Annual American Optometric Association Award Winners

The AOA thanks its longstanding Visionary Supporter Johnson & Johnson for their recognition of these exemplary individuals. Award recipients will be honored throughout Optometry's Meeting | 5th World Congress of Optometry, June 25-28, in Minneapolis. Registration for Optometry’s Meeting is currently open and offering early bird registration rates until March 31.  

2025 Optometrist of the Year

James Hardie, O.D. 

James Hardie, O.D., is originally from Ironwood, Michigan. Dr. Hardie received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Michigan State University. He graduated with his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Ohio State University (OSU) in 2010.

He was the recipient of the Michigan Optometric Association’s 2025 Optometrist of the Year award.  He was selected as the Michigan Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year award in 2016. During his time at OSU, he received the College of Optometry’s Graduate of the Year award and the Vision Service Plan Nexus award for ophthalmic dispensing. He is an active member of the AOA, the Ohio Optometric Association, the Toledo Area Optometric Association, the Michigan Optometric Association, the Bedford Business Association, the Bedford Lions Club and the Monroe County Business Alliance.

His volunteer activities include the Past-President of the Michigan Optometric Association, Past-President of the Bedford Business Association, Past-President of the BNI Elite Referral Partners, and Past Zone governor of the Toledo Area Optometric Society. Dr. Hardie has served the AOA previously on their Leadership Development Committee and Resolutions Committee.  He has been an AOA Keyperson since 2012. Currently, Dr. Hardie serves on the American Optometric Association’s State Government Relations Committee and as the Legislative Committee Chair for the Michigan Optometric Association. 

2025 Young Optometrist of the Year

Annabelle Storch, O.D.  

Annabelle Storch, O.D., is a dedicated optometrist and educator with a passion for pediatric eye care and advocacy. Dr. Storch earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry and completed a prestigious pediatric optometry residency at SUNY College of Optometry. Currently, she serves at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at UCI Health, where she provides comprehensive eye care, specializing in cornea, cataract, refractive services, uveitis, and pediatric optometry. Her experience includes working with children across Orange County and aboard a mobile eye clinic to expand access to essential vision care.  

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Storch is an active leader in optometric organizations, serving as president of the Orange County Optometric Society and contributing to the AOA’s Telehealth Policy Council and New Technology Committee. She has also been involved in research and academic presentations, focusing on pediatric vision care and specialty contact lenses. Recognized for her leadership and commitment to the profession, she has received multiple awards, including the George I. Deane, Jr. OD Memorial Leadership Award. Dr. Storch continues to advocate for advancements in optometry and accessible eye care for all. 

2025 Distinguished Service Award

Richard Soden, O.D.  

Richard Soden, O.D., is a distinguished optometric educator and clinician with a career spanning over four decades. Dr. Soden earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the SUNY College of Optometry and completed a residency in rehabilitative optometry at the VA Medical Center in Northport, New York. Dr. Soden has held numerous leadership roles at SUNY College of Optometry, including vice president for clinical affairs and executive director of the University Optometric Center. His contributions extend to private practice, consulting for state agencies, and serving as a credentialing and managed care expert. A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, he is also board-certified in medical optometry and a certified professional coder.  

He has made a significant impact in clinical education, vision therapy, low-vision rehabilitation, and health care policy. He has published extensively in professional journals, presented at national and international conferences, and played a vital role in shaping optometric health care policies. He has served as president of the New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA) and currently leads the Optometric Center of New York. Recognized for his leadership and dedication, he has received numerous awards, including Optometrist of the Year from NYSOA. His international work includes collaborating with Wenzhou Medical Center in China to develop a Center of Excellence in Low Vision and Visual Rehabilitation. 

2025 Optometric Educator of the Year

Aaron Zimmerman, O.D., M.S.  

Aaron Zimmerman, O.D., is a highly respected optometric educator, clinician and researcher. Dr. Zimmerman earned his Doctor of Optometry and Master of Science degrees from The Ohio State University, where he now serves as a clinical professor at the College of Optometry. With a career dedicated to clinical education, he specializes in binocular vision, pediatrics, contact lenses, and advanced ocular procedures. He also has played a pivotal role in optometric education, teaching courses on lasers, injections, and ocular disease co-management. An active researcher and published author, he has contributed extensively to the field, with studies on contact lens safety, sports vision, and binocular vision disorders. He has served as a principal investigator on multiple research projects and has been an invited lecturer at national and international conferences. In addition to his academic and research contributions, he has held leadership roles in professional organizations, including the American Academy of Optometry and the AOA, and continues to advance the field through his clinical expertise and mentorship. 

