Dr. David Damari accepted an appointment as dean of the Michigan College of Optometry
at Ferris State University, effective March 28, 2013. The announcement was made by
Fritz Erickson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs on Friday, Dec. 14.
“Damari has passion for the profession of optometry and a keen awareness of the changes that will occur in healthcare and healthcare education over the new few decades,” Erickson said. “We look forward to the leadership that he will provide for the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris as he continues our tradition of educating some of the best and brightest students pursuing optometric education.”
Damari was most recently chair for the Department of Assessment and professor at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. Since 1995, he has been a consultant on visual disabilities, advising national and state testing organizations on candidates who have requested special testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act including the National Board of Medical Examiners, National Board of Examiners in Optometry, CFA Institute, Graduate Management Admissions Council, National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, National Conference of Bar Examiners, Law School Admissions Council, and State Bar Examiners including Minnesota, Texas and Virginia. His previous administrative experience also included serving as chair of the Department of Optometry at Southern College of Optometry. Prior to his career at Southern College of Optometry, Damari operated a private solo practice in New York and was an assistant clinical professor at the State University of New York College of Optometry.
Damari’s present professional service includes president for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and co-chair at the Summer Institute for Faculty Development for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. He also serves in numerous roles for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Damari was awarded the Southern College of Optometry President’s Special Recognition Award and the Fredrick W. Brock Memorial award for Outstanding Performance in Vision Training. Damari earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from State University of New York College of Optometry, and he was a 2002 fellow-in-resident for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry in Bethesda, Maryland.
“I would like to thank the search committee, including co-chairs Mark Swan and Steve Durst, for their efforts in this search,” Erickson said. “Additionally, I would like to thank the many individuals who engaged in the on-campus interviews and provided feedback to the committee.”