Pat Cummings, OD, dies in plane crash

Article

J. Patrick "Pat" Cummings, OD, FAAO, Vistakon America's Region vice president, Professional Development Group, was killed in a plane crash July 11 in St. Johns County, FL.

Key Points

Jacksonville, FL-J. Patrick "Pat" Cummings, OD, FAAO, Vistakon America's Region vice president, Professional Development Group, was killed in a plane crash July 11 in St. Johns County, FL.

Randy Brooks, OD, president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), recalled Dr. Cummings as a "powerful voice for the profession in his work at Vistakon, and a tireless champion for public health." Dr. Brooks noted two contributions in particular-AOA's Healthy Eyes Healthy People program and the InfantSEE program.

Before joining Vistakon in 2003, Dr. Cummings was a member of a private group practice in Sheridan, WY. He served as a consulting optometrist at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Sheridan for more than 20 years and was on staff at the Sheridan County Memorial Hospital.

In tribute to father and son, the Cummings family has established the Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Memorial Fund through Optometry's Charity-The AOA Foundation. Donations may be sent to:

Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Memorial Fund
Optometry's Charity
AOA National Office
243 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141

Recent Videos
Dr Jamie Kuzniar discusses higher order aberrations and premium scleral lenses
Abby Gillogly Harsch, OD, FAAO, FSLS, shares a specific complex case of scleral lens fitting that she presented on at this year's GSLS.
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, values the ophthalmic-optometric collaboration on display at the summit, running from February 14-17, 2025 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Katie Rachon, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, shares her excitement for the upcoming conference and what it means for an optometrist's toolbox.
EnVision Summit Cochair Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, says that attendees should get ready for more discussion-based panels at this year's conference.
From contact lens dropout to addressing diabetic retinopathy in rural communities, optometrists choose an area of eye care research that they would expand, given the appropriate resources.
Bonnie An Henderson in an interview for the EnVision Summit
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.