Dr. David Mellish, Optometric Physician
Colonel David J. Mellish, a 29 year military veteran, will soon begin his 10th year serving as the Medical Group Commander, 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard. He oversees all aspects of Aerospace medicine for the 177th F-16 Fighter Wing.
Dr. Mellish graduated from Pitman High, Pitman, New Jersey in June, 1973. He attended Pacific University for 1/2 year and Rowan University for 2 1/2 years where he graduated Summa-Cum-Laude, with highest honors, ranking first in his class as pre-medical/optometry and biology major. In May, 1977, he received a second Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. |
In May, 1980, Dr. Mellish graduated with the degree of Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He was commissioned at the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard in February 1981 to provide optometric services for the 177th Fighter Wing.
Dr. Mellish completed Squadron Officer School of the Air University in 1987. In 1995 he attended the Top Eye and Aerospace Optometry Course at the 144th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Klamath Falls, Oregon and in August of 2000, he completed the Squadron/Flight Commander Course. Dr. Mellish was designated a Fellow of National Security Management as a Department of Defense Graduate in April, 2004. From 1980 to the present, he has completed approximately sixty optometric continuing education credits per year. Colonel Mellish was appointed as the officer In Charge of Optometric Services in February, 1981 and from June, 2000 to present, he has served as the Medical Group commander of the 177th FW, NJANG.
Dr. Mellish is an active member of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. He has been a member of this organization for nearly thirty years. For six years, he served on the Board of Directors of the NJSOP. In addition, he is currently serving his 15th year on the Legislative Committee and is serving his 12th year as the New Jersey State Political Action Committee (PAC) Chairman of the NJSOP. Dr. Mellish also served for four years as the vice President of the South jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to optometry. In 1997, he was the recipient of the NJSOP's Special Purpose Award for Outstanding Service, in 2001 he received the Chairperson of the Year Award for the PAC and in 2002 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians.
Dr. Mellish has practiced as an Optometric Physician for 45+ years in Williamstown, Monroe Township, New Jersey where he currently resides with his wife Shirley and their four kids.
EDUCATION:
-1973 Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR
-1976 Bachelor of Arts/Dept. of Biology/Pre-Med, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
-1977 Bachelor of Science, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA
-1980 Doctor of Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA
-1981 NJ Real Estate License, Gloucester County College, Sewell, NJ
-1987 Squadron Officer School/ Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
-1995 Top Eye and Aerospace Optometry Course, Kingsley Field, OR
-2000 Squadron/Flight Commander Course, McChord AFB, Tacoma, WA
-2004 National Security Management Fellow, Department of Defense and the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
-Private Pilot
-Graduated Summa-Cum-Laude (with highest Honors) in 3 years from Rowan University
-Ranked first as a pre-med/optometry major at Rowan University
-Special Purpose Award for Outstanding Service to NJ Society of Optometric Physicians
-Distinguished Service Award, New Jersey Optometric Association
-Chairperson of the Year Award for PAC, New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians
-Vice-President of South jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for four years
-Board-of-Directors of New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for six years
-Legislative Committee of New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for fifteen years
-State PAC (Political Arm Committee) Chairman for New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for twelve years and current chairman
-OUTSTANDING Operational Readiness Inspection Rating, Deployed Medical Facility, 2009
-United States Air Force OUTSTANDING Unit Award, 2008
-OUTSTANDING Health Service Inspection Rating, 2008
-OUTSTANDING Health Service Inspection Rating, 2003
-Boy Scouts of America, committee member for two years
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
-American Optometric Association
-New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians
-South Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians
-National Glaucoma Society
-Naval Reserve Association of the United States, Life Member
-National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS)
-National Guard Association of New Jersey, Life Member
-Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey
-Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons, Life Member
-Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)
-Air Force Association
-Armed Forces Optometric Society
-Air National Guard Optometric Society
-Aerospace Medical Association
-Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
-Experimental Aircraft Association
Dr. Mellish completed Squadron Officer School of the Air University in 1987. In 1995 he attended the Top Eye and Aerospace Optometry Course at the 144th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Klamath Falls, Oregon and in August of 2000, he completed the Squadron/Flight Commander Course. Dr. Mellish was designated a Fellow of National Security Management as a Department of Defense Graduate in April, 2004. From 1980 to the present, he has completed approximately sixty optometric continuing education credits per year. Colonel Mellish was appointed as the officer In Charge of Optometric Services in February, 1981 and from June, 2000 to present, he has served as the Medical Group commander of the 177th FW, NJANG.
