Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Michelle Shih-Ming Falk, O.D., and Patrick William O’Neill, O.D., to the Board of Optometry.

Falk, of Woodbury, is an independent doctor of optometry with Sam’s Club Optical in Woodbury, and has previously held that position with Sam’s Club Optical in White Bear Lake, Wal-Mart Vision Center in Woodbury, and Sam’s Club Optical in Fridley. Falk earned her doctor of optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, and her bachelor of arts degree in molecular and cell biology from the University of California at Berkeley, where she was a research assistant at the Berkeley School of Optometry. She had clinical training at the Illinois Eye Institute Primary Care Services, Eyewear Center, and Institute Center for Advanced Ophthalmic Care in Chicago, Naval Air Station Branch Medical Clinic in Brunswick, Maine, Providence Veterans Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island, Optometric Vision Development Center in La Jolla, California, and the Chicago (Illinois) Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and has co-authored publications on three-point vernier alignment and acuity tests. Falk replaces LaMar Gunnarson on the Board of Optometry as an optometrist member, and is appointed to a four-year term that expires on January 6, 2014.

O’Neill of Northfield, is an optometrist and partner with River Valley Vision Centers in Northfield. Previously, he was the medical director of eye services with Allina Medical Clinic in Northfield, and had a solo private practice before that. He has also served as an adjunct professor with the Indiana University School of Optometry, Southern College of Optometry, and Pacific University College of Optometry. O’Neill earned his doctor of optometry degree from Michigan College of Optometry (formerly Ferris State University College of Optometry) in Big Rapids, and his bachelor of arts degree in biology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He is a fellow with the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the American Optometric Association, a member and past president of the Minnesota Optometric Association, and a member and past president of the North Central States Optometric Council, and has served on the diabetic screening committees for the Minnesota Department of Health and Rice County Public Health Department. O’Neill replaces Lori Mowbray on the Board of Optometry as an optometrist member, and is appointed to complete a four-year term that expires on January 3, 2011.

The Board of Optometry licenses and disciplines optometrists, and sets rules for the profession. The board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor.