AMERICAN ACADEMY of OPTOMETRY announces 2023 award recipients

Each year the American Academy of Optometry recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.

“Inspiring Excellence in Eye Care: The Academy’s awardees are nominated by Fellows who were inspired by the amazing achievements each awardee attained in research, education, leadership, and/or service to our profession. In New Orleans, we will celebrate these awardees and inspire the next generation of optometrists and vision scientists,” said Melissa D. Bailey, OD, PhD, FAAO, Awards Committee Chair.

The Academy is pleased to announce the 2023 award recipients: 

“Inspiring Excellence in Eye Care: The Academy’s awardees are nominated by Fellows who were
inspired by the amazing achievements each awardee attained in research, education, leadership, and/or
service to our profession. In New Orleans, we will celebrate these awardees and inspire the next
generation of optometrists and vision scientists,” said Melissa D. Bailey, OD, PhD, FAAO, Awards
Committee Chair.

The Academy is pleased to announce the 2023 award recipients:

Eric B. Papas, PhD, BScOptom

Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award

Alex R. Bowers, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO
Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Rabia Mobeen, BOptom, BA, MPhil Optom
Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award

Timothy A. Wingert, OD, FAAO
American Academy of Optometry – Essilor Award for Outstanding
International Contributions to Optometry

Jennifer Deakins McCreight, OD, FAAO
William Feinbloom Award

Nathan Efron, AC, DSc, FAAO
Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal Award

Anne Mika Moy, OD, FAAO
Vincent Ellerbrock Clinician Educator Award

Annabelle Seddon
Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Marlee M. Spafford, OD, MSc, PhD, FAAO
Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Vondolee Delgado-Nixon, PhD, FAAO
AAOF Excellence in Diversity Awareness and Education Award

Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen, MPhil, FAAO, PhD
AAOF Outstanding Emerging Leader Award

Ian L. Bailey, OD, FCOptom, DSc, FAAO
Tony Adams Eminent Service Award
Awards of the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Jason Nichols, OD, PhD, FAAO
Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award

Ralph Stone, MS, PhD
Founders’ Award

Donald Korb, OD, FAAO
Exemplary Service Award
Award of the Public Health and Environmental Vision Section

Padhmalatha Segu, OD, FAAO
Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Join us for the Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 13, at 8:00 am during Academy 2023 New Orleans in
Ballroom C of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. One hour of CE credit can be accrued during this
two-hour event.

The Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies Awards will be presented during the
Section Awards Ceremony and Max Schapero Lecture on Wednesday, October 11, at 4:00 pm in Room
255-257. Half an hour of credit can be achieved during this one-hour session.

The Public Health and Environmental Vision Section will hold their Section Awards Ceremony and Henry
B. Peters Lecture on Friday, October 13, at 5:00 pm.