(PRESS RELEASE) RANCHO CORDOVA, CA — VSP Vision recognized five optometry students as recipients of the 2025 Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award at the National Optometric Association (NOA) Convention that took place July 17-20. This is one of 70 scholarships being offered this year by VSP Vision in support of optometry’s next generation. To date, VSP Vision has provided more than $4 million in scholarships to nearly 1,200 optometry students.
Awarded in partnership with the NOA, the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award honors Dr. Poston, the first Black optometrist on the West Coast and co-founder of VSP Vision. Each recipient earned $4,000 to assist with costs associated with optometry school after outlining their leadership skills, community outreach, and career goals, including a willingness to pursue employment in a private practice setting that can help close the gap in eye care services in underserved communities.
The 2025 recipients are:
- Jordan Buchanan – University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry
- Melanie Carrión – Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
- Malia McDowell – University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
- Dominica Dzakah – Drexel University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry
- Angelica Moss – Indiana University School of Optometry
“As we celebrate VSP’s 70th anniversary, it’s particularly special to announce the winners of this annual scholarship honoring our cofounder, Dr. Poston,” said VSP Vision Chief Inclusion Officer, Marvin Davenport. “The recipients reflect Dr. Poston’s passion for eye care and commitment to providing access for those in need, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact they will each make in their optometric careers.”
VSP Vision and the NOA kicked-off this year’s convention in service by providing free eye exams and prescription eyewear to Columbus, OH residents in need through the VSP Eyes of Hope mobile clinic.
To learn more about all the scholarship opportunities VSP Vision offers, visit: here
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