Timothy Wingert, associate professor of optometry at UM-St. Louis, has been named a J. William Fulbright Scholar and will spend the spring 2006 semester at Poznan University of Medical Science in Poland.
The Fulbright scholarship allows the professor recipients to be in direct contact with many universities around the world as well as meet people from other countries and gain research and teaching insights.
"Poznan University of Medical Sciences is a large institution with optometry, medicine, and dentistry as well as other programs," Wingert said. "There will be an opportunity to observe how those programs are structured and run in a country with a different health care system."
The possibility of research and teaching abroad helps students and professors acquire different points of view about their fields of study.
"There are many different ways of doing things," Wingert said. "The more different ways you become familiar with, [the more it] allows you to use different approaches and approach issues with potentially new solutions."
Not only will Wingert research at Poznan University, but he will also teach courses and deliver a series of lectures with the help of a translator and handouts. He said this will allow him to share those experiences with his students and other colleagues.
Wingert graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in 1979. Since then, he developed his interest in access to optometric care. In 1988, he became a professor at UM-St. Louis and since then, he has worked to enhance the College of Optometry and the University through many committees, panels and councils.
Wingert's research and interests over the years have focused on various issues, including the validity of clinical testing procedures, such as vision screening tests on school children; access to services; and how optometric services are delivered to different populations including nursing home residents.
"A lot of the stuff I've done here has been related to public health," Wingert said. "At Poznan University, I plan to work with my hosts regarding vision conditions that affect children." Wingert was asked to lecture on clinical refraction, low vision and other topics.
Larry Davis, dean of the College of Optometry at UM-St. Louis, said being named a Fulbright Scholar is a great distinction.
"Dr. Wingert will no doubt make a positive influence on the delivery of eye and vision care in Poland," Davis said.
The Fulbright program began in 1946 and was created by the former U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright. Since then thousands of select American scholars and professionals have lectured and conducted research abroad while others have had the same experience in the United States.
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