Dr. WC Maples
Dr. Maples received his BS in geography and chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi (USM)in 1964 and his Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry (SCO) in 1968. His Master of Science in Community Health Education was earned in 1977 from USM.
He began a general practice of optometry in Wiggins, Mississippi from 1968 to 1980. He also began a specialty practice in vision development and vision rehabilitation in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1972. After starting cold and building these two practices, he subsequently sold both practices in 1980 to accept a position at Northeastern State University: Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSU-OCO) in 1981. He designed the vision therapy clinic and protocol for the college clinic that was housed in the WW Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He served as the chief of clinic for 15 years. He retired from NSU-OCO in 2006 as a professor emeritus. He later accepted a clinical professorship at his alma mater (SCO) and served there for 5 years before retiring to Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 2011.
Dr. Maples is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO); a Fellow of the Australasian College of Behavioral Optometry (ACBO)and a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). He earned his FCOVD in 1972 and is the oldest active fellow member of this board certifying organization.
Dr. Maples has served on the Board of COVD with two years as president of this organization. He has served on the International Examination and Certification Board (IECB) of COVD on several occasions with 3 years as the Chair of the IECB.
He has always been active in research as well as clinic and is well published in many peer reviewed journals both domestically and internationally. He was awarded a lifetime achievement award from SCO in 2011. In addition, he serves his community. He was president of the Tahlequah Kiwanis club and a member for 24 years. He was voted Citizen of the Year for this city. As a Marine, he has been active in the United States Marine Corps League for 20 years. He has also been active in his churches, being a Sunday School teacher for 30+ years.
He has lectured and does lecture domestically and internationally on every continent except Antarctica.
Privately, he is married with 3 adult children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He enjoys travel, sailing (as a deck hand) and gardening.