Contact Lens Institute Visionaries are a select group of respected U.S. and Canadian eye care professionals and staff, with a cohort named each year.

Collectively and individually, they raise awareness regarding contact lens health and safety by promoting best practices tools, tips and research through CLI’s The EASY Way program and See Tomorrow initiative. The program begin in 2021.

2026 Visionaries

Roxanne Achong-Coan

OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, FBCLA, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies

Roxanne Achong-Coan, OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, owns Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique in Ocoee, Fla., providing primary care, specialty lenses, myopia management and dry eye therapies. She is a graduate of the New England College of Optometry and completed her contact lens residency at Pacific University College of Optometry. She serves on the advisory boards for the Gas Permeable Lens Institute and Modern Optometry.
 
Dr. Achong-Coan has received multiple professional accolades for her research, clinical expertise, and business acumen, including the 2023 Contact Lens Institute Culture Award and Vision Monday’s Contact Lens Innovator of the Year.

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Kelsea Brown, OD

Kelsea Brown

OD

Kelsea Brown, OD, is an optometrist, entrepreneur, and emerging leader practicing full-scope optometry in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, graduating with clinical excellence honors in primary care. Known for her patient-centered approach, Dr. Brown is committed to delivering high-quality, comprehensive eye care. Beyond the clinic, she is a digital content creator who educates and inspires through authentic storytelling that bridges clinical expertise with real-world patient experiences. Recognized as a Top 40 Eye Care Influencer, Dr. Brown is passionate about mentoring and advocating for underrepresented voices in optometry.

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Elaine Chen, OD

Elaine Chen

OD, FAAO, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, FSLS

Elaine Chen, OD, FAAO, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, FSLS, is an associate professor at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University and a faculty member in the Stein Family Center for Cornea and Contact Lens. She earned her doctor of optometry degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a residency in cornea and contact lenses at SCCO. Dr. Chen’s clinical interests include keratoconus, scleral and advanced contact lens fitting, and dry eye disease. Her research focuses on dry eye, contact lenses, and corneal disease. She is a Diplomate and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Fellow of the Scleral Lens Society, and also an active member of the American Optometric Association and the California Optometric Association.

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Jennifer Chinn

OD

Jennifer Chinn, OD, is a second-generation optometrist at Dr. Chinn’s Vision in San Diego, Calif. She earned her doctor of optometry from the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry. Her clinical training emphasized glaucoma, retinal disease, corneal disease, low vision, and vision therapy. Dr. Chinn is deeply committed to service and has participated in trips with the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) to provide eye care services to underserved populations. She is a member of the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, the Optical Women’s Association, the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity, and the San Diego County Optometric Society. Dr. Chinn is currently membership team lead and liaison for the California Optometric Association and holds a leadership role for the San Diego/Southern California Chapter of the Young Optometrists of America.

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Ryan Corte

OD

Ryan Corte, OD, is the co-owner of Reflect Vision Care, a four-location LensCrafters sublease practice serving patients in Charlotte and Asheville, N.C. Specializing in contact lens care, Dr. Corte and his team are dedicated to providing the latest advancements in contact lens technology to patients of all ages. In addition to his clinical work,

Dr. Corte is an optometric speaker, consultant, and key opinion leader. He’s also the host of the Ryan Reflects with Dr. Ryan Corte podcast, designed to empower students, new graduates, and seasoned optometrists to uncover their true potential and achieve lasting, fulfilling success. 

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Susan Gromacki

OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies,

Susan J. Gromacki, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, is an internationally-recognized clinician, lecturer, and author at First Sight Vision Care in Fulton, Md.
 
In practice for more than 30 years, she graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry and completed her residency with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  She has presented nearly 850 professional lectures and papers, served as contributing editor for several professional publications, and works with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
 
Dr. Gromacki is a former faculty member of the New England College of Optometry and the University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, she has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Top Doctor of 2024 Award from the National Keratoconus Foundation and the 2023 Contact Lens Institute Culture Award. 

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Mike Gzik

ABO, NCLE

Michael Gzik, ABO, NCLE, is a New York State–licensed optician and contact lens practitioner with more than five decades of experience in clinical care, education, and professional leadership. He is a Fellow of the Contact Lens Society of America, ABO/NCLE certified, and a Certified Ophthalmic Technician.

Mr. Gzik practices at New York Optometric in Syracuse, NY, and at the Syracuse VA Hospital. He also serves as an adjunct and clinical instructor in contact lens technology with the SUNY Health Science Center Department of Ophthalmology and works in the pediatric clinic. A past president of both the New York Contact Lens Society and the Contact Lens Society of America, he has received numerous honors, including CLSA Member of the Year, the NYSSO Best of Professions Award, and the Opticians Association of Ohio President’s Award, and is a frequent speaker throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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Jennifer Liao

OD, FAAO, FSLS

Jennifer Liao, OD, FAAO, FSLS, is an assistant professor of optometry at the New England College of Optometry (NECO) and attending optometrist in the contact lens service at NECO Center for Eye Care. She earned her Doctorate in Optometry from NECO, and completed a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses. Previously, she practiced in Toronto at the Vision Institute of Canada and at the Kensington Eye Institute of the University of Toronto.
 
