WOA 2015 Optometrist of the Year
Wausau Doctor named Optometrist of the Year
Wisconsin Optometric Association recognizes Dr. Jeff Sarazen with prestigious award.
The WOA OD of the Year Award identifies an optometrist who has been in practice for more than 10 years and has made extraordinary contributions to the Association and to the profession of optometry in Wisconsin. Dr. Sarazen is the type of individual and professional that puts everyone around him at ease. Combining an excellent knowledge of the profession with an always personable demeanor and a constant willingness to put forth substantial effort on optometry’s behalf, he brings an exceptional combination of positive attributes to the great profession of optometry.
Dr. Sarazen is a frequent speaker at local high schools in Wausau, discussing careers in optometry to interested students. He has also established clinic tours at his practice for high school seniors interested in the profession. In recognition of these efforts, the School District of Wausau presented him with its Special Service Award. In addition, he has established externship programs with several universities and often has college students job shadow in his practice. Dr. Sarazen belongs to the Wausau Noon Optimists club and both coaches and sits on the board of directors for local soccer teams. In addition, he has an alliance with an area medical organization to help perform sports physicals for high school students and has lectured to physicians in this group on the topic of treating ocular trauma.
A volunteer provider for the WOA’s VISION USA – The Wisconsin Project program since its inception, Dr. Sarazen also provides benevolent eye exams to his youngest patients through the American Optometric Association’s renowned, national InfantSEE® program. From 1999-2004, he served the citizens of Wisconsin as a member of the prestigious Wisconsin Optometry Examining Board. He has also earned multiple well-deserved national accolades in recent years, becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and being named one of “America’s Best Optometrists” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.
Dr. Sarazen has a top-notch track record of service to his state and national optometric associations, which is not surprising given his love of running as a hobby. He has been a member of the WOA and the AOA since 1987, the year in which he graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry. He is a legislative contact person for the AOA and has made several trips to Washington, D.C. to lobby on Capitol Hill on behalf of organized optometry. Additionally, Dr. Sarazen is a frequent participant in WOA’s Legislative Day at the Capitol, which brings doctors from around the state to Madison to meet with their elected state officials. Along with keeping lawmakers informed, he also participates in a significant number of media interviews to promote public awareness of optometry. Dr. Sarazen is a previous chair of the WOA Education Committee and remains a dedicated committee member today. His many years of service on the WOA Board of Directors included his leadership of the Association as WOA President in 2012.
The WOA is extremely fortunate to count Dr. Jeff Sarazen among its membership in Wisconsin. He is, quite simply, an outstanding optometrist, a loyal WOA member, and a wonderful person to his colleagues and friends.
Congratulations to Dr. Jeff Sarazen.
About the Wisconsin Optometric Association
The Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA) is a nonprofit affiliation of licensed doctors of optometry and associated businesses dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the vision welfare of the people of Wisconsin. The WOA accomplishes its goals through: education and dissemination of information, organized governmental activity, legislation and regulation, mediation with consumer and public interest groups, and provision of collective benefits to its members. Approximately 630 doctors of optometry are currently members of the WOA, located in nearly every county in the state. All members must be licensed to practice optometry by the State of Wisconsin. For more information, visit WOA’s website at www.woa-eyes.org.
