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Young Optometric Physician of The Year |
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Though young in their practice, nominees for the Young OD of the Year award are maximizing their potential and working to make a difference in the profession of optometry.
2010 Young Optometric Physician of the Year:
Dr. David JonesRobert Browning said, “Our aspirations are our possibilities.” David Jones, our 2010 Young Optometric Physician of the Year knows this to be true. His aspirations to help young people who were struggling in the classroom took him to a whole new career that has opened a world of possibility to impact patients living across Northwest Oklahoma.David Jones is a native of Wakita and a graduate of Wakita High School. Upon graduation, he attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University where he was awarded his bachelor’s degree in Education. For three years he utilized his degree working as a High School science teacher and coach in Central Kansas. While in this setting, David began to notice that many of the students he taught and athletes he coached exhibited behavior that was indicative they were struggling in school. As he began to take more notice, it became apparent that many of them were experiencing problems with their vision that was translating to poor school performance. It was this revelation that persuaded David to return to Northwestern, complete the prerequisite course requirements, and apply to optometry school. Not surprisingly, he was accepted and began his optometric training at Northeastern Oklahoma State University College of Optometry in the fall of 1998. While at NSUOCO, he was a member of the College of Optometry Vision Development program and a student member of OAOP. After graduating in 2002, Dr. Jones began practicing with Dr. Don Diehl in Enid, Oklahoma and did so until 2003. He then became Chief of Optometric Services at the Redbird Smith Health Clinic in Sallisaw, Oklahoma for NSUOCO. In 2007, David joined his classmate Matt Scott at Northwest Eye Associates in Woodward and Shattuck where he is still in practice. Their practice was one of the first to provide Iris Scanning to children in the communities they serve. David also participates in providing InfantSEE exams to babies in the communities they serve. And, he is involved with the local Lions Club helping to provide inexpensive eyeglasses to those in need.David has been a member of OAOP since 1998. He served as the District 2 Director from 2006-2007 and the District 8 Director from 2009 to the present. He has been a Membership Committee member since 2002, serving as Chair of that committee in 2009. In addition, he was also a participant in the 2008 class of Leadership Optometry. When asked about what provides him the greatest sense of accomplishment in his optometry practice, David quickly talks about helping patients achieve their vision potential through all of the treatment methods now available and how happy it makes him to know that he has provided those he cares for with the ultimate service and quality care they deserve.David is also an active member of the Woodward Chamber of Commerce and First Baptist Church, Woodward where he serves as the teacher for the Mosaic Sunday school class and plays guitar and bass. He is also a guitarist for the contemporary Christian band “Even Me.” Committed to helping those in need, David recently gave his time to participate in a roofing mission trip to Colorado. Although he states that he has no talent in these areas, David enjoys bird hunting, wakeboarding, barefoot skiing, and basketball in his spare time.Please join me in congratulating our 2010 Young Optometric Physician of the Year, Dr. David Jones.
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