2023 Award Winners – Optometry

Congratulations to our winners for Optometry!

Please read on to learn about their incredible achievements and work.

photo of dr. erin kenny

Dr. Erin Kenny, OD

The Feinbloom Center has been nationally and internationally recognized as a center of excellence in the field of low vision rehabilitation. Staffed by a team of professionals who work together to address the needs of persons who have a visual impairment, this team approach includes the affected individual, family members, an optometrist and one or more optometric interns, a vision rehabilitation specialist and a social service staff member. 

Dr. Erin Kenny received her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. Upon graduation, Dr. Kenny obtained her Doctor of Optometry from PCO at Salus University. She completed her residency at The Eye Institute in Low Vision Rehabilitation and is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. In 2016, she received the William Feinbloom Low Vision Award and the Alfred A. Rosenbloom, Jr. Low Vision Residency Award. Dr. Kenny is currently a faculty member at Salus University, which includes a role as Chief of the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center (WFVRC) and Associate Professor. She enjoys teaching 3rd and 4th year optometry students about the field of low vision rehabilitation and is a preceptor at the WFVRC. She is an advocate for the interdisciplinary approach when managing individuals with visual impairment.

To learn more about the William Feinbloom Low Vision Center, please visit: https://www.salus.edu/life/facilities/feinbloom-low-vision-center.html

photo of dr. kelly scherer

Dr. Kelly Scherer, OD

Dr. Kelly Scherer is a low vision optometrist who has devoted her career to improving the lives of individuals with visual impairments. In her role as the Director of Clinical Services at The Chicago Lighthouse over the past five years, she has been an integral part of an interdisciplinary low vision rehabilitation team of optometrists, occupational therapists, and mental health care providers. Dr. Scherer’s primary focus has been on patients facing complex and advanced ocular disease resulting in visual impairment, and she provides compassionate, high-quality care with a strong emphasis on practical solutions. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her patients have access to a diverse range of resources and support services, including Accessible Pharmacy. Beyond her clinical care, Dr. Scherer is a passionate advocate for individuals with vision loss. She actively promotes the expansion of access to low vision care and contributes to the field through clinical and educational initiatives, providing education on low vision rehabilitation to healthcare providers, optometrists, optometry students, and the public. She is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those with visual impairments through clinical care, education, and advocacy.

To learn more about The Chicago Lighthouse, please visit: https://chicagolighthouse.org/