(PRESS RELEASE) DULUTH, GA — National Vision, Inc., the nation’s second largest optical retailer providing quality, affordable eye care and eyewear, announced the winners of its eighth annual scholarship program today, which recognizes the best and brightest optometry students based on essay or video submissions. This year’s applicants explored how technology can help break down barriers to receiving and providing quality eye care.
“Our profession—and health care as a whole—has evolved incredibly over the last several years,” said Alex Smith, vice president, Clinical Services and Development at National Vision. “We’re inspired to see that optometry students are mindful of that evolution and how it applies to their future optometry careers. Based on the strength of the entries we received this year, it’s clear those careers will be successful.”
The 2022-2023 scholarship program winners include:
- First Place ($7,500): Lydie Tubene, Illinois College of Optometry, Class of 2023
- Runner-Up ($2,500): Sara Masood, New England College of Optometry, Class of 2024
- Runner-Up ($2,500): Mahnoor Shahzad, Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, Class of 2023
Inspired by National Vision’s mission to make quality eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible, this year’s prompt challenged students to evaluate how remote care can help overcome the geographic, physical, monetary and time barriers that can prevent patients from receiving an exam. Third- and fourth-year optometry students were invited to answer the prompt with written essays or video submissions. A panel of judges consisting of licensed optometrists reviewed each submission, ultimately picking the first-place winner and two runners-up out of the pack for their unique, polished points of view.
“Our three winners represent a bright path forward for primary eye care,” Smith said. “We’re proud to play a small role in their educational journeys and look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in the years to come.”
