Award winners and finalists will be announced at the 2026 MOA Fall Conference and Vision Expo during the Friday October 2 Welcome Reception
2026 James Brownlee OD of the Year Finalists
Dr. Fuller graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 2012. He is owner of Gulf Coast Vision in Gulfport. He currently serves as a Board Member representing District 4, and is the Grassroots Captain for Society 7. He resides in Pass Christian with his wife Shannon and their four children.
Dr. Kimberly Johnson Ragan is the owner and independent practitioner of Ragan Family Eye Care, LLC, in Madison, MS. Since graduating from Southern College of Optometry in 2004, she has demonstrated unwavering dedication to her profession, patients, family, and community. She has maintained longstanding membership and service with the Mississippi Optometric Association and American Optometric Association. As a longtime member and past president of the Mississippi Vision Foundation board, she served on the task force that worked to set up the Jackson Free Clinic Vision Services department and is a frequent volunteer providing eyecare underserved patients. In 2022, Dr Ragan was appointed to the Mississippi State Board of Optometry, where she recently completed a two-year term as president and was reappointed to a second five-year term. Her leadership has helped modernize Board operations, improve efficiency, and strengthen processes that protect the public and support optometrists across Mississippi. Outside of her professional service, Dr. Ragan enjoys spending time with her husband, James, and their three children, Madison, James III, and Jackson.
Dr. Evan Stout is a private practice optometrist in South Mississippi. Dr. Stout co-owns and operates Family Vision Clinic, a multi-location practice with offices in Magee, Collins, and Prentiss. Dr. Stout spends most of his professional time in the clinical setting, but also greatly enjoys the practice management and business aspects of optometry. Dr. Stout currently resides just outside of his hometown of Hattiesburg in Sumrall, MS. He enjoys spending most of his personal time with his wife and children, working on home renovation projects, playing guitar, boating, fishing, and otherwise spending time outdoors.
2026 Helen St. Clair Young OD of the Year Finalists
Dr. Kelby Flemons earned his doctorate from the UAB School of Optometry in 2022 before returning home to practice in Mississippi. Dedicated to community service, he actively served on the board of directors for the local Lions Club for the past three years. Dr. Flemons and his wife, Robyn, reside in Clinton, where they love exploring the local community. Outside the clinic, he stays busy cooking, cheering on his favorite sports teams, and spending time with their two pets, Ruthie and Ellie.
Dr. Sarah Thrower is an optometrist, partner at Magnolia Eye Group, and advocate for the advancement of optometry and the communities she serves. A 2023 graduate of the Southern College of Optometry, she has become actively involved in clinical innovation, community service, legislative advocacy, and mentorship within the profession.
Within organized optometry, Dr. Thrower serves as Chair of the Mississippi Optometric Association’s AGU Committee and as a clinical extern site preceptor. Working with students is one of her favorite aspects of her career, and she hopes to inspire future optometrists to become involved in advocacy, leadership, and organized optometry while recognizing their role in continuing to move the profession forward.
At the center of Dr. Thrower’s life is her faith in Jesus Christ, which guides her passion for service and her desire to use the opportunities she has been given to positively impact others. Most importantly, she is the wife of Hunter Thrower and proud mother of Holland and John Shepherd. Together, they call Hernando home, where she is grateful for the opportunity to serve her family, profession, and community.
2026 OD Community Service Finalists
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. Reed received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 1991 from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. In 1995, he received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. Additionally, he earned a minor in math, biology and physics. Academic honors include Outstanding Pre-medical Student, Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Med Honorary Society, Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor Fraternity, Outstanding Clinician, and Who’s Who Among Students in America’s Colleges and Universities.
Dr. Reed opened a private practice, Family Vision Clinic, in Magee, Mississippi in 1996. The practice has since grown to include Dr. Alvaro Moreno, Dr. Michael Reed and Dr. Evan Stout. Dr. Reed also has ownership in practices in Collins, Forest, Prentiss, and Clinton Mississippi.
Dr. Reed has been a leader in his community and his profession. He is Past President of the Magee Chamber of Commerce, the Magee Lion’s Club, the Mississippi Optometric Association and the Southwest Optometric Society. He has served as chair of the Stewardship Committee at Goodwater Baptist Church and as an active deacon. Dr. Reed has also been active on a regional and national level, having served as a Trustee for SECO International, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Southern College of Optometry, a multiyear member of the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) Communications/Public Affairs Committee, Mississippi’s National Keyperson Coordinator in Advocacy and a multiyear delegate to the AOA Congress. Currently, Dr. Reed serves as President for the American Optometric Association.
