News – American Academy of Optometry

Academy News

See the latest news and updates from the American Academy of Optometry.

FDA Issues Public Safety Notice on Amniotic Fluid Eye Drops

Public Safety Notification on Amniotic Fluid Eyedrops from the United States Food and Drug Administration

Please be advised, the FDA recently released the following:

FDA Safety Communication – April 10, 2023

Purpose: To inform the public, including patients and health care practitioners, that manufacturers are marketing and distributing amniotic fluid eyedrops to treat, mitigate, or cure diseases or conditions such as dry eye disease without the required premarket review and approval, raising potential significant safety concerns.

Background: As a general matter, amniotic fluid eyedrops used to treat diseases and conditions in humans are regulated as drugs and biological products under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and are subject to premarket review and approval requirements. There are currently no FDA-approved amniotic fluid eyedrops to treat, mitigate or cure eye diseases or conditions, and in order for a health care practitioner to offer these products to patients, there must be an investigational new drug application (IND) in effect. In addition, as these products are not FDA-approved, the agency does not have information about their manufacture, and there are no assurances that the products are safe and effective for any disease or condition.

Information for Health Care Professionals: Health care professionals should report any adverse events related to the use of amniotic fluid eyedrops or other FDA regulated products to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. To file a report, use the MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form. The completed form can be submitted online or via fax to 1-800-FDA-0178. FDA monitors these reports and takes appropriate action necessary to ensure the safety of medical products in the marketplace.

Information for Patients and Consumers: Patients and consumers considering treatment with amniotic fluid eyedrops products in the United States should:

Ask if the FDA has reviewed the treatment. You also can ask for the FDA-issued Investigational New Drug Application (IND) number and the chance to review the FDA communication stating that the IND is in effect. Ask for this information before getting treatment and follow up with your personal health care provider to confirm this information.
Request the facts and ask questions if you don’t understand. To participate in a clinical trial that requires an IND application, you must sign a consent form that explains the investigational procedure. The consent form also identifies the Institutional Review Board (IRB) that assures the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects. Make sure you understand the entire process and known risks before you sign. You also can ask the study sponsor for the clinical investigator’s brochure, which includes a short description of the product and information about its safety and effectiveness.
Report any adverse events related to the use of amniotic fluid eyedrops or other FDA-regulated products to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. To file a report, use the MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form. The completed form can be submitted online or via fax to 1-800-FDA-0178. FDA monitors these reports and takes appropriate action necessary to ensure the safety of medical products in the marketplace.

FDA has taken steps to notify manufacturers marketing amniotic fluid eyedrops regulated as drugs and biological products without FDA review or approval. The agency issued two untitled letters in late 2022 to manufacturers of these products that are available on the FDA website. FDA remains committed to protecting patients from unapproved and unproven products and to working with those who share our goal of bringing safe and effective products to market to benefit individuals in need.

More information is available here.

In Focus: Message from the President - March 2023

March is known for many things – St. Patrick’s Day, March Madness, and the first day of spring – all reasons to celebrate! It is also Women’s History Month, which, as it comes to a close, I want to draw attention to because I believe it deserves special recognition. This is a time to honor our past while looking toward the future. I can proudly say that women have contributed significantly to advances in the profession of optometry and to our Academy.

The first woman licensed to practice optometry in the United States was Gertrude Stanton in 1899! She had her own practice in Minnesota, employing an all-female staff. Learn more about her crazy and fascinating history here – she was quite the renegade!

So many notable women have followed, but I am going to highlight some of the “firsts”:

1920 – May Booth-Jones, OD: first female President of an optometry school (Washington School of Optometry in Spokane)
1946 – Jean Babbitt, OD, FAAO: first woman Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry
1971 – Elizabeth Caloroso, OD, FAAO: first woman optometry faculty member, uninvited and with a cigar in hand, to break the ‘men only’ luncheons in the Faculty Club at UC Berkeley
1991 – Norma Levingston, OD: first woman President of the National Optometric Association
1993 – Joan Exford, OD, FAAO: first woman President of the American Academy of Optometry
1995 – Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, FAAO: first woman optometrist to receive the Glenn A. Fry Lecture Award
1997 – Sarita Soni, OD, MS, FAAO: first woman President of the American Academy of Optometry Foundation
2010 – Carol Rymer, OD, FAAO: first woman optometrist to become a colonel in the United States Army
2011 –Dori Carlson, OD, FAAO: first woman President of the American Optometric Association
2013 – Jennifer Coyle, OD, MS, FAAO: first woman President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
2018 – Barbara Caffery, OD, PhD, FAAO: first Canadian woman elected as President of the American Academy of Optometry
2020 – Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, FAAO: first woman optometrist to receive the Charles F. Prentice Medal, and only one to receive both the Fry & Prentice Awards
2021 – Angela Chen, OD, MS, FAAO: first pediatric optometrist to be the first author of a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Ophthalmology
2022 – Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO: first female Hispanic Dean of a U.S. optometry school (University of the Incarnate Word, Rosenberg School of Optometry)
2022 – Marta O’Grady, OD, FAAO: first optometrist hired as a Director of the Department of Surgery (Universityof Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)
2022 – Keshia Elder, OD, FAAO: first Black woman Dean of an U.S. college of optometry (University of Missouri-Saint Louis)
2023 – Jennifer Coyle, OD, FAAO: first woman optometrist appointed as the President of a university (Pacific University)

