Asian American Optometric Society

Dr. Aaron M. Sako joined the AAOS board in 2004. He served as the Newsletter Chair for 2 years. He currently serves as the treasurer for the group. A California native, he was born in Santa Monica, grew up in Cerritos and attended the University of California Irvine. He graduated with a B.S. in biological sciences in 1995. Dr. Sako earned his doctorate of optometry at Nova Southeastern University, Health Professions Division in South Florida, where he graduated with honors in 2000.

He is a general partner at the La Paz Optometric Center in Laguna Hills, where he practices. This is a multi
doctor private practice in South Orange County. He is a member of the Advisory Board to TLC Laser
Eye Centers in Newport Beach, California and also a member of the Advisory Board to Harvard Eye
Associates in Laguna Hills, California. He is currently an active member of the Mission Viejo Rotary Club. He provides charitable annual eye care through this organization to children in Baja, Mexico. Dr. Sako is also a member of the Orange County Optimist Club.

Dr. Sako resides in Ladera Ranch with his wife Mako and their three children Skylar, Payton, and son Colby. He enjoys exercising, skiing, playing golf and spending time with friends and family. As of late he enjoys playing the Tahitian drums and strumming his ukulele.

Long Tran, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Tran is an Assistant Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry where he trains optometric students on caring for patients who wear specialty contact Lenses. He enjoys helping patients with unique eye conditions such as keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration and irregular astigmatism from corneal surgery. Dr. Tran has consulted for numerous contact lens and ophthalmic instrument companies such as Vistakon, CooperVision, CIBA VISION and Medennium. He frequently lectures to optometrists and optometry students nationwide on the topics of contact lens fitting and management of irregular corneal conditions.

Dr. Tran has been an AAOS board member for the last 5 years. He is also in private practice with his wife, Charissa Lee, in Irvine, CA. In his free time, he enjoys the company of his wife and their new son, Brody.

Stacey Gin, O.D. , F.A.A.O.

Dr. Stacey Gin received her degree in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She received her doctor of optometry degree at the Southern California College of Optometry where she graduated with honors. After completion of her O.D., Dr. Gin pursued a residency in Primary Eye Care at the Veterans Administration in San Diego. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Gin has been recognized by Vision Monday as one of "The 50 Most Influential Women in Optical." Dr. Gin is an active and supportive member of her community and serves on the Board of Directors for Kiwanis service club and Glendale Healthy Kids. She is very passionate about her profession and also serves on the board for the San Gabriel Valley Optometric Society and the Asian American Optometric Society. When she is not working, she enjoys fishing, golfing and dancing.

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Connie Liu, O.D.

Dr. Connie Liu is thrilled to join the AAOS board for the first year as the Newsletter Chair. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Organismic Biology, Ecology & Evolution from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2002. She then went on to complete her doctorate from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2006 with Beta Sigma Kappa honors. After optometry school, Dr. Liu completed a primary care residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital, San Diego.

She currently practices in two different private practices located in La Verne and West Covina. When not practicing optometry, Dr. Liu also participates in Soroptometrist International, San Dimas/La Verne. Originally from the San Gabriel Valley, Connie enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves reading any spare moment she has, and loves to take advantage of the beautiful weather here in Southern California.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Dr. Lee went on and graduated from the University of
California at Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Molecular Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York, State College of Optometry. He then completed a one-year residency in Vision Enhancement and Rehabilitation at
the same institution.

Dr. Lee is currently an assistant professor at the Southern California College of Optometry. His primary clinical teaching responsibilities are in geriatrics and primary care. He is also the coordinator of the optometry clinic at the California State University at Fullerton. He has been involved in multi-center research trials and has lectured on various continuing educations topics. Dr. Lee has also published papers and posters on differing optometric topics as well.

Dr. Lee is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association and the California Optometric Association. He is also on the Board of Directors on the California Vision Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing eye care to the working poor in California.

Dr. Lee is also serving on the Board of Trustees for the Orange County Optometric Society, serving as its president in 2003-2004. He was recently honored as Young Optometrist of the Year by the California
Optometric Association.

In his free time, Dr. Lee enjoys spending time with his wife, Christie, and his two dogs Lucky and Koda.

Dr. Kristal Kawamoto is thrilled to be returning for her 4th year on the AAOS board. A member since 2007, she has served as AAOS's 34th year liason, New Graduate Membership Chair, and now Social Chair. Originally from San Jose, CA., she received her B.S. in Physiological Science from UCLA in 2003, and recently graduated from Southern California College of Optometry in May of 2008 with Beta Sigma Kappa honors. While in school, Dr. Kawamoto continued to be involved with activities such as VOSH trips to El Salvador and serving as BSK Treasurer.

