Door County Doctor Named Optometrist of the Year
Wisconsin Optometric Association recognizes Dr. Eric Paulsen with prestigious award
September 2009
Dr. Eric Paulsen of Door County was presented with the 2009 Optometrist of the Year Award on Sept. 26 at the Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA) Convention and Annual Meeting in the Wisconsin Dells. This award is given in recognition of excellence, dedication to the profession of optometry, and service to the community.
Dr. Paulsen has owned his practice, Door County Eye Associates, Inc., since 1984. He has provided 27 years of independent primary eye care services to the Door County community.
“There is no better candidate for the Optometrist of the Year Award than Dr. Paulsen,” said Door County Eye Associates, Inc. staff member Ann Hill. “To say that Dr. Paulsen is a dedicated professional doesn’t even begin to describe the many aspects of his endeavors in and out of the office.”
Dr. Paulsen donates both his services and eyeglasses to the Community Clinic and Head Start program of Door County, and is an active participant in the InfantSEE® program for the early detection and treatment of eye problems. For the mobility impaired, he extends his services to nursing homes, the local hospital and patients’ homes. Dr. Paulsen has also made 10 volunteer trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic through Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH) .
Dr. Paulsen’s commitment to educating not only his patients, but the greater Door County community, is evident through his outreach to local students. Students are invited to his practice to learn about the eye exam process and are encouraged to try on glasses. They also learn about the importance of a healthy diet and proper eye hygiene. Dr. Paulsen is available to students who want to learn about running a business and offers internships to interested youth.
An active member of the Rotary Club, Dr. Paulsen holds the position of world community service chair for district 6220, which includes 42 separate clubs. As chair, he has overseen grant writing and the execution of international projects. Dr. Paulsen has been awarded the Paul P. Harris award, one of the highest honors Rotary can bestow upon a person, for outstanding contributions in placing service beyond self.
Dr. Paulsen has served as a board member for the Door County Community Foundation and United Way of Door County. An active member of Hope United Church of Christ, Dr. Paulsen has served on the board of trustees, board of deacons and as chair of the endowment committee. He currently serves on the board of directors for Door County Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Paulsen graduated from Carroll College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry, and went on to receive his Doctorate Degree in Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1982. He is a longstanding, active member of the Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA), American Optometric Association (AOA) and Northeastern Wisconsin Optometric Society. He and wife, Dee, live in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. and have 2 grown children, Nels and his wife Kathrine and daughter Annika.###
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