I believe Condoleezza Rice was spot-on when she said, “I think the truth of the matter is, people who end up as ‘first’ don’t actually set out to be first. They set out to do something they love, and it just so happens that they are the first to do it.” I am certain this applies to the firsts that I have listed.

Although the Academy has had only four female presidents: Joan Exford (1993-1994), Karla Zadnik (2011-2012), Barbara Caffery (2019-2020), and myself (2023-2024), my crystal ball predicts this will soon be a more common occurrence given the number of women in Academy leadership positions. Currently, the Academy has ChrisWilmer and Nancy Wong serving with me on the Board, and 68% of our 19 committees, 56% of our 9 Sections, and 67% of our 9 SIGs are chaired by women.

Thank you to the fierce female optometrists mentioned above and all the others too numerous to list who have worked tirelessly for optometry, the Academy, and the greater good.

Geesh, I wish I had more room to list more firsts! If you have a “woman optometry first” you would like to share, please add to the comments on our Women’s History Month social media posts using the icons below.

Trish Shomion, CAE, Joins the American Academy of Optometry as CEO

ORLANDO, FL (March 15, 2023) – The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) announced today that Trish Shomion, CAE, has been appointed CEO. Previously, Shomion was a senior advisor with Global Management Partners, LLC (GMP), a professional association management company where she served as the Executive Director of medical organizations such as the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the Organization for Human Brain Mapping.

“I am thrilled that Trish has joined our Academy. She has extensive experience serving medical associations at local and global levels, and her skill set, leadership style, and personality are the perfect fit,” said Susan Cotter, OD, FAAO, President of the Academy’s Board of Directors. “Working with the Board, Foundation, staff, volunteers, and members, Trish will help make our Academy even better.”

With a strong track record in innovation and impact, at GMP, Shomion achieved consistent year-over-year membership growth, expanded revenue streams, and managed domestic and international medical conferences. Her responsibilities at AAO will be similar and include supporting the Academy Board and the AAOF Board in stimulating organizational growth, promoting innovative research, providing exceptional education, and disseminating knowledge to advance optometric practice and improve patient care.

“I have a passion for mission-driven organizations,” said Shomion. “As a long-term volunteer for non-profit organizations serving people with visual impairments, I am excited for the opportunity to apply my professional expertise in association management to the dynamic organization that is the AAO. I look forward to serving our members by continuing to strengthen the field of optometry through research, education, and strategic partnerships.”

Shomion is a certified association executive (CAE). She graduated from DePauw University with a major in sociology and anthropology and a minor in Spanish.

Announcing the 2022 New Fellows and Diplomates

The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recently hosted Academy 2022 in San Diego. The organization’s centennial was met with great fanfare, and the Academy welcomed a record number of 309 new Fellows to its ranks. Along with this strong showing of new Fellows, nine current Fellows earned the distinction of Diplomate.

Fellows of the Academy must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written work demonstrating their skills as an optometrist or vision scientist. They must also sit for an oral exam at the annual meeting. It is estimated that 10 percent of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). Among those eligible for Fellow status are: optometrists, scientists, educators, librarians, administrators and editors. Those who pass the rigorous criteria earn the distinction and the right to use FAAO in their credentials.

Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their extensive skill in a specific area. Currently nine sections offer Diplomate programs. These include: Anterior Segment; Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry; Comprehensive Eye Care; Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies; Glaucoma; Low Vision; Optometric Education; Public Health & Environmental Vision; and Vision Science.

Below is a complete list of the new Fellows and Diplomates. More information on becoming a Fellow and Diplomate can be found on the Academy’s website at https://aaopt.org/membership/.

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.

