Chris Wroten, OD '02, was recently named by the American Optometric Association (AOA) as the AOA's Young OD of the Year. Dr. Wroten graduated summa cum laude from Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in 2002 and then completed a residency in hospital-based primary eye care at the Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
He practiced at West Tennessee Eye in Memphis for several years before returning to Louisiana in 2005 to join what is now the Bond-Wroten Eye Clinic, a multi-location group practice. Dr. Wroten founded the clinic’s residency in family practice optometry, for which he serves as residency supervisor, in addition to creating and overseeing its externship programs. He holds adjunct faculty appointments at SCO and the University of Incarnate Word – Rosenberg School of Optometry.
Dr. Wroten has served as vice president of the West Tennessee Optometric Society, president of the Southeast Louisiana Optometric Society, and in every elected office in the Optometry Association of Louisiana (OAL), including two terms as OAL president. He is co-chair of the OAL Education Committee, continues to serve on numerous other committees, is the keyperson for several state legislators, and has been an instrumental part of numerous legislative victories for organized optometry in Louisiana.
He is also an active member of the AOA, serving or having served on the AOA’s Federal Relations Committee, Drive for 65 Campaign, Nominating Committee, Eye Care Workforce Study Expert Panel, and Resolutions Committee, in addition to numerous years of involvement in the AOA Congressional Advocacy Conference and as a delegate to the AOA House of Delegates.
Dr. Wroten was the first optometrist appointed to the Louisiana Emergency Response Network Board by the governor of Louisiana, as well as to the Bayou Health Quality Assurance Committee, which oversees Louisiana’s Medicaid managed care programs. He is also a multi-term president of the Board of Directors for Child Advocacy Services, sits on the Alumni Council at SCO, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence.
Dr. Wroten has given numerous continuing education and community lectures, published many eye care articles, and presented posters at national optometric conferences, in addition to participating in clinical research and pharmaceutical drug trials.
In 2011, Dr. Wroten was named the recipient of both the OAL’s Young Optometrist of the Year Award and SCO’s Young Alumnus of the Year Award. In 2012, he was also recognized with the Southern Council of Optometrists Young OD of the South Award.
In practice, Dr. Wroten serves as the Bond-Wroten Eye Clinic’s chief operations officer, in addition to providing primary eye care services and overseeing the clinic’s educational programs. He is also an InfantSEE® provider and works closely with his local Lions clubs as a volunteer.
Dr. Wroten is married to Sarah Wroten, O.D., and they have two children, Emily and Ben.