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Dr. Melissa Schwebach ’99 was awarded South Carolina's Young Optometrist of the Year at a recent meeting of the S.C. Optometric Association. This award recognizes exemplary involvement in service to Optometry, service to the visual welfare of the public, and public service within ten years of graduation from optometry school.

“The PC environment instills a sense of the importance of community involvement and service,” Schwebach said. “Also, the professors in the Biology Department were extremely encouraging of my professional goals.”

The biology major and psychology minor currently works with several organizations to provide help to the community.

At the Fort Mill Vision Center, Schwebach participates in and promotes the InfantSEE program, a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care. As part of the program, Schwebach provides a comprehensive eye assessment within an infant’s first year as a no-cost public health service.

In conjunction with the Lion's Club of Fort Mill, Schwebach also provides eye exam services at no cost to people in the community who need eye health care but cannot afford it.

In addition, Schwebach is a planning board member of Second String Santa, a group of young professionals in the Charlotte area that raises money and delivers gifts and school supplies to needy children in the area.

A member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority while at PC, Schwebach took advantage of the Student Volunteer Services program's many opportunities to serve.

She also took advantage of an internship opportunity that furthered her interest in optometry.

“I needed vision correction at a young age and grew up going to the eye doctor every year,” she said. “I had a great eye doctor growing up and she served as a good role model for me.

“While I was at PC, I interned at Dr. Tom MacMillan's office on Musgrove Street in Clinton. This experience solidified my interest in optometry,” she added.

Schwebach is an active member of the American Optometric Association, South Carolina Optometric Association, and Catawba Optometric Society.

She served as Catawba Society President from 2005 to 2007. She was also elected to the South Carolina Optometric Association Board of Directors and as a Trustee in 2008. This past December, she was re-elected for another term for 2009.