Sam Johnson.
​
RUIDOSO, N.M.—The Society to Advance Opticianry (SAO) has named Sam Johnson as the 2018 ophthalmic optician of the year. To be considered for this honor an individual must be a member of the Society to Advance Opticianry, cannot be a voting member of the society’s board and must have shown leadership in advancing the scope of practice of opticiary during the prior year. During the past year, Johnson served as the chairman of the SAO’s refraction committee where he brought the certification of opticians as “ophthalmic refractionist” to be a potential future certification through the ABO/NCLE.

Johnson has served as president of the Registered Opticians Association of Texas, president of the Opticians Association of Texas, secretary of the Texas Ophthalmic Professional Society, president of the Society to Advance Opticianry, regent board member of the Opticians Association of New Mexico, and chairman of the SAO refraction committee.

As an ABOM in eyewear and NCLE advanced certified contact lens fitter, Johnson owns his own optical business in Ruidoso, New Mexico and also mentors other opticians.