Larry Bickford, O.D. / California
Secretary, Board of Directors
Education
Ohio State University- Environmental Sciences - 1968-1970
State Univeristy of New York at Buffalo - BA Political Science - 1972
State University of New York at Buffalo - Secondary Education - 1972
Philadelphia Public Schools Teacher, 10th Grade - 1975
Pennsylvania College of Optometry - BS Physiological Optics - 1976
- Pennsylvania College of Optometry - Doctor of Optometry, OD - 1976
Professional Affiliations
Founder, Executive Director, More Mesa Land Trust, Inc. 1979
Member, Board of Directors, More Mesa Foundation, 1979-1992
Member, Board of Directors, Peabody Charter School, 2005-2008
Member, Board of Directors, NETWORK, Santa Barbara Political Action Committee 1979-1986
Member, Board of Directors, Grove Lane Community Association 2002-2008
Associate Member, Environmental Defense Center, 1980-2000
Member, Safe Routes to School Task Force, 2005-2008
Founder, Secretary, Board of Directors, American Optometric Society 8/2009 - Present
Professional Practice
Westside Neighborhood Medical Clinic, Santa Barbara, CA 1976-1979
Private Solo Practice, Santa Barbara, CA 1979-present
Dr. Bickford is a native of Long Island, New York and moved from one beach town on the east coast to his current beach town of Santa Barbara, CA on the west coast following graduation from PA College of Optometry (now Salus University) on July 4th, 1976.
In September 1976, Dr. Bickford started what would be the first optometry service within a “free clinic”. The multidisciplinary health clinic offered low income and other residents in Santa Barbara quality traditional and alternative medical care. A few years later, he opened his private, single doctor practice. Dr. Bickford has been active in local environmental and education politics, founding the More Mesa Land Trust which worked to acquire for public use one of the last large undeveloped coastal properties in southern California. He has been active in local electoral politics, he was involved in the formation and served on the board of directors of Peabody Charter Elementary School, has been actively involved in the Safe Routes To School program and provides free vision screenings for elementary school children both at their schools and in his office. He has written and published nearly two dozen articles on eye health and vision care which have been made available to patients and educators.
Dr. Bickford is one of the founding board members of the American Optometric Society and serves as board secretary.