Lisa Schifanella O.D., M.S.

Dr. Schifanella grew up in Birmingham and attended Faith Christian High School where she graduated as the valedictorian.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Montevallo where she graduated summa cum laude.  She went on to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry (UABSO).  She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from UABSO and graduated cum laude.  Dr. Schifanella received a Masters in Vision Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in December of 1994.  Following her education in Alabama, Dr. Schifanella completed a Residency in Ocular Disease at Triad Eye Medical Center and Cataract Institute affiliated with Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO).  Dr. Schifanella joined the faculty of NSUOCO in 1996.  She served as Director of Residencies from 1997-2003.  In addition, she was course master for three courses: Systemic Therapy in Ocular Disease, Differential Diagnosis in Ocular Disease, and Advanced Clinical Methods.  Dr. Schifanella served as Chief of the Specialty Care Clinic (the laser and minor surgery clinic) from 1996-2000.  She was a tenured associate professor and a member of the NSU Graduate Faculty.  Dr. Schifanella joined the faculty of UABSO in March of 2004, where she served as the Director of Residency Programs from June 2006-May 2014.  She also served as coursemaster of the Injections and Minor Surgical Procedures course, as a member of the Clinical Evaluation of the Visual System course faculty, and in the Primary Care Clinics.  She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Armed Forces Optometric Association, and is a sustaining member of the American Optometric Student Association.    Dr. Schifanella joined the Tuscaloosa VAMC in June 2014 where she currently serves as Staff Optometrist and Residency Supervisor.  Dr. Schifanella can be reached at Lisa.Schifanella@va.gov.