Jennifer Lyerly, OD and James Sandefur, OD.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—The Southern College of Optometry (SCO) has announced two additions to their board of trustees. James Sandefur, OD, will be stepping into the role of board chair, while  Jennifer Lyerly, OD, will become the board’s newest member. Dr. Sandefur has served on the board of trustees at SCO, his alma mater, for several years, and officially assumed the chair position in January. He has spent more than 30 years in private practice in Oakdale, Louisiana, and was one of the first optometrists to serve on a hospital staff in the state.

He’s also spent time as executive director of the Optometry Association of Louisiana, as well as on multiple committees within the American Optometric Association. He was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame in 2017.

“Dr. Sandefur has long been a vocal advocate for the profession of optometry, and his legacy has contributed to optometrists’ roles as valuable members of the health care community today,” said Dr. Lewis Reich, president of SCO. “We’re thrilled to have his forward-thinking leadership guiding our board.”

Dr. Lyerly graduated from SCO in 2011, and was named outstanding clinician in her class. In 2017, she also earned SCO’s young alumni award for her service, leadership and support of the college. Currently, she is the director of contact lens care at Triangle Visions in Cary, North Carolina, and is one of the youngest members of SCO’s board.

Dr. Lyerly also is the cofounder of Defoucus Media, a social media management company for private practice optometrists, cohost of the Defocus podcast, and blogger at Eyedolatry. She was named one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optometry in 2015, and was 2017 brand ambassador of the year for Transitions Optical.