Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Dr. Roger D. Pabst to the Board of Optometry.

Roger D. Pabst, O.D., of Redwood Falls, is an optometrist practicing in Redwood Falls and Windom. He has been a Minnesota licensed optometrist since 1975. Pabst served as Vision USA Chair for the American Optometric Association from 2002 to 2005 and as President of the Minnesota Optometric Association in 1984. He was named Vision USA Doctor of the Year for 2003-2004 and Distinguished Minnesota Optometrist of the Year in 2003-2004. He is also active in his local Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club.

Pabst received a B.A. in Biology and Chemistry Education from Southwest State University in Marshall and a Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. He is appointed to an optometrist position on the Board and will serve a four-year term which ends January 5, 2009. Pabst replaces Dr. Lee Nelson on the Board.

The Board of Optometry is responsible for licensing and disciplining optometrists. The Board is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor.