(PRESS RELEASE) MONROE, NJ — The International Sports Vision Association (ISVA), an interdisciplinary group of professionals dedicated to advancing the field of vision training for athletes of all ages and levels to help them achieve peak athletic performance, announced the appointments of its new Executive and Advisory Board members, effective April 1, 2023.
Executive Board
Alireza Somji, OD assumes the position of President, succeeding Charles Shidlofsky, OD, FCOVD. Dr. Somji is owner of a private practice in greater Houston and founder of NeuroVision Performance, a visual performance service in his main practice. He is a visual performance consultant to the Houston Dynamo FC MLS soccer team and has previously served on the medical team for the Sugar Land Skeeters (now Sugar Land Space Cowboys) minor league baseball team. Dr. Somji is also a Regional Leader for Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA).
Frederick R. Edmunds, OD, FAAO joins the ISVA Executive Board in the newly created position of Vice President, Academic Engagement & Interdisciplinary Collaboration. In this role, he will lead efforts to strengthen the connection between schools and colleges of optometry and ISVA as well as developing and enhancing relationships with organizations and associations representing specialties that work with eye care professionals to advance the quality and delivery of sports vision care and training.
Dr. Edmunds established and runs the XTREMESIGHT Performance Clinic, a sports vision only practice devoted to visual performance enhancement of athletes. In addition to his work with professional and collegiate teams, Dr. Edmunds provides custom programs for elite level youth and high school athletes. He lectures internationally, has published numerous articles on sports vision and contact lenses, and offers sports vision practice management services to fellow eye care professionals. Dr. Edmunds has served on the ISVA Advisory Board since 2018. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and currently a member of the American Optometric Association’s Sports & Performance Vision Committee.
Jarrod Davies, OD, FCOVD (Vice President – Education) and Jennifer Stewart, OD (Vice President – Education) will remain on the Executive Board in their respective roles, along with Immediate Past President Charles Shidlofsky, OD, FCOVD and Alex Andrich, OD, FCOVD, who preceded Dr. Shidlofsky as President.
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Advisory Board
The following two individuals will join returning members Greg Appelbaum, Ph.D., Thomas Bourdon ATC/L, PES, CES and Adam J. Clarin, OD on the ISVA Advisory Board.
Paul Brewer, OD is the founder of Diverge Sports Vision, which is dedicated to innovating the field of sports vision training and sports performance. Dr. Brewer has lectured and trained on sports vision and concussions at several universities, conferences, and sports camps. Currently, he is part of a team researching the impact of vision training on sports performance and physical education. Dr. Brewer also consults and trains athletes and coaches in Idaho and several other states, who compete in amateur and professional teams. He is a former high school head coach for girl’s water polo, in which he led them to a division championship.
Melissa Bussey, OD is currently licensed and practices in both Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. She is the owner and founder of MB Optometry and Sports Vision Windsor, which she established in 2021 in her hometown, Windsor. Her office is composed of a 1,000 square foot primary care optometry office and dry eye spa, and a 3,000 square foot sports vision training facility – complete with a synthetic ice rink and turf. Throughout her career, Dr. Bussey has had the opportunity to work with amateur and elite athletes throughout the ECHL, AHL, NHL and NBA and has served as a consultant for Major League Baseball. In addition, her practice is the official vision center for the University of Windsor Lancers sports teams.