2022 Fellows

Kaleb Abbott

Rami Aboumourad

Cristina Acevedo

Noell Acord

Stephanie Adams

Lindsay Agro

Prince Akowuah

Abby Alexander

Kory Allen

Meznah Almutairi

Shelby Anderson

Miriam Anglo

Rebecca Aquije

Sabari Arcot

Grace Arnold

Alyanna Arzner

Kofi Asiedu

John Assan

Melissa Atencio

Nicole Auble

Sarah Aumond

Natasha Balani

Seema Banerjee

Ankur Banik

Rusha Barua

Ashley Bascom

Hadas Ben-Eli

Khob Bhandari

Kristen Bisig

Nicholas Blasco

Daniel Bollier

Melissa Bollinger

Petr Boshinski

Mackenzie Bradley

Grace Brasel

Rebecca Braunsdorf

Lauren Bruehl

Rachel Bruinsma

Lewis Bruneel

Nicholas Bruns

Jade Brunsvold

Amy Burcham

Akshaya C Balakrishnan

Melissa Caceres

Wendy Cacioppo

Gabriela Camorlinga

Sophia Capo

Paige Carr

Megan Carter

Christopher Cha

Brian Chado

Mandip Chahil

Jessica Chan

Tak Chau

Chandrashekhar Chawan

Connie Chen

Wei Chen

Christina Cherny

Elizabeth Choi

Kai Yip Choi

Bryan Cholico

Amy Chow

Brian Chow

Zachary Coates

Sylvester Cobbina

Camille Cohen

Kelly Cohen

Thomas Collins

Nora Cothran

Gabriella Courey

Sean Cushman

Michelle D’Amura

Quan Dao

Sweta Das

Sydni Davis Farhat

Melinda Thomas De Jesus

Isabel Deakins

Christin DeMoss

Daniel Detwiler

Eric Devore

Preet Dhami

Daniel Diamond

Randa Djabri

Carolyn Draude

Diana Driscoll

Jennifer Dryden

Ronit Dutta

Jennifer Eng

Michelle Anne Espanto

Ngozika Ezinne

Kimberly Fazio

Kevin Feng

Liana Ferreira

Cara Finn

Kristina Flaig

Randi-Jo Francis

Calliope Galatis

Marissa Gomez

Vivek Goyal

Daniel Grangaard

Hannah Gregory

Paul Grigsby

Kalina Grimm

Ivanna Grynyk

Allison Guindon

Jason Guo

Nayan Gupta

Caroline Haberthy

Megan Hafner

Michael Hall

Allyson Hall Johnson

Shazib Haq

Beth Harper

Kallie Harrier

Kiira Harrison

Belen Healy

Thomas Heinen

Amy Hellem

Andrew Henderson

Elise Hoi

Justin Holland

Alexandra Homann

Megan Horter

Selena Huang

Marie Huegel

Jennifer Hunsader

Tracy Hutchings

Klaus Ito

Sukanya Jaiswal

Janis James

Caitlin Jomoc

Landon Jones

Najiya Kadavath Meethal

Colin Kane

Sydney Kapp

Leyla Karim

Laura Karle

Helen Kee

Devon Kennedy

Katie Ker

Catherine Kerr-Niermann

Almas Khan

Autumn Killop

Deborah Kim

Jung-Sun Kim

Tyler Kitzman

Linus Klingler

Adam Kluck

Jared Koga

Jeffrey Kong

Paul Krabill

Casey Krug

Nora Kuby

Jenny La

Andrea Labunski

Alyssa Lancaster

Jason Lau

Michelle Lee

Richard Lee

Sam Lee

Shannon Leonard

Tsz Wing Leung

Melissa Levine

Jessica Lim

Luqian Liu

Nancy Liu

Kelly Lutmer

Anthony Mac

Crystal Maharrey

Julia Mai

Shreya Malli

Revathy Mani

Lina Manoukian

Jem Martin

Alexander Martinez

Elizabeth Marunde

Tiana Mathieson

Deepmala Mazumdar

Kanesha McBee

Jenna McBride

Michael McDougall

Xue Mei

Courtney Melchione

Matthew Meredith

Alex Meyer

Benjamin Michalicek

Kamila Mikos

Stefanie Mirabella

Salal Mohammad

Monique Mohammed- Weeks

Jennifer Monarrez

Yun Ping Moore

Sheila Morrison

Sara Moses

Marina Naguib

Geetha Nakka Sravani

Divya Nandwani

Ramya Natarajan

MaKay Neilson

Christina Nguyen

Hong Nguyen

Jacqueline Nguyen

Jennifer Nguyen

Linh Nguyen

Olivia Nichols

Rita Nieu

Augustine Nti

Irene Oluwatoba-Popoola

Chee Horng Alex Ong

Uchechukwu Osuagwu

Godwin Ovenseri

Margaret Overstreet

Alyssa Panagos

Simmy Panchal

Rabindra Pandey

Song Park

Johnny Pascual

Komal Patel

Reena Patel

Sapna Patel

Korey Patrizi

Sona Paul

Jennifer Peterson

Alexandra Piper

Andrew Pisetzner

Nicole Poon

Sudan Puri

Cathy Qin

Stephanie Quiroz

Rabab Rafique

Imad Rahman

L Alelujah Ramirez

Tuwani Rasengane

Faisal Rashid

Victoria Ray

Zachary Reynard

Charis-Ann Ricketts

Liana Rivkin

Julia Runco

Patricia Salazar

Rachel Samouha

Alina Sample

John Samssedi

Hannah Sanders

Sherry Sandri

Megan Schmauder

Brian Schmidt

Stephanie Schumacher

Amanda Setto

Muhammad Shahbakht

Kevin Shahnazi

Noreen Shaikh

Cindy Shan

Sherry Shang

Dana Shannon

Deepak Sharma

Zhihui She

Elsa Sheerer

Alaina Short

Peyton Simpson

Neeraj Singh

William Skoog

Claire Skorseth

Morgan Smerud

Jennyffer Smith

Zhi Da Soh

Sheila Soltani

Hannah Song

Andrew Sprenkel

Samuel Stack

Jennifer Steineman

Aidan Stubbs

Zahra Tajbakhsh

Leannza Tang

Fiza Tariq

Colleen Tejchma

Lilian Thoi

Chinenye Timothy

Steffani Tiomno

Isis Topete

Huy Tran

Kelsey Trast

Stella Tu

Kent Uehara

Emiko Vasquez

