freddo, OD, Ph.D, FAAO
Dr. Freddo is a semi-retired clinician-scientist, educator, author and health policy consultant. Dr Freddo served for 25 years as Professor of Ophthalmology and Pathology at Boston University School of Medicine where he was Chief of the Surgical Eye Pathology Service and maintained a hospital-based practice of Optometry. He also directed an NIH-funded research program in anterior uveitis and glaucoma for over 20 years, before leaving Boston to serve as Professor and Director of the School of Optometry and Vision Science at The University of Waterloo. He has served on the editorial boards of several top journals, and on various grant review and policy committees for NIH, ARVO, the FDA and the WHO. He served on the Board of the American Academy of Optometry and as the first optometrist President of the International Society for Eye Research. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the BrightFocus Foundation. He has won over a dozen teaching awards across three institutions, has received several named research honors and was named to the Hall of Fame of the American Academy of Optometry. He holds honorary doctorates from the State University of New York and the Université de Montréal and is the author of an award-winning textbook on Anatomy of the Eye and Orbit. He currently maintains part-time positions in the School of Optometry at MCPHS and within the Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He also serves as a Senior Fulbright Specialist, appointed by the US Department of State.

Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, MPH, DrPH
Dr. Elizabeth Hoppe is the Founding Dean and Professor of Optometry at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry. An academic leader with more than 35 years of experience in graduate health professions education, she has guided the College since its establishment in 2007, advancing innovative approaches to curriculum, clinical education, faculty development, accreditation, and interprofessional learning. Dr. Hoppe earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Ferris State University, her Master of Public Health degree from Yale University, and her Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan. Her professional interests include evidence based health care, public health, vision rehabilitation, community engagement, and the preparation of compassionate health professionals who are equipped to serve diverse communities.

Gerald E. Lowther, OD, Ph.D
Dr. Lowther received his B.Sc, O.D., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees from The Ohio State University. He has been on the faculties of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, the Michigan School of Optometry and the School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was professor of Optometry and then dean of Indiana University School of Optometry. Following retirement from Indiana University he was Chair Professor of Vision Science (part-time) under the Distinguished Scholars Program of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University for two years. He is a past-president of the American Academy of Optometry, the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and the International Society for Contact Lens Research and past chair of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators. He served as the chair of the Education Committee of the World Council of Optometry from 2011 to 2017.. He was co-editor of both the International Contact Lens Clinic journal and the Contact Lens Update series. He has carried out an active clinical research program in the areas of contact lens materials, contact lens design, aftercare problems, care systems, and dry eye. He has served on FDA panels. He received the John Neill Medal from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Award for Distinguished Research on the Cornea and Contact Lenses from the University of Houston College of Optometry, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards, and gave the 1994 Max Shapero Memorial Lecture at the American Academy of Optometry meeting. Dr. Lowther was elected as a distinguished scholar to the National Academies of Practice and Life Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry and inducted into the Optometry Hall of Fame. He received an honorary Ph.D. degree from the Ramkamhaeng University in Bangkok, Thailand. He has authored three books, numerous chapters for other books and has over 100 published papers. He has lectured extensively nationally and internationally including in Europe, Australia, Africa, South America, Thailand and China.

Joan A. Stelmack, OD, MPH
Joan Stelmack received her OD from Illinois College of Optometry and her MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. At the Hines VA Hospital Blind Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Stelmack serves as Co-Director of the Optometry Residency in Ocular Disease/Low Vision Rehabilitation, Preceptor of a Low Vision Rehabilitation Rotation for ICO students, Supervisor of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic and Director of the Low Vision Research Program. Dr. Stelmack also serves a Director of the Low Vision Service at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine.

Dr. Stelmack has faculty appointments at Illinois College of Optometry and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine. Dr. Stelmack is a past Chair of the AOA Low Vision Rehabilitation Section. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate in the Public Health Section.

Dr. Stelmack’s research focuses on the outcomes of vision rehabilitation. She directed development and validation of the 48-item and the 20-item Low Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaires used by patients with low vision to self-report the difficulty they have performing daily activities before and after vision rehabilitation. Dr. Stelmack is the principal investigator for two clinical trials measuring outcomes of low vision rehabilitation for patients with macular diseases, VA Low Vision Intervention Trial and VA Low Vision Intervention Trial II.

David Troilo, PhD, FAAO, FARVO
Dr. David Troilo is the 4th President of the SUNY College of Optometry, having been selected by the State University of New York Board of Trustees in 2024 to serve the state’s only college of optometry.Prior to this role, Dr. Troilo joined SUNY College of Optometry as Professor, Vice President, and Dean for Academic Affairs in July 2008. As the chief academic officer, he oversaw the professional degree program in optometry and the graduate degree programs (PhD and MS) in vision science. His responsibilities also included faculty development, residency training programs, library services, and continuing professional education.

Dr. Troilo has made advancing research at the College a priority, developing collaborative initiatives in basic, translational, and clinical eye and vision research. In collaboration with the University Eye Center, which sees approximately 60,000 patient encounters annually, and clinical faculty researchers, he co-founded the College’s Clinical Vision Research Center (CVRC) in 2013. Since then, the CVRC has conducted more than 100 clinical studies and trials that enhance patient care.

Dr. Troilo is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). His principal research interest is the visual control of eye growth and the mechanisms of myopia development and control. His research has been funded by the NIH and industry sponsors for over 30 years.

Dr. Troilo is a graduate of SUNY State College at Oswego and earned his Ph.D. in Biology from the City University of New York at the City College of New York. He held post-doctoral research fellowships at the University Laboratories of Physiology at the University of Oxford and the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and the Department of Psychology at Cornell University.

Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD
Karla Zadnik is the Associate Dean at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. She received her OD and PhD degrees from the University of California , Berkeley School of Optometry. She was on the clinical faculty of the University of California , Davis School of Medicine for 14 years. In 1999, she became the Glenn A. Fry Professor in Optometry and Physiological Optics at Ohio State . She chairs the Biomedical Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the IRB Policy Committee for Ohio State. Professor Zadnik is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Diplomate of its Section on Cornea and Contact Lenses, the Immediate Past President of the Academy, and chair of the American Optometric Association’s Council on Research. She received the American Optometric Foundation’s Glenn A. Fry Award in 1995 and the Ohio Optometric Association’s Warren G. and Ruth P. Morris Optometrist of the Year Award in 2009. She served on the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Eye Institute (NEI)/National Institutes of Health from 2000 to 2004.