Award winners and finalists will be recognized at the 2025 MOA Fall Conference and Vision Expo
during the Friday October 3 Welcome Reception
2025 OD of the Year Finalists
Dr. Dellia Evans is a well-respected practicing optometrist of over 31 years and is currently the owner of Odom’s Eye Care, a multi-location medical optometric practice in Jackson, MS.
She gives hope and encourages others as she shares her overcoming story as a survivor and advocate against domestic violence in faith communities, nonprofit organizations, women’s shelters, and transition homes locally and across the country.
Dr. Evan’s print and Audible books, Heart Vision, and companion workbook, Heart Vision Journal, help victims and survivors leave domestic abuse relationships and heal as they move forward to a better life.
Dr. Evans is a Lay Speaker and former Lay Leader at Anderson UMC in Jackson, MS. She is happily married to Bobby Evans with two adult children, and three grandchildren.
Dr. Loose is a lifelong resident of Stone County. He received his undergraduate degree at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He received his optometric education in Memphis, Tennessee at the Southern College of Optometry. Upon completion, he returned to Wiggins to practice full scope primary eye care with his Late father Dr. Roger Loose. Dr. Loose sees all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics and provides vision correction in the form of glasses and contact lenses as well as medical eye care. This allows access to treatment of most eye diseases and injuries without patients having to leave the comfort of their hometown. He is a member of and actively involved with the American Optometric Association and the Mississippi Optometric Association. Dr. Loose is also actively involved with the community, volunteering at and sponsoring many things from schools, sports, scouting, community organizations and churches. Dr. Loose is married to his wife, Allison, and has 6 children. In his free time you can find him tending to his cows at his Circle 7L Cattle Company.
Dr. Parker founded Olive Branch Eyecare in 1995 and Horn Lake Eyecare in 2014. He began with one employee at that time and handled all of the administrative duties of the then small office. He established the office policies and formed the needs of the company from the ground up. He began a policy early on of covering the healthcare insurance expense of each employee. He has encouraged employees to be active participants in an office retirement plan and has encouraged and led employees in financial planning seminars. Today his business has 25-30 full time employees and he continues to use the same principles that allowed him to begin the practice.
Dr. Parker was encouraged to run for the MS Senate during a summer optometry convention. With the overwhelming help of his fellow optometrists and community, he was successful in his election. He has been active in issues that involve health care, local taxation, drunk driving, and foster care delivery in the state. He lectures locally and throughout the state and has been named an honorary member of the Lion’s Club and Civitan Clubs.
He is married to his wife Ashleigh and the two have four children, Allie 30, Jack 28, Luke 25, and Jude 15. Luke is currently a 2nd year student at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.
2025 Young OD of the Year Finalists
Justin practices with Eye Care Associates in Laurel, MS. He serves the MOA as Captain of the Grassroots South Committee, Chair of the Fall Continuing Education Committee, Member of the MOA PR Task Force, and on the MOA Board of Directors. He has been a PAC contributor since he was a student at Southern College of Optometry. His civic contributions include being a member of Kiwanis International and serving as Health Fair Committee Chair for the Nurture Our Future Nonprofit Organization. He also serves as Senior Warden and as a member of the Usher’s Guild at St. John’s Episcopal Church. He is married to Dr. Tiffany McElroy, and they have two children, Henry and
Amelia.
Dr. Robert Phyfer is from West Point and practices at Brooks Eye Center in Columbus, Mississippi. There was a time in his life when he was homeless living out of a Toyota Corolla praying he’d be an optometrist. Optometry has been a life changing opportunity for both himself and his future family.
During his residency in Daytona Beach, Florida, he was introduced to full scope medical optometry and teaching optometric interns. His residency director, Andreea Chih O.D., played a vital role in molding him into the optometrist he is today. With Dr. Chih as his mentor, he learned the importance of being thorough, accurate and decisive. She took such pride in her work and wanted her legacy to make a profound impact on optometry. 6 years later and he is forever grateful to this woman, and the impact she had on his career.
Dr. Phyfer is very passionate about what optometry, the impact optometrists make on their communities, and the ability to teach optometric interns in a clinical setting. Mississippi is a great state to practice optometry, and he is proud to say he practices here with some of the most progressive optometrists in the nation.
Sarah Thrower, OD, a 2023 Southern College of Optometry graduate, is a dedicated optometrist and partner at Magnolia Eye Group, where her passion for advancing ocular health creates a lasting impact across North Mississippi. As an active Mississippi Optometric Association member, she mentors students and advocates for legislative advancements, reflecting her commitment to the profession. She enhances community vision through school screenings, InfantSEE services, and innovative education initiatives. Her service extends to empowering children with the Junior Auxiliary, mentoring girls at Colonial Hills Church, and strengthening local businesses through numerous community organizations. A devoted wife to Hunter Thrower and mother to Holland and John Shepherd, Dr. Thrower balances her cherished family life with her mission to serve and uplift her community and optometry.
