2026 MBKU Distinguished Alumni Awards

Sherry Day, OD, ‘97

Dr. Day earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, before graduating from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1997. She completed a Low Vision Rehabilitation residency at UC Berkeley and moved to Michigan in 1999. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, where for more than 22 years she has mentored residents and cared for patients in the medical contact lens and low vision clinics. 

Dr. Day’s career is defined by her commitment to advancing vision rehabilitation education worldwide. In 2012, she developed an international training program in specialty contact lenses and low vision rehabilitation at Kellogg Eye Center. She later received a university travel grant to train optometrists in western Kenya and has been named a 2026 Fulbright Scholar to expand low vision education and help establish vision rehabilitation centers in Taiwan. 

Beyond clinical care, Dr. Day collaborates across disciplines, including engineering, psychiatry, and ophthalmology, and serves as site PI of an NIH R01 grant studying psychotherapy and low vision rehabilitation for patients with vision impairment. 

As Optometry Section Lead and a member of the department chair’s cabinet, she helps shape optometry’s role in academic medicine, supporting professional development, interdisciplinary care, education, and research. She lectures nationally and internationally and has served as a visiting professor worldwide. 

Dr. Day also serves on the American Academy of Optometry Foundation board and AOA committees, advancing strategic planning, optometric education, patient advocacy, and programs that strengthen research and patient care. 
 

Weslie Hamada, OD, ‘01

Weslie M. Hamada, OD, FAAO is a second-generation optometrist whose career has been guided by a passion for advancing eye care. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry and began her career in private practice in Hawaii. 

Dr. Hamada transitioned into the ophthalmic and pharmaceutical industries, where she has spent more than a decade leading innovation across research and development, marketing, commercialization, and strategic leadership. Her career has included leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson Vision, Luxottica, AbbVie, and Astellas Pharmaceuticals. Most recently, she played an integral role in launching IZERVAY®, one of the first FDA-approved treatments for geographic atrophy. Today, she leads field marketing strategy for IZERVAY®, developing initiatives that empower retina specialists to redefine the standard of care in geographic atrophy. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Hamada has remained committed to advancing the profession of optometry. She has served as President of the Hawaii Optometric Association, a member of numerous American Optometric Association committees, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has also been recognized as Hawaii Optometrist of the Year, one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optical, and an MBKU Distinguished Alumni recipient. 

Dr. Hamada has always believed that optometrists can influence the future of eye care far beyond the exam lane. She credits SCCO with providing the clinical foundation, confidence, and lifelong commitment to service that continue to shape her career. She hopes her journey encourages future graduates to embrace new opportunities and never be afraid to create a path that is entirely their own. 
 

John Larcabal, OD, '88

Dr. John Larcabal is an '88 graduate of SCCO. After working as an associate for a year after graduation, John purchased a private practice in Norwalk, Ca., where he practiced for over 30 years. In 2006, he opened a second practice near his home in Brea with his partner Diane Almanza, OD (SCCO 2005). They still practice there today.

Shortly after graduating, John got involved with Professional Optometry and served in many capacities, including President of the California Optometric Association in 2004. 
John has had the pleasure to stay involved with SCCO, where he taught Practice Management with Peter Shaw McMinn (SCCO '78) for more than 30 years.

In 1994, John was asked to oversee the Vision Screening program at SCCO for a few years,  Afterwards, he started screening programs in various local school districts. 
Dr. Larcabal and his team have overseen the screenings of more than 400,000 students. 
Humanitarian vision clinics have also been a passion of Dr. Larcabal, and he has participated in over 50 international vision trips in 20 countries.

John says,“Optometry has been an incredible blessing in my life. It has given me countless opportunities to travel the world and provide eyecare to those in need. If I were to start my career all over again, I’d choose optometry in a heartbeat!”

Alicia Feis, OD, '08

Dr. Alicia Feis, O.D., F.A.A.O., serves as Dean of the Arizona College of Optometry at Midwestern University, where she has led the college since 2019 after joining the faculty in 2011. Following graduation from the Southern California College of Optometry, she completed a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision at the Illinois College of Optometry before dedicating her career to educating future optometrists, advancing the profession, and caring for patients.

