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.”
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 Optoemtry 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 the American Academy of Optometry for the Awards Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 2, at 8:00 a.m. during Academy 2026 Anaheim in Room 261 AB of the Anaheim Convention Center. One hour of CE credit can be accrued during this two-hour 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, Sept. 30, at 4:00 p.m. in Room 255 AB at the Anaheim Convention Center. Half an hour of CE credit can be achieved during this one-hour 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, Sept. 30, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 254 AB of the Anaheim Convention Center. Attendees receive an hour of CE credit for attending this event.
