Six winners were selected by the American Optometric Association (AOA) for its annual AOA Awards, which will be presented at the Opening General Session at Optometry’s Meeting in Seattle.
The Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes Sen. David Heitmeier, O.D., of Louisiana, for his outstanding service on behalf of the profession and the visual welfare of the public.
The Young Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes Tamara Petrosyan, O.D., of New Jersey, who has been in practice less than 10 years and demonstrates remarkable leadership when serving the profession, patients and her community.
The Optometric Educator Award recognizes Tammy Than, O.D., 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 recognizes Marilyn Beeson, CPOA, of Mississippi, for her significant contributions to the field of paraoptometry.
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes Lee Carr III, O.D., of Oklahoma, for his unusually significant contributions to the profession of optometry.
The Apollo Award honors NewView Oklahoma, Inc., for distinguished service to the visual welfare of the public. The nonprofit organization is the leading employer of the blind and visually impaired in the state and the state’s only private agency that provides specialized vision rehabilitation services.
The Opening General Session (sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.) will take place on June 24, at 5:30 p.m. Register to attend Optometry’s Meeting at optometrysmeeting.org.