Global Ambassador: Melissa Barnett 

Tell us about yourself:
My primary job is principal optometrist at the University of California, Davis Eye Center in Sacramento and Davis, California. I enjoy writing, lecturing and travelling, for work and fun. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, yoga, hiking and spending time my family, Todd Erickson, also an optometrist, and two sons, Alex and Drew. 

What encouraged/inspired you to join the BCLA? 
Lynette Johns, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, my friend and co-editor of the book Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application encouraged me to attend the BCLA meeting and apply for BCLA Fellowship. The global perspective of the meeting and attendees was an amazing experience. Since then, I have been fortunate to lecture for BCLA and represent BCLA at international meetings. 

What do you hope to achieve by representing the BCLA as a Global Ambassador? 
Contact lenses are life-changing for so many different types of people. Serving at a Global Ambassador for BCLA provides an international platform to educate and share the transformational impact of contact lenses and the importance of ocular surface disease management. Additionally, we can share best practices to elevate our profession to improve patient care. 

Biography: 
Dr. Melissa Barnett is a principal optometrist at the University of California, Davis Eye Center in Sacramento and Davis, California. She is an internationally recognized key opinion leader, specializing in dry eye disease and specialty contact lenses. Dr. Barnett lectures globally and publishes extensively on topics including dry eye, anterior segment disease, contact lenses and creating a healthy balance between work and home life for women in optometry. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Diplomate of the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry, a Fellow and Global Ambassador of the British Contact Lens Association and serves on the Board of the American Optometric Association Contact Lens and Cornea Section, Gas Permeable Lens Institute, International Society of Contact Lens Specialists and is Past President of The Scleral Lens Education Society. Drs. Melissa Barnett and Lynette Johns authored and edited the book Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application with the unique perspectives and contributions of international experts. Dr. Barnett was awarded the inaugural Theia Award for Excellence for Mentoring by Women in Optometry. She was granted the Most Influential Women in Optical from Vision Monday in 2019. Dr. Barnett and Dr. Tom Arnold are co-hosts of the popular podcast GlobalEyes. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, yoga, hiking and spending time with her family, Todd Erickson, also an optometrist, and two sons, Alex and Drew.