James P. Gills, M.D.

Dr. James P. Gills, is the founder and director of St. Lukes Cataract & Laser Institute, the country's largest free-standing ambulatory surgery and eye care center headquartered in Tarpon Springs, FL. Dr. Gills has been Board Certified since 1967 and has performed more cataract and lens implant surgeries than anyone else in the world. He received his medical degree from Duke University Medical Center in 1959 and served his ophthalmology residency at Wilmer Ophthamological Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Gills had published 9 medical textbooks (4 of which were best sellers at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meetings).

In 1968, Dr. Gills and his family moved to Florida, where he opened his first clinic.  Soon after, he became the first ophthalmologist in the United States to dedicate his practice to the treatment of cataracts via the use of intraocular lens implants, long before it was common practice.   Perhaps his most outstanding accomplishment, the use of lidocaine intraocularly for cataract surgery, has revolutionized the way the procedure is performed today.

Steven G. Pratt, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Steven G. Pratt is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Pratt was born in Los Angeles, California and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California.  He attended Jefferson Medical College under a United States Naval Scholarship, and is proud of his 26 year affiliation with the United States Navy. He completed his fellowship training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at The Harvard Medical School.

He is a recognized world authority on the prevention of eye disease – particularly macular degeneration -- and has been widely published in peer review journals. He is the author of The New York Times bestseller SUPERFOODS Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, which, to date, been translated into 19 languages throughout the world. Dr. Pratt has appeared on most national media including “Today,” “Oprah” (where he is known as “Our Food Dude”), and “The View.” As a result, Dr. Pratt is regarded by the medical community and the general public as the pre-eminent voice for cutting edge nutrition and health.

David A. Newsome, M.D.

Dr. David Newsome, a board certified and fellowship trained ophthalmologist, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of medical and surgical diseases of the vitreous and retina. Dr. Newsome earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, then completed his ophthalmology residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard University. He continued his subspecialty training as a Clinical Fellow in Ophthalmology, Harvard University, and as Clinical Fellow in Retinal Diseases and Surgery, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

He has given invited lectures around the world, has authored over 150 peer-reviewed papers, and has published one Retina textbook. He has served as Chairman, Visual Sciences Study Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health and as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Stuart Richer, O.D., P.H.D., F.A.A.O.
Chief, Optometry Section - DVA North Chicago Associate Professor, Family and Preventative Medicine - Chicago Medical School

Since 1983 Dr. Stuart Richer has been Chief of Optometry at the DVA Medical Center in North Chicago, Illinois. He is the principal investigator of the Veterans Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST). The LAST study is the first United States randomized, double masked, placebo controlled, clinical trial of lutein and visual function. Dr. Richer is also an associate professor of Family and Preventative Medicine at Chicago Medical School and Clinical Optometry at ICO and UMSL.

Along with his other positions, he has been actively involved in teaching optometry and medical students as well as postdoctoral fellows of all disciplines. In 1981 Dr. Richer earned a dual OD MS (physiological optics) degree at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1996 Dr. Richer obtained his PhD in human physiology and biophysics from Chicago Medical School following 15 years of practice.

Steven Newman, O.D.

Dr. Steven Newman, a Board-Certified Optometric Physician in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, specializes in pediatrics and the treatment and management of ocular diseases. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Florida Optometric Association, and is a Board Member of the Broward County Optometric Association. Dr. Newman holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Vision Science from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida. He completed an externship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, concentrating on the treatment and management of ocular diseases, and a Residency at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute. Dr. Newman has been a member of the Broward County Community College Advisory Board, and frequently lectures at local societies, organizations, and schools. He is the President and CEO of Steven M. Newman, O.D., P.A. and Associates.

Richard S. Kattouf, O.D., D.O.S.

Dr. Richard S. Kattouf, O.D., D.O.S, is the Founder-President of Kattouf Consulting Services. Dr. Kattouf has been performing consulting services for the entire ophthalmic community for over twenty years. He services O.D.'s, M.D.'s, opticians and corporate vision care providers. Dr. Kattouf has consulted with major companies such as Haag-Streit USA, Ocular Sciences, Cooper Vision, Optical Dynamics Corporation and EyeQuip. His services include consulting and management, practice appraisals, practice mergers, start up consultation and practice broker. He holds positions at the Houston College of Optometry as a Benedict Professor and at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry as a Member of Dr. Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Board. He also is a Member of the Board of Trustees at Illinois College of Optometry.

