Dr. Sarah Hinkley is a Professor and Chief of Vision Rehabilitation Services at the Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry (MCO). After graduating from the Michigan College of Optometry in 2004, she began a position in a large private practice in Ohio specializing in pediatrics, vision therapy and learning related vision disorders. Since returning to MCO as faculty, she has had didactic and clinical responsibilities in the areas of developmental vision, vision therapy, clinical problem solving and low vision rehabilitation. Dr. Hinkley is the recipient of many national, state and local grants and awards. She serves on the editorial review board of Vision Development and Rehabilitation. She is an Associate Editor and review board member for Optometry and Visual Performance. She is a certified Michigan Low Vision Specialist and administers the Michigan Optometric Association’s certification process. She is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the American Academy of Optometry and the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Hinkley was awarded 2009 Michigan Young Optometrist of the Year by the Michigan Optometric Association, 2015 Michigan Optometric Keyperson of the Year, 2014 Visionary of the Year by the Grand Rapids Lions Club, 2016 Michigan College of Optometry Alumnus of the Year and Outstanding Professor of the Year for the Third Year Class in 2008-9. She serves as the Alumni Coordinator for MCO in addition to her teaching responsibilities. She serves as chair of MCO’s Strategic Planning Committee and leads Ferris State University as Co-Coordinator of Academic Service Learning and Chair of the Interprofessional Task Force. She has served her profession as a member of the American Optometric Association’s Health Promotion Committee and the Michigan Optometric Association’s chair of the Healthy Eyes Healthy People Committee. Dr. Hinkley founded and administers the Students in Need of Eyecare program providing comprehensive eye care and glasses to area children lacking access to care.

Dr. Hinkley is a strong advocate for vision rehabilitation, in all of its forms, and optometry’s key role in this area. She is an advocate at a university, local and state level for the importance of optometry on the interprofessional care team of patients. She presents at a local, state and national level on vision rehabilitation topics. She precepts students and examines patients every week in the Ferris State University Eye Center’s Vision Rehabilitation Service and is a member of the AOA’s Vision Rehabilitation Committee since 2018.