Young Optometric Physician of the Year
2024 Young Optometric Physician of the Year - Phillip Ford, OD, Diplomate ABO
The Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians (OAOP) has named Dr. Phillip Ford of Catoosa as their 2024 Young Optometric Physician of the Year. This award is given to an Optometric Physician who has practiced for less than ten years and who demonstrates exceptional leadership in both the Optometry profession and in his or her community.
Dr. Phillip Ford is the co-owner of Eyecare of Catoosa Hills. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma and received his Doctorate at NSUOCO. Upon graduation, he was accepted to an intensive ocular disease and refractive care residency at a prominent Tulsa ophthalmology practice (Eyecare Associates of South Tulsa).
His training included extensive pathological care, emergent injuries/trauma, surgical consultation/post-operative care, and minor surgical procedures. He is certified to perform multiple minor eye procedures, including laser corrective surgery (PRK).
Soon after completing his residency training, Dr. Ford teamed up with one of Tulsa’s most prestigious surgeons, Dr. Marc Abel of Triad Eye Institute, to develop a smaller more personalized referral center. In 2017, Dr. Ford was blessed to join Eye Care of Catoosa with two of his fellow NSU colleagues. Dr. Ford serves in multiple leadership roles in his profession and community. He is a former district director for the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians. He also sits on the Oklahoma Optometric PAC committee aimed to protect and advance optometric care in Oklahoma. Dr. Ford is married to optometrist Dr. Megan Ford, and they have two young girls.
Past Honorees:
2023- Blake Carlisle, OD
2022- Kyle Henderson, OD
2021- Colby Ricks, OD
2020- Kyle Tate, OD
2019- Trevor Conklin, OD
2018- Scott Mendell, OD
2017- Tyson Allard, OD
2016- Nathan Lighthizer, OD, FAAO
2015- Randi Day, OD
2014- Crystal Mosteller, OD
2013- Lynsey Bigheart, OD
2012- Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, Diplomate American Board of Optometry
2011- Zeddie Cantrell, OD, Diplomate American Board of Optometry
2010- David Jones, OD
2009- Stephanie Rice, OD
2008- Jeff Elliott, OD
2007- Jason Rhynes, OD
2006- Kevin Wells, OD
2005- Jason Ellen, OD
2004- Heidi Thoden, OD & Wes DeRosier, OD
2003- Larry Charles, OD
2002- Jo'el Sturm, OD
2001- David Hall, OD
2000- James Ward, OD
1999- Tami Ross, OD
1998- Larry Henry, OD
1997- Dawn Holsted, OD
1996- Douglas T. Cook, OD
1995- Wesley Hall
1994- Jamie Archer Bennett, OD
1993- Jeff D. Miller, OD
1992- Dan G. Bintz, OD
1991- Michael E. Bennett. OD
1990- Kevin M. Swartz, OD
1989- Dean I. Dornic, OD
