American Academy of Optometry announces 2026 award recipients

 

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

“The Academy’s award recipients exemplify the highest standards of excellence in research, education, clinical care, leadership, and service,” said Charlotte Joslin, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, Awards Committee Chair. “Nominated by their peers, these individuals have made lasting contributions that strengthen our profession and inspire future generations of optometrists and vision scientists. We look forward to celebrating their achievements together at Academy 2026 Anaheim.”

 

The Academy is pleased to announce the 2026 award recipients: 

 

Suzanne M. Fleiszig, OD, PhD, FAAO, FARVO

Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award

 

Philip Morgan, PhD, MCOptom, FBCLA, FAAO

Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture  (American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

 

Alexis “Ceecee” Britten-Jones, BOptom, PhD

Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award

 

Nkem Okoroafor, BSc, OD, FNCO, FAAO

American Academy of Optometry – Essilor Award for Outstanding

International Contributions to Optometry

 

Swati Modi, OD, FAAO

William Feinbloom Award

 

VOSH/International

Brien Holden Humanitarian Award

 

Louise Sclafani, OD, FAAO

Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal Award

 

Kuniyoshi Kanai, OD, FAAO

Vincent Ellerbrock Clinician Educator Award

Evan S. Elam

Evan S. Elam, Nasim Maddah, Alexander W. Schill, and Jason D. Marsack, “Adding personalized wavefront correction to a scleral lens after lens manufacture,” J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 43, 112-122

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

Neil Pence, OD, FAAO

Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education

(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Maria Walker, OD, PhD, FAAO

AAOF Outstanding Emerging Leader Award

Kurt A. Zadnik, FAAO

Life Fellowship Award

Jones JH, Mutti DO, Jones-Jordan LA, Walline JJ. Effect of Combining 0.01% Atropine with Soft

Multifocal Contact Lenses on Myopia Progression in Children. Optom Vis Sci. 2022;99(5):434-442.

Garland Clay Award (OVS)

Join us for the Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 2, at 8:00 AM during Academy 2026 Anaheim in Room 261 AB of the Anaheim Convention Center. One hour of CE credit can be accrued during this twohour event.

SECTION AWARDS

Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Carol Lakkis, BScOptom, PhD, FAAO

Max Schapero Lecture Award

Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE), University of Waterloo Founders Award

The Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies Awards will be presented during the

Section Awards Ceremony and Max Schapero Lecture on Wednesday, September 30, at 4:00 PM in Room 255 AB at the Anaheim Convention Center. Half an hour of CE credit can be achieved during this onehour session.

Public Health & Environmental Vision Section

Edwin Marshall, OD, MS, MPH, FAAO, Dipl AAO

Henry B. Peters Lecture Award

The Public Health and Environmental Vision Section will hold its Section Awards Ceremony and Henry B. Peters Lecture on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:00 PM in Room 254 AB of the Anaheim Convention Center. Attendees receive an hour of CE credit for attending this event.

About the American Academy of Optometry

The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) inspires excellence in optometric practice by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through its journals, Optometry and Vision Science and Clinical Insights in Eyecare, and the continuing education presented at its annual meeting. Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing fellowship and exchange. For more information, visit the website: www.aaopt.org.

About Academy 2026 Anaheim

Academy 2026 Anaheim will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from September 30 to October 3, in Anaheim, California. The American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting will welcome optometrists, vision scientists, vision care professionals, students, residents, and media from around the world to explore the latest continuing education, research, and innovations in optometry while enjoying the vibrant and beautiful city of Anaheim. For more information, visit www.aaopt.org/2026.