NEW ORLEANS—An eventful SECO 2022 meeting wound down here over the weekend as the thousands of ECPs, partners and other attendees from the ophthalmic sector began to head back home after four days of meetings, education and get-togethers with friends and colleagues. The event marked a return to a complete in-person format for SECO, after the 2021 event moved to a hybrid model with both in-person and virtual events because of the Covid-19 pandemic. And the New Orleans venue proved to be the ideal location for longtime SECO attendees who were more than ready to begin meeting face-to-face again with industry partners.

In addition to the many hours of CE education and a busy, but smaller, exhibit hall, the meeting was highlighted by the annual SECO International awards to eyecare’s leading practitioners.

“It is an honor and privilege to recognize this outstanding group of leaders and their contribution to the profession,” said Dr. Richard Durocher, president of SECO International LLC. “Like a circle, the pursuit of excellence has no end. We salute your unwavering commitment to outstanding personal performance.”

Durocher noted SECO leadership expressed its gratitude to award winners Dr. Sidney Stern, Dr. Tiffany Li McElroy, Samantha Denton, CPO, CPOA, Dr. Stan Dickerson and Dr. Tammy Than, and recognized then for “their personal and professional contributions.”

Durocher also announced an expanded partnership with the National Academy of Opticianry to bring a dedicated educational track for opticians to SECO 2023, which is scheduled for March 1-5 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. More details on this below.


(L to R) Samantha Denton, CPO, CPOA; Stan Dickerson, OD; Tiffany Li McElroy, OD; Sidney Stern, OD; and Tammy Than, OD.

The 2022 SECO honorees, and the categories, are:

The Southern Council of Optometrists honored Dr. Sidney Stern of Miami with the 2022 Optometrist of the South Award. Dr. Stern is currently a distinguished colleague of the Southern Council of Optometrists and member of the Florida Optometric Association (FOA). He is a past FOA president, SECO president, president of the World Council of Optometry Foundation, American Optometric Association (AOA) committee member, as well as serving on many professional and civic boards and committees.

The Southern Council of Optometrists honored Dr. Tiffany Li McElroy of Madison, Miss., with the 2022 Young Optometrist of the South Award. Dr. McElroy is recognized by her peers for her outstanding commitment and service to optometry throughout her career. She is a distinguished colleague of the Southern Council of Optometrists, the American Optometric Association (AOA), and is active in the Mississippi Optometric Association.

Dr. McElroy has served on the MOA Continuing Education Committee, as vice president of the Optometry for Progress Political Action Committee, MOA Legislative Committee, MOA Assistance to Graduates and Undergraduates (AGU) Committee, and as chairman of the MOA Grass Roots Committee. Dr. McElroy’s crowning achievement has been creating and implementing a formal Grassroots committee and structure in 2018.

The Southern Council of Optometrists recognized Samantha Denton, CPO, CPOA, of Oklahoma City, Okla., with the 2022 Paraoptometric of the South Award. Denton was named Oklahoma’s 2021 Paraoptometric of the Year and currently serves as the practice administrator for Leadership Square EyeCare in downtown Oklahoma City. Her colleagues call her their rock, motivator, and cheerleader; and they say she is beloved by her patients.

Denton has achieved two paraoptometric certifications, the CPO and CPOA. She has served on the OAOP Paraoptometric Board as member at large for four years and is an avid recruiter of para volunteers. She began her paraoptometric career at Leadership Square EyeCare in May 2007.

The Southern Council of Optometrists honored Dr. Stan Dickerson, of Columbia, Tenn., with the 2022 President’s Award in recognition of his dedicated years and outstanding advancements to the profession of optometry. Dr. Dickerson is a graduate of Southern College of Optometry and currently practices in Columbia, Tenn.

Dr. Dickerson is a distinguished colleague of the Southern Council of Optometrists where he served as Trustee, served on the Logistics, Exhibits, and Reserve Fund committees, and is a SECO past president. He is a member of the American Optometric Association (39 years), a member of the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians, where he served as trustee, chairman of the Membership Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, and is past president.

The Southern Council of Optometrists honored Dr. Tammy Than of Sun City, Arizona, with the 2022 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the profession of optometry. A graduate of the Southern College of Optometry (ranked number 1 of 105 in class), Dr. Than now is co-owner of Whole Coaching LLC, which works to improve the health of individuals through nutrition, fitness, and life coaching; her nutrition certification was obtained in 2020.

She served as a faculty member of UAB School of optometry 2000 to 2006 and 2008 to 2014, staff optometrist for Carl Vinson VAMC 2006 to 2008 and 2016 to 2020. Dr. Than served as professor for Didactic Courses, Master of Ocular Pharmacology, Diseases of the Anterior Segment, Ophthalmic Lasers, Injections, and Minor Surgical Procedures.

Separately, SECO said Friday that it has expanded a partnership with NAO, the National Academy of Opticianry, to bring a dedicated educational track for opticians to SECO 2023. The NAO, founded in 1963, represents opticians worldwide and is dedicated solely to education and training of all opticians.

“As we plan for SECO’s 100th anniversary celebration in March 2023, we are pleased to continue our partnership with NAO to deliver high-quality, in-person education opportunities for opticians,” SECO’s Durocher said.

“With a shared mission of providing world-class education to eyecare professionals around the globe, we look forward to collaborating with the NAO to identify world-class speakers, cutting edge topics, and exciting presentations to the eyecare community.”

The NAO track at SECO will be directed by a new committee created to bring new speakers and critical topics, including contact lenses, spectacle lenses and general opticianry education, to SECO 2023. The sessions will include the profession's latest innovations, hands-on workshops, facilitated labs, and other engaging formats. In addition, networking and social events will be offered.

This offering expands on a successful partnership between SECO and NAO to deliver online continuing education for eyecare professionals. Over the past year, the two organizations have provided 33 hours of accredited continuing education webinar events for more than 900 Opticians and Contact Lens Technicians.

“Our partnership with SECO International has proven to be beneficial by providing high-caliber education and training opportunities for member and non-member opticians of all levels,” said Russ Tolar, president of NAO. “As an organization, NAO is committed to identifying opportunities to expand and elevate our educational offerings and believes SECO is the ideal partner to do just that. We look forward to working together to deliver thought leaders and quality content through a focused track for Opticians at SECO 2023.”

SECO 2023 will take place March 1-5 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.