Academy News
See the latest news and updates from the American Academy of Optometry.
President’s Calling - BRIGHT IDEAS: The Pressure Is On
We’re down to the final 15! Our inaugural BRIGHT IDEAS Pitch Competition is underway, and the field has already narrowed by half. Next up, our competitors are working with industry mentors, fine tuning their pitch, and recording a five-minute podcast about their company or idea for their future use.
What’s on the line? Cash prize packages will be awarded to the top three competitors:
Top 15 Applicants
• Complimentary booth space at Academy 2022 San Diego ($600 value)
• Podcast opportunities prior to the annual meeting
• Invitation to “Fireside Chat” conversations with industry experts
Top 5 Semi-Finalists
All the above, plus:
• The opportunity to pitch live at the conference
• Pitch mentorship and “Business Deep Dive”
Top 3 Winners
All the above, plus:
• $10,000 for first place
• $5,000 for second place
• $2,500 for third place
You won’t want to miss this! Join us on Thursday, October 27, from 4:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. during Academy 2022 San Diego. The BRIGHT IDEAS Pitch Competition is presented by the American Academy of Optometry Foundation in collaboration with the Innovation Council.
In other news, Centennial Celebration excitement continues with the release of the names of our next group of Hall of Fame inductees:
• Wolfgang Cagnolati
• Elmer Eger
• Jay Enoch
• Boyd Eskeridge
• Joan Exford
• William Feinbloom
• John Flanagan
• Mert Flom
• Thomas Freddo
• Rex Ghormley
• Edward Goodlaw
• Gunilla Haegerstron-Portnoy
• N. Alden Haffner
• Michael Harris
• Richard Hill
• Henry Hoffstetter
• Daniel Hummel
• Chris Johnson
• Lyndon Jones
• Morris Kirschen
• Carel C. Koch
• Pete Kollbaum
• Donald Korb
• Tom Lewis
• (Gerald) Jerry Lowther
Our Hall of Fame inductees will be formally recognized during a special ceremony prior to the Welcome Reception. Join us in the Convention Center lobby on Wednesday, October 26, at 4:30 p.m. for the unveiling and brief remarks by Centennial Celebration chair Barbara Caffery, OD, FAAO, and President-Elect Sue Cotter, OD, FAAO.
Sincerely,
Timothy McMahon, OD, FAAO
President
Announcing 2022 Award Recipients
Each year the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) recognize individuals who have made significant contributions and excelled in the profession.
“The Academy’s awards represent the very best of us, and it is right and fitting that in our centennial year we take the time to honor and celebrate our award recipients,” said John G. Flanagan, PhD, DSc, FAAO, chair of the awards committee and dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science at University of California Berkeley.
AAO and AAOF are pleased to present the 2022 award recipients:
Ann E. Elsner, PhD, FAAO
Charles F. Prentice Medal Award/AAO
James S. Wolffsohn, BSc, MBA, PhD, FAAO
Glenn A. Fry Lecture Award/AAOF
Jack Phu, OD, PhD, FAAO
Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award/AAO
Sajeesh Kumar, PhD, FAAO, FAMIA
American Academy of Optometry – Essilor Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Optometry/AAO
Jerry Cavallerano, OD, PhD, FAAO
William Feinbloom Award/AAO
Hector C. Santiago, OD, PhD, FAAO
Brien Holden Humanitarian Award/AAO
Loretta B. Szczotka-Flynn, OD, PhD, FAAO
Carel C. Koch Medal/AAO
Joseph C. Lehman, OD, MS
The Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics/AAOF
Sherry J. Bass, OD, FAAO, FCOVD
Vincent Ellerbrock Clinician Educator Award/AAO
“Myopia Control: Why Each Diopter Matters”
Mark A. Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO; Noel A. Brennan, MScOptom, PhD, FAAO. Optometry and Vision Science. 96(6):463-465, June 2019.
Garland W. Clay Award/AAO
Jason S. Ng, OD, PhD, FAAO
Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education/AAOF
Herbert Wertheim, OD, DSc, MD
Honorary Fellowship Award/AAO
Joan M. Exford, OD, FAAO
Life Fellowship Award/AAO
Chris A. Johnson, PhD, DSc, FAAO
Life Fellowship Award/AAO
Joseph P. Shovlin, OD, FAAO
Tony Adams Eminent Service Award/AAO
William D. Carter
Founders’ Award/AAO
Robin L. Chalmers, OD, FAAO
Max Schapero Lecture Award /AAO
Sandra Block, OD, MEd, MPH, FAAO
Henry B. Peters Award/AAOF
Award recipients will be recognized at special ceremonies during Academy 2022 San Diego, AAO’s annual meeting, which will be held this year from October 26 – 29, 2022, in San Diego.
About the American Academy of Optometry
The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) inspires excellence in optometric practice by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through its journal, Optometry and Vision Science, and the continuing education presented at its annual meeting. Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing fellowship and exchange. For more information, visit the website: http://www.aaopt.org.
