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BA, University of California, Santa Barbara (Cellular Biology & Physics)
Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Institutes of Health
Primary Care Optometry Residency, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Role at the University:
Emeritus Professor; member of the Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee (IACUC); faculty advisor for the Salus Christian Fellowship
Expertise: biophysics and laser technology, genetics/genomics, research compliance and ethics, critical appraisal of scientific literature
Clinical Specialty:
Ophthalmic Lasers, Genetics
Selected Representative Publications:
Hua N, Ning Y, Zheng H, Qian X, Wormington C, Wang J. Recurrent dislocation of binocular crystal lenses in a patient with cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency. BMC ophthalmology. 2021;21(1):212.
Kaiser H, Wormington C. Clinical Skills III Laboratory Manual. VitalSource, eText ISBN: 9780998260020, 0998260029, 2017
Kaiser H, Wormington C. Clinical Skills II Laboratory Manual. VitalSource, eText ISBN: 9780998260013, 0998260010, 2016.
Neiman J, Kaiser H, Wormington C. Clinical Skills I Laboratory Manual. VitalSource, eText ISBN: 9780998260006, 0998260002, 2016
Wormington CM. Genetic retinal disease. Rev Optom 2014 (November, Suppl.):13-16.
Wormington CM. Therapeutic Uses of Lasers in Eye Care. In: Hamblin MR, Huang Y (eds.) Handbook of Photomedicine. Taylor & Francis, 2014.
Wormington CM. How to put genetics into your practice now. Rev Optom 114(11):61-66 (2004).
Wormington CM. The genomics revolution and the future of eye care. Points de vie 51 (Special Issue 2), Autumn:44-46 (2004).
Wormington CM. The genomics revolution and molecular optometry: educational implications. Optom Ed 29:43-48 (2004).
Wormington, CM. Genetic frontiers: the era of molecular optometry. Rev Optom 140:76-83 (2003).
Wormington CM. Ophthalmic Lasers. Philadelphia: Butterworth-Heinemann (2003).
Wormington CM. Bilateral, vertically planar, pulverulent cataracts. Optom Vis Sci 79(Suppl):74 (2002).
Wormington CM. How the Techno-Revolution Will Change Your Practice. Rev Optom 136:36-8, 40 (1999)
Alaniz RV, Wormington CM. Detection of differences in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in normal and glaucomatous eyes of black subjects. Optom Vis Sci 75 (Suppl):111 (1998).
Burns CM, Alaniz RV, Wormington CM. Correlation of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and visual field defects in glaucomatous black subjects. Optom Vis Sci 75 (Suppl):39 (1998).
Monaco WA, Wormington CM. The rhesus monkey as an animal model for age-related maculopathy. Optom Vis Sci 67:523-37 (1990).
Wormington CM. Pituitary adenoma: diagnosis and management. J Am Optom Assoc 60:929-35 (1989).
Lewis T, Wormington C. Visual fields and function. In: Fields and Pharm. Considerations, Vol 5, #2 – Primary Care of Glaucoma. Dresher, PA: Primary Eyecare, 1986.
Societies and Organizations
American Academy of Optometry (Fellow)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
American Optometric Association (AOA)
American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
International Society for Imaging of the Eye (ISIE)
Laser Institute of America
Lions Club
National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG)
Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA)
Philadelphia County Optometric Society (PCOS)
Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research (PRIM&R)
United States Air Force Reserve, Biomedical Sciences Corps, Lt. Colonel, Retired
Recognition Awards/Honors/Invited Lectures
Named as a member of the PCON 250 Innovators in Optometry by the Primary Care Optometry News editors and publisher (October, 2016). This is a list of optometrists “who practice progressively, provide innovative patient care, conduct optometric research or excel in academia and share what they have learned with other optometrists to advance the profession.”
Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry – 2008. I was selected by the American Academy of Optometry’s Awards Committee.
Plenary Session lecture on “Genomics & Technology: Implications for Education & the Practice of Optometry,” presented at the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL (2004)
Prentice Society member as a result of "outstanding contributions to optometric education" (1994). The Prentice Society was composed of optometrists from schools and colleges of optometry and from private practice who, like Society namesake Charles F. Prentice, "seeks to elevate the optometrist to the highest proficiency of his calling."
Onofrey G. Rybachok Educator of the Year Award (1991), Pennsylvania College of Optometry
46 Invited Lectures/Workshops
Honored by the OD class of 2012 on “Wormington Appreciation Day” (2010). Funds for the class were raised by selling brightly colored T-shirts with image on the front with the words “I’m a Cardholder,” and an image of a Wormington Card displayed on the back.
Honored by the Salus American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) chapter with their annual Wormington 5K Run. The runs are sponsored by Gulden Ophthalmics, Hoya, and Keeler Instruments. Specially designed T-shirts with my image were given to all runners/walkers for each run. Proceeds go to Fox Chase Cancer Center and the AOSA chapter.
Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for my contributions to the 913th Medical Squadron, 913th Airlift Wing, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, PA. This was awarded in 2004, while I was Chief of Optometry Services for the 913th Medical Squadron.
Meritorious Service Medal awarded 10 December 2000.
Air Force Commendation Medal awarded 2 June 1982.
Service to the University
University Committees:
Faculty council (President: 2002 – 2004; Vice-president: 1990, 2000-2002)
Faculty Executive Committee (2000 – 2004, 1990)
Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) (1989 – 2017)
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) (1989 – present)
Committee on Academic Promotion (CAP) (1999 – 2017)
Judicial Committee (2011 – 2017)
Ionizing Radiation Committee (1992 – 1996)
Faculty Health Benefits Task Force (2004 – 2005)
Scholars Program (SP) (2010 – 2017) Served on 3 committees for the SP Task Force (Student Selection Process, Methods of Teaching, & Admissions Criteria)
Student admission interviews (1985 – 2006)
Medical Laser Safety Officer for the University (1990 – 2017)
Faculty Advisor for:
BSK (Optometry Honor Society) (1988 – 2017)
Salus Christian Fellowship (SCF) (1985 – present)
Founding Board of Directors member of PCO Lions Club
Chaplain at many of the graduation ceremonies of OD, AuD, and PA students
Mentor/advisor to students interested in applying for Health Professional Scholarships from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, or interested in a career in the services (1985 – present). I have written many letters of recommendation for these students.
Mentor to PhD and accelerated OD students
Established a GDx Nerve Fiber Analysis “Service” at The Eye Institute with a technician who worked two half-days a week in the service. I interpreted GDx reports for clinicians.
Faculty Development Week Lectures (e.g., New Technology, How to Incorporate the New Genetic Thinking, Usher syndrome [coordinated and lectured at a genetics interdisciplinary discussion on Usher Syndrome with faculty from AuD, PA, and CHER], Some Useful Teaching Resources)
Curriculum Review for the Biomedical Sciences (2010) I was a faculty member representing the areas of genetics and biochemistry.
Service to the Profession:
Leader of the ASCO Genomics Task Force, responsible for the “Recommended Core Competencies in Genetics for Doctors of Optometry” (posted on the ASCO website). This document was endorsed by the AAO, AOA, and ASCO
The American Academy of Optometry representative to the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG).
ASCO Educator’s Workshop on Genomics and Optometry (2004)
ASCO Genomics Summit Meeting (2005)
AOA House of Delegates on 25 June, 2004 at AOA meeting in Orlando, FL (Made presentation on the genomics revolution and its implications for future eye care)
National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) Human Biology Subcommittee of the Human Biology-Systemic Conditions Committee (1995-2002) (chairperson, 2001-2002)
National Board of Examiners in Optometry Part 1 – Basic Science Council (1999-2002)
National Board of Examiners in Optometry Special Committee to review the Aug 1987 new Basic Science test administration
Invited participant at the Optometry 2020 Summit 1 (2005) and Summit 2 (2006)
Chairman of the New Technologies Committee of the American Optometric Association (1997-2000)
Clinical Care Center Executive Committee of the AOA
ASCO National Basic Science Conference (1985) (PCO representative)
AOA Ethics Committee (consultant)
Ethics Educator’s SIG (consultant)
ASCO Continuing Education Director’s SIG (consultant)
Leadership Cabinet Pool of the AOA (2003-2006)
Peer-reviewer for Optometry and Vision Science (the journal of the American Academy of Optometry), Optometry (the journal of the AOA), and Review of Optometry
AOA Statutory Information Exchange in Santa Fe, NM (served on a panel and made a presentation on lasers and optometry)
Salus representative to the ASCO Educational Technology SIG
Salus representative to the Biomedical Educator’s SIG
Editorial Board of Primary Care Update (1991-1994)
Chief of Optometry Services, 913 Medical Squadron, Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, PA (1984-2005)
Service to the Community:
PCO Lions Club Director (1987-1989), PCO Lions Club member (1987-2017)
Served as clinician and advisor for a number of Lions Club and Salus Christian Fellowship community vision screenings
Participated in and supported the Annual Wormington 5K Runs at Alverthorpe Park to raise money for Fox Chase Cancer Center and the AOSA chapter at Salus: began with 1st Annual Wormington 5K Run in 2012.
Participated in “Vision Walk” at the Independence National Historical Park on 13 Oct 2012. This was sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
Provided community education on radio and TV news programs and to public school classes
Volunteered with Boy Scouts and Habitat for Humanity
Served in various capacities at Supplee Presbyterian Church (Elder, chair of Adult Education Ministry Team, teacher of adult education classes)
