GREENEVILLE – Dr. Donnie Akers, an optometrist with 20 years of experience in the profession and in academia, has been named to multiple leadership posts in the Tusculum University College of Health Sciences and the Niswonger College of Optometry.
He serves as assistant vice president of clinical education for the College of Health Sciences and is developing the physician assistant program. He is also associate dean for academic affairs in the Niswonger College of Optometry.
Dr. Donnie Akers
“We’re ecstatic Dr. Akers has brought his considerable skill and intellect to Tusculum as we develop the premier college of optometry and an exceptional physician assistant program,” said Dr. Andrew Buzzelli, executive vice president of the College of Health Sciences and founding dean of the Niswonger College of Optometry. “Dr. Akers is providing valuable leadership to ensure the best possible learning environment for our students and clinicians and transform the quality of care in Central Appalachia and the rest of rural America.”
Dr. Akers is a member of the university’s admissions committee and a member of the College of Health Sciences’ academic standards and professional conduct and ethics committees
“Tusculum will enhance medical care in the region with a model using the newest techniques and technology,” Dr. Akers said. “This is an excellent opportunity to establish two programs with innovative approaches that will strengthen the quality of life and caliber of care in our region. We are also excited about the opportunity to spur further growth for the university and place Tusculum at the forefront of the medical arts.”
The Niswonger College of Optometry has been created to address the prevalence of ocular disease in Central Appalachia and has achieved the first stage of accreditation with the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. Pending the receipt of preliminary approval for accreditation, Tusculum is projecting to enroll the first class of 70 students in the four-year program in fall 2020.
The physician assistant program will enable the College of Health Sciences to meet a broad spectrum of primary care needs for patients throughout the region. It is an avenue for caregivers to receive their physician assistant education in a much shorter time frame compared to medical school. The College of Health Sciences projects enrolling the first class of 30 students in fall 2020 as well, pending the receipt of accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
Prior to coming to Tusculum, Dr. Akers served as interim dean, associate dean for academic affairs and assistant clinical professor with the Kentucky College of Optometry at the University of Pikeville. During his time there, he served as the chairman and a member of several committees.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Akers was an optometrist for 12 years with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, working out of a Prestonsburg, Kentucky, clinic. He also served on the medical staff of the Hershel Woody Williams VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia, and the Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center in Paintsville, Kentucky.
In addition, he co-owned and operated a four-doctor group with offices in Paintsville and Salyersville in Kentucky for 15 years. The practice served as a referral center for comprehensive eye care for several counties in Eastern Kentucky and doubled its patient base in five years.
Dr. Akers participated from 2015-2018 in a study at the University of Pikeville about utilizing leading-edge technology to intervene faster and more effectively with diabetic patients who were at risk of blindness. This work led Dr. Akers and his colleagues at the UPike to be selected as a member of the research team for the American Academy of Optometry Fellows Doing Research SIG Research Training Retreat in 2016. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness and a prominent health issue in Central Appalachia.
In another project, Dr. Akers was part of UPike’s NASA Research Planning Team, which investigated the effects of long-term space flights on an astronaut’s vision. Dr. Keith Manuel, an optometrist and member of the Tusculum Board of Trustees, was also part of that team.
“Dr. Akers understands the essential elements of a successful college of optometry and physician assistant program and will be an asset as we take the next steps to launch both of these at Tusculum,” Dr. Buzzelli said. “At the same time, he brings abundant clinical experience to the table, which will prove valuable in attracting faculty and developing an excellent curriculum for our students.”
Dr. Akers has been heavily involved in community service. This includes membership on the board of directors for the Johnson County, Kentucky, Board of Health for 15 years and participation in the Kentucky Vision Project, a statewide free eye-care program for indigent patients, since 2000. Dr. Akers also served for 15 years with New Eyes for the Needy, a local free eye-care program for indigent patients.
Dr. Akers earned Bachelors of Science degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Pikeville and received his doctorate in optometry from Indiana University School of Optometry.
To view a video of recent construction activity at the Niswonger College of Optometry, please visit https://youtu.be/9JtgIaLcpGU.