2025 OD Community Service Finalists
Roya Attar, OD, MBA, DHA, FAAO, FORS, is the first optometrist appointed to the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she serves as Director of Optometric Services. A nationally recognized leader, she has served on the American Optometric Association’s Leadership Development and Paraoptometric Resource Committees, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Attar is also a frequent lecturer and published author, with expertise spanning ocular disease, preventive health, and the integration of technology in eye care. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to community service, public health education, and professional leadership.
Dr. Mallory Collins graduated with honors from Southern College of Optometry in 2019, following the completion of her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Mississippi State University. A proud Clarksdale native, she returned to her hometown to open Riverview Eyecare in 2024, where she is dedicated to delivering high-quality care to patients in rural Mississippi. She treats a wide range of ocular conditions and is committed to providing patients with access to the latest advancements in eye care. Dr. Collins currently serves as Chairman of the Grassroots Committee for the Mississippi Optometric Association and as President of the Rotary Club of Clarksdale. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
Dr Aubrey Fulton graduated from SCO in 2013 and has been practicing optometry primarily in Columbia MS with Hattiesburg Eye Clinic. Outside of practice, he enjoys the outdoors and spending time with friends.
2025 Para of the Year Finalists
Sarah is the Office Manager for Family Vision Clinic of Collins, MS. She has been working in the paraoptometric field for the past two years, serving within every Para role in the office. During those two years, she has developed a deep love and enthusiasm for the Para field. Sarah is a member of the social media marketing team as well as a member of a frame buying team for multi practice owners. She is currently CPO certified and is studying to do her next level of certification. Her life revolves around wedding planning, working, and spending time with family and friends.
With over 11 years of dedicated service at Southern Eye Care of Clinton, Kimberly Pickle stands out as a committed leader in the field of optometry. Her passion for promoting eye health transcends her professional responsibilities, as she actively volunteers in various community initiatives, raising awareness about vision screening and eye health in local pre-schools.
A dynamic community advocate, Kimberly has participated in numerous volunteer activities, including donning an eyeball costume during the 2015 Christmas Parade, cleaning at Cara Animal Shelter, and organizing a charity garage sale that raised nearly $1,400 for a family facing medical hardships due to cancer. She also played a significant role in promoting eye health at the Back to the Bricks event for Mississippi College.
Kimberly’s leadership extends into her church and professional organizations. She has served as the secretary for the Mary Ann Richardson Sunday School Class at Parkway Baptist Church and has been the president of the Lakeside Community Club for the past three years. Her commitment to her profession is evident through her previous roles as president of the Mississippi Paraoptometric Association and as a committee member for the AOA PRC Online Sub Committee.
Currently, Kimberly is involved with the American Optometry Association (AOA) as a member of the CPC CE Review Committee and the Para Resource Committee.
Outside of her professional commitments, Kimberly is married to Steven Pickle and is a proud mother to two daughters, Shawna Hover and Trinity Burge. She cherishes her role as a grandmother to four grandchildren and a great-grandmother to one great-grandson. Originally from Paxton, Illinois, Kimberly moved to the Gulf Coast in 1991 and later settled in Clinton in January 2012.
Madison Taylor-Ayala, CPOA, is a dedicated and focused optometric scribe at Weeden Eye Clinic in her hometown of New Albany, Mississippi. With over five years of clinical experience, Madison considers it a privilege to serve her community through compassionate and skilled eye care and is continually inspired by the meaningful impact her work has on others. Madison is grateful for the unwavering support of her husband, Armando, and their two-year-old son, Cruz, who motivate her every day. Madison looks forward to many more years of growth, service, and dedication to the ever-evolving field of optometry.
2025 Para Community Service Finalists
For the past decade, Brandie has been a certified paraoptometric technician (CPO), and has a strong desire to help others, particularly children. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over 26 years, and she takes pride in being the mother of two resilient young men. Currently, she holds the position of Youth Director at her local church in a quaint small town in Mississippi, and is dedicated to serving her community and enhancing the lives of those around her. She cherishes lazy Sunday afternoons on her farm spent fishing with her family and their hound dog, Clyde.
Savanna Johnson has been in the field of Paraoptometry for three years. She is a Certified Paraoptometric Technician and the Practice Adminstrator for Dr. Josh Hatfield at Total Eye Care in both Amory and Fulton, MS. She has two children, Caden and Braydie Hope, who are four and six years old. She was the MOA’s 2023 Paraoptometric of the Year, the MOA’s 2023 Paraoptometric Community Service award recipient, the SECO 2024 Paraoptometric of the South, and the AOA 2024 Paraoptometric of the Year. She currently serves on the MPOA Conference Committee and the AOA CPC board of commissioners. She is passionate about Paraoptometric education and credentialing and committed to growing her knowledge and skill set in order to contribute to the growth and education as an ambassador in Paraoptometry.
Sissy Lloyd is a native of Carrollton, MS, and grew up to live near her family in Carroll County before moving to the Brandon area. In 1985, she graduated from Mississippi College with a BA in Commercial Art/Minor in PE. She loves sports, especially basketball (would rather play than watch), and enjoys any outside activities. She also enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband (Maggie & Eli), and her granddaughter, Jane Louise. Anyone who knows Sissy well, knows she loves all animals, especially her dogs.
