Damaris Pagán, O.D., M.P.H.

TEACHING/ RESEARCH INTEREST

• Public Health Optometry
• Epidemiology
• Social aspects influencing health status

EDUCATION                      

• MPH University of Puerto Rico, RCM- Rio Piedras (2005)
• OD Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry (2001)
• BS University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, General Sciences (1997)
• Fellow of American Academy of Optometry (November 2016-present)

RECENT COURSE TAUGHT/CLINICAL INSTRUCTION

Clinical Appointments

• 08/2011-present Assistant Clinical Professor- IAUPR- School of Optometry
• 08/2006-07/2010 Full-Time Clinical Instructor
• 2003-06 Part-Time Clinical Instructor, Primary Eye Care IAUPR-School of Optometry

Administrative Appointments

• 07/2010-present Dean of Clinical Affairs -IAUPR School of Optometry
• 08/2009-6/2010 Patient Care Director, IAUPR School of Optometry

Teaching Experience

• 1/2013- present EPH0 Epidemiology and Public Health Course IAUPR School of Optometry

PUBLICATIONS, POSTERS, AND PRESENTATIONS

• Rodríguez, J.R., Pagán, D. The Importance of Treatment Adherence in the Well Being of the Patient: A Brief Literature Review.  Accepted for Publication in American Journal of Medicine and Medical Science October 2018 issue.
• Pagan, D. “Mejorar las Destrezas de Comunicación Del Idioma Español a Estudiantes Extranjeros no Proficientes en Español de la Escuela de Optometría UIPR” at The Central Office of Inter American University of Puerto Rico, (05/2017)
• Challenges in Clinic Administration, Deans and Administrators Meeting at University of West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago, Latin American Optometric Association and y Optic (ALDOO) (10/2014)
• Santiago H.C., Pagan D., Rullán M., Ortiz K., Rodríguez N., Ruiz L., De Jesús J.M. Refractive Error Study in Children of Puerto Rico. Poster at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Puerto Rico Optometric Association (October 2013).
• “Uso de Lentes de Contacto Para Toda la Vida”: E Course at Colegio de Ópticos de PR, Annual Convention, Ponce, 09/2011
• “The Ideal Cornea”, Presentation for Optometrist from Virgin Island, Sponsored by The Vision Care Institute, (TVCI) Johnson & Johnson 10/2011
• “Posibles usos y efectos del 9Δ–tetrahidrocannabinol”. Hospitales Año 15 Num.53, 14-18. (October/2002)                     
• “Tópicos en Genética: Ventajas y Limitaciones del Mapa Cromosómico”. Hospitales Vol. 43 (11), 8-9. 1997

Lay Publications

• 01/2018 “¿Quién es y Qué hace el Optómetra?” Semanario Presencia Page 15.
• 05/2017 “Misión de Amor: con motivo de la Clínica de Salud Visual Humanitaria en Monte Cristi”. Dominican Republic, Semanario Presencia Page 14
• 01/2017 “Examen Visual a Temprana Edad: Herramienta Preventiva.” Semanario Presencia Page 14
• 07/2012 “Visión Optima: Mantén una buena salud visual.” Revista Buena Vida, page 82
• 8/2011 “Cuide Sus Ojos” Newspaper: Primera Hora
• 11/2010 “Enfermedad Diabética del Ojo” Newspaper: El Expreso
• 4/2006 Diabetic Retinopathy: Health Supplement. Newspaper: El Vocero de Puerto Rico

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS

Service to the Institution

• 05/2018 Member of Committee for Summative Evaluation-IAUPR School of Optometry
• 05/2018 Member of “Proyecto Inter Emprende” – IAUPR -Metro   
• 08/2009- 5/2016 Clinical Affairs Committee Chair, IAUPRSO
• 08/2008-05/2009 Vice President Academic Senate IAUPRSO

Professional Memberships

• 2016- present American Academy of Optometry
• 01/2012-present American Optometric Association- International Member
• 02/2009-Florida Optometric Association
• 2002-present Puerto Rico Optometric Association

Civic Organizations

• 2015-16 President, Exchange Club of San Juan-Bayamon
• Ruling Elder, Presbyterian Church USA, Rvdo. Ramón Olivo Robles in Monteflores, Santurce.
• Sunday School Teacher Presbyterian Church USA, Rvdo. Ramón Olivo Robles in Monteflores