Dr. Reed and his wife Kendra have an active interest in history and preservation. They own McRaven Tour Home in Vicksburg, MS, labeled as the “Time Capsule of the South” by National Geographic. McRaven is also the most haunted house in Mississippi.
Dr. Reed is the proud father of Calder and Emily Reed, who attend Magee High School. Calder and Emily are active in sports, the band, leadership and the local church youth group.
Dr. Sarah Thrower is an optometrist, partner at Magnolia Eye Group, and advocate for the advancement of optometry and the communities she serves. A 2023 graduate of the Southern College of Optometry, she has become actively involved in clinical innovation, community service, legislative advocacy, and mentorship within the profession.
Within organized optometry, Dr. Thrower serves as Chair of the Mississippi Optometric Association’s AGU Committee and as a clinical extern site preceptor. Working with students is one of her favorite aspects of her career, and she hopes to inspire future optometrists to become involved in advocacy, leadership, and organized optometry while recognizing their role in continuing to move the profession forward.
At the center of Dr. Thrower’s life is her faith in Jesus Christ, which guides her passion for service and her desire to use the opportunities she has been given to positively impact others. Most importantly, she is the wife of Hunter Thrower and proud mother of Holland and John Shepherd. Together, they call Hernando home, where she is grateful for the opportunity to serve her family, profession, and community.
2026 Beverly Roberts Para of the Year Finalists
Ellen Chism has been part of Oxford Eye Clinic & Optical for nine years, where she serves as Office Manager and is passionate about building strong teams, improving patient care, and helping an independent optometric practice continue to grow. Always up for a challenge, Ellen is naturally driven, a little competitive, and brings positive, motivated energy to everything she does. She has a special interest in myopia management and especially enjoys mentoring pre-optometry students as they begin their own journeys into the profession. Away from the office, her favorite title is “Mom” to her son, Jackson, and she
loves spending time with him and her husband, Jerret.
For the past decade, I have been a certified paraoptometric technician (CPO), and I have a strong desire to help others, particularly children. I have been happily married to my high school sweetheart for over 26 years, and I take pride in being the mother of two resilient young men. Currently, I hold the position of Youth Director at my local church in a quaint small town in Mississippi, and I am dedicated to serving my community and enhancing the lives of those around me. I enjoy relaxing Sunday evenings fishing with my family and our hound dog, Clyde.
As a seasoned Practice Manager of Precision Vision for the last seven years, my deep-rooted passion to help people is a driving force to achieve excellence in the Paraoptometric field. Whether it’s my role as a wife, mother, grandmother, soccer coach, or Paraoptometric managing professional, I understand that no single approach is the right one for every individual or situation or patient. I have diligently trained to see all sides of a situation, turning obstacles into opportunity.
2025 Para Community Service Finalists
My name is Katelyn Goss, and I am a 25-year-old Certified Paraoptometric Assistant at Family Vision Clinic in Magee, Mississippi. In addition to caring for patients, I serve as the clinic’s Optical Department Manager and Lab Technician. I am passionate about providing quality care, serving others, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. My commitment to serving others extends beyond the clinic and into my community and church where I serve as both the Worship Leader and Co-Youth Leader. I strive to approach each role with compassion, dedication, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those around me.
Lindsey Mitchell is a paraoptometric professional at Oxford Eye Clinic who has always believed in showing up for people when and where she can. Whether through community projects, helping families through difficult times, or simply taking a little extra time to care for the person standing in front of her. She believes community isn’t just where we live, but the people we encounter every day and the way we choose to care for them. Lindsey is incredibly grateful to be nominated for an award that represents something she believes should simply be a part of how we treat each other.
Charity L. Pitts, CPOA, is a highly dedicated eye-care professional with more than 20 years of experience at Clarksdale Vision Center, where she contributes across clinical diagnostics, optical services, patient education, practice operations, staff training, and patient experience. She advanced from the CPO credential in 2014 to CPOA in 2015 and continues to maintain her certification through annual continuing education and specialized professional training.
Her service to paraoptometry includes volunteer work with the American Optometric Association Paraoptometric Resource Center and its Awards & Recognition Work Group, while her community involvement reflects a longstanding commitment to eye-health education, improved access to vision care, and compassionate patient support. Charity is passionate about lifelong learning, mentoring others, and using her experience to strengthen both her practice and the people it serves.