Dr. Kawamoto currently practices in a busy private practice with 3 other optometrists in Torrance, CA. She also helps fellow colleagues, Long Tran and Charissa Lee, at their private practice in Irvine. Kristal enjoys the interaction and diversity that both locations has to offer. When she's not busy at work, you can probably find Dr. Kawamoto in the great outdoors: snowboarding, biking, swimming, surfing, or running. She also loves cooking up a storm with friends and fulfilling her greatest passion: traveling the world.

Kenny Fukuda, O.D.

Dr. Fukuda was born and raised in Southern California. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree. He is a die-hard BRUIN! He attended SCCO where he graduated with honors in 1999. He currently works with an ophthalmology group in Lakewood and in an optometry practice in Tustin. He is working towards a private practice of his own in the near future!!!

He is in his third year with the AAOS board - second year as the membership chairperson and has held the position of administrative assistant, in the past. He actively works with the Lions Club in Los Angeles to provide vision screenings to underprivileged communities.

Dr. Fukuda enjoys spending time TRYING to golf, playing basketball and running (although plantar fasciitis is slowing him down!). BUT, his favorite pastime is spending time with his family beautiful wife, Jeanette and silly daughter, Madelyn. They reside in Fountain Valley.

Christina Leung, O.D.

Dr. Christina Leung has been a member of Asian American Optometric Society since 2005 and is excited to serve on the AAOS board this year. Dr. Leung completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley in 2002. She graduated Beta Sigma Kappa from the Southern California College of Optometry where she served as her Class Secretary for four years and was vice president of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honors Society. Dr. Leung currently practices optometry at a multi-doctor private practice in Laguna Hills where she enjoys providing personalized optometric care.

Dr. Leung was born and raised in San Francisco and now resides in Orange County with her husband. She enjoys traveling the world, working out, rock climbing, figure skating, cooking, and watching movies and Broadway musicals.

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Shawn Yamamoto, O.D.

After realizing his dream of the PGA tour was not coming into fruition, Dr. Yamamoto decided to pursue a different career, which lead him down the path of optometry. Dr. Yamamoto received his Doctor of Optometry degree from SUNY College of Optometry where he was an active participant in charity programs with the local elementary schools for vision care for youth. This is his second year serving on the board for the AAOS where he looks forward to contributing his time and efforts. He was born and raised in Hacienda Heights and graduated from the University of California, Riverside.

Dr. Yamamoto is currently a partner at Long Beach Optometric Group, Inc. He also works with an ophthalmologist in downtown LA, where he is able to enhance his medical optometric abilities. His clinical training included Lawton Indian Hospital, Camp Pendleton, and the University Optometric Center, New York City. He is also a member of the California Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and the San Gabriel Valley Optometric Society. He and his wife currently reside in Fullerton and in his free time he likes to golf and play basketball with the hopes of the senior PGA tour in the future.

Dr. Jason Lam began serving on the AAOS board in 2005 as a 3rd year liaison and then the following year as the 4th year liaison to the Southern California College of Optometry student body. As the Webmaster, he is thrilled to be in the position to express to the online community his passion for the society and to inform every one of the societys social and continuing education events.

Dr. Lam was born in a boat in international waters but calls California his home. He was raised in the small city called Monterey Park but obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Psychobiology from a rather large school called the University of California at Los Angeles (GO BRUINS!). Dr. Lam then obtained his doctorate degree from the Southern California College of Optometry.

Dr. Lam now serves as the clinical director for The Laser eye Center (TLC) in Camarillo. He also works in a large 16 doctor Ophthalmology clinic in the Ventura/Camarillo area. When needed Dr. Lam serves as a faculty fill in for the Optometric Center of Los Angeles, a subsidiary clinic of the Southern California College of Optometry. He has also served as an advisor/lecturer for the Cal State Northridge Pre-Optometry society. Dr. Lam has provided charitable eye care to the population of Los Angeles, Honduras, and Panama through his affiliation with the One Sight organization (formerly the Gift of Sight). Dr. Lam is a member of the AOA, COA, and is a board member for the Tri-County Optometric Society (TCOS).

When Dr. Lam is not out trying to help the world see, he spends his valuable time with his friends and family. He enjoys working on his car, creating new cooking recipes, and traveling the world.

Greg Kame, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Greg Kame has served on the AAOS board for over 10 years. He has rotated through positions such as: Student Liaison, Membership Chairman, Publications Chairman, President, and currently as a Trustee. Dr. Kame was born and raised in Los Angeles. He attended the University of California at Irvine and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology. He graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1999.

Dr. Kame is a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Kame serves as President of the Alumni Association at the Southern California College of Optometry. He has served the past few years on its board of directors. He has served on the California State Board of Optometry, an appointed position by the Governor of California. He is Treasurer and Secretary of the Society of Contact Lens Specialists and the past Secretary of the Optometric Consultants in Contact Lenses. Dr. Kame is an Administrator of the San Gabriel Valley Vision Source Network. He is also a member of the Los Angeles County Optometric Society, California Optometric Association, and American Optometric Association. Dr. Kame is also a Clinical Examiner and Grader for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO).