Dr. Feis is passionate about preparing students not only for today's profession, but for the profession they will inherit tomorrow. She believes the strongest educational programs are built through collaboration and is committed to bringing faculty, students, and professional organizations together around the shared mission of educating the next generation of optometrists. She continues to work alongside students, faculty, and patients, believing that leadership is grounded in service, partnership, and shared purpose.

Nationally, Dr. Feis recently completed her term as President of the Associated Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), becoming the youngest woman to serve as ASCO President. She continues to advance optometric education through service on the Summer Institute for Faculty Development Committee and the Optometric Educator Leadership Committee, where she supports the development of future educators and academic leaders. Dedicated to developing future leaders, she has also contributed to initiatives that encourage and support women in leadership, including Keeping the Plant Alive. 
She credits the education and mentorship she received at Southern California College of Optometry with instilling a lifelong commitment to serving others and advancing the profession.

Valerie Lam, OD, '12

Valerie Lam began her journey at Marshall B. Ketchum University, wondering where a career in optometry would lead. She never imagined the incredible journey—or the calling—it would become.

After completing her residency in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy at MBKU, she discovered her passion for binocular vision, pediatrics, neuro-optometry, and caring for patients with special needs. She also never imagined that her classmate, Thanh Mai, who sat just four seats away in class, would one day become her business partner. Together, with an exceptional team, they built one of the fastest-growing private optometry practices in California.

At Insight Vision Center Optometry, work is more than a career—it is a mission. Through vision therapy, Dr. Lam and her team help children become stronger readers by improving their eye-tracking skills. They help children and adults gain confidence by treating amblyopia (lazy eye) and other vision disorders. They also guide patients recovering from concussions and brain injuries, helping them return to work, school, driving, and the activities they love.

Every day at Insight, we witness lives transformed, vision challenges overcome, and tears of joy as patients learn to love the way they see again. Dr. Lam is passionate about mentoring the next generation of optometrists, welcoming both optometry and pre-optometry students to learn alongside her team. Looking ahead, Insight Vision Optometry plans to expand access to specialty vision care in other states and countries while continuing to advance the profession through national and international lecturing.  
 

John Pack, OD, ‘91

Dr. John Pack is a 1991 graduate of Southern California College of Optometry, following his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1987. While at SCCO, he met his classmate and future wife, Dr. Beverly Bianes. Together they established and successfully operated three private optometry practices in San Diego, dedicating more than 25 years to providing patient-centered eye care.

In 2018, Dr. Pack joined Total Vision, where he served as Clinical Director and Electronic Health Records Training Specialist, helping support clinical excellence and the implementation of technology across a growing network of practices. He currently serves as a Professional Affairs Consultant for Johnson & Johnson and is a member of the Advisory Board for NVISION Eye Centers in La Jolla.

A dedicated leader within the profession, Dr. Pack has been actively involved with the San Diego County Optometric Society, serving two terms as president and contributing to numerous initiatives that advance organized optometry. He has also participated in several international medical mission trips and remains committed to serving his community through volunteer work with local civic and church organizations.

Family has always been central to Dr. Pack’s life. He and Beverly are proud parents of two children: their daughter, Dr. Alyssa Pack, an SCCO Class of 2020 graduate who is married to fellow SCCO 2020 graduate Dr. Justin Nguyen, and their son, David, a third-year medical student. Outside of optometry, Dr. Pack enjoys golfing, cycling, and international travel with family and friends. 

Marina Su, OD, ‘12

Dr. Marina Su is a health care leader with experience in clinical practice, education, and executive management. She is currently Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Executive Director of the University Eye Center at SUNY College of Optometry where she leads the strategic direction of the college’s clinical enterprise and its impact on the communities it serves.  

Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer, Director of Optometry and Residency Supervisor at Fromer Eye Centers, the largest private practice ophthalmology practice in New York City, where she led growth across five locations serving the underserved, managed mergers and acquisitions, implemented technology and artificial intelligence to improve clinical efficiency and developed sustainable operational systems.  She also remained active in-patient care, with expertise spanning ocular disease, pediatrics, low vision, co-management and specialty contact lenses.  

