National Optometry Hall of Fame

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to all optometrists:

1. Involved in optometric clinical care, private practice, federal service, academia, research or industry.
2. With records of dedicated service, lifetime achievements and enduring lifetime contributions.
3. Involved in the profession of optometry for over 30 years with the majority of optometric career to be in the United States.
4. Must be a resident of the United States.

Selection Criteria Academia Category*:
Scholastic Accomplishments (20%)
Leadership Contributions (20%)
Community Service, Professional and Civic (20%)
Impact of Contributions (30%)

*Academia Category includes Academic and Scholastic achievement in a College or University as well as Research or Industry accomplishments.

Selection Criteria Private Practice/Federal Service Category*:
Patient Care Accomplishments (20%)
Local, State, and National Optometric Service (20%)
Community Service, Professional and Civic (20%)
Impact of Contributions (30%)

*Private Practice/Federal Service Category includes service in optometric clinical care, private practice, or federal service.

Please take note of the weight given to each different criterion. In addition to the listed criteria, 10% of the nominee’s score may be awarded for “other” contributions of significance.

The nomination form allows narrative answers for each of the criteria. Please do not rely on the vitae and letters of support alone to describe the nominee’s qualifications for induction.

2026 award nominations open on Dec. 4, 2025 and are due by Feb. 20, 2026.

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List of  National Optometry Hall of Fame previous Inductees