Dr. Mike Perez, a doctor of optometry with Park Rapids/Walker Eye Clinic, ODPA, Park Rapids and Walker, received the Distinguished Optometrist of the Year award from the Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) at its fall meeting in Duluth recently.
Perez, a family eye doctor in Park Rapids for 27 years, has been an active member in the MOA since graduating from Illinois College of Optometry. Perez served as the president of the Board of Trustees in 2002, and has been particularly active on the legislative committee.
During his tenure as president, his advocacy for patients and the practice of optometry was instrumental in passing proactive oral medication legislation in Minnesota. Since leaving the board, Perez remains politically active locally and regionally in the state.
Perez has also been a leader in community organizations, having served a president of both the Rotary and the Jaycees. He is also an avid road bicyclist and is active in his local cycling club, including organizing local road races. He and his wife, Sandy, live in Park Rapids. They are parents of two adult sons and enjoy world travel.
The MOA has 500 member doctors of optometry around the state. The MOA is committed to furthering awareness of optometrists as primary eye care or family eye doctors and to bringing about change that positively impacts the MOA member doctors and their patients. For more information on the MOA, visit www.mneye docs.org.
