Southern College of Optometry to recognize Dr Steven Reed with honorary degree

Steven Reed, OD Image credit: American Optometric Association

The Southern College of Optometry will be recognizing Steven Reed, OD, Class of 1995, with a Doctor of Ocular Science honorary degree in part of the college’s 2025 commencement, according to a news release.¹

“Throughout his 30-year career, Dr Reed has made significant contributions to the optometric community,” said Lewis Reich, OD, PhD, president of Southern College of Optometry, in the release. “We’re grateful to honor him with this recognition, as he serves as an inspiring figure to both SCO’s current students and graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their careers.”

Reed currently owns and operates 3 private practice optometry clinics in Magee, Collins, and Prentiss, Mississippi and is the co-owner of other clinics in Clinton, Flowood, Forest, and Vicksburg, Mississippi. He is currently serving as president of the American Optometric Association Board of Trustees, and will complete his 2024-25 term in June 2025. He is the first Mississippian to serve in the role and has been recognized by the Mississippi Senate with a resolution congratulating him on this accomplishment.¹ The resolution was issued and presented to Reed on January 29, 2025. “It is with great pride that we recognize an outstanding Mississippi health care provider who has brought honor to his profession, his community, and to the State of Mississippi,” the resolution stated.²

“Dr Reed and I have been friends and colleagues since we began our journey together at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where we later graduated. I have followed his career with great admiration and could not be prouder of his achievements. There is no one more deserving to serve as the first Mississippi optometrist to lead AOA. The Mississippi Senate and all optometrists in the state applaud Dr Reed for this well-earned honor," said Senator David Parker, OD, during the resolution presentation.³

“The AOA is focused on making vision care and eye health accessible to all Americans regardless of family income or access to insurance,” Reed stated in the resolution.² “It is an honor to represent doctors of optometry across Mississippi and the nation in our efforts to make this a reality.”

Reed has also formerly served as the president of the Mississippi Optometric Association (MOA) and the Southwest Optometric Society. He has received the MOA’s James P Brownlee Optometrist of the Year Award in both 2010 and 2016.¹

SCO’s 2025 commencement ceremony is Tuesday, May 6, from 1-3 p.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee. Its Class of 2025 has a total of 129 students hailing from 35 states and Canada.¹

References:

1. Industry leader to receive honorary degree at Southern College of Optometry commencement. News release. Southern College of Optometry. May 5, 2025. Accessed May 6, 2025.

2. Senators Parker D, Simmons D, Thomas J, Norwood S. Mississippi legislature. Senate Resolution No. 24. January 2025. Accessed May 6, 2025. https://trackbill.com/bill/mississippi-senate-resolution-24-congratulate-dr-steven-reed-as-first-mississippian-elected-to-lead-the-american-optometric-association/2633315/

3. The Clinton Courier. Reed honored by Mississippi Senate. March 31, 2025. Accessed May 6, 2025. https://www.theclintoncourier.net/2025/03/31/reed-honored-by-mississippi-senate/