Dr. Fraser Horn Named Dean of Pacific University College of Optometry

Dr. Fraser Horn Named Dean of Pacific University College of Optometry

Dr. Fraser Horn will become the dean of the Pacific University College of Optometry, effective Jan. 1.

Dr. Horn has served as interim dean since November 2019, following the departure of Dr. Jenny Coyle.

“Fraser has done an outstanding job in leading the college over the past year,” said Provost John Miller. “Under his leadership, the college has continued its academic and clinical rigor, its community service, and its international reputation at the forefront of the optometry field. He also has been a strong voice for students, faculty, staff and healthcare best practice in collaboration with university leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Faculty of the College of Optometry endorsed Dr. Horn’s appointment to the permanent dean position as well. 

Dr. Horn started his Pacific career as an undergraduate studying biology before earning his doctor of optometry in the College of Optometry. He later completed a residency in primary care and ocular disease at Perry Point VAMHSC in Maryland.

In 2005, he joined Pacific’s faculty, and he also has served as director of Pacific EyeClinics in Washington County (2007-2012) and as associate dean of academic programs. He has been voted Clinical Faculty of the Year by optometry students three times and won the Pacific University Junior Faculty Development Award in 2009.

Dr. Horn is an expert in sports vision, presenting and publishing extensively on advances in the field. He has led the College of Optometry’s Sports Vision Club in offering screenings to Pacific athletes, and he serves as team optometrist on the Boxer Athletics sports medicine team.

He is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. He also is active in the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, Oregon Optometric Physicians Academy, and American Optometric Association. He is past chair of the AOA Sport Vision Section.

“It has been an honor to work alongside the students, staff, faculty, administrators and alumni of the College of Optometry. We will continue to provide top-notch education, patient care and research,” Dr. Horn said. “I am excited as our program focuses on providing education for contemporary practice within an interprofessional healthcare community. In addition, I am excited for the work we are doing on equity, diversity and inclusion through a great team that includes students, staff, faculty and alumni. While the pandemic has delayed some of our plans, we continue to work together to be successful. It is truly a team effort, and I am humbled to be a part of such a compassionate, energetic team.”