Board elects its second non-optometrist president
SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Optometry elected new board officers for the 2019-2020 term at the board’s August public meeting.
Mark Morodomi, Esq., was elected president and succeeds Cyd Brandvein, who served as board president in 2018. Fellow board incumbents Dr. Glenn Kawaguchi (2012) and Dr. Debra McIntyre (2016) will serve as vice-president and secretary respectively.
A non-professional (non-optometrist) board member, Mr. Morodomi, an attorney, was appointed to the board as a public member in 2015 by Governor Brown. Previously he served as senior counsel at the University of California, Office of General Counsel, in Oakland since 2013.
Glenn Kawaguchi, O.D. has been a managing optometrist at EyeXam of California in Ventura, since 2011 and Debra McIntyre, O.D. has been managing doctor at Regency Eye Care in Temecula since 2016.
Mr. Morodomi offered his thoughts on his new role: “Four years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the actions of an out-of-state professional licensing board for decreasing professional competition without regard for consumer protection. That’s far from the case for the Board. We consistently put consumers first. For the second time in a row – board members elected a non-optometrist as board president. The faith that the board has in me is an example of the dedication that each of the members, professional and non-professional, has for the priorities of the board: patient protection and access to healthcare. I am honored by their faith.”
Additionally, the board announced the following committee appointments:
Legislation and Regulation Committee
Lillian Wang, OD – Chair
Rachel Michelin
Glenn Kawaguchi, OD
Maria Salazar-Sperber, JD
David Turetsky OD
Practice and Education Committee
Madhu Chawla, OD – Chair
Martha “Ruby” Garcia CLD, SLD
Debra McIntyre, OD
Consumer Protection Committee
Cyd Brandvein – Chair
Martha “Ruby” Garcia CLD, SLD
Debra McIntyre, OD
David Turetsky, OD
Public Relations and Outreach Committee
Maria Salazar-Sperber, JD – Chair
Madhu Chawla, OD
Rachel Michelin
David Turetsky, OD
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF OPTOMETRY: The California State Board of Optometry licenses and regulates more than 12,000 optometrists and dispensing opticians and retail optical sellers. The board’s mission is to protect the health and safety of California consumers through licensing, registration, education, and regulation of the practice of optometry and opticianry. For more information visit optometry.ca.gov.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) promotes and protects the interests of California consumers while ensuring a competent and fair marketplace. DCA helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. The department also protects professionals (licensees) from unfair competition by unlicensed practitioners. Consumers can file complaints against licensees by contacting DCA at (800) 952-5210. Consumers can also file a complaint online at dca.ca.gov.
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