Optometry’s Meeting® promise delivered: [Re]connecting

Two years apart is quite a long time for a profession that thrives on collegiality, but what Optometry’s Meeting® attendees lacked altogether in a pandemic-riddled 2020 they more than made up for in 2021.

Thousands of doctors of optometry, paraoptometric staff, optometry students and industry leaders delivered on the promise of Optometry’s Meeting 2021 in Denver, Colorado—[re]connecting with the leadership and networking opportunities, contemporary optometric education and collegial experience synonymous with the profession’s premier meeting.

“Isn’t it amazing to celebrate getting through this last year of virtual everything and all its uncertainty,” newly inaugurated AOA President Robert C. Layman, O.D., asked of House of Delegates attendees on Saturday. “Let’s recharge from the energy in this room and chart a course for the bold future of this profession.”

Just as the profession celebrated [re]connecting after so long apart, it also celebrated those within the profession who triumphed despite the trying times. Although Thursday’s opening event, supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision, recognized recipients of the AOA’s 2021 annual awards, a separate luminaries’ ceremony on Friday recognized the contributions of doctors of optometry to the profession.

National Optometry Hall of Fame inductees

Since 1998, the National Optometry Hall of Fame has recognized and honored doctors of optometry who are luminaries of the profession and imparted long-lasting contributions to optometry. Due to the cancellation of last year’s Optometry’s Meeting, Optometry Cares^®—The AOA Foundation recognized hall of fame inductees not only from the Class of 2021 but also classes of 2020 and 2019. 

• Michael Mittelman, O.D., of Pennsylvania (2019)
• Tony Chan, O.D., of New Mexico (2020)
• Robert Koetting, O.D., of Missouri (2020)
• Satya Verma, O.D., of Pennsylvania (2020)
• Marvin Poston, O.D., of California (2021)

Read more about the National Optometry Hall of Fame inductees.

David Sullins Jr. InfantSEE^® Award

Sarah Fratesi, O.D., of Mississippi, was awarded the W. David Sullins Jr. InfantSEE^® Award. The honor recognizes an individual doctor of optometry who has made significant contributions to the profession or their community for outstanding public service involving the InfantSEE program. Honoring Dr. Sullins’ inspiring and passionate leadership as a driving force in optometry, the award started as a memorial fund established after his 2005 passing. View past Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr. InfantSEE^® Award recipients.

Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award

Thomas Theune, O.D., of Colorado, received the Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award. The honor recognizes an AOA doctor of optometry who is active in a clinical rehabilitation practice setting; has demonstrated a “giving back” spirit to optometry through the education of other practitioners; and has made a long-standing contribution and shared knowledge with fellow practitioners for the betterment of vision rehabilitation.

AOA Advocacy Awards 

• Joseph Allen, O.D., of Minnesota, received the AOA’s Media Advocacy Award.
• Jason Compton, O.D., of New York, received the AOA’s Federal Advocacy Award.
• Greg Norman, O.D., of Indiana, received the AOA’s Payer Advocacy Award.
• Arkansans for Healthy Eyes received the AOA State Advocacy Award.

AOA President’s Awards 

• Andrea Thau, O.D.
• Christopher Wolfe, O.D.
• Christopher Wroten, O.D.
• David Parker, O.D.
• Dawn Mancuso
• Deanna Alexander, O.D.
• James Beverly, O.D.
• James Sandefur, O.D.
• Jason Tu, O.D.
• LaShawn Sidbury, CMP
• Matthew Forgues, O.D.
• Matthew Jones, O.D.
• Paul Hodge, O.D.
• Peter Menziuso
• Rebecca Wartman, O.D.
• Renee Brauns
• Richard Christoph, O.D.
• Robert Bittel, O.D.
• Ryan Wally, O.D.
• Selina McGee, O.D.
• Sherrol Reynolds, O.D.
• Stephen Miller, O.D.
• Steven Eiss, O.D.
• T. Joel Byars, O.D.
• Tyson Brunstetter, O.D., Ph.D.
• Wayne Gilmore, O.D.
• Wayne Zahka, O.D.

AOSA Optometry Student Bowl™ XXX crowns a champion

Tyler Lesko of Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University lifted the crystal trophy high above Mile High Station after another hard-fought AOSA Optometry Student Bowl™ XXX, powered by Essilor. The winner of a $1,000 award and lifetime bragging rights, Lesko won out over competitors from rival schools and colleges of optometry in the high-speed, high-stakes test of optometric knowledge.

Denver 5K Run/Walk winners

A misty, Rocky Mountains landscape served as the backdrop to the Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation 5K Run/Walk, generously supported by Alcon, Allergan and MyEyeDr. This year’s top female finishers included: Natalie Buchanan, Lindsay Wright, O.D., and Jacqueline Theis, O.D. This year’s top male finishers included: Trevor Phillips, Austin Rowan, and Joshua Watt, O.D. View the full Optometry Cares 5 race results.

Experience the buzz

Relive the excitement and see what you missed from our profession’s premier meeting in Denver—visit the #OM2021 social media wall and see what you can expect from #OM2022.

Mark your calendars

Optometry’s Meeting may be over, but it is never too early to start planning for next year. In 2022, Chicago, Illinois, will host the profession’s premier meeting, June 15-19, at the largest convention space in North America: McCormick Place.