A Past President of the New York State Optometric Association, Dr. Su was the organization’s first person of color to serve as president, as well as its seventh female and third youngest president since its founding in 1895.  She co-founded the NYSOA/SUNY Shadow-a-Doctor Program and strengthened workforce diversity/future pipeline of optometric educators and students. She also serves on the national level with the American Optometric Association’s Leadership Development Committee.  

Dr. Su is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and has received honors, including Newsweek’s America’s Best Eye Doctors, the AOA’s President’s Award and the NYSOA’s Young OD of the Year Award. She holds advanced executive leadership certifications from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in health care leadership and artificial intelligence in clinical practice.  

While her professional career reflects a sustained commitment to mentoring future generations of optometrists, operational leadership and advancing health equity, she also joyfully sustains a forever commitment to her husband and three inspiring children. 

John Tassinari, OD, ‘87

Dr. Tassinari is a lifetime Californian who grew up in the San Fernando Valley.  His Bachelor of Science Degree is from Cal State Univ Northridge and his Doctor of Optometry degree is from the So. Calif College of Optometry.  After earning his O.D., he completed a 1-year residency in Vision Therapy at SUNY College of Optometry in Manhattan.  Dr. Tassinari operated a private optometry practice in Pasadena CA from 1988 to 2015.  His practice specialized in Vision Therapy and pediatric optometry.  During that same time period, Dr. Tassinari served as a part time faculty member for the So Calif College of Optometry.  He rose to the rank of assoc. professor in 2013.  In 2016, Dr. Tassinari joined the Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry full time and serves as the chief of pediatrics in the Eye Care Institute.  The academic rank of professor was attained in 2026.  His career highlights include attaining the status of Fellow, College Optometrists Vision Development and Diplomate, Binocular Vision Perception and Pediatric Optometry Section of the American Academy of Optometry. 
 

Tiffany Khieu, PharmD, '21

Dr. Khieu earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from San Diego State University and her Doctor of Pharmacy from Marshall B. Ketchum University. She continued her pharmacy training by completing a PGY-1 pharmacy residency at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, NJ, and PGY-2 psychiatric pharmacy residency at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore, MD. Currently, Dr. Khieu practices as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at her alma mater since 2023 and as a psychiatric pharmacist at West Anaheim Medical Center's Behavioral Health Unit where she provides medication management and education for geri-psychiatric patients. Dr. Khieu's clinical interests include dual diagnosis, treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and mood disorders. In addition, she is a member of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) and has been serving as a committee member of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee since 2023.  
 

Malisha Patel, PA-C, ‘23

Malisha Patel, PA-C is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in orthopedic surgery, with a focus on hand and upper extremity care. She approaches her clinical work with a strong commitment to patient-centered care, prioritizing both quality and connection with every patient she sees. She finds fulfillment in guiding patients through recovery and helping them get back to the lives they want to live.

Beyond the clinic, Malisha is the author of From a Low GPA to a PA-C: How I Got Into PA School Anyway and the founder of lowGPA-C.com, a mentorship platform helping pre-PA students navigate the application process with clarity and confidence. She also hosts workshops and mock interview sessions for aspiring PAs, sharing practical, real-world guidance with students at every stage of their journey.

Malisha is passionate about excellence in patient care and about helping the next generation of physician assistants find their footing. She hopes to remind students that persistence matters, and that a single setback, or even several, doesn't have to be the end of the story.  

Outside of work, Malisha enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling whenever she gets the chance. 

Annabelle Storch, OD, ‘19

Annabelle Storch, OD, MA is from Newport Beach, CA and currently working at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at UCI Health in the cornea, cataract, and refractive service, uveitis service, and pediatric service. She is a graduate of the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University and completed a Pediatric Optometry residency at SUNY College of Optometry. She was actively involved in organized optometry throughout school, including serving as the national American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) President from 2018-2019. Following graduation, she has stayed involved in organized optometry. She is currently on the board of the Orange County Optometric Society (OCOS), a Trustee for the California Optometric Association (COA), and involved in the volunteer structure of the American Optometric Association (AOA) serving on the AOA Federal Relations and Advocacy Action Committee.