William Hefner OD ’96, MEd ‘97 Granted Tenure

William Hefner OD ’96, MEd ‘97 has been granted indefinite tenure by Pacific University.

Hefner is an associate professor in the College of Optometry, where he earned his doctor of optometry and master of education degrees.

He spent 20 years in private practice in Topeka, specializing in pediatrics and family practice optometry before re-joining the faculty at Pacific University College of Optometry in 2017.

He has been the lead course instructor for multiple courses and labs, co-chair of the curriculum committee and faculty search committee, and serves as the faculty mentor to the Pacific University women’s lacrosse team. 

He also serves in the United States Air Force as the medical group commander for the 190th Air Refueling Wing in Topeka, Kansas. He has provided humanitarian healthcare in El Salvador, Armenia, and Trinidad and Tobago. He is a past president of the Kansas Optometric Association, Heart of America Contact Lens Society, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2016 Armed Forces Optometrist of the Year for the Reserve Forces, the 2006 Air National Guard Optometrist of the Year, the 2002 Kansas Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year and the 2001 Kansas Optometric Association’s Vision Service Award.