SECO International Announces 2009 Award WinnersSECO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNIZES THE OPTOMETRIST OF THE SOUTH, YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE SOUTH, AND PARAOPTOMETRIC OF THE SOUTH AWARDS DURING SECO 2009ATLANTA (March 6, 2009) — SECO International — one of the largest optometry meetings in the world and one of the most comprehensive sources of continuing education for eye care professionals - announces the recipients of its three prestigious 2009 awards, recognizing significant contributions to the profession of optometry. SECO International named Martha Greenberg, O.D., Optometrist of the South, SECO's highest honor. In addition, Chevron Ergle, O.D., received SECO's Young Optometrist of the South award and Emily Ellison, LDO, CPOT, was named Paraoptometric of the South.SECO International presented the awards to the recipients during the SECO International House of Delegates meeting on Friday, March 6 at 3:45 p.m. at the Omni Hotel, Grand Ballroom in Atlanta, Ga. "Every year SECO recognizes several outstanding individuals for their tremendous contributions to the optometry profession," said Wilburn Lord, Jr., O.D., President of the Southern Council of Optometrists. "This year, we are honored to recognize Dr. Greenberg, Dr. Ergle, and Ms. Ellison not only for their numerous achievements, but for raising the standard for the level of optometric care patients receive today. They all are truly exceptional optometry professionals."
OPTOMETRIST OF THE SOUTH 2009 Optometrist of the South Martha Greenberg, O.D. Dr. Greenberg served for eight years on the Southern College of Optometry Board of Trustees and was the first female to become the chairperson of the Board of Trustees. In 2006, Dr. Greenberg was honored by Southern College of Optometry with the coveted "Lifetime Achievement Award." She also is active in the Alabama Optometric Association where she has served in every leadership position possible, including zone president, member of the Board of Directors, member of the ALOPAC Board of Directors and Past President of the association. She is currently serving as the American Optometric PAC representative, as well as the Board of Directors for the AOA Charities Foundation. Dr. Greenberg also has served on the SECO Logistics Committee and serves as a SECO Ambassador. Dr. Greenberg is active politically as well, working as a key person for two state representatives and one state senator. Locally, she participates as the Sight Chair for the Russellville Lion's Club and as a volunteer in Vision USA, helping the underprivileged in the area.
YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE SOUTH 2009 Young Optometrist of the South Chevron Ergle, O.D. Since graduation, Dr. Ergle has been very active in the Arkansas Optometric Association. He currently serves as the Chair of the Arkansas Optometric Physicians (PAC) organization and has organized several fundraisers since 2007. In addition, he co-chairs the Recreation Committee, is a member of the Public Information Committee and is a member of the Career Guidance and Student Liaison Committee. He is committed to working with optometry students. As the Arkansas Optometric Association Young OD of the Year, he spoke to recent graduates at the ArOA new licentiate luncheon. Dr. Ergle also is active in the community and is a U-4 soccer coach at the Jacksonville Soccer Association. In addition, he serves as the Department Director of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Ark. Prior to graduating from SCO, he earned a bachelor of science degree from Arkansas State University with a major in zoology.
PARAOPTOMETRIC OF THE SOUTH 2009 Paraoptometric of the South Emily Ellison, LDO, CPOT In addition, Ms. Ellison recently completed a two-year term as President of the Paraoptometric Association. During her term, she was able to offer AOA's Paraoptometric Certifications Courses and Exams, including the CPOT Practical Exam, at the 2006 Tennessee Paraoptometric Association Annual Congress. The AOA recently requested Ms. Ellison serve on the practice examination committee. Ms. Ellison has been touted as a "real team player" by her employers. They said she "constantly strives to improve optical services for the patient and is always well informed of the latest trends and is ready to change 'old' practices to better serve the patients." She is very active in the community, as well. In addition to the volunteer work she does with the Tennessee Optometric Association, she works each year in the Special Olympics "Opening Eyes" program and encourages other office staff throughout the state to contribute to this program as well.
SECO International is produced annually by SECO International, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Southern Council of Optometrists, Inc. SECO International, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a not-for-profit membership association founded in 1923, and counts as its members practitioners in the 12 southeastern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The annual SECO conventions regularly attract more than 7,000 national and international eye care professionals, vendors, and allied ophthalmic personnel. SECO International is widely acknowledged as the largest optometric educational meeting in the world. For more information on SECO International, LLC, please contact Elizabeth Taylor, Executive Director, at SECO International, LLC, 4661 N. Shallowford Road, Atlanta, GA 30338, or by phone: (770) 451-8206, fax: (770) 451-3156, or e-mail: etaylor@secostaff.com.
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