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Candidate(s) for NAVAO President:
Jarett A. Mazzarella, O.D., FAAO (Salisbury VA HCS, NC, Salisbury, NC)
NAVAO Office/Activities:
Vice President NAVAO, 21′-Present
NAVAO Membership Committee, 15′-21′
NAVAO online lecture: “OCT Boot Camp.” Clinical Pitfalls and Pearls: 2 hours COPE approved 19′
Professional involvement:
Prior Acting VA Optometry National Program Office Deputy Director 24′-25′
Clinical Leadership Board (CLB) Steering Committee 22′
Clinical Leadership Board Co-Chair 22′-present
Member of the Field Advisory Board (FAB)
Prior FAB Staff Recruitment and Retention: Personal Orientation and Development Subcommittee 13′-17′
National VA Optometry Workgroups
3 Commendations from the National Optometry Program Office
Current Service Chief Optometry Service with specialty clinics including CARF accredited advanced low vision clinic, polytrauma, medical contact lens, and dry eye clinic
Prior SBY VAHCS optometry leadership roles as assistant optometry service chief, Kernersville HCC section chief, Kernersville HCC externship coordinator/liaison
SBY VAHCS Organizational Health Council, Clinical Services Representative 22′-25′
AAO Admittance Committee, Subcommittee Chair 23′-Present
AAO Flom Leadership Group Facilitator 22′-present
President of the North Carolina Chapter of the AAO, 14′-16′
AOA/AFOS Member
Author/Lecturer
Personal statement:
I am honored to be considered for the position of President of NAVAO for the upcoming term. My many years of involvement with NAVAO and learning from the great leaders in our profession have provided me with the personal and professional growth and fortitude required for the position of President. My goal would be to honor the mission of NAVAO, continue to promote optometry as a profession within the VA, and foster collaboration and effective strategies that lead to continued professional development. I would build upon the tremendous work of prior NAVAO leaders and ensure we are able to provide the best care for our Veterans now and into the future, with continued emphasis on optometric education, extern and residency training within the VA, and professional growth in the excellent care we are trained to provide.
Candidate(s) for NAVAO Vice-President:
Megan Tomsik, O.D., FAAO (Biloxi VA Medical Center)
NAVAO Office/Activities:
Member of NAVAO since 2020
Professional Relations Committee (2022-2023)
Executive Committee Member (Secretary) 2023-2025
Professional involvement:
American Academy of Optometry Student Fellow in 2016 and Fellow in 2021
COPE Reviewer for the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) 2021-Present
Visual Impairment Services Team for the Biloxi Facility (2020-Present)
VISN 16 Mentor Feb 2023-Present
Personal Statement:
My name is Megan Tomsik and I am currently the secretary of NAVAO and the VISN 16 Mentor. I am also the OAA site director for the Biloxi, Mobile, and Pensacola locations. I consider myself very energetic and willing to work hard for the good of our profession and also for our patients. I have no doubt I have the energy, drive, and passion to be the Vice President of NAVAO. It would be an absolute honor to serve VA optometrists in this role. Thank you for your consideration of your vote! I promise I will not let you down!
Candidate(s) for NAVAO Secretary:
Nancy Shenouda-Awad, O.D., FAAO (VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus, West Haven, CT)
NAVAO Office/Activities:
NAVAO Events Committee Chair 2023-present
NAVAO Events Committee Tech POC 2021-2023
NAVAO Events Committee Member 2020-present
NAVAO Membership Committee Member 2020- present
NAVAO Member 2006-present
Professional Involvement:
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO):
-Residency Educators SIG- active member and contributor
-Continuing Education Directors SIG- active member
American Academy of Optometry (FAAO): Fellow member
VHA Leadership Coaching Program
SUNY State College of Optometry, Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor 2009 – Present, Adjunct Clinical Faculty 2006 – 2007
New England College of Optometry, Clinical instructor of Optometry, affiliated faculty 2007 – Present
Personal Statement:
My passion and commitment for VA Optometry started during my VA residency in 2006 and continued since as an attending and Residency Director at the VA West Haven CT. I have always valued the role NAVAO plays in supporting VA Optometry, its members and the growth of the profession as a whole. I am proud to have been an active member of this organization, and have served in several roles, most notably as events chair. In these roles, I have been dedicated to promoting and fulfilling NAVAO’s mission and goals. I consider myself a self-motivated and hardworking individual, which are qualities that help me tackle any task I undertake with resilience and determination. I am honored to be nominated for NAVAO secretary and in this position, I vow to continue being an integral member of NAVAO and support its success!
Theresa Jay, O.D., FAAO (Salisbury VA Health Care System (Kernersville HCC location, NC))
NAVAO Office/Activities:
NAVAO Professional Relations Committee 2022-present
Professional involvement:
American Academy of Optometry North Carolina Chapter Vice President
FAB Total Quality Improvement: Infection Disease Control–Subcommittee member
American Academy of Optometry Awards Committee Member
Fellow of American Academy of Optometry
Dry Eye Clinic lead optometric physician at Kernersville VA
Adjunct Faculty at The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Adjunct Faculty at Midwestern University College of Optometry
Historically served a two-year term as OSU American Optometric Student Association Trustee for profession lobbying and advocacy
Personal Statement:
I am honored to have been nominated for the office of Secretary for the 2025 NAVAO election term. I strongly believe I have the passion, dedication, and attention to detail required to uphold the mission and values of NAVAO. If elected Secretary, I pledge to ensure clear, accurate, and timely documentation of all communications and action items. I understand the importance of organization, transparency, and communication in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our committee’s work to serve the Veterans and profession we love. If elected, I vow to be committed to supporting our mission and members and would look forward to contributing to the success of our initiatives. I am grateful for your kind consideration and humbly ask for your vote and the opportunity to support NAVAO with dedication and heart!
Candidate(s) for NAVAO Treasurer:
Andrew J. Crist, O.D., FAAO (VA Central Ohio (Columbus, OH))
NAVAO Office/Activities:
Member, 2016-present
Finance Committee Member, 2021-2023
Professional involvement:
Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), 2019-present
American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry (ABCMO) member, 2023-present
VA Central Ohio Optometry Student Externship Program Director, 2016-present
Optometry SME for Medical-Surgical Prime Vendor (MSPV) program, 2019-present
FAB Electronic Medical Records/Information – Cerner Subcommittee member, 2022-present
Personal Statement:
I sincerely appreciate the nomination to be considered for role of Treasurer. NAVAO has been a great resource and advocate for our profession. I welcome the opportunity to do my part and contribute to the continued success of NAVAO. As a previous Finance Committee member and the current Treasurer, I have the experience and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position. Thank you for your consideration as it would be an honor to continue to serve as your NAVAO Treasurer.