NEW REGENT:

Continuing a family tradition, John A. McCall, Jr., O.D., operates the Crockett Eye Clinic, which his father opened in 1949 to serve the needs of Houston County and the surrounding East Texas region. He specializes in glaucoma laser surgery. 

McCall was appointed to the University of Houston System Board of Regents in 2019 by Gov. Greg Abbott. 

“Little could I have imagined when I was a student here that I would one day return in the capacity of member of the UH System’s governing board,” he said. “What an honor and opportunity to give back!” 

A native of Crockett, Texas, he has devoted his life in service to his community, both in his private practice and as a member of the Crockett Hospital medical staff for almost three decades. Locals in his hometown also know him as a former mayor and city councilman. 

He has held top state and national posts in his profession. He has served as president of the Student Texas Optometric Association, the Texas Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association, and is a founding member of Vision Source LP, one of the largest doctor networks in the world, where he serves as its senior vice president of medical vendor relations. He has been honored with the Texas Optometrist of the Year Award, among many other professional accolades. 

The UH College of Optometry, where he is adjunct professor of optometric medicine and surgery, honored him in 1998 with the Alumnus of the Year Award. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from UH in 1975 and his doctorate in optometry from the UH College of Optometry in 1977. 

McCall has four children, Scott, Lindsey, Haley and Matthew. 

— Oscar Gutierrez