AOA announces 2020 award winners

Article

Awardees were selected from a robust field of nominees.

AOA's 2020 award winners

Each year, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recognizes deserving doctors of optometry for performance of outstanding services on behalf of the profession and to the visual welfare of the public. This year’s winners have been honored with five prestigious awards, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision.

The Optometrist of the Year award belongs to Kenneth Lawson, OD, of Florida for his outstanding service on behalf of the profession and the visual welfare of the public.

The Young Optometrist of the Year Award goes to Roya Attar, OD, of Mississippi who has been in practice less than 10 years and demonstrates remarkable leadership when serving the profession, patients and her community.

Related: COVID-19: Key metrics ranked by state

The Optometric Educator Award recognizes Caroline Beesley Pate, OD, of Alabama for outstanding service on behalf of the profession, optometric education and the visual welfare of the public.

The Paraoptometric of the Year Award distinguishes Janet Millis, CPOT, of Illinois for her significant contributions to the profession of paraoptometry.

The Distinguished Service Award identifies Roger Jordan, OD, of Wyoming for his unusually significant contributions to the profession of optometry.

The Optometrist of the Year and Young Optometrist of the Year were selected from a field of nominees from 30 state associations and the Armed Forces Optometric Society. Each of these AOA-member doctors of optometry have distinguished themselves, and the profession, and are deserving of recognition and appreciation.

Related: NASA awards $5 million to artificial retina development efforts

Recent Videos
David Geffen, OD, FAAO, gave a poster presentation titled "Revolutionizing Comfort: Unveiling the Potential of Perfluorohexyloctane Eyedrops for Contact Lens Wearers" at this year's Academy meeting.
Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, Dipl-ABO, discussed ophthalmic considerations for patients undergoing treatment with antibody drug conjugates for gynecologic cancers at this year's conference.
A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, details a presentation on this year's updates on diabetes given at this year's Academy meeting
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, said that multimodel imaging has been a game changer in assessing the choroidal function and structural changes in various disease conditions.
Susan Gromacki, OD, FAAO, FSLS, provides key takeaways from this year's American Academy of Optometry symposium genetics and the cornea.
Roya Attar gives an overview of her presentation, "Decoding the Retina: The Value of Genetic Testing In Inherited Disorders," presented with Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, ABO, ABCMO.
Ian Ben Gaddie, OD, FAAO, outlines key findings from a recent study evaluating lotilaner in patients with Demodex blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Clark Chang, OD, MSA, MSc, FAAO, discussed the complexities of diagnosing keratoconus in his Rapid Fire presentation given at the American Academy of Optometry 2024 meeting.
Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO, details the ease of genetic testing when diagnosing patients or reassessing a patient's diagnosis.
Gromacki, OD, FAAO, FSLS, emphasizes that corneal GP lenses remain an important part of a contact lens specialist's armamentarium
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.