Optometry Cares®- The AOA Foundation Announces 2017 Scholarship Recipients
Optometry students honored with awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000
St. Louis, Missouri (Jan. 12, 2017) — Optometry Cares® - The AOA Foundation, the charitable organization of the American Optometric Association (AOA), administers numerous scholarships that encourage students to make a difference for their community and the profession of optometry. Optometry Cares and the AOA are pleased to announce the winners of the following scholarships for 2017:
InfantSEE® Scholarship Grant
Jason Foote, Southern College of Optometry, was honored with first place ($7,500) and Alyssa Drew, Michigan College of Optometry – Ferris State University is runner-up and was awarded second place ($3,000).
Sponsored by Vision West, Inc., the InfantSEE® Scholarship Grant requires third-year optometry students to write an essay and develop a short video describing their commitment to children’s vision. They must also desire to participate in theInfantSEE program, which provides no-cost comprehensive eye and vision assessment for infants within the first year of life.
Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship
Third-year student Paula Kutzner, Pacific University College of Optometry, is the recipient of the Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship ($10,000), which was created and introduced in 2014.
Sponsored by Essilor, this scholarship honors Bernard Maitenaz, inventor of the Varilux lens and one of the foremost authorities in optical science and engineering. Applicants for the scholarship must demonstrate leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, and work experience, among other requirements.
Click here to watch Kutzner’s winning submission regarding the impact of vision.
Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Scholarship
Nathan Morrow, a fourth-year student from Indiana University College of Optometry was honored with the Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Scholarship ($5,000).
In tribute to father and son, both of whom passed away in separate tragic accidents, the Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Memorial Fund was established through Optometry Cares. This opportunity was generously funded by numerous individual donors, as well as a large contribution from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
As Dr. Cummings was a dedicated philanthropist in his profession, the scholarship requires recipients to write an essay about their goals in the area of public health and leadership roles in optometry.
Dr. Larry J. Alexander Scholarship for Education
Valerie Thatcher Tran, a third-year student at the University of California-Berkeley College of Optometry, is the recipient of the Dr. Larry J. Alexander Scholarship for Education ($2,500). Sponsored in part by Optovue, the scholarship is dedicated to Dr. Alexander’s work as an educator and ensures his legacy of optometric education will continue.
Additionally, a one-time “Inspiration Award” was bestowed by the family of Dr. Larry Alexander to Phuong Liem of New England College of Optometry in the amount of $1,000.
Dr. Seymour Galina Grant
Third-year student Seth Goolsbee, University of Houston College of Optometry, is the recipient of the Dr. Seymour Galina Grant ($2,500). Applicants are required to write an essay about qualities they have developed through financial planning and work experience during and/or before optometry school that will be the most useful in a professional optometric practice.
To learn more about endowment and scholarships offered through Optometry Cares or to make a donation to support these scholarships, visit www.aoafoundation.org/endowment-fund.
About Optometry Cares®—The AOA Foundation:
As optometry’s premier philanthropic and charitable organization, Optometry Cares–The AOA Foundation is committed to its mission – expanding eye health and vision care access to everyone in the U.S. in order to enhance human performance and quality of life. With strategic ties with the AOA, strong volunteer leadership and generous donors, Optometry Cares is able to manage two community health programs, VISION USA and InfantSEE,;administer Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief; provide scholarship grants for educational assistance; and maintain the Archives and Museum for the optometric profession. To make a tax-deductible donation today, visitwww.aoafoundation.org.
About the American Optometric Association:
The American Optometric Association, founded in 1898, is the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation’s health, representing more than 44,000 doctors of optometry (O.D.), optometric professionals and optometry students. Doctors of optometry take a leading role in patient care with respect to eye and vision care, as well as general health and well-being. As primary health care providers, doctors of optometry have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat and manage ocular disorders, diseases and injuries and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye. Doctors of optometry provide more than two-thirds of primary eye care in the U.S. For more information on eye health and vision topics, and to find a doctor of optometry near you, visit aoa.org.