Marilyn Vricella

Zachary Walburg

Joshua Walek

Charlene Walton

Angela Wen

Rachel Werner

Douglas Widmer

Rachel Williams

Aaron Wolf

Arie Wong

Michael Wong

Miuyi Wong

Hannah Wood

Elspeth Wrigley

Keying Yan

Chang Ye

Jacquelyn Yi

Michelle Yoshimoto

Jessica Young

Alice Yuan

Lauren Zabaleta

Anna Zhang

Joyce Zhang

Evalin Zhao

2022 Diplomates

Anterior Segment

Sarah Lopez

Scott Hauswirth

Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry

Nicklaus Fogt (Research)

Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Stuti Misra (Research)

Amy Nau (Clinical)

Erin Rueff (Clinical)

Low Vision

George Papadakis

Optometric Education

Jasmine Yumori

Public Health and Environmental Vision

Lynn Greenspan

President’s Calling - Leadership & Legacy: Looking Toward the Future

In 1922, eleven men gathered in the Planters Hotel in St. Louis to form an organization for “optometric study in higher branches and for the exchange of ideas in optometric work”, and the American Academy of Optometry was born. One hundred years later, the Academy has successfully carried forward that original charge to become the largest organization in the world for optometric professionals.

With these many years behind us, we now have thousands of Fellows and a membership that reflects today’s world. Our membership is inclusive and welcomes all – from gender and race to ethnicity and nationality. Personally, this is a great point of pride for me.

In addition to honoring our history, the Centennial Celebration encourages us to look toward the future and consider what the Academy will become. I believe the foundation for our continued growth began in 2020 with the development of a four-year strategic plan. Built on five “pillars”, the plan is a road map that provides direction to keep the Academy vital and relevant to the profession and honor the changing world around us.

One of the pillars of the plan is “Leadership & Legacy.” which calls for a focus on leadership development and broadening opportunities for all Fellows eager to take on leadership roles. In particular, this pillar provides an actionable approach to expanding our leadership structure to be reflective of our membership in regard to ethnicity, race, age, and gender.

That is a reason to celebrate, indeed. Our Board and committee leaders are committed to collaborating with Fellows to achieve this future. We look forward to sharing more information in the New Year.

Finally, I am pleased to announce our last group of Hall of Fame inductees:

Sincerely,

Timothy McMahon, OD, FAAO

President

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.

Foundation News

See updates and the latest news from the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.

Accepting Applications for 2023 Joe and Janet Barr Early Career Cornea and Contact Lens Research Award

Contact: Sarah Kidd, Awards and Donor Relations at Sarahk@aaoptom.org or 321-319-4864.

American Academy of Optometry Foundation Accepting Applications for

2023 Joe and Janet Barr Early Career Cornea and Contact Lens Research Award

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 1, 2023) American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) is accepting applications for the 2023 Joe and Janet Barr Early Career Cornea and Contact Lens Research Award. The submission window closes Friday, April 1, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Established in 2012, the award honors Joseph T. Barr and his wife, Janet. Dr. Barr is considered an exceptional mentor and role model of the profession. This research award provides a first- or second-year MS or PhD student in vision science or physiological optics $2,000 of seed funding for research in the areas of cornea/ocular surface or contact lenses.

This award also is eligible for a one-time competitive renewal. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a school or college of optometry, affiliated stand-alone graduate program, or one combined with a professional or residency program. Priority will be given to North American applicants but is not a requirement.

Additional application requirements may be found at https://bit.ly/3y1Sf33, and questions directed to Sarah Kidd, Manager, Awards and Donor Relations

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 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/