Dr. Liao is the Instructor of Record for the contact lens course of the Doctor of Optometry program, among multiple other NECO roles. She is a Board member of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of the American Optometric Association, and a 2024 Contact Lens Institute Culture Award honoree.

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Heidi Miller

Heidi Miller, OD, FAAO, FSLS

Heidi Miller, OD, FAAO, FSLS, is principal optometrist at the UC Davis Eye Center in Sacramento, California. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry and completed a residency in cornea and contact lenses. Dr. Miller specializes in anterior segment disease, dry eye management, and specialty contact lens fitting. She is a frequent lecturer and published author, contributing to Contact Lens Spectrum and Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses. A recognized leader in the profession, Dr. Miller is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the Scleral Lens Education Society and an advisory board member for the Gas Permeable Lens Institute. She is past president of the Sacramento Valley Optometric Society, a past Trustee for the California Optometric Association, and was named California Young Optometrist of the Year in 2019.

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Sheila Morrison

OD, MS, FSLS, FAAO, FCCSO

Sheila Morrison, OD, MS, FSLS, FAAO, FCCSO, is a clinician, educator, and cornea & contact lens specialist in Calgary, AB, Canada. She earned her Doctor of Optometry and Master’s degree in Vision Science from Pacific University, followed by a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses. After serving on faculty at the University of Houston College of Optometry, Dr. Morrison joined Mission Eye Care Center for Dry Eye and Corneal Disease, where she co-supervises the accredited Cornea and Contact Lens Residency Program. She is a fellow of multiple professional organizations, and is an invited national and international speaker and writer who collaborates with academic and industry partners. With the belief that life is what we put into it, she commits wholeheartedly to innovation and care that meaningfully improves patient outcomes. 

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Julian Prosia

OD

Julian Prosia, OD, is an optometrist and leading innovator in amniotic membrane therapy in Canada. Known for his expertise in dry eye and ocular surface disease management, he introduced Canada’s first doctor-owned amniotic membrane company to expand national access to advanced ocular treatments. Dr. Prosia’s online platforms share contact lens education with more than 50,000 followers. A respected speaker, educator, and social media voice in the eye care community, he continues to shape the future of ocular surface disease management through clinical excellence, education, and innovation.

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Renée Reeder

OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FSLS, FIACLE, FNAP Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies

Renée Reeder, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FSLS, FIACLE, FNAP Diplomate, AAO Section on Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies, is the dean and a professor at the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in optometric education and 25 years in academic and clinical leadership. She teaches and provides care in dry eye, anterior segment disease, and specialty contact lenses. She is currently the Education Chair for AAOCCLRT, Immediate-Past Chair of the AOACLS, and the US Ambassador to IACLE. Her honors include GPLI Practitioner of the Year and AOA CLCS Achievement Award (2018), IACLE Educator of the Year for the Americas (2020), and the Lions International Leadership Medal (2021). She is recognized globally for her leadership and contributions to contact lens education and remains dedicated to advancing clinical care and optometric education.

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Maria Sampalis

OD

Maria Sampalis, OD, owns Sampalis Eye Care in Cranston, R.I. A New England College of Optometry graduate, she has been widely recognized for her influence, innovation, and leadership in eye care, including honors such as Young OD of the Year (Rhode Island), the Women in Optometry Theia Award and Vision Monday’s Most Influential Woman in Optometry.

Dr. Sampalis serves in professional advisory committee roles with the American Optometric Association and World Council of Optometry, and she founded the 33,000-member Corporate Optometry Facebook group.

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Scott Samples

FCLSA, NCLE-M, CPOT

Scott Samples, FCLSA, NCLE-M, CPOT, is a contact lens specialist at the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City. He began his career in optical laboratories, earning his LDO before transitioning into private practice as an optometric technician. After nearly two decades in private practice, he joined Dean McGee Eye Institute, where he fits a wide range of contact lenses.

Mr. Samples is known for his patient-centered approach and for demonstrating how contact lenses can be life-changing tools beyond basic vision correction. His work highlights the profound impact contact lenses can have on patients’ quality of life.

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Dr. Habir Sian

Harbir Sian

OD

Harbir Sian, OD, is the co-owner of two optometric practices in British Columbia. In the clinic, Dr. Sian enjoys practicing various specialties within eyecare including myopia management and dry eye. After completing his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in 2010, Dr. Sian found that he was passionate about giving back to those who have less access to care and about educating the public and professionals in various settings.

