Debbie L. Hettler, O.D., M.P.H., FAAO, was the clinical director, Associated Health Education at the VA Headquarters in Washington, DC, where she was involved with the policy and oversight for more than 40 clinical education disciplines. Prior to this position, she established and developed an optometric education program in the VA, which evolved into optometric externships and residencies with four optometry schools, internal medicine rotations, nurse practitioner observations, and interactions with an ophthalmology teaching program. Dr. Hettler previously was a full-time educator, and has also worked clinically in interdisciplinary settings, including the VA, health maintenance organization, contact lens research clinics, union occupational health offices, and private practices. Currently, she is also a regional quality assurance representative conducting office inspections, record audits, and consulting with eye care practitioners on improving clinical skills and documentation of patient care. Additional accreditation activities include acting as a consultant for the Council on Optometric Education and the Council on Education for Public Health, and a National Board of Optometry Examiner. Throughout her professional career, Dr. Hettler has continued to publish and present at professional conferences while maintaining her educational credentials. Dr. Hettler is recognized as an expert in Optometric Public Health as demonstrated by her Diplomate status in the American Academy of Optometry's Public Health and Environmental Optometry Section, as well as a Distinguished Practitioner in the National Academy of Practice in Optometry. She has served as chair of several committees and sections of the American Optometric Association, including the Multidisciplinary Practice Section and the Public Health Task Force as well as a member of several other national committees. She has been an elected leader in local optometric societies of the American Optometric Association in Illinois, Missouri, and New York.