Visual Performance Today 7 Volume 1 | Issue 2

The Hardest Working Man in Optometry!by Marc B. Taub, OD, MS • Southern College of Optometry • Memphis, Tennessee

I have been lucky to have numerous mentors through-out my career; the doctors that taught me in school, those that guided my career since graduation, and my colleagues at Southern College of Optometry and throughout the world from whom I learn daily. In the realm of editing and publishing, I have one man to thank for helping me attain the position I currently hold as Editor In Chief of Optometry & Visual Performance, Dr. Dominick Maino.

I first sent Dom an article for Optometry & Vision Development (OVD) while finishing my residency in 2004. I had written for a commercial audience previously, but this was my first opportunity to go through a peer-review process. As anyone knows, this process can be challenging and stop a burgeoning author in their tracks, but Dom almost made it enjoyable. He had a way of making even the most difficult changes seem simple to tackle. After that first article, I HAD to write another, and then another.

After a few years of writing, Dom invited me onto the review board of OVD. He would occasionally send articles to review and helped me in seeing the big

picture issues and small details that needed addressing in these manuscripts. Writing is a process that is innate for some but most have to learn. Editing is the same way, but I think Dom was probably editing in the womb!

One meeting, I was talking with Dom and he was telling me more about the publishing process for OVD and all that

went into creating the end product. I asked a simple question that little did I know would change my life’s path, “Do you have any help besides the review board?” “No” was the answer. My next question was, “Would you like some?” The word “yes” came out of his mouth before I blinked.

I was thrilled to serve as Associate Editor of OVD for several years, learning from Dom each and every instance possible. He taught me how to select and use a review board, talk to authors, recruit articles, and so much more. He trusted me enough to place me in charge of two special issues!

While all of this editing was ongoing, Dr. Mary Bartuccio and I had a conversation about writing a new book on special needs. We were at the Academy meeting in Tampa, and we realized that we needed to invite Dom to be part of the project. We worked

Visual Performance Today 8 Volume 1 | Issue 2

tirelessly as a team to obtain a publisher, put together

a world renowned group of authors, and create a timeline for production.

We spent sleepless nights huddled at our kitchen tables and in our home offices to get the book written, but it was well worth it in my unbiased opinion. I can honestly say that I would not have wanted to go through that process with anyone other than Mary and Dom.

In 2011, an opportunity opened up with the Optometric Extension Program Foundation to become the Editor In Chief of their journal, the Journal of Behavioral Optometry. Instead of becoming competi-tors, our relationship became that much closer. We understood the challenges the

other was facing and worked as a team to work through them.

Little did I know that 18 months later I would get the chance to work with Dom once again! As Optometry & Visual Performance (OVP)

was being created, the question arose as to who would be the founding Editor In Chief. Since we had such a grand prior relationship and had shown that we could not only work together but do so stupendously, Dom and I were both chosen. We could not have created OVP without his style, grace, and expertise. As a team, along with Kelin Kushin, the Managing Editor, we designed the journal,

selected a review board, and even created a spinoff of OVP, VP Today. I think we talked more on the phone and via email to each other than we did to our spouses for a few months! I can honestly say that I would not have wanted to go through that process with anyone but Kelin and Dom.

I consider it a great honor that I get to work continuously with a gentleman such as Dom Maino. He is a man of art, music, culture, and science; he is a rare breed. Even though Dom has decided to step down as Editor In Chief of OVP, he will remain on the Journal’s review board. He will also take on a special position that he unofficially held for OVD and stills holds for COVD, journal photographer. He will be lurking both in and out of the shadows at meetings, so beware, you may unknowingly end up as his muse! I wish Dom the best in his endeavors, both in optometry and in his many hobbies. Just check out his Facebook page and you will understand the title of this piece, as I can, without hesitation, grant him the designation, the Hardest Working Man in Optometry! Thank you for all that you have done!