MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Southern College of Optometry (SCO) recently appointed five faculty members to serve as associate professors: Chelsea Spalding, OD; Tyler Roberts, OD; Jackie Fiddler, OD; Barbie Jodoin, OD; and Abigail Klick, OD. “Southern College of Optometry remains one of the most competitive optometry schools in the nation with some of the best practitioners graduating from the program, and this is due to the dedication and expertise of our faculty,” said Lewis Reich, OD, president of SCO.

“The addition of these five talented faculty members will help maintain SCO as a top choice among aspiring optometrists. They bring an unparalleled level of expertise in clinical care and patient interaction that will prepare future SCO graduates to practice confidently with the capabilities needed to serve their patients.”

The new faculty members are:

 
 Top row (l to r) Chelsea Spalding, OD; Tyler Roberts, OD; and Jackie Fiddler, OD. Bottom row (l to r) Barbie Jodoin, OD, and Abigail Klick, OD.
Dr. Chelsea Spalding spent the past eight years at a multidisciplinary private ophthalmology practice in Florida where she gained extensive experience in ocular disease, primary care, and pre- and post-surgical care for cataract, refractive, cornea, glaucoma, retina and oculoplastic surgical cases. In her role as assistant professor, she supervises student interns at The Eye Center on the campus of SCO. After earning her Doctor of Optometry from SCO, Dr. Spalding completed an ocular disease and low vision residency at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Tyler Roberts also served in a multidisciplinary ophthalmology practice in Florida after completing his residency at the VA Medical Center in Lexington. His early years as a practitioner focused on pre- and post-surgical care with a concentration on cataract and glaucoma cases. Dr. Roberts also specializes in the areas of ocular disease, emergency care, and dry eye treatment and management. He also graduated from SCO with honors in clinical care. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Jackie Fiddler recently completed a one-year postgraduate residency in primary care and ocular disease at SCO. During her residency, she participated in the Future Faculty Program organized by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. In addition to serving as an assistant professor, Dr. Fiddler works with patients at SCO’s The Eye Center, specializing in adult primary care, ocular surgical clinics and dry eye disease management. She earned her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Missouri’s St. Louis College of Optometry and her Bachelor of Science from St. Ambrose University.

Dr. Barbie Jodoin is also an SCO alumna. After earning her doctorate, she completed her residency in ocular disease with an emphasis in refractive and ocular surgery and anterior segment at the Toyos Clinic in Memphis and later joined its Nashville office. She specializes in pre- and post-operative care particularly for cataract and LASIK surgical procedures. Dr. Jodoin later practiced at Elevate Eyecare in Denver, Colo., where she was involved in all aspects of patient care and served as a compliance officer and regional medical director for the clinic. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Mississippi State University.

After earning her Doctor of Optometry from SCO, Dr. Abigail Klick completed a residency at the Kansas City Veteran Affairs Medical Center with a concentration in ocular disease and low vision. As an assistant professor, she oversees student clinicians in the areas of primary care and ocular disease. Dr. Klick earned her Bachelor of Science from Creighton University.