SECO International announced Wilburn (Bill) Lord, Jr., O.D., a practicing optometrist in Greenville and Rolling Fork, Mississippi, as the incoming SECO International President. Dr. Lord has served in the capacity of President-Elect since the 2007 SECO Congress and assumed Presidency during the annual House of Delegates meeting held February 29, 2008, during SECO 2008. Dr. Lord was first elected to the organization as the Mississippi Trustee in 2002. In 2004, he was elected to the position of Secretary, and then served subsequently as Treasurer and Vice President prior to becoming President-Elect of SECO International in 2007.

As incoming president, Dr. Lord has outlined several goals for SECO during his term. "As SECO continues to grow and its exhibit hall expands, our number one priority is to offer optometry professionals the best possible continuing education program and exhibit hall, featuring the very latest in the industry," said Dr. Lord. "We also want to increase our associate members, expand our international programs and continue to meet the needs of both our industry partners and attendees."

"SECO is unique in that it allows optometry professionals the opportunity to complete all of their CE and shop the exhibit floor for everything they need for a thriving practice," added Dr. Lord. "It's a single source for world-class education, a marketplace filled with the latest technological advances, breakthrough products and eyewear fashion trends, and networking events with colleagues, friends, academics, industry leaders and employers," he said. "SECO really is the Education Destination in the industry."

A practicing optometrist for more than 30 years, Dr. Lord established his first practice in Rolling Fork, MS and later opened a second office in Greenville, MS. In addition to SECO International, Dr. Lord has been involved in other organized optometry organizations, including the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Mississippi Optometric Association, of which he is a past president.

A 1977 graduate of the Southern College of Optometry, Dr. Lord is a Room Sponsor at both the Southern College of Optometry and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. Dr. Lord also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and psychology from the University of Mississippi. He is very active in his community and church, having served on the Board of Trustees at Rolling Fork Methodist Church, as well as several committees. He is past president of both the Washington County Cancer Society and the Sharkey Country Club. He resides in Rolling Fork. Dr. Lord has two daughters. Allison, a graduate of UAB School of Optometry, practices with him. Lisa is the Director of Institutional Research at the University of Louisianna at Lafayette.

I, along with my co-chair Tammy Than, OD, would like to personally invite you to be part of our Annual Meeting of Clinical Excellence in Bermuda, July 17-20, 2008. I am very excited about this year's program, which is designed to provide you with the highest quality learning experience in an interactive, relaxed and enjoyable setting. This year's theme of "Passport to Knowledge" is fitting for a meeting in sunny Bermuda. Courses like "Adventures in Anterior Segment Disease Grand Rounds" feature a host of interesting ocular disease cases and involve the attendees in diagnosis and management. "Beyond the Beaten Path" discusses new technologies that will impact the way we practice optometry and treat patients in the future. "Your Passport through the Pharmacology Maze" is an informative session that will help you understand current pharmaceuticals and the most effective use of them in ocular disease management. These and all the classes in this friendly and relaxed environment have traditionally encouraged learning through interaction and audience involvement.

This theme carries beyond the symposium and into the social functions that include many of the top speakers and Review of Optometry editorial board members at the evening receptions to talk, to answer questions or to simply enjoy a social beverage. The evening receptions are a great opportunity to unwind with old friends, new friends, speakers and colleagues after a great day of education...and I didn't even mention the opportunities to enjoy the tropical beauty of Bermuda, the ocean adventures, sailing, the pink sandy beaches, relaxing spas, shopping, incredible dining or simply the luxury of the Fairmont Hotel! I look forward to seeing you in beautiful Bermuda for our annual Meeting of Clinical Excellence.

Click here to learn more about Bermuda 2008!

SECO International presented four awards during SECO International 2008, February 27 - March 2, 2008, recognizing significant contributions to the profession of optometry. Norman Johnson, O.D. was named Optometrist of the South, SECO's highest honor. In addition, Darby Chiasson, O.D., received SECO's Young Optometrist of the South award and Cheryl Gallant was named Paraoptometric of the South. The [Immediate Past] President of SECO International, Douglas Clark, O.D., presented the President's Award to Richard Weisbarth, O.D., past president of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Clark presented the awards to the recipients during the SECO International House of Delegates meeting Friday, February 29, 2008 in the Grand Ballroom of the Omni Hotel at CNN Center. "Every year SECO recognizes several outstanding individuals for their enormous contributions to the optometry profession," said Dr. Clark. "This year, we are honored to recognize Dr. Johnson, Dr. Chiasson, Dr. Weisbarth and Ms. Gallant not only for their numerous achievements, but for profoundly impacting the level of optometric care patients receive today. They all are truly exceptional optometry professionals." SECO International wishes to again congratulate our SECO 2008 award winners.