COMMUNITY SERVICE

• 12/2017 Voluntary Service delivery of supplies to people affected by Hurricane Maria, together with Volunteers of the Cardiovascular Hospital in Sector Cerrote and Albela in Yauco / Lares, Puerto Rico.
• 11/2017 Visual Screening Health Fair: “Stand Up and Shine” Presbytery of San Juan Presbyterian Church in Guaynabo.
• 10/2017 Voluntary Service delivery of supplies to people affected by Hurricane Maria, along with the American Red Cross and Volunteers of the Cardiovascular Hospital in Vieques, PR.
• 05/2017 Visual Screening Health Fair aimed at children sponsored by the Municipality of Guaynabo, PR.
• 04/2017 Operative of Visual Health in Montecristi, Dominican Republic.
• 10/2016 Visual Health Screening with Boys & Girls Club in Vieques, PR.
• 10/2016 Career Day 2016: Participation guidance on the profession of optometry, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School, Rio Piedras, PR.
• 11/2015 Visual Screening in Special Olympics, Dept of Recreation and Sports in Santurce.
• 09/2014 Visual Screening and Health Fair Community of San Juan: Blessing Center Inc, San Juan PR.
• 04/2014 Visual Screening at the Sol Isolina Ferré Center in Rio Piedras.
• 03/2013 Car Di Day- Health and Glaucoma Screening Fair Together with the Cardiology Chapter of the College of Physicians of Puerto Rico.
• 10/2012 Collaboration with the Project for a Happy Childhood- School of Optometry, Office of Religious Affairs.
• 09/2018 Visual Screening Health Fair: “Levántate Resplandece” Presbytery of San Juan, Presbyterian Church in Bayamon.
• 08/2018 Visual Screening Health Fair: “Levántate y Resplandece” Presbytery of San Juan, Presbyterian Church in Santurce.
• 5/2018 San Jorge Hospital Foundation in Consortium with VSP Visual Screening for patients of the San Jorge Pediatric Hospital.
• 05/2018 Visual screening Health Fair in the Guacio community in San Sebastián, PR with Presbytery of San Juan, “Levántate y Resplandece” Activity.
• 03/2018 Visual Screening with the community of Caño Martín Peña in Santurce, along with health services with the School of Medicine of Bayamon.
• 02/2018 Visual Screening at the Health Fair Sponsored by the PR Lions Club at “Plaza Las Américas”.
• 01/2018- present Counselor for IAUPR VOSH Student Chapter
• 12/2017 Voluntary service for delivery of supplies to people affected by Hurricane Maria, along with Volunteers from the Cardiovascular Hospital in Sector Cerrote and Albela in Yauco / Lares, Puerto Rico.
• 11/2017 Visual Screening Health Fair: “Levántate y Resplandece” Presbytery of San Juan, Presbyterian Church in Guaynabo.
• 10/2017 Voluntary service for delivery of supplies to people affected by Hurricane Maria, along with Volunteers from American Red Cross and Volunteers at the Cardiovascular Hospital in Vieques, PR.
• 05/2017 Visual Screening Fair of Health to children population sponsored by the Municipality of Guaynabo, PR.
• 04/2017 Operative of Visual Health in Montecristi, Dominican Republic.
• 10/2016 Visual Health Screening with Boys & Girls Club in Vieques, PR.
• 10/2016 Career Day 2016: Participation and guidance on the profession of optometry, “Colegio Parroquial Nuestra Señora de Lourdes”, Rio Piedras, PR.
• 11/2015 Visual Screening in Special Olympics, Dept of Recreation and Sports in Santurce.
• 09/2014 Visual Screening and Health Fair Community of San Juan: Blessing Center Inc, San Juan PR.
• 04/2014 Visual Screening at the Sol Isolina Ferré Center in Rio Piedras.
• 03/2013 Car Di Day-Health and Glaucoma Screening Fair Together with the Cardiology Chapter of the “Colegio de Médicos de Puerto Rico.”
• 10/2012 Collaboration with the Project for a “Happy Childhood” – School of Optometry, Office of Religious Affairs.

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Damaris Pagan born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and completed a Bachelor’s degree in General Sciences of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Dr. Pagan completed a Doctorate in Optometry from the School of Optometry of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. In 2005, she obtained a Masters’ Degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Center Campus. She is currently the Dean of Clinical Affairs in charge of the six clinic system of the Inter American University, School of Optometry.