Dr. Kattouf holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Visual Science from Illinois College of Optometry. He also is a graduate of Illinois College of Optometry where he earned his Doctor of Optometry and Doctor of Ocular Science degrees. In 1972, Dr. Kattouf received the Clinical Optometry Award from the faculty of Illinois College of Optometry for being the best clinician in his class.

Richard S. Kattouf II, O.D.

Dr. Rick Kattouf is the author of Forever Fit, CEO and Founder of TeamKattouf, Inc., an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, and a Motivational Speaker. Rick is a 3x All-American duathlete, and a 4x Team USA duathlete. TeamKattouf, Inc. is an on online nutrition, fitness, and sport specific coaching service. Dr. Kattouf II coaches individuals all around the country, assisting them in bridging the gap between where they are and where they want to be, thereby, achieving an improved sense of physical and emotional well being. Dr. Kattouf II can be reached at www.teamkattouf.com, or 330-219-5095.

Albert A. Bucar, O.D., D.O.S., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Albert A. Bucar is president of the Ophthalmic Education Institute, a non-profit educational foundation that provides continuing education courses for license renewal to optometrists. He received a B.S. and O.D. degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and has served as the president of the Illinois Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. Dr. Bucar is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a fellow of the National Academy of Optometric Practice. Among his many awards, he received an honorary D.O.S. degree from I.C.O. for distinguished service to his profession and received the Da Vinci Award from the National Eye Research Foundation. He is a faculty member of the University of Missouri, St. Louis, College of Optometry and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. He has served on the National Health Institute High Blood Pressure Coordinating Committee and now serves on the advisory committee to the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind.

Michael Goldsmid, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Michael Goldsmid graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Having done his clinical externship in ophthalmology, he advocates a multidisciplinary approach to eye care and has worked hard to foster a harmonious relationship with optometry and ophthalmology. He participates in numerous clinical studies for the major contact lens companies and is involved as an optometric computer software and practice management consultant. He has also served as the team optometrist for many of San Diego's professional sports teams. Dr. Goldsmid has a thriving optometric practice in San Diego, California.

Ed Hugget Jr., O.D., P.A.

Dr. Ed Hugget Jr. received his Bachelors in Arts in Biology from the University of South Florida, Tampa, in 1980, and taught undergraduate level Marine Biology at the Marine Science Station in Crystal River, Florida from 1981-1986 and Physiologic Optics at the University of Houston 1987-88. He obtained his Doctor of Optometry degree then served as a staff physician at Tampa’s James Haley VA Medical Center’s Port Richey Outpatient Clinic, before opening his private practice in Palm Harbor Florida in 1991. He is a Board Certified Doctor of Optometry. He recently developed a free vision clinic, known as The House of Paul, Inc., which provides for the visual needs for homeless individuals and victims of domestic violence in West Central Florida; he serves both as director and volunteer physician. He was the Team Eye Physician for Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays in 1995, serving team needs and providing Sports Vision Enhancement.  Dr. Huggett currently directs the binocular and low vision clinics at the Morton Plant Mease Hospital’s Rehabilitation Center in Palm Harbor, FL providing treatment of low vision, amblyopia, double vision, dyslexia, strabismus and vision-related learning problems.

Leo P. Semes, OD, is Professor of Optometry and the Director of Continuing Education at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He earned his doctor of optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in Philadelphia and completed his residency at The Eye Institute of PCO. Dr. Semes has authored or coauthored numerous articles, abstracts and several book chapters. Dr. Semes has authored over 125 scientific articles and posters. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, as well as an active member of the American Optometric Association. He has contributed as principal author and panel member for the AOA’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Ocular Surface Disease and Peripheral Retinal Disorders and Retinal Detachment. Dr. Semes is a founding member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society and a founding fellow of the Optometric Retina Society. An accomplished educator, Dr Semes has received numerous teaching awards, including the UAB President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition, he has been listed in 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century and in Who’s Who in the 21st Century.