Doctors & Staff

How does a seasoned practitioner maintain this level of enthusiasm? I've never been one to rest on what I know. I always challenge myself to learn more. I was on the Oregon Board of Optometry for an unusually long term of almost eleven years. Charged with enforcing the laws and regulations of Oregon Optometry law, I had to be ahead of the pack in standards of practice.

I serve on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, traveling to the colleges and universities of Optometry around the US to administer National Board examinations. Seeing the variations of education and clinical techniques demonstrated by the new graduates keeps me informed and allows me to modify my techniques on a continuing basis.

With apologioes to Lee Iacoca, "...this is not your father's Optometry..." I am an adjunct instructor at Pacific University College of Optometry, teaching advanced pharmaceutical therapy and minor surgical techniques related to the eye, lids and adjacent tissue. Throughout my practice experienceI have served as an adjunct associate professor at Pacific lecturing in areas of patient communication, lazy and wandering eye and low vision services.

My clinical approach stresses early detection and prevention to minimize as much as possible, long term dependence on eyewear. I conduct in-services for teachers, home school teacher/parents, nurses, occuparional and physical therapists and many other professional public and privat groups.

I recharge my batteries working with Rotary, Project Hope and Gateway America to deliver humaitarian assistance to the people of Kamchatka Russia. I have been to Kamchatka eight times and feel I am working with family there. We have the delivery of over $18 million in donated hospital, medical and general humanitarian aid.

Be warned: I grade my patients on their entertainment value. I would go crazy if all I did was sit in a dimmed room asking "which is better one or two". I never regard the patient as two eyeballs foating in space but rather as a whole person with concerns for their overall health, lifestyle and stresses that can impact the precious gift of sight. The stories and situations of my patients are wonderfully varied, colorful and always insightful.

Most of my patients earn an "A".

Volunteering in 1996 to help found a club in Russia, Doug hoped to satisfy his curiosity and purge a few personal demons left over from the Cold War. It didn't work out that way. Doug squired the purchase and delivery of an ophthalmic medical laser to Kamchatka through the RI matching grants process. He has made eight trips to Kamchatka, supervising the delivery of millions of dollars of pharmaceuticals and surgical equipment, as well as ferreting out and delivering a harpsichord to Avachinsky. He has negotiated the acquisition and ultimate delivery of hospital equipment to several regions of Russia and is proving to be successful in discovering needs, finding resources to meet them and getting them delivered. Doug has never been more excited about his family, his practice and profession, and his ability to contribute to the larger world through Rotary.