(PRESS RELEASE) SAN RAMON, CA—
CooperVision—in partnership with the American Academy of Optometry Foundation (
AAOF)—has awarded 10 Fellows or Candidates of Fellowship with a cumulative $15,000 (USD) in travel grants to attend Academy 2023. These grants enable individuals needing financial assistance to travel to this year’s meeting in New Orleans.
Recipients of the first-ever travel grants were given to individuals from countries including Ghana, India, Nigeria, Nepal, Malawi, and Pakistan.
“We as a company recognize the importance of industry collaboration and ongoing education. That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the inaugural International Travel Grants at Academy 2023,” said Karen Walsh, Senior Director, Global Professional Affairs, CooperVision. “Part of our commitment to advancing the profession means supporting tomorrow’s contact lens leaders by providing them with plentiful opportunities to learn from one another.”
In order to be eligible of receiving the grants, recipients had to be either a Fellow or Candidate for Fellowship of the Academy, live in a low to lower-middle income country (according to the
World Bank Index), be able to attend Academy 2023 in New Orleans, and provide a personal statement describing how the Academy and its foundation will play a role in the individuals’ professional growth.
“I am feeling particularly grateful to have received this travel grant,” said Grace Ogbonna. “Not only was I given the opportunity to attend Academy, but the grant allowed me to prove sufficient funding to receive my Visa. It is a great honor and I am incredibly thankful to both the AAOF and CooperVision for helping to make it happen.”
The International Reception—hosted by CooperVision—will take place during Academy on Friday October 13th, 6.00-7.30pm in the Hilton Waterfront.
The AAOF is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization that develops and provides financial support for optometric research and education in vision and eye health to improve clinical patient care. Founded in 1947, the Foundation has raised millions of dollars to support hundreds of awards and/or grants during its more than 75 years. For more information about the AAOF, please
visit aaopt.org/about-us/foundation.