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Sharanjit Burmy, OD
SUNY College of Optometry
New York, N.Y.

Born in London, England, Burmy immigrated to Canada when she was nine years old. After receiving her BSC from the University of British Columbia, she moved to New York City to pursue her OD.

At school, Burmy was president of her class for the past three years. She has also been an active volunteer since she was a young teenager.

“Optometry has been more than I anticipated it to be, allowing students and optometrists to be more involved with their communities, while more importantly allowing the clinician to participate in the overall general healthcare of their patients.”

Next year, Burmy will begin a residency in Ocular Disease at SUNY College of Optometry. After that, she hopes to teach part-time at an optometry school while working in a private practice.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: "Sharanjit represents the best and brightest among our students. Not only did she achieve excellence in the clinical and didactic portions of our program, but she was a dynamic student leader."

Marlena Chu, OD
UC Berkeley School of Optometry
Berkeley, Calif.

As an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, Chu was an outstanding student, whose grades and enthusiasm made a lasting impact on her professors. She was elected co-president of her class and appointed as a member of the School Admissions Committee.

“Optometry allows me to not only care for my patient’s vision needs, but to be part of their lives.”

Soon she will enter a Low Vision Residency program at UC Berkeley, where she plans to further her clinical experience while helping a neighborhood to which she feels a strong connection.

“I am very excited to serve the low vision needs in the Bay Area, a population dear to me, and also to work with the always amazing duo of Dr. Robert Greer and Dr. Ian Bailey.”

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “At Berkeley, Ms. Chu has excelled both in the classroom and in clinical patient care.”

Jessica Mai, OD
University of Missouri
St. Louis School of Optometry
St. Louis, Mo.

Graduating on the Dean’s List with honors, Mai is the recipient of the 2008 Contact Lens Faculty Clinical Excellence Award, the 2008 Student Ambassador Award, and the 2008 Missouri Optometric Foundation Clinical Experience Award.

“I believe that optometry is an outstanding profession and I am proud to be a part of it. I am forever grateful to those who paved the way and made optometry what it is today. During my career, I hope to continue to be involved in promoting the profession and moving it forward for future generations.”

Mai plans to work in a multidisciplinary clinic in Kansas.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “She was one of two graduates who distinguished himself/herself with the honor of Dean’s List with Honors.”

Ashley K. McFerron, OD
Northeastern State University
Oklahoma College of Optometry

Talequah, Okla. McFerron is a recipient of many awards, including the NSUOCO Clinical Excellence Award, the NSU Honor Society Award, the Vistakon Award of Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care, and the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Scholarship.

In 2006, McFerron founded the Bedlam Optometry Clinic, which provides healthcare for the uninsured in the city of Tulsa.

McFerron recently moved to Portland, Ore. and will be practicing primary care optometry with a special interest in contact lenses in Woodburn, Ore.

She has high hopes for the future of optometry. “I think the profession is moving in a positive direction. There are so many things changing and so much research going on. I think things will only get more interesting.”

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Ashley McFerron is an outstanding female graduate.”

Melissa Schroeder, OD
Indiana University School of Optometry
Bloomington, Ind.

Schroeder served as the Indiana University Optometric Student Association Trustee, increasing membership and attendance of the organization. While at school, she was a strong advocate for IU, leading tours, and hosting prospective lunches.

Schroeder has a positive outlook for her optometric future and the future of the profession in general. “I am excited to be entering the great profession of optometry. Optometry has made impressive advancements in the past few decades, and it is important for members of the profession to take interest in our future.”

Schroeder will be joining Urbandale Optical, a group private practice in Urbandale, Iowa.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Melissa Schroeder is successful both in the classroom and out. There is no doubt in my mind that she will continue her advocacy for the profession and make an impact wherever she goes.”

Anita Ticak, OD
Ohio State University College of Optometry
Columbus, Ohio

After struggling with visual problems at a young age, Ticak “developed a passion for eyecare early on,” she related, and since then, she hasn’t looked back.

Ticak recently completed a Master’s Degree in Vision Science concurrently with her Doctor of Optometry degree.

A recipient of the AOA Student Leadership Award and the OOA Senior Student Award, Ticak served as President of the OSU Optometry chapter of the AOA and the AOA-PAC.

“Never have I seen such a group of committed, giving and passionate people as is seen in optometry.”

Ticak is currently doing a Cornea and Contact Lens Residency at the University of Houston College of Optometry.

HER SCHOOL SAYS: “Anita has been an active student organization participant and leader throughout optometry school.” ■