Over the years, Harbir has volunteered in multiple mobile vision clinics, including global clinics South  America and in the Middle East. He has taken his passion for education to countless stages and conferences around North America, including giving a TEDx talk titled “Our Eyes Are the Windows to Our Soul”, which shared the magic and power of the human visual system. Harbir is also the host of Canada’s number one optometry podcast, The 20/20 Podcast, which showcases successful guests from various industries and backgrounds.

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Jennifer Stewart

OD

Jennifer Stewart, OD, is an optometrist and founder of Look New Canaan, in New Canaan, Conn. She is an international speaker, writer, consultant, and educator, and is the founder of OD Perspectives, an industry consulting and advisory firm. She also serves as the professional editor of Independent Strong, and the co-founder and Chief Vision Officer for Performance 20/20, providing sports and performance vision training and consulting for sports vision practitioners around the world.
 
She is the recipient of the 2022 Emerging Leader Award from the Optical Women’s Association, the Game Changer Award from Eyecare Business, the Theia Award for Innovation from Women in Optometry, and a 2024 Contact Lens Institute Culture Award. She was also named as a 2024 Vision Monday Most Influential Women in Optical.

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Dr. Shauna Thornhill

Shauna Thornhill

OD

Shauna Thornhill, OD, is a primary care optometrist in Amarillo, Texas, where she owns Amarillo Vision Specialists.

Dr. Thornhill graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2007. In 2006, she won the American Optometric Associations Contact Lens and Cornea Section Student Research Award, and she is a CooperVision 2017 Best Practices Award winner.

She is a board member for Snack Pak 4 Kids, serves as a community board member, and volunteers for the Laura W. Bush Institute of Women’s Health. Dr. Thornhill’s proudest achievement is her annual “Sight Before Christmas Free Eye Exam/Toy Drive Day” which has operated for more than a decade. 

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2025 Visionaries

Roxanne Achong-Coan OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Dip CCLRT, Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique, Ocoee, Fla.

Shelby Brogdon, OD, McFarland Eye Care, Little Rock, Ark.*

Andrew Bruce, LDO, ABOM, NCLEM, FCLSA, Opticianry Education Services, Vancouver, Wash.*

Jennifer M. Seymour Brusven, LDO, NCLE-AC, ABO-AC, AAS, Yesnick Vision Center, Las Vegas, Nev.*

Jason E. Compton, OD, FAAO, Compton Eye Associates, New York, N.Y.*

Ryan Corte, OD, Northlake Eye, Charlotte and Asheville, N.C.

Melanie Frogozo, OD, FSLS, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Alamo Eye Care, San Antonio, Texas.

Susan J. Gromacki, OD, MS, FAAO, FSLS, Dipl AAO, First Sight Vision Care, Fulton, Md.  

Lisa Hornick, OD, MBA, FAAO, Stanford Ranch Optometry, Rocklin, Calif.*

Jennifer Liao, OD, FAAO, FSLS, New England College of Optometry (NECO) Center for Eye Care, Boston

Scott Moscow, OD, Roswell Eye Clinic, Roswell, Ga.*

Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FIAOMC, Dr. Shalu Pal & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, Canada*

Nishan Pressley, OD, Essential Eyecare & Optical, Apopka, Fla.

Adam Ramsey, OD, Socialite Vision, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.*

Harbir Sian, OD, Highstreet Eyecare Center and Clarity Eyecare, British Columbia, Canada

Jennifer Stewart, OD, Look New Canaan, New Canaan, Conn.

Shauna Thornhill, OD, Amarillo Vision Specialists, Amarillo, Texas

Christopher Wolfe, OD, FAAO, Dipl. ABO, Exclusively Eyecare and Practice Performance Partners, Omaha, Neb.

* Returning Visionary

2024 Visionaries

Monica Bhula, OD, Texas Vision, Cedar Park, Texas

Shelby Brogdon, OD, McFarland Eye Care, Little Rock, Ark.

Andrew Bruce, LDO, ABOM, NCLEM, FCLSA, Opticianry Education Services, Vancouver, Wash.

Jennifer Seymour Brusven, LDO, NCLE-AC, ABO-AC, AAS, Yesnick Vision Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Ariel Cerenzie, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Charlotte Contact Lens Institute, Charlotte, N.C.

Angelica Cifuentes, OD, Bye Dry Eyes, Blinking Owl Eyecare, Marino Eye Care, Miami, Fla.

Jade Coats, OD, McDonald Eye Associates, Fayetteville, Ark.

Jason E. Compton, OD, FAAO, Compton Eye Associates, New York, N.Y.

Janelle Davison, OD, Brilliant Eyes Vision Center, Smyrna, Ga., and Visionary Dry Eye Institute, Marietta, Ga.

Sabrina Gaan, OD, Eyes on Plainville, Plainville, Mass.

