2020 OD Awards

2020 Optometrist and Young Optometrist of the Year Awards

Do you know an outstanding optometrist who should be recognized for their efforts in the field of optometry? Consider nominating them for the 2020 Optometrist of the Year or Young Optometrist of the Year awards. The Optometrist of the Year award recognizes an individual for performance of outstanding services on behalf of the profession and to the visual welfare of the public. The Young Optometrist of the Year award recognizes an optometrist who, within their first decade of practice, has shown leadership skills when serving their profession, their patients, and their community.

 

Young O.D. of the Year 2019 - Mark Burke, O.D.

O.D. of the Year 2019 - Brian Plattner, O.D.

A nomination may be made by a member in good standing or by a society. Nominees must be current members of the IOA. Nominations for each award should be submitted online via the links below. A typed statement, not to exceed 2,000 words, should accompany the nomination explaining the primary reason the nominee should be named as award recipient. A head and shoulders photograph must be included with the nomination. Nominations must be submitted by July 15, 2020.

ELIGIBILITY FOR OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR

·         Any member in good standing who has been practicing for 11 years or more.
·         Cannot be a current member of the President's Cabinet or a Past President of the Association that has served in the last 5 years.

CRITERIA FOR OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEARPUBLIC SERVICE (30 point maximum)

·         the country, state, or other political subdivision in any capacity. 
·         education. 
·         the community. 
·         religious or service institutions. 
·         charitable causes.

SERVICE TO THE VISUAL WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC (20 point maximum) 

·         with sight-saving groups. 
·         legislative activities beneficial to the visual welfare of the public. 
·         participation in governmental health care programs. 
·         participation in public service programs such as visual screening projects, etc.

SERVICE TO OPTOMETRY (30 point maximum) 

·         Contributions of personal effort and time on behalf of the profession's advancement.

SERVICE TO IOA (20 point maximum) 

·         Service as an officer, committee chair or member, etc. 
·         Promotion of the association's goals and programs. 
·         Activity in support of association's projects. 
·         Involvement in public information activities.

Submit an OD of the Year Nomination 

ELIGIBILITY FOR YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR 

·         The nominee must be a member in good standing and be in active optometric practice 10 years or less (including residency or fellowship). 
·         Cannot be a current member of the President's Cabinet.

CRITERIA FOR YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR SERVICE TO OPTOMETRY (40 point maximum) 

·         leadership roles (include titles and dates). 
·         major accomplishments. 
·         initiating and/or implementing unique plan, program, or action on behalf of optometry. 
·         published professional articles or research findings. 
·         outreach to potential students, or assistance to optometry students and/or recent graduates.

SERVICE TO THE VISUAL WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC (35 point maximum) 

·         sight-saving groups or charities. 
·         service efforts in the community. 
·         participation in government health care programs.

SERVICE TO IOA (25 point maximum) 

·         Service as an officer, committee chair or member, etc. 
·         Promotion of the association's goals and programs. 
·         Activity in support of association's projects. 
·         Involvement in public information activities (media spokesperson, etc.)

Nominate a Young OD of the Year