Optometric Insights Media

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1601521/open_sms] About Dr. Aaron Werner, OD  Graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry, following his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather in becoming a doctor of optometry.  He is president of Werner Optometry in San Diego, CA a two-doctor multi-generation optometry practice that provides comprehensive primary eye care services. Aaron is passionate about helping others achieve their full potential and serves as the Senior Director Learning and Development for Vision Source. A native of southern California, Aaron is an avid hiker, runner, enjoys playing soccer, surfing and spending time with his wife, 3 children and grandson. Aaron hosts the Aaron Werner Podcast on EyeCode Media Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eyecode-media/id1449429774 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eyecode-media/id1449429774] Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6sGffC4Y3BXFc5pBxvcJNE [https://open.spotify.com/show/6sGffC4Y3BXFc5pBxvcJNE] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyWZ4Y_ub2_akEj2kielFA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyWZ4Y_ub2_akEj2kielFA]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1601521/open_sms] About Dr. Mila Ioussifova Dr. Mila Ioussifova graduated with honors from the New England College of Optometry and completed a residency program in community health and ocular disease in Boston, MA. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and is on the leadership team of the Anterior Segment Section of the AAO. Dr. Mila served as an adjunct clinical faculty at the Pacific University College of Optometry and was an examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. She is involved with her state association and advocacy efforts, and she is the Director of Education for the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association. Dr. Mila is a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist and is a fellow of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society. Dr. Mila owns a private practice in Portland, OR, with special interests in advanced dry eye treatments, nutritional counseling, and aesthetic services.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1601521/open_sms] About: Alex Kotelsky is a medical device engineer at Bausch + Lomb where he leads innovative optical projects in the research and development of advanced contact lens designs. With a robust background in both theoretical and applied sciences, Alex has a Ph.D. and has postdoctoral training in biomechanics and mechanobiology of articular cartilage and chondrocytes. His research has produced multiple peer-reviewed publications that shed light on the mechanical interactions within biological systems. By integrating biology, mechanics and optics, Alex brings an interdisciplinary approach that advances both the performance and comfort of contact lenses, benefiting eye care professionals and patients alike. In addition to his research, Alex is deeply committed to education, fostering the next generation of engineers and scientists. His dedication to teaching has earned him multiple accolades, including the prestigious Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching and recognition as a Top 3 Finalist for Tutor Doctor’s Tutor of the Year 2019 award. James DiBella is a Senior Principal Scientist and head of Polymer Chemistry at Bausch + Lomb, where he leads a team focused on creating innovative materials and solutions for the contact lens and ophthalmic industries. Since joining Bausch + Lomb in 2015, James has been instrumental in product development for the company’s vision care business. He notably co-invented Bausch + Lomb’s latest contact lens technology - Bausch + Lomb INFUSE ® . He holds a bachelor’s degree in Organic Chemistry from Clemson University as well as a master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is also in the process of obtaining a master’s degree in business administration from Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts to merge his scientific expertise with strategic business acumen.

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Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1601521/open_sms] About Dr. Jade Coats Dr. Jade Coats is a 2016 of the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, and since graduation has worked in an OD/MD cataract/refractive surgery practice (McDonald Eye Associates, Rogers, Arkansas) in which she dedicates the majority of her clinical practice to ocular disease, comprehensive eye care, and contact lenses.  Honored as a Contact Lens Institute Visionary in both 2023 and 2024, Dr. Coats is also a board member for Women in Optometry, the Intrepid Eye Society, and YoungODsConnect. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association as a graduate of the AOA Leadership Institute 1.0 and 2.0 programs, and was also elected in 2024 to serve as a Director on the Arkansas Optometric Association board.    In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Coats serves on the advisory board and/or as a speaker for over ten pharmaceutical companies and is an editorial board member for numerous publications.  She also regularly contributes to leading industry publications, with her work appearing in Advanced Ocular Care, Primary Care Ocular News, Healio, Review of Optometry, Optometry Times, Optometric Management, and Modern Optometry, to name a few.  Receiving several local, state, and national awards for her dedication to philanthropy and her profession, Dr. Coats has also recently been honored as one of NWA Celebrate Arkansas Magazine's 'Ones to Watch' in 2023.  https://digitaleditions.walsworth.com/publication/?m=9337&i=805683&p=80&ver=html5 [https://digitaleditions.walsworth.com/publication/?m=9337&i=805683&p=80&ver=html5].    In Dr. Coats’ spare time, she serves on the Board of Directors for Hope Cancer Resources and Circle of Life Hospice in Northwest Arkansas and has established a non-profit organization known as “Caton’s Cubs” that works in coordination with Arkansas Hospice.  You may find Dr. Coats enjoys calling the Hogs at Razorback games, scuba diving, traveling the world, or volunteering in her community. (Or, hanging out with her husband, Jeff Coats, who is also an Optometrist!)