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By: UPIKE Public Relations | July 17, 2018
University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) students have been granted the first student chapter of the American Society of Optometric Surgeons (ASOS). ASOS is a collaborative group of practitioners and educators committed to the advancement of knowledge in the field of optometric surgery. The newly-formed group recently established bylaws for the organization to begin operation. The goals and objectives of the organization are to provide educational support for optometric practitioners as well as resources to aid in the implementation of surgical curricula nationally and internationally. “The formation of this group will allow us an avenue to bring together the collective wisdom of educators and practitioners with the goal of providing training and sharing innovation in the performance of optometric surgery,” said Cliff Caudill, O.D., assistant dean of clinical affairs at KYCO, founding member and treasurer of ASOS. In a letter granting charter to KYCO as the first student chapter of ASOS, Founding President Richard E. Castillo, O.D., D.O., stated, “We look forward to future collaboration and to the contribution which the growth and development of KYCO’s chapter will have on not only helping the ASOS realize its mission, but also its impact on optometry at the local, regional and national levels.” The awarding of the KYCO student chapter of ASOS was due in large part to KYCO’s Logan Ritchhart, a member of KYCO’s class of 2021. Ritchhart approached KYCO Clinical Affairs with the hope of forming an optometric student surgery club on campus to foster the development of surgical education at the student level. He developed a mission statement, goals and objectives for the student group. After petitioning ASOS for the formation of a student chapter, the group received its official welcome letter. “We congratulate Logan and the KYCO student chapter of the American Society of Optometric Surgeons on their accomplishment and support them in their new endeavor,” said Caudill.