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Learn more about our speakers at 2025 GWCO Congress by reading through our speaker profiles.
More information coming soon! 

Dr. Mile Brujic

Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO is a 2002 graduate of the New England College of Optometry.  He is a partner of Premier Vision Group, a successful two location optometric practice in Northwest Ohio.  He practices full scope optometry with an emphasis on ocular disease management of the anterior segment and specialty contact lenses.  He is active at all levels of organized optometry.  Dr. Brujic is on the editorial board for a number of optometric publications.  He has published over 450 articles and has given over 2200 lectures, both nationally and internationally on contemporary topics in eye care.

Dr. Mila Ioussifova

Dr. Mila Ioussifova is the proud owner of South Waterfront Eye Care, a boutique-style private practice she founded in 2013 in Portland, OR. She is recognized for her expertise in advanced dry eye treatments, nutritional counseling, and aesthetic services.   
Dr. Ioussifova graduated with honors from the New England College of Optometry and completed a residency program in community health and ocular disease in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and a lecturer at the academy and other national meetings. Dr. Ioussifova is on the board of directors as the education chair for the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association. She is also involved in state advocacy and leadership in the AAO Anterior Segment Section. She served as an adjunct clinical faculty member at the Pacific University College of Optometry and an examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. She is also a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) accredited by the American Nutrition Association (ANA) and a fellow of the Ocular Nutrition and Wellness Society (OWNS).

Dr. Pierce Kenworthy

Dr. Pierce Kenworthy is an associate professor at Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry and enjoys teaching courses in anterior segment anatomy and disease. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and then earned his Doctor of Optometry degree at the Arizona College of Optometry. He completed a Family Practice Residency at the University of Houston College of Optometry. Following residency, he worked in an OD/MD private practice in the Houston Medical Center and then came back to join the faculty at Arizona College of Optometry. He has a special interest speaking on topics related to optometry/ophthalmology collaborative care as well as surgical co-management.

Dr. Matthew Lampa

Matthew Lampa received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, OR.  After graduation he completed a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at Pacific University College of Optometry.  He is currently a Professor at Pacific University College of Optometry where he is involved with specialty contact lens fitting, contact lens instruction, and clinical research.  He is also currently an associate in a private practice in Silverton, Oregon.

Dr. Blair Lonsberry

Dr. Lonsberry grew up in Rossburn, Manitoba (Canada).  He obtained his Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo in 1996 after completing a Master of Science in Physiology from the University of Manitoba. He completed his residency in Primary Care Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1997, then joined the faculty at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. During his time at SCO, he completed a Masters in Education degree with an emphasis in adult learning.
Currently, Dr. Lonsberry is a Full Professor with Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon where his primary teaching responsibilities are supervising interns and overseeing a specialty "lumps and bumps" clinic. In his spare time, he goes to Anchorage, Alaska where he sees patients in a private practice. Dr. Lonsberry is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the Optometric Retinal Society, and the Optometric Glaucoma Society.

Ric Peralta

Working in and around the optical industry, since 1990, Ric has devoted his 3-decade-long career to providing the best possible care to patients, and educating other optical professionals on best practices to improve their patients’ experience. From the earliest days in the industry, Ric has been involved in innovating the field, including being one of the first field trainers for what would become Eyefinity.  He honed his skills with customer service working in Beverly Hills for nearly a decade, including training from the world famous Ritz-Carlton Hotels on exceptional customer interactions.  Over the past 15 years, he has worn over 200 different progressive designs, to expand knowledge and improve patient fitting experience.  For the past half a decade, Ric has continued to expand his educational efforts, becoming a Vision Source Facilitator, as well as starting a patient education blog, a consulting and public speaking business, and expanding his social media influence in the industry.  Ric was honored with the 2023 and 2024 Transitions Innovation Award as Healthy Sight Ambassador as well as the 2024 Eyecare Business Game Changer.

Dr. Joseph Sowka

Dr. Joseph Sowka is an attending optometric physician at Center for Sight in Sarasota and Venice, Florida, a large medical-surgical practice where he focuses on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmic disease management. He is the residency education coordinator at Center for Sight. He is also Director of Optometric Business Development for US EYE. He was formerly Professor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry for 28 years where he served numerous academic and administrative roles. Dr. Sowka is a founding member of both the Optometric Glaucoma Society and Optometric Retina Society. He is also the Founder and former Chair of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders in Optometry Special Interest Group for the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Sowka is a Glaucoma Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry. In 2021 and 2022, he was ranked #4 optometrist in the US by Newsweek magazine “America’s Best Eye Doctors” list. In 2023, he was ranked #1 optometrist in the US Newsweek ratings. He is a partner and co-owner of Optometric Education Consultants. 

Dr. Jacqueline Theis

Dr. Jacqueline Theis OD, FAAO, FNAP is a practicing optometrist, clinical researcher, international lecturer and author. She received her doctoral and post-doctoral residency training in Neuro-Optometry and Binocular Vision disorders from the University of California at Berkeley School of Optometry. She is a previous Assistant Clinical Professor and the Founder and Chief of the UC Berkeley Sports Vision and Concussion Clinic and currently serves as an Assistant Professor for the Uniformed Services University, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has extensive clinical experience in post-traumatic brain injury and neurologic visual dysfunctions including neuropathic eye pain, neurologic dry eye, cranial nerve palsies, oculomotor dysfunction, photophobia, visual processing, and visuo-vestibular symptoms. She serves as a member of the Intrepid Eye Society, the American Optometric Association Evidence Based Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation Committees and is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the National Academies of Practice. She has been awarded the Young Optometrist of the Year award in both California in 2019 and Virginia in 2022, UC Berkeley’s 40 under 40 in 2023, and Women in Optometry’s Theia Award in Innovation in 2024.

Brandy Yeack

Brandy Yeack is a passionate professional with over ten years of experience in the optometry industry. Currently, they serve as the practice manager for Valley Eye Care in Corvallis Oregon, where they play an essential role in enhancing patient care, staff culture, and sales. They advocated to start the first Paraoptometric Association of Oregon and are currently serving as the president, established in 2024. An advocate for optometric advancement, Brandy Yeack volunteers on committees for both the AOA and Oregon Optometric Physicians Association. Their dedication to education is evident through their creation of the Light Up Oregon event, aimed to training and certifying paras across the state resulting in improved patient experiences and increased sales. They have also been a Vision Source Facilitator for 5 years, traveling across Oregon to teach best practices and lead training initiatives. Brandy Yeack is an energetic speaker and instructor for CPC CE courses, sharing their expertise with other professionals in the optometry field.
In addition to their career accomplishments, Brandy Yeack is a recipient of sever prestigious awards, including 2023 Oregon Paraoptometric of the Year, 2023 AOA Paraoptometric of the Year, 2023 Vision Source Facilitator of the Year, and 2025 Finalist for Healthy Sight Ambassador. They are known for their expertise in patient care, team culture, and sales. Brandy Yeack is working towards their business degree at Oregon State University, aiming to expand their skills in business management and leadership.
Their work and dedication have made a lasting impact on the optometric community, and they look forward to furthering their contributions in the years to come.