Areas I Teach
Dr. Michela Kenning, an alumna of °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ College of Optometry, completed a residency in Primary Care and Geriatric Optometry at the VA St. Louis Health Care System. She later directed a weekend clinic in the VA Health Care System, designed to enhance timely healthcare access for veterans. Her prior professional experience includes clinical and administrative leadership within private practices, co-management settings, and a hospital-based interprofessional optometry clinic.
Within the College of Optometry and Graduate Division, Dr. Kenning serves as the Director of Residency Programs for sites across North America and as the Director of the EyeClinic Hillsboro. In addition to her roles within optometry clinics, she teaches in Foundations for Interprofessional Practice, Ocular Disease, Patient Care, and Applied Laser & Surgical Eye Treatments.
Dr. Kenning holds a Ph.D. in Education and Leadership, with a focus on interprofessional health care delivery and administration. Her professional expertise includes assessment of social determinants of health, biomedical ethics, and the management of patients with diabetes. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and the National Academies of Practice, and is honored to be a two-time recipient of the PUCO Clinical Faculty of the Year award.
Outside of her professional roles, Dr. Kenning pursues interests in the conservation of vintage books, classic cinema, and collecting movable and pop-up books.
Education and Training
FNAP | Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow in the National Academies of Practice, 2023
PhD | Education & Leadership, °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ College of Health Professions, 2022
FAAO | Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry, 2016
Optometry Residency | St. Louis VA Health Care System, 2014-2015
OD | °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ College of Optometry, 2012
BA | Social Justice Studies, Creighton University, 2007
BA | Theology, Creighton University, 2007
Pre-medical / Pre-Optometry Track | Creighton University, 2007