Doctor Has Eye On Optometric Assoc.

Dr. Denise M. Whittam, OD, was elected President of the New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA), at the statewide association's 114th Annual Meeting. A lifelong resident of Ridgewood, Whittam practices at Cohen's Fashion Optical in Manhattan.

"As president of this dynamic statewide association, I have dedicated myself to guiding our profession by communicating candidly and collaborating closely with our executive officers and consultants by providing valuable insights and strategic planning," said Whittam. "As health care professionals serving in our communities across the state, we rely on the support of our legislators, our leadership, our 1,000 member doctors and our patients to provide the best possible primary and specialty eye care."

Whittam was educated in P.S. 71 and J.H.S. 93, and she was valedictorian of Grover Cleveland High School's Class of 1975. She later taught English there for five years, after having earned her BA summa cum laude from Queens College in 1979. She obtained her New York State license in ophthalmic dispensing in 1982 from New York Technical College. She earned her bachelor of science degree from Queens College in 1988, and she graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry in 1991 as a doctor of optometry (OD).

Doctor Whittam served as president of the Optometric Society of the City of New York for five years while concurrently serving on the SUNY College of Optometry Alumni Board. She is also on the founding board of Women of Vision and editor of Prospectus, the professional publication of the New York State Optometric Association. She received NYSOA's Communications Award in 2005 and 2007 for her many articles in optometric journals. Dr. Whittam also volunteers in the American Optometric Association's (AOA) InfantSEE and VisionUSA programs.

Whittam is the daughter of Barbara Whittam, a Ridgewood resident for 80 years and owner of a Mathews flats building on Palmetto Street; and of the late Lt. Henry James Whittam, who served for 32 years in the Fire Department of New York at Engine Co. 291 on Metropolitan Avenue on the Maspeth/Ridgewood border.

"I feel very proud to take on the responsibility of helping to lead this exceptional association of dedicated health care professionals," said Dr. Whittam. "As doctors, we constantly incorporate innovation in diagnosis, treatment and services, and I feel honored to take on a leading role in guiding our association forward."

To find an optometrist locally, or for additional information on UV protection and other eye health issues, visit www.nysoa.org.