The Association of Seventh-day Adventist Optometrists started to develop as early as 1950 by the effort of Dr. Clarence Omans. However, it was not organized until 1958 with the help of Dr. Pete Heinrich along with Dr. Omans and a few other O.D.'s.
The first convention was held at a camp near Yosemite National Park with 16 O.D.'s in attendance. Officers were elected and meeting times were set. This has continued every year since that date with conventions being held at different places throughout the United States and Canada.
Even before the official organization was organized, missions were started. In 1954 Dr. & Mrs. Milton Ruhl were called to the mission field to the Puerta S.D.A. Mayaquis Hospital for 4 1/2 years. In 1973, Dr. Robert Baker set up an optometric clinic in Guam which is still functioning today.
In 1961, with the efforts of Drs. Lincoln Underwood and Howard Engeberg, an optometric clinic was set up at La Vida Mission in New Mexico to provide vision care to the native Americans. This mission continued with Dr. Wessley Cooper leading out.
In 1981, Dr. Don Ackley was asked by SAWS to provide optometrists for the Cambodia and Vietnam refugees on the Cambodia-Thailand border. Drs. Don Ackley and Pete Heinrich made the first trip, and made arrangements for another 20 teams to follow. Over 20,000 pairs of glasses were dispensed.
Since that time, ASDAO doctors have participated in countless mission trips all over the world teaming up with other organizations to provide medical mission service.
In 2016, at our Pigeon Forge convention in Tennessee, ASDAO voted to partner with the Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN), an organization with a similar focus on medical evangelism which ASDAO has incorporated since it began in 1958. Starting in 2017, the ASDAO Convention has immediately preceded the AMEN convention at the same resort convention center. Typically, ASDAO starts Wednesday evening and goes into Thursday afternoon with meetings and social outings, followed by the AMEN Convention which starts Thursday evening and goes through Sunday morning. AMEN organizes AMEN Free Clinics across the United States and greatly appreciates the services that the ASDAO network of doctors can provide for the Vision Clinic part of their service to local communities.
Efforts to recruit more SDA young people to Optometry and join our ranks needs our continued support and effort. The Christian fellowship which we have developed and enjoyed through the years, and the service we can provide as an organization to help serve the needs of people all across the world is amazing and very rewarding.
May God continue to bless and provide for ASDAO as He has for many years to help provide not only a better view of our beautiful planet, but also a better view of God and the love He has for all people.
The first convention was held at a camp near Yosemite National Park with 16 O.D.'s in attendance. Officers were elected and meeting times were set. This has continued every year since that date with conventions being held at different places throughout the United States and Canada.
Even before the official organization was organized, missions were started. In 1954 Dr. & Mrs. Milton Ruhl were called to the mission field to the Puerta S.D.A. Mayaquis Hospital for 4 1/2 years. In 1973, Dr. Robert Baker set up an optometric clinic in Guam which is still functioning today.
In 1961, with the efforts of Drs. Lincoln Underwood and Howard Engeberg, an optometric clinic was set up at La Vida Mission in New Mexico to provide vision care to the native Americans. This mission continued with Dr. Wessley Cooper leading out.
In 1981, Dr. Don Ackley was asked by SAWS to provide optometrists for the Cambodia and Vietnam refugees on the Cambodia-Thailand border. Drs. Don Ackley and Pete Heinrich made the first trip, and made arrangements for another 20 teams to follow. Over 20,000 pairs of glasses were dispensed.
Since that time, ASDAO doctors have participated in countless mission trips all over the world teaming up with other organizations to provide medical mission service.
In 2016, at our Pigeon Forge convention in Tennessee, ASDAO voted to partner with the Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN), an organization with a similar focus on medical evangelism which ASDAO has incorporated since it began in 1958. Starting in 2017, the ASDAO Convention has immediately preceded the AMEN convention at the same resort convention center. Typically, ASDAO starts Wednesday evening and goes into Thursday afternoon with meetings and social outings, followed by the AMEN Convention which starts Thursday evening and goes through Sunday morning. AMEN organizes AMEN Free Clinics across the United States and greatly appreciates the services that the ASDAO network of doctors can provide for the Vision Clinic part of their service to local communities.
Efforts to recruit more SDA young people to Optometry and join our ranks needs our continued support and effort. The Christian fellowship which we have developed and enjoyed through the years, and the service we can provide as an organization to help serve the needs of people all across the world is amazing and very rewarding.
May God continue to bless and provide for ASDAO as He has for many years to help provide not only a better view of our beautiful planet, but also a better view of God and the love He has for all people.