October 18, 2023
NEW YORK — The Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society (OWNS), a leading organization dedicated to advancing ocular health through nutrition and wellness, has announced a significant expansion of its leadership team with the addition of new board members and the establishment of an advisory committee.
As part of its ongoing commitment to elevating the standard of eye care and wellness, OWNS has appointed Joseph Pizzimenti, OD, FAAO, FORS, FNAP; Lara Zakaria, PharmD MS, CDN, CNS, IFMCP; Ansel Johnson, OD; and Dr. Kaleb Abbott, OD, MS, FAAO, to its board of directors. OWNS welcomes each of these individual’s wealth of expertise, passion, and dedication to the organization’s mission.
Additionally, OWNS is proud to introduce the formation of an advisory committee, which the organization describes as a pivotal step toward fostering further collaboration in the field of ocular health and wellness. This committee comprises Jeffery Anshel OD, FAAO; Marc Grossman OD, L.Ac; and Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO.
This expansion is led by the existing board with the new leadership role of President Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FOWNS, CFMP; Immediate Past President Julie Poteet, OD, MS, CNS, FOWNS, in addition to its current board members, Dennis Ruskin, OD, FAAO; Dorothy L. Hitchmoth, OD, FAAO, ABO, ABCMO Diplomate; and Steven Pratt, MD, FACS, ABIHM.
Also, OWNS honored students during a reception at the recent American Academy of Optometry meeting in New Orleans. Winners were University of Alabama student Steven Chen and SUNY school of optometry student Rebecca Treen.