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The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians’ Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual doctor of optometry who has distinguished himself/herself within the profession for unusually significant contributions and outstanding achievements contributing to the advancement of the profession of optometry. It recognizes long-term dedication rather than a single contribution.
2010 Distinguished Service Award (Dr. Mack Smith)
William James said “The best use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” That could have very well been the life theme for our 2010 Distinguished Service Award Recipient Mack Smith given the legacy he has created through his commitment to the profession of optometry.
Mack was born and raised in Oklahoma City. He worked on a large farm-ranch in Texas and in a shipyard in Oregon before serving in the Philippines with the Navy during WW II. After the war, he completed his undergraduate studies at San Diego State University. In 1950 he married the girl of his dreams, Wanda Lavon Bowen. This marriage resulted in two children, Patricia Sue and Brenda Gail. In 1954, he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee where he was secretary of his class and of the honorary scholastic fraternity, Sigma Alpha Sigma. Upon graduation, he took the Optometry Boards and received a license to practice in Arizona, California and Oklahoma. He opened an optometric office in Pawnee in 1955 and practiced there for more than 55 years. Dr. Smith still provides emergency eye care in the absence of Dr. Jeff Miller of Cockerell Eye Care when it is needed. He also provides eye health care at the Pawnee Free Clinic.In the early years of his practice, Mack became involved in the American Optometric Association and Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians serving as president in 1970. He also served two terms as Secretary/Treasury of the Oklahoma Board of Examiners in Optometry impacting the state oversight of the profession. In 1990, his colleagues honored him as the Oklahoma Optometric Physician of the Year. He is also an esteemed member of the “Team of The Century” and the “Pioneers in Optometry Hall of Fame”.Dr. Smith also served as President of the Southern College of Optometry Alumni and on the Board of Trustees of the college. He has been a member of the Board of the Vision Educational Foundation for 27 years and has been President and CEO the last eight years. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. In addition to his legacy in the optometric profession, Dr. Smith is an avid community advocate with involvement in a wide variety of organizations and events. He is involved in the Pawnee Upper Black Bear water development, Boy Scouts, providing school vision screening, Friends of Pawnee Bill Ranch Association, Pawnee Municipal Hospital Board and on the Pawnee Hospital Foundation. He has served as president of the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce as well as a host of other organizations and committees.Dr. Smith states that next to his Lord, his family and optometry are the most important things in his life. He is an active member and deacon of the First Baptist Church in Pawnee and is a Gideon. In his spare time, Mack relaxes with a few cattle and is pampered by his lovely wife of 60 years, Wanda and his two daughters. He and Wanda love to visit with the families of their children and grandchildren.
Woodrow Wilson said, “We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world with a finer spirit of hope and achievement.” That could not be a better description of our 2010 Distinguished Service Award Recipient. Please help me honor and congratulate, Dr. Mack Smith.
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