In 2000, Dr. Greg Kame took over the Los Angeles EyeCare Optometry Group, the private practice which his father (Dr. Rodger T. Kame) owned until his untimely death in July 2000. Dr. Kame enjoys playing basketball and golf. But his greatest joy comes from spending time with his beautiful family: his wife, Anna (SCCO Class of 2000), his 3 daughters Katie, Brooklyn, and Avery, and his son Lucas.

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Charissa Lee, O.D.

A graduate of SUNY State College of Optometry, Dr. Lee has a broad experience working in a wide range of practice modals. Dr. Lees zest for individualized vision care brought her to multi-doctor private practice, located in Laguna Hills, California where she currently practice.

Dr. Lee is actively involved in her optometric community. She has served as a consultant for various contact lens companies and has helped facilitate contact lens fitting events at the Southern California College of Optometry and SUNY in New York City. Her main area of focus is the Asian American Optometric Society (AAOS), where, for the past three years, Dr. Lee has served as an active board member. This society looks to promote cultural awareness, as well as to forge bonds between new graduates and established doctors.

Dr. Lee is currently also a Professional Affairs Consultant for VISTAKON, a Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care. Her goal is to extend the reach of the Professional Affairs Department, by working with eyecare practitioners on clinical issues and practice management strategies.

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Mark Sawamura, O.D.

Dr. Mark Sawamura is currently an Assistant Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry. He is a 1991 graduate of the Southern California College of Optometry and returned to teach at his alma mater following a post-graduate residency at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry/ Hahnemann University. He joined the faculty of the Southern California College of Optometry in 1993. Dr. Sawamura serves as the Assistant Chief in the Jarnagin Primary Eye Care Center as well as attending faculty in the Ocular Disease and Special Testing Service. He teaches the neuro-ophthalmic disease track at the College as well as advanced ophthalmic procedures, application of lasers in ophthalmic practice and ocular disease courses. He has presented multiple lectures up to the national level in the area of ocular disease management and has been involved in many therapeutics courses for California, Hawaii, and Washington. Dr. Sawamura currently is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Oral Examination Chair for the Diplomate in Neuro-ophthalmic Disease, Webmaster for the Disease Section of the AAO, PAM committee Chair for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, Past Chairman of the ASCO SIG on Optometric Informatics, and has authored TPA guides for California Optometrists. He authors medical abstracts for the Optometry Journal and was recently President of the Faculty Council at SCCO.

He is one of the past presidents of AAOS and is currently a trustee for the organization.

While a student at SCCO, he worked in the optometric practice of Drs. Shishino, Yumori, and Matsumoto. He is married to Dr. Judy Tong, has two Samoyeds, Sweet Pea and Macky, and loves to travel, eat eclectic cuisine, and watch UCLA sports and the Lakers.

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Judy Tong, O.D., F.A.A.O.

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Don Matsumoto, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Don Matsumoto is a 1980 graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Optometry. He is a partner at Pacific EyeCare Center, a four-doctor private practice in Culver City, a suburb of Los Angeles. Dr. Matsumoto is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry at the Southern California College of Optometry since 1992. He is co-Administrator for Vision Source! Los Angeles Network. Dr. Matsumoto is a past-President of the Asian American Optometric Society. He and his wife, Cynthia, are the proud parents of Grayson, now seven years of age.

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Steve Bae, O.D.

Dr. Steven Bae joined the AAOS board in 2001. He has actively served in various positions on the board such as: Special Events Coordinator, President, and currently Trustee. He attended University of California at Santa Barbara, graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences. He graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2001.

Dr. Bae is also active in the Los Angeles County Optometric Society having served as Membership Chair, President, Continuing Education Chair, and currently Trustee. He is also a member of the California Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. Dr. Bae has also been on staff as an adjunct instructor at SCCO and the Optometric Center of Los Angeles as well as lab instructor for Ophthalmic Optics at SCCO. Dr. Bae volunteers his time to various organizations providing eye care in underserved nations. He is part of the Young Nak Presbyterian Church Health Professions Ministry and has traveled to Uzbekistan as well as bi-monthly trips to Tijuana on medical mission trips and the Downtown Los Angeles Union Mission health screenings.. He has also worked with La Casa de mi Padre serving on a mission trip to El Salvador. He assists annually at the Special Olympics Opening Eyes health screening as well as the Olvera Street American Diabetes Association Health Fair.

In 2001 Dr. Bae opened his private practice in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. He enjoys many different activities such as enjoying the great outdoors, fishing, hiking, swimming, and hobbies such as archery and boomerang throwing. In his spare time you can also find Dr. Bae trying out new recipes or behind the grill making such items as Korean BBQ and his Cajun Lime Chicken.

