He is the first Mississippian to lead a national organization
Dr. Steven Reed of Southern Eye Care of Forest was recently named the first Mississippi citizen to serve as president of the American Optometric Association (AOA).
Reed has served on the AOA Board of Trustees since 2016, where he has served in numerous roles. He serves on the Executive Committee, the Advocacy Roundtable Committee, and is a liaison administrator for various committees and foundations. He previously served as president of the Mississippi Optometric Association (MOA).
“The AOA is committed to making vision care and eye health accessible to all Americans, regardless of family income or insurance coverage. It is an honor to represent eye care professionals in Mississippi and across the country in our efforts to make this a reality,” Reed said.
During his 30-year career, Reed has worked to educate the public about the need for comprehensive eye care, starting with eye exams for students in Simpson County schools. He is also a participant in the InfantSee program, which provides free, comprehensive eye exams for infants six to 12 months of age.
Reed is a graduate of Southern College of Optometry and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. He is the recipient of the MOA James P. Brownlee Optometrist of the Year Award in 2010 and 2016. In addition to Southern Eye Care of Forest, Reed co-owns and operates Southern Eye Care Clinics in Clinton, Flowood and Vicksburg and owns Family Vision in Magee, Collins and Prentiss.
Dr. Reed has been involved in the community since the beginning of his career. He is a past president of the Magee Chamber of Commerce and the Magee Lions Club. He is a member of the Simpson County Economic Development Foundation. He is the father of two children, Calder and Emily. He and his wife, Kendra, are active members of Goodwater Baptist Church, where he has served as chair of the budget committee and the long-range planning committee.
