FPA Faculty

The First Practice Academy is a program within the MBA that is specifically geared toward optometrists in their first three years of practice ownership or practice partnership.

Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD

Dr. Wright is clinical assistant professor at The Ohio State University, where he teaches practice management. He is chief executive officer of Pathways, a consulting firm specializing in practice financial assessment. Previously he had founded a ten doctor practice in Columbus, Ohio. In 2008 he joined the faculty of the Management & Business Academy.

Laurie Sorrenson, OD, FAAO

Dr. Sorrenson is a 1985 graduate of the University of Houston College of Optometry, who manages a group practice in Austin, Texas. She has lectured extensively on clinical and practice management topics. She served as Benedict Practice Management professor at Houston College of Optometry, where she continues as a part-time faculty member.

Amir Khoshnevis, OD

Dr. Amir Khoshnevis became owner of Carolina Family Eyecare in 2003. Since that time, he has grown the practice to two locations with a staff of 15 and annual revenues of $1.7 million. A third location is planned for this year. Dr. Khoshnevis is a member of AOA and NCSOS, and he is a Vision Source Administrator. He is a 1998 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

Pamela Miller, OD, FAAO, JD

Dr. Miller is a graduate of the Southern California College of Optometry and the Loma Linda College of Law. She founded her independent practice after graduation and went on to become the first woman on the California Optometric Association Board of Trustees and on the California State board of Optometry. She has authored seven books, has been a contributing editor to numerous professional journals and is a frequent lecturer.

Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD

Dr. Carole Burns of Westerville, Ohio, started her practice in 1986, after completing her residency in pediatrics and vision therapy. She and Dr. Mark Wright combined their practices three years later, and since then two locations have grown to three with eight partners and a staff of 35. Since Dr. Wright’s transition from practice to teaching and consulting, Dr. Burns has been CEO of the corporation. She also runs a nursing home practice and a specialty VT practice. Dr. Burns lectures nationally, and she serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Ohio State University School of Optometry. In 1989, Dr. Burns was named young optometrist of the year in Ohio, and in 2008 she was the focus of a feature story in Women in Optometry.

Mike Rothschild, OD

Dr. Rothschild is a 1997 graduate of Southern College of Optometry. He founded West Georgia Eye Care in Carrolton, Georgia in 1999. he has lectured extensively to students and young ODs about launching a private optometric practice. He is a founding member of The Roya Enterprise, a company that assists aspiring practice owners.

Kelly Kerksick, OD

Dr. Kerksick is a 2002 graduate of Southern College of Optometry. Upon graduation she founded Midwest Vision in Columbia, Illinois, where she currently practices. She has lectured widely, served as an advisor to major ophthalmic companies and has numerous articles published on practice management topics. Currently she serves as Director of Professional Services for Vision Source.