Two Trailblazing Optometrists Honored with 2025 Golden Opportunity Award at Optometry’s Meeting

St. Louis, MO  — The AOA Foundation — Optometry Cares® and PERC Alliance are proud to announce Dr. Danielle Richardson of Los Angeles, California, and Dr. Kayla Campbell of Vienna, West Virginia, as the recipients of the 2025 Golden Opportunity Award. The award presentation took place on June 26 at Optometry’s Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Established in honor of Dr. David Golden, this award recognizes two exceptional early-career optometrists who have demonstrated extraordinary vision, leadership, and commitment to serving underserved communities through independent practice ownership.

Dr. Danielle Richardson is launching Clarity Eye Aesthetics, a wellness-centered optometric practice in West Hollywood, CA. As one of the few black optometrists practicing in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Richardson brings a uniquely inclusive approach to care, focusing on advanced dry eye treatment, holistic wellness, and culturally competent service. Her practice will integrate educational outreach and mentorship programs aimed at increasing representation in optometry.

"This award accelerates my dream to create a healing space where patients receive not just care, but connection," said Dr. Richardson. "It's about transforming the patient experience and paving the way for the next generation of underrepresented professionals."

Dr. Kayla Campbell, based in Vienna, WV, is acquiring Vienna Eye Clinic, a long-standing practice that serves Wood County and surrounding rural areas. With a deep-rooted passion for her Appalachian community, Dr. Campbell is committed to expanding access to medically focused optometric services, including diabetic eye care and dry eye management, while developing outreach programs and satellite clinics for underserved populations.

"Growing up in rural West Virginia shaped my heart and my purpose," said Dr. Campbell. "This award will allow me to bring modern, compassionate care to those who need it most and build a legacy of mentorship and service."

Now in its second year, the Golden Opportunity Award provides financial support of $50,000 to each outstanding optometrist pursuing practice ownership. By empowering optometrists who embody excellence, equity, and innovation, the award helps elevate the future of independent optometry.

For more information about the Golden Opportunity Award and how to support this initiative, please visit https://www.percalliance.com/Programs/Golden-Opportunity

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About PERC Alliance

Established in 2008 by a group of optometrists, PERC is a collective purchasing organization committed to helping optometric practices achieve savings and boost profitability. With over 7,500 practices in its network, they leverage collective bargaining power to secure exclusive discounts on essential products and services.

About The AOA Foundation —  Optometry Cares®

The AOA Foundation — Optometry Cares® is a 501(c)(3) organization working to empower the optometric profession in providing awareness and access to health and vision care for the public. To learn more, please visit aoafoundation.org.  

About the American Optometric Association

The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, representing more than 50,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals. As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient's first entry point into the health care system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the eye and visual system. Through a nationwide public health initiative, AOA's Eye Deserve More campaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care and the overall health benefits of in-person, comprehensive eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans.