Mamie C. Chan, O. D.

Dr. Chan grew up in Albuquerque and attended Sandia High School where she graduated in the top 10% of her class with honors. For her undergraduate school, Dr. Mamie Chan attended the University of Arizona and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She was on the Dean's Honor List for all four years, and received scholarships and grants based upon academic performance.

Dr. Chan attended her father's alma mater, Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where she was on the Dean's List and received clinical honors, as well as scholarships based upon academic performance. Her clinical rotations were both diverse and challenging, she traveled Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, Rhode Island Veteran's Administration Hospital in Providence, Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago, Easter Seals in Chicago, and the Chicago Lighthouse, a non-profit organization that provides services to the blind and visually impaired. At her rotations, Dr. Chan became proficient in the areas of contact lenses, pediatrics, vision therapy, ocular disease, and low vision. Her knowledge of the most progressive technology and research has been an integral part of her practice.

Dr. Chan has been very involved in her community, serving on numerous local, state, and federal committees and boards. She has served on all positions of the New Mexico Optometric Association, including committee chairs, Board of Trustees, and President. She has also served on all positions of the Illinois College of Optometry Alumni Council, including President. She also served on positions in the Chinese-American Citizens Alliance and the National Association of Women Business Owners. Additionally, Dr. Chan has been recognized by her commitment to the community with numerous awards, including the "Top 40 Under 40" by New Mexico Business Weekly. In 2007, was featured on the front cover of "Women in Optometry" magazine, and later she also received the "Young OD of the Year award" and the "Presidential Award" by the New Mexico Optometric Association. In 2013, Dr. Chan accepted the "Professional Achievement" award from the Illinois College of Optometry Alumni Council for her significant contribution to the profession of optometry. And for two consecutive publications of June 2014 and January 2015, Dr. Chan won the Albuquerque Journal's Reader's Choice Award as a Notable for the "Best Eye Doctor" Category. She is also is currently a principle investigator for clinical trials for emerging new contact lens technology for Johnson and Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and continually does clinical trial studies in her practice.  In 2017, Dr. Chan was project director in receiving the Healthy Eyes, Healthy Children Grant that implemented an experiential learning station called My First Eye Exam in the Explora Children's Museum. In 2018, Dr. Chan received the "Optometrist of the Year Award" from the New Mexico Optometric Association. And in 2019, Dr. Chan was honored to receive the "OD of the Year Award" from the Great Western Council of Optometry (GWCO) which represents 12 states from the Rocky Mountain chain and west. Most recently, Dr. Chan received the Mikela D Kwan Memorial Award for Advoacy from the New Mexico Optometric Association in 2023.

Currently, Dr. Chan serves her profession on a national level by working on several committees for the American Optometric Association, of which less than 250 optometrists in the country are asked to serve on a national level. These committees include the AOA Workforce Study Group and the Federal Relations Committee. Dr. Chan currently serves as Chair for the Research Information Committee with the American Optometric Association, a committee that studies the workforce supply and demand of optometry in the United States. Dr. Chan also serves as the New Mexico Director and is currently Immediate Past President for the Great Western Council of Optometry (GWCO), which is the regional representation for her profession, representing the 12 states west of the Rocky Mountain chain. Dr. Chan regularly represents New Mexico in the House of Delegates of the American Optometric Association and has done so for the last 15 years. Dr. Chan served on the Board of Advisors for the Review of Optometry publication, Women In Optometry.  Dr. Chan helped bring the Vision Awareness patch to the Girl Scout Trails of New Mexico and also developed the My First Eye Exam Exhibit for the Explora Children's Science Museum in Albuquerque. She continued her work with Explora and will be debuting an Optometry Exhibit in the X-Studio of Explora in 2023. She currently serves as a division Vice President for her children's school's parent association.  Her philanthropic involvement and academic excellence exemplifies Dr. Chan's continual dedication and commitment to her profession and community.