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American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry

Vice President Richard J. Zimbalist, O.D., FAAO

Richard ZimbalistRichard J. Zimbalist received his optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2008 and then completed a residency in ocular disease at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. He has been awarded Fellowship status in the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Zimbalist is currently on staff at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. He holds clinical adjunct appointments at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis College of Optometry and Southern College of Optometry.

In additional to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Zimbalist serves as the Technology Director for NAVAO, has authored multiple journal articles, serves as a peer-reviewer for a major ophthalmic journal, and is actively involved with teleretinal imaging and virtual medicine in his facility and region.

In his free time Dr. Zimbalist enjoys weightlifting, racquetball, golf, and spending time with his family. He is also the founder of Ignite Medical which specializes in website design and management.

Email Updates

ABCMO News

  • ACMO Exam Scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2023
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – May 2022
  • A Reminder to VA Residents
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – September 2021
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – January 2021

Reflections – Articles of Interest and Editorials

  • 10 Administrators for Every Doctor
  • What is Medical Optometry?
  • A Letter to VA Optometry Residency Coordinators: Benefits of ACMO
  • Retail and Clinical Pharmacy
  • It’s Time to Rethink Board Recertification

Comments are welcome and can be sent to editor@abcmo.org for publication under the author's name.

Certification Requirements

The following are in addition to an O.D. degree from an accredited North American school or college of optometry and a current state license to practice.

Residency: Completion of a full-time, ACOE (or equivalent) accredited, postgraduate clinical residency training program having major emphasis on medical optometry.

ACMO Exam: Passage of the Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry exam (or equivalent) offered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Practice: Documented significant practice of medical optometry for a minimum of two years immediately prior to application for certification.

The Practice requirement is waived in the two years immediately following residency training.

Complete Application and Requirements

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