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Cindy Siu, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Cindy W. Siu has served on the AAOS board for over 5 years, including positions of Publications, Membership, President, and currently Trustee. She graduated in 1996 with a Bachelors of Science in Biology at the University of California, Irvine, and received her doctorate from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2000. Dr. Siu is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and also serves as a director on the Alumni Association board at SCCO.

Dr. Siu practices in a multi-doctor private ophthalmology office in Newport Beach. She also serves as Adjunct Clinical Faculty in the Stein Family Cornea & Contact Lens Service at SCCO. In her leisure time, Dr. Siu enjoys musical theatre, baseball, and hockey.

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Trung Tran

Trung was raised in Riverside, CA where he also attended the University of California, Riverside. During his time there, he earned a Bachelor's in Biology and spent a year in Spain where he attended the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, soaking up the Spanish language and culture and backpacking through as many European countries as his wallet would allow. Currently, Trung is a third year student at SCCO and has been active in class government, the Student Association Board and volunteer opportunities. He recently received 1st place in the AOA's first photo contest in the "Practice Settings" category and enjoys spending his free time in photography, playing guitar and climbing rocks.

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Jane Kuo

Jane graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in Molecular & Cell Biology, and Minor in Asian American Studies. During her time at Cal, she was an active member of her co-ed national honors fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi and was one of the pioneers of the Taiwanese American Student Association on campus. Even as a student at Southern California College of Optometry, her heart is set on making a difference on campus and growing & learning from all her experiences. She took on the role as one of the Public Relation Chairs for SA Board during her first year & was co-president of Omega Delta Fraternity during her second year. Jane has also participated in many vision screenings for different organizations such as Lion Clubs & RAM. She is delighted to continue to contribute to the optometric community as a new AAOS Liaison. Jane continues her optometric journey with rotations at VA LAACC, Travis Air Force Base, & Kaiser. After she graduates she hopes to enter a residency program. Her hobbies include laying on the beach, watching musicals, and traveling.

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Danielle Leong

Danielle is very thankful for the opportunity to be serving as a third year student liaison for AAOS this year. She is originally from Seattle, WA where she went to the University of Washington to earn a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology. During her undergraduate studies she had to pleasure of working with optometrists and ophthalmologists at a multi-specialty clinic where she developed a passion for optometry. At SCCO Danielle enjoy being involved in campus life. Shes had to privilege of serving on the Student Association Board as the Department of Education chair and enjoys tutoring and helping instructors as a Teaching Assistant. In 2008 she had the opportunity to travel to El Salvador for an SVOSH mission trip. Danielle is looking forward to her rotation sites next year in Salt Lake City, UT, VA Las Vegas, and IHS HuHuKam in Sacaton, AZ. After graduating, Danielle plans to complete a residency program. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends and play with her dog Baxter.

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Julia Tran

Julia is currently a fourth year student at Southern California College of Optometry. Prior to that, she graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. She enjoys being an active member in the student body, and for the past two years, she serves as Class Co-Vice President in raising money and addressing the needs of her classmates. As a student liaison for AAOS, she will further represent her colleagues on an intraprofessional level. Starting this August, Julia will look forward to her rotation sites at Pearl Harbor, HI, VA Salt Lake City, UT, and IHS Polacca, AZ.

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Jeff Nishi

Jeff is very excited to be a part of the AAOS this year. He was born in Torrance, Ca and has lived his whole life in Manhattan Beach until leaving to attend the University of California at Berkeley. GO BEARS! Upon graduating with a BA in Integrative Biology, Jeff moved back down to So Cal and is currently finishing his 3rd year at the Southern California College of Optometry.

Jeff has always tried to be actively involved while in school and has served as Class President for the past 2 years and on the curriculum committee at SCCO this year. He has volunteered at many different events such as the Special Olympics and other vision screenings, as well as being fortunate enough to be a member of the Class of 2010 Medical Missionaries with a vision spending time in El Salvador providing vision care and glasses to the local people.

When not busy with school, Jeff enjoys playing golf and all sports, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. He also loves the beach, and in the summer you can find him working for the LA County Fire Department as an Ocean Lifeguard in his spare time in the South Bay.

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Jill Chen

Jill is a current fourth year student at SCCO, and honored to be serving as a student liaison for the AAOS. Before starting her optometric education at SCCO, Jill spent four years at the University of California, San Diego, where she received a diverse education with a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in History. In the last three years, Jill has had numerous opportunities to be involved in the optometric community, such as traveling to Boston for the AOA conference, participating in numerous vision screenings, serving as treasurer of NOSA, being a member of the Student Clinic Advisory, and many more. Jill is excited to be finishing the last months of her third year and start her fourth year rotations at sites in Alaska, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

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