James A. Boucher, O.D., M.S., who practiced in Laramie, Wyo., for 50 years and was inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame in 2012, passed away on Sept. 20 at age 83.
Dr. Boucher specialized in cornea and contact lenses and general practice, served on many AOA committees and chaired the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the Commission on Ophthalmic Standards and task forces on long-range planning and Medicare.
Additionally, he was a past chair of the AOA’s Contact Lens and Cornea Section, a member of the AOA Board of Trustees (from 1979 to 1982) and named AOA Optometrist of the Year in 1978. Dr. Boucher was also involved in the National Academies of Practice in Optometry; an award in his name — James A. Boucher Award of Excellence — is given to a National Academies of Practice Optometry Academy member who demonstrates exemplary contributions to the profession and health care field and who has upheld the mission of the National Academy of Practice to advance science and the concept of interdisciplinary health care.
Further, he taught at Indiana University, School of Optometry; Illinois College of Optometry; College of Optometry, University of Houston; Pacific University, College of Optometry; and the University of Wyoming.
Dr. Boucher is survived by his wife, Julie Uhlman, six children and nine grandchildren. OM
