About Us

Ophthalmic personnel form an essential component of successful ophthalmic practices. As the number of eye care facilities increased, more ophthalmic personnel were being employed. North Carolina did not have an organized supporting society to assist ophthalmic personnel with education, networking, support and fellowship. This all changed at the Grove Park Inn in May of 1994.

The idea was born to organize a society that would provide assistance and direction to North Carolina technical personnel. Three resourceful volunteers: Gayle Donaldson, LPN COT, Terri Somerville, COT and Brenda Justice, CMA COT put their heads together and the North Carolina Ophthalmic Personnel Society (NCOPS) was on it’s way. Michelle Willis, COMT volunteered her talents to help staff a founders board a few months later.

Memberships were solicited and the first newsletter was printed in the spring of 1995. By-laws were approved and officer nominations were taken at the NC/SC Society of Ophthalmology meeting in Hilton Head, SC in March of 1995. It was evident at this point that the founder’s idea had blossomed into a cohesive organization that is still growing.

The members of NCOPS work closely with the physicians and other medical personnel to provide the best possible care for their patients. Officers and Regional Directors work together with the members to provide support, networking and educational programs. NCOPS keeps and eye on the political arena, supporting legislation that benefits our organization and lobbying against programs that may halt our progress.

We invite all ophthalmic personnel to join NCOPS, and reap the benefits. Every member makes the organization stronger.

NCOPS welcomes everyone and is proud to serve you.