SCO Alumni Council Member Fred Farias III, OD '87, FAAO, was recently named the 2016 Optometrist of the Year by the American Optometric Association. CEO of 20/20 Vision Care in McAllen, TX was selected for his years of service to his patients, the AOA and his profession, along with his commitment to public service. Dr. Farias is a therapeutic optometrist and an optometric glaucoma specialist.
Dr. Farias is the immediate past president of the Texas Optometric Association, which named him its 2015 Optometrist of the Year. He volunteers as an InfantSEE® provider, a no-cost public health program developed to provide professional eye care for infants nationwide through Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation, of which he is a charter member. Additionally, he organizes and sponsors vision screenings for underserved communities in south Texas. His service to optometry also includes volunteering as a member of the AOA Federal Legislative Action and Keyperson Committee. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Dr. Farias to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
"On behalf of the entire SCO community, we congratulate Dr. Farias on this prestigious honor," said SCO President Lewis Reich, OD, PhD. "Through his contributions to our profession, Dr. Farias is a role model to the college's thousands of alumni and friends across the nation."