Iowa Optometrist Abie R. Chadderdon, O.D., was honored as the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University (SCCO/MBKU). The 1981 alumnus has been an active contributor to his community of Marshalltown, Iowa, to the profession of Optometry and to the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Chadderdon was honored at the 110th Commencement Exercise of SCCO/MBKU on, Thursday, May 22.
He encouraged the graduates to be involved in their communities and to give of their time, talent and treasure. "You are going to be looked at in your community at a high level and a lot is going to be expected of you. Deliver it. Give it," Dr. Chadderdon said. "I graduated in '81 and I practice full-time. I still get up every day and look forward to going to work. I love it. And so, my wish for you is that 30 plus years from now that you can say the same thing."
Following graduation, Dr. Chadderdon practiced four years at Eisenhower Medical Center in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, while serving in the U.S. Army from 1981 to 1985. In July 1985, he began his optometric partnership and currently has a three-doctor, three-location practice in central Iowa. Today, he continues to serve his community and remains dedicated and thankful to his wife Penni and five children, Adam, Ambur, Austin, Aspen and Alyvia, for their love and support.
Dr. Chadderdon is a member of New Hope Christian Church, Noon Lions Club, and the Rotary Club. He has served as Chamber Ambassador and on the Chamber Board as chair of their Legislative Committee. Additionally, his service has been given to the Junior Achievement Board, Mid-Iowa Community Action Health Advisory Board, YMCA Board, and the United Way Executive Committee where he served as co-chair of the 2006 Annual United Way Campaign. He also serves on several committees for Marshalltown Christian School. In addition, Dr. Chadderdon has coached various youth sports, and he even manages to participate recreationally in his city league basketball games and enjoys both tennis and golf.
Dr. Chadderdon is an active member of the Iowa Optometric Association where he served as President and chaired several committees, currently serving on Legislative and Eyecare Benefits Committees. He was named Young O.D. of the Year in 1986 and O.D. of the Year in 2007. He has been active in the American Optometric Association (AOA) serving on the AOA PAC Board, including two years as chair. He currently serves on the FLAK Board.
Dr. Chadderdon also serves as Co-administrator of Vision Source for the state of Iowa, and has served 17 years in the Iowa Army National Guard before retiring in May of 2003 at a rank of Colonel.
SCCO has been a grateful recipient of Dr. Chadderdon's volunteerism and philanthropy. He has served loyally as the Class of 1981 Champion and has achieved Epoch Society recognition for 27 years of generous philanthropic support.
Marshall B. Ketchum University
About Us
Rooted in a tradition of excellence in Optometry, Marshall B. Ketchum University's (MBKU's), vision is to reimagine the future of health care education by educating caring, inspired health care professionals who are prepared to deliver collaborative, patient-centric health care in an interprofessional environment.
Vision: To reimagine the future of health care education.
Mission: To educate caring, inspired health care professionals who are prepared to deliver collaborative, patient-centric health care in an interprofessional environment.
Core Values: Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion and Respect.
History
Marshall B. Ketchum University is now home to the Southern California College of Optometry and the School of Physician Assistant Studies. Named after the founder of the optometric institution in 1904, the change to a university structure addresses the growing demand for highly skilled health care professionals. MBKU will provide a diversity of health care education opportunities in an environment fully focused on medical professionalism, combining advanced clinical training with innovative teaching methods. The University confers a four-year, professional degree, Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) and a Master of Science in Vision Science (M.S.) degree. MBKU's School of Physician Assistant Studies expects to award a Master of Medical Sciences (MMS) degree. MBKU has recently announced plans to establish a College of Pharmacy.
The University's superior 110-year-old optometric clinical education program provides patient care experiences in community optometric clinics; exposure to the delivery of optometric care in multi-disciplinary settings; and experiences in practices serving a wide variety of ethnic and socio-economic patient groups. Marshall B. Ketchum University owns and operates two premier eye and vision care centers – University Eye Center at Fullerton located on its campus in Fullerton, CA, and University Eye Center at Los Angeles located on Broadway at Martin Luther King Boulevard near downtown Los Angeles.
Accreditations
Marshall B. Ketchum University: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Southern California College of Optometry: Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) of the American Optometric Association.
School of Physician Assistant Studies: The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Marshall B. Ketchum University Physician Assistant Program.
Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status. The status indicates that the plans and resource allocation for the proposed program appear to demonstrate the program's ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards if fully implemented as planned. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.