The OSU College of Optometry awards CooperVision with Neal J. Bailey Optometry Medal for Development

CooperVision representatives received the award at The OSU's 2025 Visionary Appreciation Event. Image credit: The Ohio State University College of Optometry, CooperVision

The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Optometry has awarded CooperVision its Neal J. Bailey Optometry Medal for Development.¹ The award was presented at OSU’s 2025 Visionary Appreciation Event and recognizes the company for its support of educational opportunities for students, including the funding for a new eye care clinic, according to a news release.

“CooperVision is dedicated to supporting eye care professionals at every stage of their careers, including students who are only just beginning. We appreciate the opportunity to help OSU enhance the education of their students, ensuring they have experience with the latest contact lens technologies from day one in practice,” said Steve Rosinski, OD, senior manager for Professional and Academic Affairs at CooperVision, in the release. “We are honored to receive the Neal J. Bailey Optometry Medal for Development and look forward to our continued partnership with OSU.”

The namesake of the award, Neal J. Bailey, was a clinician, educator, author, researcher, and entrepreneur who practiced in Columbus, Ohio, and taught at the OSU College of Optometry for more than 2 decades. Bailey and his wife, Florence, also established the Neal J. and Florence E. Bailey Scholarship in Optometry in 1995, which provides scholarships for students who demonstrate leadership ability, a high degree of academic potential, scholastic achievement, and enthusiasm for learning. At the time of its creation, it was one of the largest endowments the college had ever received from an individual. The Neal J. Bailey Optometry Medal for Development was then established to recognize philanthropic individuals who have donated a cumulative amount of $50,000 or more to the OSU College of Optometry.²

Sponsorship of the clinic

As for the OSU’s Optometry Clinic and Health Sciences Faculty Office Building, the facility is 6 stories and features 56 examination rooms and an optical shop and was opened in late 2020. The clinic offers primary vision care, dry eye treatment, vision therapy, and contact lens services. Students provide patients with soft contact lens fittings for the correction of myopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia, in addition to myopia management with MiSight 1 day. The facility also features an optical shop with more than 3000 frames on display, according to a news release.³

CooperVision’s sponsorship of the clinic was the first of several expanded partnership with optometry programs in the US. “With the continuous advancement of contact lens technologies, it is more important than ever for optometry students to receive thorough education specific to this area of optometry practice,” said Michele Andrews, OD, vice president of professional and government affairs, Americas, at CooperVision, in the release at the time of the clinic opening.³ “The college’s investment in this state-of-the-art clinic will provide invaluable firsthand learning opportunities for these students while also providing top-quality care for its community. CooperVision is proud to be a part of it.”

References:

1. CooperVision receives Bailey Optometry Medal for Development from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. News release. McDougall Communications. April 10, 2025. Accessed April 11, 2025.

2. Neal J. Bailey Optometry Medal. The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Accessed April 11, 2025. https://optometry.osu.edu/about-us/medals/neal-j-bailey-optometry-medal

3. CooperVision sponsors new contact lens clinic at OSU. News release. CooperVision. January 25, 2021. Accessed April 11, 2025. https://coopervision.com/practitioner/ecp-viewpoints/optometry-students-and-educators/coopervision-sponsors-new-contact-lens