NCOPS Mission Statement
To provide ophthalmic personnel with a professional network that fosters progressive education, personal development, and open communication.
About NCOPS
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 born. 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 founderʼs 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 an 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.
Benefits of Membership
- Networking with other Ophthalmic Personnel at Regional Meetings for progressive dialogue
- Job seeking
- Discounts on meetings
- At least one free meeting per 2 year membership
Membership Dues
1 year membership: $35
2 year membership: $60
If you would like to join, please send check or money order to:
Vickie Underwood, COT (treasurer)
6616 Raylewood Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27406
If you have any questions regarding membership, please contact: Vickie Underwood, COT at 336-282-3940
Officers and Directors
President
Tammye Wilson
Alamance Eye Center
1016 Kirkpatrick Road
Burlington, NC 27215
336-228-0254
tammyeaec@aol.com
Vice President
Tina Brown
Alamance Eye Center
1016 Kirkpatrick Road
Burlington, NC 27215
336-228-0254
NCEyetech@yahoo.com
Secretary
Sandra Gay
Graystone Ophthalmology
3521 Graystone Place
Conover, NC 28613
828-304-6704
sgay@graystone-eye.com
Treasurer
Vickie Underwood
Cornerstone Eye Care
307 N. Lindsay Street
High Point, NC
v2cats1fish@juno.com
Central Director
Pam Saraphis, COA
Carolina Ophthalmology Associates
55 Vilcom Circle, Ste 140
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: 919-945-3937
allpam247@hotmail.com
Eastern Director
Patricia Bell
Coastal Eye Clinic
3504 Bridges Street
Morehead City, NC 28557
Western Director
Trina Michael
Graystone Ophthalmology
3521 Graystone Place
Conover, NC 28613
828-304-6704
tcm54@hotmail.com
Southern Director
Terri Somerville
Horizon Eye Care
135 S. Sharon Amity Road #100
Charlotte, NC 28211
terrijean28124@yahoo.com
Regions
Each region is divided by counties:
EASTERN: Halifax, Northampton, Herford, Gates, Chowan, Perquimans, Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck, Bertie, Edgecombe, Martin, Washington, Tyrell, Dare, Pitt, Beaufort, Hyde, Greene, Lenoir, Craven, Pamlico, Jones, Onslow, Carteret
CENTRAL: Stokes, Rockingham, Caswell, Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Forsyth, Guilford, ALamance, Orange, Durham, Franklin, Nash, Davie, Davidson, Randolph, Rowan, Chatham, Wake, Johnson, Wayne, Wilson, Surry, Iredell, Yadkin
SOUTHERN: Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Stanley, Montgomery, Moore, Anson, Richmond, Hoke, Cumberland, Sampson, Duplin, Scotland, Robeson, Bladen, Pender, Columbus, New Hanover, Brunswich, Lee, Harnett, Lincoln, Cleveland
WESTERN: Alleghany, Ashe, Wilkes, Watauga, Avery, Caldwell, Alexander, Catawba, Burke, Mitchell, Yancey, McDowell, Rutherford, Polk, Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Transylvania, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Clay, Cherokee