About the American Academy of Optometry Foundation
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) is the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and was founded in 1947 for the “upholding, broadening, fostering, promoting and aiding of optometric education; the profession of optometry and its practitioners.” The organization provides financial support for optometric research and vision and eye health education to improve patient clinical care. For more information, visit the website: https://www.aaopt.org/home/aaof.
Nationwide Search for New CEO
American Academy of Optometry Launches Nationwide Search for New CEO
CFO Richard Jones to Serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 14, 2022) The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) has formed a search committee to identify candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Current Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/Deputy CEO Richard Jones will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer throughout the search. Jones has more than 20 years of nonprofit financial experience and been part of AAO’s management team for nearly a decade.
The search committee is led by Immediate Past-President Barbara Caffery, OD, PhD, FAAO, and composed of Susan Cotter, OD, MS, FAAO; Stacey Coulter, OD, MS, FAAO; Joseph Shovlin, OD, FAAO; Jennifer Coyle, OD, MS, FAAO; and Andrew Mick, OD, FAAO.
“This committee is dedicated to identifying a leader who will pave the way for the Academy’s continued growth and contributions to the optometric profession,” said Caffery. “We are celebrating our centennial this year and want a CEO who can lead us into another successful 100 years.”
“It is critical we bring in a highly qualified individual with vision and the experience this role requires,” said AAO President Timothy McMahon, OD, FAAO. “They must be able to work in collaboration with the Board and staff to provide the quality programming, continuing education, leadership development, and membership services our Fellows expect.”
The committee has issued a request for proposal (RFP) from qualified search firms.
About the American Academy of Optometry
The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) inspires excellence in optometric practice by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through its journal, Optometry and Vision Science, and the extensive continuing education and programming presented at its annual meeting. Learn more at http://www.aaopt.org.
Foundation News
See updates and the latest news from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.
Announcing the 2022 William C. Ezell Fellowship Recipients
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPTOMETRY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES
2022 WILLIAM C. EZELL FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
ORLANDO, FL (July 18, 2022) – The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) is pleased to announce the 15 recipients of the 2022 William C. Ezell Fellowships. Named for founding AAOF president, William C. Ezell, OD, this fellowship seeks to assist full-time students in their pursuit of advanced degrees in optometric research and education.
Since 1949, more than 470 fellowships have been awarded to talented individuals in the field. This year’s recipients will receive $8,000 for the year-long fellowship. They will also be awarded two travel grants of $750 to attend the Academy’s annual meeting and the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting.
Funding for these Fellowships is provided by leading optometric companies, private endowments, and other business organizations representing most sectors of the industry.
The AAOF congratulates the following recipients 2022 Ezell Fellows:
American Academy of Optometry Centennial Ezell Fellow
Charlotte YiYi Wang, OD, FAAO
University of California Berkeley School of Optometry
American Academy of Optometry Centennial Ezell Fellow
Rachel Williams, OD
University of Houston College of Optometry
American Academy of Optometry Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies (CCLRT) Ezell Fellow
Emmanuel Kobia-Acquah, OD, MSc, FAAO
Technological University Dublin Ireland
American Academy of Optometry Ezell Fellow
Kierstyn Napier – Dovorany, OD, FAAO
Indiana University School of Optometry
American Academy of Optometry Foundation Ezell Fellow
Rebecca Deffler, OD, MS, FAAO
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Bert C. & Lydia M. Corwin Ezell Fellow
Sidra Sarwat, BOptom, MSc
University of New South Wales
Danne Ventura / Essilor Ezell Fellow
Neeraj K. Singh, BSOptom, MPhil
Indiana University School of Optometry
Irvin M. Borish / Essilor Ezell Fellow
Prince Kwaku Akowuah, OD
University of Houston College of Optometry
John N. Schoen Ezell Fellow
Erica R. Shelton, OD, MS, FAAO
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Merton C. Flom Leadership Ezell Fellow
Rajendra Gyawali, FAAO
University of New South Wales
Meta Platform Technologies, LLC Ezell Fellow
Jennyffer D. Smith, OD
University of Houston College of Optometry
Michael G. Harris Ezell Fellow
Breanne B. McGhee, OD, MEd, FAAO
Pacific University College of Optometry
Mike Daley / Essilor Ezell Fellow
Marielle Reidy, OD, MS, FAAO
The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS) Ezell Fellow
Carol Lin, OD, MS, FAAO
State University of New York College of Optometry
Rod Tahran / Essilor Ezell Fellow
Augustine Nyarko Nti, OD
University of Houston College of Optometry
This year’s Ezell Fellows will be honored during Academy 2022 San Diego, which is October 26 – 29, 2022.
About the American Academy of Optometry
The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) inspires excellence in optometric practice by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through its journal, Optometry and Vision Science, and the continuing education presented at its annual meeting. Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing fellowship and exchange. For more information, visit the website: http://www.aaopt.org.
About the American Academy of Optometry Foundation
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) is the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and was founded in 1947 for the “upholding, broadening, fostering, promoting and aiding of optometric education; the profession of optometry and its practitioners.” The organization provides financial support for optometric research and vision and eye health education to improve patient clinical care. For more information, visit the website: https://aaopt.org/about-us/foundation/
