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Hardest Working Man in Optometry. Really?
1. Visual Performance Today 7 Volume 1 | Issue 2
The Hardest Working Man in Optometry!
by Marc B. Taub, OD, MS • Southern College of Optometry • Memphis, Tennessee
I have been lucky to have
numerous mentors through
out my career; the doctors
that taught me in school,
those that guided my career
since graduation, and my
colleagues at Southern
College of Optometry and
throughout the world from
whomIlearndaily.Intherealm
of editing and publishing, I
have one man to thank for
helping me attain the position I currently
hold as Editor In Chief of Optometry &
Visual Performance, Dr. Dominick Maino.
I first sent Dom an article for Optometry
&VisionDevelopment(OVD)whilefinishing
my residency in 2004. I had written for a
commercial audience previously, but this
was my first opportunity to go through a
peer-review process. As anyone knows,
this process can be challenging and stop
a burgeoning author in their tracks, but
Dom almost made it enjoyable. He had
a way of making even the most difficult
changes seem simple to tackle. After that
first article, I HAD to write another, and
then another.
After a few years of writing, Dom
invited me onto the review board of OVD.
He would occasionally send articles to
review and helped me in seeing the big
picture issues and small details
that needed addressing in
these manuscripts. Writing is a
process that is innate for some
but most have to learn. Editing
is the same way, but I think
Dom was probably editing in
the womb!
One meeting, I was talking
with Dom and he was telling
me more about the publishing
process for OVD and all that
went into creating the end product. I asked
a simple question that little did I know would
change my life’s path, “Do you have any help
besides the review board?” “No” was the
answer. My next question was, “Would you
like some?” The word “yes” came out of his
mouth before I blinked.
I was thrilled to serve as Associate Editor
of OVD for several years, learning from Dom
each and every instance possible. He taught
me how to select and use a review board,
talk to authors, recruit articles, and so much
more. He trusted me enough to place me in
charge of two special issues!
While all of this editing was ongoing, Dr.
Mary Bartuccio and I had a conversation
about writing a new book on special needs.
We were at the Academy meeting in Tampa,
and we realized that we needed to invite
Dom to be part of the project. We worked
2. Visual Performance Today 8 Volume 1 | Issue 2
tirelessly as a team to
obtain a publisher, put together
a world renowned group of authors,
and create a timeline for production.
We spent sleepless nights huddled at our
kitchen tables and in our home offices to
get the book written, but it was well worth
it in my unbiased opinion. I can honestly
say that I would not have wanted to go
through that process with anyone other
than Mary and Dom.
In 2011, an opportunity opened up
with the Optometric Extension Program
Foundation to become the Editor In Chief
of their journal, the Journal of Behavioral
Optometry. Instead of becoming competi
tors, our relationship became that much
closer. We understood the challenges the
other was facing and
worked as a team to
work through them.
Little did I know that
18 months later I would
get the chance to work
with Dom once again!
As Optometry & Visual
Performance (OVP)
was being created, the question arose
as to who would be the founding Editor
In Chief. Since we had such a grand
prior relationship and had shown that
we could not only work together but do
so stupendously, Dom and I were both
chosen. We could not have created OVP
without his style, grace, and expertise.
As a team, along with Kelin Kushin, the
Managing Editor, we designed the journal,
selected a review board, and even created a
spinoff of OVP, VP Today. I think we talked
more on the phone and via email to each
other than we did to our spouses for a few
months! I can honestly say that I would not
have wanted to go through that process with
anyone but Kelin and Dom.
I consider it a great honor that I get to
work continuously with a gentleman such
as Dom Maino. He is a man of art, music,
culture, and science; he is a rare breed. Even
though Dom has decided to step down as
Editor In Chief of OVP, he will remain on the
Journal’s review board. He will also take on
a special position that he unofficially held
for OVD and stills holds for COVD, journal
photographer. He will be lurking both in and
out of the shadows at meetings, so beware,
you may unknowingly end up as his muse!
I wish Dom the best in his endeavors, both
in optometry and in his many hobbies. Just
check out his Facebook page and you will
understand the title of this piece, as I can,
without hesitation, grant him the designation,
the Hardest Working Man in Optometry!
Thank you for all that you have done!