Lisa Hornick, OD, MBA, FAAO, Stanford Ranch Optometry, Rocklin, Calif.

Diana Mejia, Bellaire Family Eye Care, Bellaire, Texas

Scott Moscow, OD, Roswell Eye Clinic, Roswell, Ga.

Ashley O’Dwyer, OD, Bay Mills Health Center, Brimley, Mich., and The Eye Guys, Wasilla, Alaska

Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FIAOMC, Dr. Shalu Pal & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Adam Ramsey, OD, Socialite Vision, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 

Noha Seif, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Contact Lens Institute of Seattle, Seattle, Wash.

Dana Shannon, OD, FAAO, Clarendon Vision Development Center, Westmont, Ill.

Jennifer Tsai, OD, LINE OF SIGHT, New York, N.Y.

The Charlotte Contact Lens Institute and the Contact Lens Institute of Seattle are not affiliated with the Contact Lens Institute™.

2023 Visionaries

Shelby Brogdon, OD, McFarland Eye Care, Little Rock, Ark.

Andrew Bruce, LDO, ABOM, NCLE-AC, ASB Opticianry Education Services, Vancouver, Wash.

Ariel Cerenzie, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Charlotte Contact Lens Specialists, Charlotte, N.C.

Angelica Cifuentes, OD, Blinking Owl Eyecare, Marino Eye Care and Bye Dry Eyes, Miami, Fla.

Jade Coats, OD, McDonald Eye Associates, Fayetteville, Ark.

Sabrina Gaan, OD, Eyes on Plainville, Plainville, Mass.

Lisa Hornick, OD, MBA, FAAO, Stanford Ranch Optometry, Rocklin, Calif.

Klaus Ito, OD, FAAO, Ocean Park Optometry, Santa Monica, Calif.

Mila Ioussifova, OD, FAAO, South Waterfront Eye Care, Portland, Ore.

Essence Johnson, OD, FAAO, Black Eyecare Perspective, Dallas

Inna Lazar, OD, Greenwich Eye Care & Pro Eye Care, Greenwich, Conn.

Jennifer Lyerly, OD, TrueVision Eye Care, Raleigh, N.C.

Diana Mejia, Bellaire Family Eye Care, Bellaire, Texas

Patrick Sayo, Drs. Farkas, Kassalow, Resnick and Associates P.C., New York, N.Y.

Mark Schaeffer, OD, MyEyeDr, Birmingham, Ala.

Dana Shannon, OD, FAAO, Vision Salon Eye Care Associates, Blue Island, Ill.

Jennifer Tsai, OD, LINE OF SIGHT, New York, N.Y.

2022 Visionaries

Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, FIAOMC, Bright Eyes Family Vision Care

Melanie Denton, OD, Salisbury Eyecare & Eyewear

Darryl Glover, OD, Black EyeCare Perspective

Klaus Ito, OD, University of Virginia Department of Ophthalmology

Essence Johnson, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, Black EyeCare Perspective

Elise Kramer, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, Miami Contact Lens Institute

Chris Lievens, OD, MS, FNAP, FAAO, Southern College of Optometry

Jennifer Lyerly, OD, TrueVision Eye Care and Defocus Media

Caitlin Morrison, OD, FAAO, FSLS, In Focus: Specialty Contact Lens & Vision Solutions

Mark Schaeffer, OD, MyEyeDr

Bridgitte Shen Lee, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FEAOO, Vision Optique

Jason Tu, OD, Invision Optometry

Jennifer Wademan, OD, Bidwell Optometry

2021 Visionaries

Dr. Jennifer Branning

Dr. Keylee Brown

Dr. Mile Brujic

Dr. Charles Clayton

Dr. Christi Closson

Dr. Ryan Corte

Dr. Jessica Crooker

Dr. Kathy Dumbleton

Dr. Shane Foster

Dr. Kerry Gelb

Dr. Darryl Glover

Dr. Katie Greiner

Dr. Susan Gromacki

Dr. Jim Hoffman

Dr. Ethan Huisman

Dr. Faheem Inaytali

Dr. Essence Johnson

Dr. Shane Kannarr

Dr. Chris Lievens

Dr. Pam Lowe

Dr. Jenn Lyerly

Dr. Fayiz Mahgoub

Dr. Jason Miller

Dr. Amanda Nanasy

Dr. Gerald R. Neidigh

Dr. Patricia Poma-Nowinski

Dr. Susan Resnick

Dr. Sherrol A. Reynolds

Dr. Danielle Richardson

Dr. Osama Said

Dr. Mark Schaeffer

Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee

Dr. Keith Smithson

Dr. Katie Spear

Dr. Shauna Thornill

Dr. Will To

Dr. John Womack

Dr. Rachel Wruble

Dr. Jessica Yu

Dr. Jason Tu