Dr. Richard Windsor Named 1999 OD of the Year
ST. LOUIS, July 15, 1999—Richard L. Windsor, O.D., of Hartford City, Ind., has been named the American Optometric Association's 1999 National Optometrist of the Year.The award honors Dr. Windsor for his outstanding service to the profession of optometry and the visual welfare of the public. The award was presented to Dr. Windsor by then AOA president, John A. McCall Jr., O.D., of Crockett, Texas, during ceremonies at the 102nd AOA Congress in San Antonio. Dr. Windsor was cited for is work in the field of low vision and neuro-optometric rehabilitation.
Dr. Windsor, a veteran of the optometric profession for 26 years, has been practicing with the Eye Associates Group in Hartford City, IN., since 1973. He currently serves as president of the 105-year-old group, which has seven offices in Indiana and includes four centers, dedicated to low vision and neuro-optometric rehabilitation, the visual rehabilitation of patients after stroke or head injury.While maintaining the traditional integrity of optometric practice, Dr. Windsor has worked to expand optometry's scope of practice over the years. Since graduating from Indiana University's School of Optometry, he has taught a range of optometric continuing education courses including pharmacology and neuro-optometry.
Dr. Windsor also developed the role of optometry by advancing low vision rehabilitation. He was instrumental in founding five low vision centers in Indiana and the Indiana Low Vision Rehabilitation Society. He also pioneered methods for bioptic driving and co-developed screening techniques for partially sighted children. In addition, he established optometry's role in brain injury with his work in the rehabilitation of hemianoptic patients and the training of rehabilitation departments in major hospitals in the nation.
Dr. Windsor has also shared his knowledge and expertise with patients, families and professionals through the Internet. He created the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association's N.O.R.A. Virtual Campus, which offers information about optometric care in brain injury, and the Low Vision Gateway to the Internet, a conduit to low vision resources on the Internet.
In 1974, Dr. Windsor developed programs of optometric care for 35 nursing homes. His work has since become a model for eye care delivery in nursing homes. He also authored a chapter titled "Management of the Low Vision Patient Who is Homebound or in Long Term Care" in the book, Problems in Optometry (Lippincott 1992).
A 30-year member of both the AOA and the past president of the Indiana Optometric Association. He has also been an active member of the East Central Optometric Society. Dr. Windsor has been honored five times by the Indiana Optometric Association including:
Young Optometrist of the Year 1979
Meritorious Service Award 1987
Distinguished Service Award 1992
Meritorious Service Award 1995
Optometrist of the Year 1996
In 1973, the Indiana University School of Optometry honored Dr. Windsor with the Fox Award as the Outstanding Senior Clinician. The Indiana Workers for the Blind honored Dr. Windsor in 1995 with an award for his service to the visually impaired and the Paraoptometric Association presented him with the Boss of the Year Award in 1996.
Dr. Windsor has served his community by volunteering his time in service projects, working with young people, donating his optometric services and fulfilling significant roles with the Blackford United Way.
Dr. Windsor and his wife of 28 years, Marjorie, have been advocates in the community for the developmentally and physically challenged and for abused children, serving as foster and adoptive parents. Three of their five children are adopted special needs children.