Ryan Wally, OD, of Oxford, has been named a finalist for the James Brownlee Optometrist of the Year award by the Mississippi Optometric Association.  

The association presents the award annually to recognize significant contributions to the profession of optometry and the general public. The finalists and winners were announced at the MOA’s Annual Fall Conference and Vision Exposition in Jackson. 

The Mississippi Optometric Association, founded in 1947, represents more than 1,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians in 77 counties across the state. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions.   

The mission of the profession of optometry is to fulfill the vision and eye care needs of the public through clinical care, research and education, all of which enhance the quality of life of patients. 

Wally, a partner at Oxford Eye Clinic and Optical, has been a member of MOA since 2008. In 2018, the clinic was named Best Eye Care in the Best of Oxford section in Oxford Magazine. As a member, he has served in a variety of positions within MOA, including Chairman of the Health Information Technology Committee. His current position is Chairman of the Legislative Committee. He has also been a member of the MOA Board of Directors since 2016.  

 A 2004 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi, Wally earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. At UAB, he was inducted into Beta Sigma Kappa international optometric honor society.  

Wally lives in Oxford with his wife, Allison, and their two young children, Hayden and Andrew.