2025 Student of the Year

Cori Dorrell  

Cori Dorrell is a fourth-year optometry student at the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO), originally from Highland, Kansas. She pursued her undergraduate education at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science and Biology. She was admitted to the Oklahoma College of Optometry in August of 2021. She has served in various leadership roles throughout the past four years including as chair of the philanthropy event Giving Sight Day at NSUOCO, president of the Oklahoma Optometric Student Association, Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians Student Liaison, and Women in Optometry treasurer. Throughout school, she gained an interest in ocular disease treatment, glaucoma management, low vision, and primary care optometry.  

2025 Apollo Award

Napua Rich

Napua Rich has dedicated more than a decade to improving access, quality and collaboration within Oregon’s Medicaid Vision Services program. As a senior operations and policy analyst at the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), she has achieved significant milestones to enhance care for Medicaid members while supporting optometrists across the state. From increasing reimbursement rates to removing unnecessary barriers for providers, Napua’s leadership reflects her deep commitment to modernizing policies, expanding patient access, and improving the overall effectiveness of the Vision Services program.  

Through strategic partnerships and active collaboration with optometrists, community members and other OHA departments, Napua has spearheaded key initiatives, including creating a visual services collaborative, increasing reimbursement for fitting and dispensing eyeglasses and securing payment for essential services such as eye patching for amblyopia. Her passion for ensuring Medicaid patients receive complete, high-quality care has strengthened Oregon’s optometry network and made a lasting impact on both providers and the communities they serve. Napua’s work exemplifies the spirit of collaboration, innovation and dedication needed to improve health outcomes for Oregon’s most vulnerable populations. 

2025 Paraoptometric of the Year

Jennifer Stroupe, CPO 

Jennifer began her career at Olive Branch Eyecare in March of 2013. She was named  practice manager in 2014. She manages Olive Branch Eyecare, Horn Lake Eyecare and Desoto Family Vision. She holds many certifications including CPO from the AOA, and  CCA from the American Health Information Management Association. She has written two articles for paraoptometric education and is currently serving on the AOA’s CPC CE Review Committee, Team B. In 2023, Jennifer lectured for the AOA Para Speakers Series course on billing for surgical procedures. She lectured at the Mississippi Optometric Association’s conference in 2024. She has served as the Mississippi Paraoptometric Association president since 2022 and was a co-contributor to the Mississippi Paraoptometric Training Manuel. In 2019 and 2024, she was named Mississippi Paraoptometric of the Year.    

2025 Paraoptometric Lifetime Achievement Award

Tamara (Tami) Franklin, CPOT 

Tamara (Tami) Franklin, CPOT, ABOC, is the senior director of staff education and development for Vision Source, LP. Tami is responsible for programs and education for staff in the Vision Source practices across the U.S. Tami directs the Vision Source Representative (VSR) Program, leading over 100 VSR program facilitators/key staff members in staff training and facilitation of the program. She has lectured across the country for many organizations to help educate doctors and staff. Along with lecturing, Tami volunteers within her profession with the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification and in her community. Tami has been awarded as one of the 2018 Vision Monday Most Influential Women in Optical, the Nebraska Distinguished Service Award recipient, an AOA Paraoptometric Community Service Award recipient, the National American Foundation for Vision Awareness Career Achievement Award recipient, an AOA Paraoptometric of the Year recipient and a Nebraska Paraoptometric of the Year recipient.  

2025 Paraoptometric Community Service Award

Kimberly Pickle, CPOA 

With over 11 years of dedicated service at Southern Eye Care of Clinton, Kimberly Pickle stands out as a committed leader in the field of optometry. Her passion for promoting eye health transcends her professional responsibilities, as she actively volunteers in various community initiatives, raising awareness about vision screening and eye health in local preschools. Her commitment to her profession is evident through her previous roles as president of the Mississippi Paraoptometric Association and as a committee member for the AOA Paraoptometric Resource Center Online Subommittee. Currently, Kimberly is involved with the AOA as a member of the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification CE Review Committee and the Paraoptometric Resource Committee. 

The National Optometry Hall of Fame

The National Optometry Hall of Fame recognizes and honors optometrists who are luminaries of the professions—those who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to the optometric profession. The award is administered through The AOA Foundation. This year’s winners include:  

Christopher Quinn, O.D.  