Dr. Mellish is an active member of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. He has been a member of this organization for nearly thirty years. For six years, he served on the Board of Directors of the NJSOP. In addition, he is currently serving his 15th year on the Legislative Committee and is serving his 12th year as the New Jersey State Political Action Committee (PAC) Chairman of the NJSOP. Dr. Mellish also served for four years as the vice President of the South jersey Society of Optometric Physicians. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to optometry. In 1997, he was the recipient of the NJSOP's Special Purpose Award for Outstanding Service, in 2001 he received the Chairperson of the Year Award for the PAC and in 2002 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians.
Dr. Mellish has practiced as an Optometric Physician for 45+ years in Williamstown, Monroe Township, New Jersey where he currently resides with his wife Shirley and their four kids.
EDUCATION:
-1973 Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR
-1976 Bachelor of Arts/Dept. of Biology/Pre-Med, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
-1977 Bachelor of Science, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA
-1980 Doctor of Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA
-1981 NJ Real Estate License, Gloucester County College, Sewell, NJ
-1987 Squadron Officer School/ Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL
-1995 Top Eye and Aerospace Optometry Course, Kingsley Field, OR
-2000 Squadron/Flight Commander Course, McChord AFB, Tacoma, WA
-2004 National Security Management Fellow, Department of Defense and the Maxwell School of Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
ACHIEVEMENTS:
-Private Pilot
-Graduated Summa-Cum-Laude (with highest Honors) in 3 years from Rowan University
-Ranked first as a pre-med/optometry major at Rowan University
-Special Purpose Award for Outstanding Service to NJ Society of Optometric Physicians
-Distinguished Service Award, New Jersey Optometric Association
-Chairperson of the Year Award for PAC, New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians
-Vice-President of South jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for four years
-Board-of-Directors of New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for six years
-Legislative Committee of New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for fifteen years
-State PAC (Political Arm Committee) Chairman for New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians for twelve years and current chairman
-OUTSTANDING Operational Readiness Inspection Rating, Deployed Medical Facility, 2009
-United States Air Force OUTSTANDING Unit Award, 2008
-OUTSTANDING Health Service Inspection Rating, 2008
-OUTSTANDING Health Service Inspection Rating, 2003
-Boy Scouts of America, committee member for two years
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
-American Optometric Association
-New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians
-South Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians
-National Glaucoma Society
-Naval Reserve Association of the United States, Life Member
-National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS)
-National Guard Association of New Jersey, Life Member
-Enlisted Association of the National Guard of New Jersey
-Alliance of Air National Guard Flight Surgeons, Life Member
-Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)
-Air Force Association
-Armed Forces Optometric Society
-Air National Guard Optometric Society
-Aerospace Medical Association
-Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
-Experimental Aircraft Association
Sandy Allsebrook, Licensed Optician
Sandy has been working for Dr. Mellish for over 40 years. She attended Camden County College and obtained her New Jersey Dispensing Opticians License in 2000. She is a member of the Optician's Association of New Jersey, an organization devoted to promoting and protecting the profession of Opticianry through education, leadership, and professionalism for the members and most importantly, the patients they serve. Her longstanding commitment to the office offers an exceptionally personal office experience for all of our patients as well as an incomparable level of expertise.
Donna Schaeffer, Medical Technician/ Frame Stylist
Donna has been with our practice for over 15 years. Donna is trained to perform medically related visual testing as well as to assist patients with frame choices that fit their visual needs and their cosmetic desires. She also instructs patients on contact lens care, instruction, and removal.
Nevernlene Mellish, Medical Technician/Frame Stylist
Nevernlene has been a very dedicated employee for years. Nevernlene is trained to perform medical testing on all types of equipment. Nevernlene also assists patients with frame choices that fit their particular needs. Nevernlene specializes in contact lens care, instruction, and removal of contacts.