BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Kentucky Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology, or KATPO, is a state chapter of the national organization, the Associate of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO). As such, KATPO represents the profession of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP), whom live and/or work in or around the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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The KATPO Board of Directors is composed of leaders, whom are OMM, whom live in and work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each board member is in good standing with KATPO and has a desire to promote ophthalmic education and professional advocacy.
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The Board of Directors is in place to serve and represent all of the members of KATPO. If you have comments or concerns that you wish to share with the Board, please email one of us.
President: Lynnette Lambert, COT
Lynnette has been in Ophthalmology for 20+ years and recently accepted a position at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute as the Supervisor of Ophthalmic Services in Nashville, TN. She is currently looking forward to achieving a long-time goal of becoming a COMT. Lynnette comes back to the KATPO Board of Directors having previously held Member at Large, President and Immediate Past President and Treasurer positions. Her favorite quote is from Lily Tomlin " I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.”
President-Elect: Melissa Theuret, COA
Melissa has been in eye care since 2004, transitioning to Ophthalmology in 2012. She obtained her COA in 2016 and is working towards her COT She has worked at Vanderbilt Eye Institute since 2020. Melissa has said "there are many moving parts to our clinics at VEI and I am proud to contribute to the clinic's daily success." She serves on the board for KATPO as well as being a part of ATPO. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Vice President: Tanner Readnower, COA
Tanner has been in eye care for 10+ years, 5 of those years spent in Ophthalmology. First shadowing in optometry during high school, Tanner made the jump to Ophthalmology in 2017 when accepting a position with University of Kentucky Advanced Eye Care. In 2022, he left U.K. to take a leadership role with a private practice in Lexington, KY. He has been a COA for 4 years, as well as a practicing optician apprentice, optometric assistant and vision rehabilitation therapist.
Treasurer: Debbie Holt, COT
Debbie has been in Ophthalmology/Optometry for 40+ years. She currently works at Innovative Ophthalmology in Paducah, KY. Debbie has experience in all aspects of the Ophthalmology practice. She is currently the Financial Counselor and Patient Liaison for the practice. She has been a Certified Contact Lens Technician as well as a Certified Optician, COA and COT. Debbie has always been fascinated with eyes ever since her first pair of glasses at the age of 18. She continues to look forward to working with the KATPO and is honored to return to the Board of Directors.
Secretary: Laure Ulichney, COT
Laure started her career in eye care by answering an ad for a receptionist in a tiny Optometrist office in New Jersey. Within that jobs for only 9 months, an interest was sparked! After settling in Maryland/Southern Pennsylvania, Laure answered another ad for an Optician. A few years later she became an ABO-Certified Optician. As she learned more, she started working as a technician. 35 years later and she's still in business. While raising two daughters by herself, she earned her COA and later, became a COT in September 2019. She is an active member of ATPO and KATPO.
Treasurer: Robin Coffee, COA
Robyn has been in Ophthalmology since 2010 and currently works at John Kenyon Eye Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Robyn has also been involved with KATPO for many years, serving terms on the Board of Directors as Member-at-Large, President and now, Treasurer. In her spare time, Robyn likes to bird watch, walk my “pupper,” read and spend time with my family and friends. "I look forward to serving on the KATPO Board of Directors again as Treasurer!"
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Member-at-Large: Megan Coomer, COT
Megan's career in eye care in 2007 when she started at a small private practice optometry office in Bloomington, IN. After five years as an Optician and Technician, she started work in private-practice ophthalmology, specialized in cataract surgery. Here, she obtained her COA. She moved back to Kentucky in 2016 and is currently an Ophthalmic Tech lead at University of Kentucky Advanced Eye Care. She works in most sub-specialties. In her free time, Megan loves to craft, knit & crochet, camp, and spend time with her family.
Member-at-Large: Greg Barnett, COT
Greg started in Ophthalmology after 15 years in the restaurant industry, 8 of which in management. His first 5 years were in a comprehensive private practice, learning a tremendous amount and obtaining his COA. This prepared him for subsequent subspecialty clinics, increasing his knowledge and skills. Greg achieved his COT in 2022. "I do whatever I can to help others expand their own knowledge and understanding of ophthalmology, and how what we do impacts the world."
Member-at-Large: Mindy Funk, COA
Mindy has been in Ophthalmology for over 15 years and currently works at Innovative Ophthalmology in Paducah, KY. She is proud to have obtained her COA and helped pave the way for one of her two daughter's career in Ophthalmology in Ohio. Mindy has spent most of her life in Ohio and bleeds scarlet on Saturdays and brown on Sundays.