Christopher Quinn, O.D., has been a dedicated advocate for the optometric profession throughout his 40-year career. After earning his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Dr. Quinn began his career in 1986 as Center Director of Omni Eye Services of New Jersey. There, he not only led high-quality medical and surgical eye care but also developed educational opportunities, establishing an optometry externship program and an accredited residency program that have trained hundreds of students and residents nationwide. Dr. Quinn has been a sought-after lecturer, both nationally and internationally, and is a published author of numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and American Optometric Association’s (AOA) clinical guidelines.

Dr. Quinn’s leadership extends beyond education. He served as President of the New Jersey Society of Optometric Physicians (NJSOP) in 1997 and earned the NJSOP Optometrist of the Year award twice, as well as the E.C. Nurok Award, the organization’s highest honor. Nationally, Dr. Quinn served on the AOA Board of Trustees, becoming AOA President from 2017-2018.

Currently, Dr. Quinn serves as Executive Chairman of Omni Eye Services, President of Essex Specialized Surgical Institute, and a board member of Omni Ophthalmic Management Consultants. He is also on the Board of The SUNY College of Optometry Foundation, continues to advocate for the profession through the NJSOP Legislative Committee, and chairs the AOA’s Telehealth Council. 

Timothy Wingert, O.D. 

Timothy Wingert, O.D., is a retired dean and professor at the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO). In addition to being a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, he is a diplomate in the Section on Public Health and Environmental Vision, where he also serves as a past chair. He is a founder member of the European Academy of Optometry and Optics and one of only three U.S. optometrists to have earned fellowship in that organization. He was named a J. William Fulbright Scholar in 2005 and again in 2020 through the program sponsored by the United States Department of State as well as having been named a Fulbright Specialist to Ghana. Before coming to RSO, Dr. Wingert was a professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, where he continues to hold the title of professor emeritus. While in Missouri, he served as president of the Missouri Optometric Association, as well as being named Missouri Optometrist of the Year and St. Louis Optometrist of the Year. He was appointed by the governor to serve on the Missouri Children’s Vision Commission for a four-year term beginning in 2008 and was the chair of the Commission in 2010. He was the chair of the ASCO International Education Committee.  

Beyond curriculum development, much of his professional work has centered on access to care issues and providing optometric care to underserved populations. He has authored or co-authored over 100 refereed publications and peer-reviewed presentations, most of which have concentrated on access to care issues and providing optometric care to populations in need.  

Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., InfantSEE Award

The AOA Foundation also awards the Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., InfantSEE Award, recognizing an individual doctor of optometry who has made significant contributions to optometry or the community for outstanding public service involving the InfantSEE program. 

This year’s winner is John ‘JT’ Tassinari, O.D. Dr. Tassinari is a lifetime Californian who grew up in the San Fernando Valley. His Bachelor of Science degree is from Cal State University Northridge and his Doctor of Optometry degree is from the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO). After earning his O.D., he completed a one-year residency in vision therapy at SUNY College of Optometry in Manhattan. Dr. Tassinari operated a private optometry practice in Pasadena, California, from 1988 to 2015. His practice specialized in vision therapy and pediatric optometry. During that same time period, Dr. Tassinari served as a part-time faculty member for SCCO. He rose to the rank of associate professor in 2013. In 2016, Dr. Tassinari joined the Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry full time and serves as the chief of pediatrics in the Eye Care Institute. His career highlights include attaining the status of fellow, College Optometrists Vision Development, and diplomate, Binocular Vision Perception and Pediatric Optometry Section of the American Academy of Optometry. 

Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award

Tracy Matchinski, O.D. 

Tracy Matchinski, O.D., completed her residency in vision rehabilitation in 1996 at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO). She served as ICO’s low vision service chief and helped usher in the college's new Rosenbloom Center on Vision and Aging in 2012, where she served as service coordinator until 2019. She became a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 2000 and a diplomate in the Vision Rehabilitation Section in 2006. Since then, she has served as chair of the diplomate program, as a mentor for candidates undertaking the diplomate process in the section, and as a provider of diplomate preparatory education courses. She has also provided various continuing education lectures at national meetings with the goal of helping entry-level practitioners understand the joy and ease with which they can provide life-changing vision rehabilitation services 

The AOA congratulates all 2025 award nominees.