Geist_WeissRelease

							 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    Media Contact: Alissa Johnson
                                                                                   noa@assocoffice.net
                                                                                          402.474.7716



Taking The Lead: Two Nebraska Optometrists Currently Head Regional
Optometric Groups
Doctors of Optometry Teri Geist and Ellen Weiss Practice in Omaha, but Guide Optometrists
Throughout the Region

Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Optometric Association (NOA) is enjoying a unique position in the first half
of 2011, with two of our very own past presidents heading respected regional optometric organizations.
Dr. Teri Geist is president of the North Central States Optometric Council (NCSOC) and Dr. Ellen Weiss
leads the Heart of America Contact Lens Society (HOACLS). The overlap of their tenures has led to the
first time NOA has had two members in such prominent roles simultaneously.



Dr. Geist, 2007 NOA President, assumed the role of NCSOC in June of 2010 at the Council's Annual
Cabinet Meeting. She is a partner at Midwest Eyecare in Omaha. A comprehensive optometrist who
specializes in routine and problem-focused eye examinations, pediatric eye care, urgent eye care, and
pre- and post-operative examinations, Dr. Geist was raised in western Nebraska. She received her
bachelor of arts degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and her doctor of optometry degree
from Pacific University in Portland, Oregon. While at Pacific University, Dr. Geist completed an
externship at the Portland VA Medical Center and was active in contact lens research. Dr. Geist worked
in a rural-based vision care practice in South Dakota immediately after her graduation in 1996 and
joined Midwest Eye Care in 1997. She currently also serves as Chair of the AOA Communications
Exective Group.

Dr. Weiss, 2003 NOA President, became president of the HOACLS in February 2011 at their annual
meeting in Kansas City. Dr. Weiss earned her Optometry degree from the University of Missouri - St.
Louis School of Optometry and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska at
Omaha. She practices at Millard Family Eyecare in Omaha. Dr. Weiss has a special interest and expertise
in the areas of pediatrics and vision therapy. She is a past president of the Millard Lions Club. Dr. Weiss
participates in VOSH mission trips yearly, traveling to under-developed countries and providing free eye
exams and glasses for the needy. Dr. Weiss also served for seven years as the coordinator for the Special
Olympics Opening Eyes, where Special Olympics athletes are provided an eye exam and glasses if
needed. She and her husband, Carl, have three children.
About NCSOC: The nine members of NCSOC are the Optometric Associations located in Illinois, Iowa,
Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Cabinet (which
is comprised of the Executive Director, President and President-Elect of each member state association)
meets several times each year, usually in conjunction with American Optometric Association meetings.
The Cabinet has taken a proactive role in encouraging and facilitating sharing of resources and common
messaging by states and the AOA in regard to public relations, branding and consumer education.
NCSOC sponsors periodic continuing education courses which are offered at a discount to doctors in
NCSOC member states.

About HOACLS: Approximately 1200 optometrists and staff from across the United States attend the
HOACLS annual meeting held around Valentine’s Day each year in Kansas City, MO. The HOACLS just
celebrated their 50th anniversary. Coordinated by a 12 member Board of optometrists from the five
member states of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, their purpose and philosophy is to
put on the most engaging and informative meeting for optometrists and their staff in a weekend setting.
In addition, HOACLS provides scholarships and grants of nearly $100,000 each year.

About NOA: The Nebraska Optometric Association represents over 230 doctors of optometry
throughout the state. Licensed optometrists provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the
United States, including diagnosis and treatment of eye disease and vision conditions.

Nebraska Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the
frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the
eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall
health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study,
culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students is
extensive and covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school
consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic
health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing
education to stay current on the latest standards of care. For more information, go to
http://nebraska.aoa.org.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Dr. Teri Geist
Dr. Ellen Weiss