Secretary














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, 10^th 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 4^th, 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.