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By: Greta Slone | January 22, 2024
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) is pleased to announce that Renee Reeder, O.D., was recently appointed the new dean of the Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO). Reeder began working at UPIKE in 2018 and has made remarkable contributions to optometric education.
Upon completing her residency, she joined the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) faculty. During her 21 years at ICO, Reeder served in many roles, including founding coordinator of the contact lens residency program, chief of the Cornea Center for Clinical Excellence, ocular disease curriculum coordinator, and educational technology committee chair. Reeder has received numerous awards for her innovative teaching and leadership. She holds the rank of full professor and has served KYCO as the department chair for clinical education, assistant dean for curriculum and assessment, and continues teaching microbiology and other specialty contact lens courses. Reeder’s vision for the College of Optometry is compelling in scope and complexity.
“I am humbled and honored to be selected to serve as KYCO’s next dean. We have truly a gifted faculty and I am excited to work alongside them in providing outstanding education to our students and excellent patient care to our community,” said Reeder. “I look forward to the continued work to create a more integrated and engaging curriculum that will allow us to further develop incredible optometric leaders and clinicians. Our scope of practice, our beautiful facility, our talented faculty, and our mission to serve position us to shine brightly here in the commonwealth and beyond. I am excited to get to work sharing the message of this light on the hill.”
Reeder resides in Betsy Layne. Her daughter, Rachel, is a 2023 graduate of Pikeville High School and now attends Pfeiffer University in North Carolina.