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  Andrea Buitrago Antonelli, OD
UC Berkeley School of Optometry
Berkeley, Calif.  

Antonelli received the “Gold Retinoscope,” chosen by the faculty and fellow students, recognizing her mastery of skills and the most contributions over four years to the class.

She gained interest in optometry while working for a small practice in Athens, Ga. but after 9/11, moved to New York City where she worked for Deutsche Bank and was involved with The Children’s Aid Society, DonorsChoose.org, and the Colombian American Community Foundation.

Since graduation, Antonelli has relocated to New York with hopes of working in a private practice. She plans to complete a pediatric residency next year. Eventually, she wants to own her own practice.

Her School Says...  .“Antonelli is kind, genuine, and selfless.”

  Kimberly May Dillivan, OD
Michigan College of Optometry
Big Rapids, Mich.  

Dillivan’s accomplishments include being tied for the highest GPA in her class and winning a Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal Award.

She served as a student ambassador for her school, as well as the secretary of both the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and Michigan OSA. Through her involvements in these organizations she was able to join efforts with prospective students, faculty and politicians. Dillivan also collaborated with Dr. William Denton and presented two posters at the Southern Education Congress in Optometry.

In July, she will begin a residency to “gain more experience in ocular disease and patient management” at William Bryan Jennings Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia, S.C.

Her School Says...  “She is an outstanding young graduate.”

  Katie Greiner, OD
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Columbus, Ohio   

Greiner served as president of her class in each of the four years of her study and as president of the Optometry Student Council from 2007 to 2008. Greiner also was on the Gold Key International Senior Honor Society. Her leadership roles in both organizations gave her opportunities to work with students and faculty.

She also was a four-year member in Epsilon Psi Epsilon, Beta Sigma Kappa, AOSA and the Ohio Optometric Association. She maintained three-year memberships in Sports Vision Club, Graduate Organization for Vision Science and the American Academy of Optometry Student Section.

Greiner is graduating in August with her Doctor of Optometry and Masters in Vision Science with plans to complete a residency in Madison, Wis.

Her School Says... “She provided exemplary leadership.”

  Julie K. Hutchinson, OD
Pennsylvania College of
Optometry at Salus University
Elkins Park, Pa.  

At a young age, Hutchinson’s grandmother suffered vision loss due to glaucoma and she points to this experience as her inspiration for pursuing a career in optometry.

This year, she was a recipient of the Alumni Association Award for the highest academic average during four years of professional study. She also was a recipient of the Cooper Vision Excellence in Contact Lens Award and the Beta Sigma Kappa award.

In addition to these honors, Hutchinson also served the student government, SVOSH, tutored classmates and was a teacher’s assistant.

She will complete a residency at the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. After residency, she is interested in splitting her time between working in a hospital and private practice.

Her School Says... “We are very pleased.”

  Erin Christine Jenewein, OD
Nova Southeastern University
College of Optometry
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.   

Jenewein earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Wisconsin as well as Bachelor of Vision Science and a Doctor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University (NSU).

Currently, she is completing a residency in pediatrics and binocular vision at NSU. She has already completed an internship at NSU during 2007-2008 and an externship at Bascum Palmer Eye Institute.

In 2009, Jenewein was awarded a Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal, Dean’s Award, Luxottica Award for Excellence in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy, 2009 Milroy Optical Scholar Award, Dr. Lester Janoff Memorial Award for Excellence and was the student government association president. In 2008, she was awarded a Beta Sigma Kappa student research grant to investigate the impact of
the visual field on a accommodative function.

After she completes her residency in pediatrics and binocular vision at NSU she wants to join a vision therapy practice or teach at an optometry school.

Her School Says...  “Erin’s record is simply outstanding.”

  Teresa Anjali E. Mathew, OD 
University of Missouri St. Louis
School of Optometry
St. Louis, Mo.     

With her newly obtained degree, Mathew wants to promote “healthy lifestyles which will ensure long lasting vision.”

During her time at UMSL, she was a four-year member of Beta Sigma Kappa, served as the vice president of the Student Association for Independent Optometry, and was an American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) member. She also completed a two-week mission with Student Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH).

Mathew will practice in Phoenix, Ariz. and hopes to make healthy lifestyles achievable through adequate patient education.

Her School Says...  “She was a 2009 American Academy of Optometry Carl Zeiss Vision Scholarship award winner.”

  Billi Jayne Prinzen, OD
Illinois College of Optometry
Chicago Ill.   

Prinzen has received a number of honors during her time at ICO. Among these are a AOF-Carl Zeiss Vision Fellowship in 2008, an AOA Student Leadership Award in 2008 and a Cribb Leadership and Service Award. She was named the ICO Class of 2009—Colleague of the Year, received an ICO Faculty Scholarship and a Wildermuth Foundation Scholarship. She also completed a SVOSH mission to El Salvador.

Prinzen recently held positions as president and president-elect of the student association, ICO yearbook editor and was a student representative for ICO’s board of trustees.

She will begin a residency program in Cornea & Contact Lenses at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry and has hopes of teaching someday.

Her School Says...  “She is accomplished academically, clinically and is quite polished.”

  Melanie Shearer, OD
SUNY College of Optometry
New York, N.Y.   

Shearer graduated first in her class and was awarded the Beta Sigma Award, the college’s highest award for excellence. She attributes her high standing in her graduating class to “dedication and hard work.”

She was one of nine students in her class to be a member of the Optometric Honor Society for all four years of her study. During 2007-2008, Dillivan served as secretary for the Leo Club, the student version of the Lion’s Club. Also in 2007, she volunteered to give vision screenings at the Special Olympics sponsored by the Lion’s Club in New York City.

She plans to graduate and marry in August and then return to Rochester, N.Y. to work.

Her School Says...  “Academically, first in her class.”

  Kayla Snipes Vickers, OD  
University of Alabama Birmingham
Birmingham, Ala.  

Vickers completed a doctor of optometry and masters in vision science during her four years at UAB. She attributes much of her success to her “committed and dedicated” advisor, Dr. Janene Sims.

She was a member of the AOSA, SVOSH and served as the community services chair and class representative for NOSA. Also, she volunteered at Cahaba Valley Health and gave vision screenings.

This year, Vickers was awarded one of two professional scholarships given by the U.S. Army.

She is completing an Army Residency at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry and looks forward to the opportunities the Army future holds for her.

Her School Says...  “Academically, the ability to complete a dual degree within a four-year time frame is considered a major accomplishment.”

  Jennifer Hermetz York, OD
Southern College of Optometry
Memphis, Tenn   

York graduated Suma Cum Laude and was her class’s valedictorian.

Her involvements and awards include being a member of Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. She received the $1,000 National Board of Examiners in Optometry Part II Highest Score Award and the Outstanding Clinician Award which is given to seniors by the clinical faculty on the basis of exemplary performance during senior year.

The organizations that she valued and enjoyed the most were Fellowship of Christian Optometrist and Student ambassadors, “...two organizations I truly loved being a part of at SCO,” York said.

York, originally from Meridian, Miss., is planning to practice in her home state in Jackson.

Her School Says...  “A shining example of academic and clinical excellence.”



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