Optometry Association of Louisiana

	Darby Chiasson, OD, OAL OD of the Year The OAL's OD of the Year Award is given annually to an individual doctor of optometry for an outstanding career of service to the profession, to the OAL, to their patients, to their community, and to the eye health and visual welfare of the public. This year's honoree is Dr. Darby Chiasson, a native of Lafourche Parish who received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with a Minor in Psychology from Louisiana State University, prior to graduating from Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in 1999. He is currently in private practice at Advanced Eye Institute in Cut Off, La., where he has been providing comprehensive eye and vision care since founding the clinic upon graduation.
	Kevin Kasovich, OD, OAL Young OD of the Year The OAL's Young OD of the Year is awarded annually to an OAL member in good standing who has been practicing less than 10 years and who has demonstrated exemplary leadership to their profession, to the OAL, to their patients, and to their community. This year's recipient is Dr. Kevin Kasovich, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Louisiana State University, and is a 2004 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern College of Optometry. He completed a Residency in Ocular Disease at Omni Eye Specialists in Baltimore, MD, and currently provides full scope optometric care in Thibodeaux and Mathews, LA, at Chiasson Eyecare Center, in addition to holding courtesy staff privileges at Ochsner’s St. Anne General Hospital.
	Sherry L. Cooper, OAL Public Service Award The OAL's Public Service Award is given to a person or group in recognition of extraordinary public service to the visual welfare of mankind, and may be given to individuals, educational institutions and organizations, research programs, or civic and community groups. This year’s Public Service Award honoree, Ms. Sherry Cooper, graduated from the University of St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and Minors in Political Science and Psychology. She began her career with the American Optometric Association (AOA) in 1990, prior to retiring in March of this year. Throughout her time with the AOA, she served as Associate Director of State Government Relations, providing invaluable assistance, guidance, advice, and information to state optometry associations, their legislative counsel, individual AOA members, state legislators and their staff, state regulatory bodies, attorneys, members of the ophthalmic industry, third party payers, the media, the public, and other persons interested in state legislative and regulatory matters affecting optometrists and their patients.
	Amy Godeaux, CPOT: OAL and AOA Paraoptometric of the Year The OAL congratulates Amy Godeaux, CPOT, for being named BOTH the OAL and the AOA's 2013 Paraoptometric of the Year! This is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a paraoptometric and we are very proud of her. Amy works with Dr. Jay Miller in Eunice, Louisiana and is the current OAL PS President. Amy was responsible for reviving the OAL Paraoptometric Section in Louisiana which has grown to an all time record membership! Amy was recognized at the OAL Annual Convention on June 8, 2013 and will recieved her national award at Optometry's Meeting, June 26-30, 2013 in San Diego, CA.

2013 OAL Service Award Recipients

| Page 1 |
return to index