Six ODs have been named as 2026 Theia Award winners.
The winners will be celebrated with a champagne toast at the close of the 2026 Women’s Leadership Conference, Tuesday, Sept. 29. Save your seat here.
This is the 11th year that WO has presented the Theia Awards to women who have made exceptional contributions to optometry across a variety of professional roles. During the first 10 years of the award, 71 women were honored, bringing the total Theia Award winner class to 77 members in 2026.
“We received more than 100 nominations for this year’s award class,” says WO Senior Editor Kyla Bazzy. “Our editorial team narrows it down, but our professional advisory board ultimately votes for the winner in each category. It is always so special to meet these winners and hear what being honored by their peers means to them.”
INDUSTRY INFLUENCER WINNER: Kristin Anderson, OD, FAAO
She says that “real influence begins when the people closest to patient care have a voice in shaping what comes next. It has been especially rewarding for me to help bring the perspective of the eyecare professional into industry conversations that connect innovation and education, both of which ultimately serve the needs of patients.”
BUSINESS WINNER: Mila Ioussifova, OD, CNS, FAAO, FOWNS
MENTORING WINNER: Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl. ABO
Dr. Cecelia Koetting is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. She has served on numerous advisory boards and speaker panels and has been published in several journals and eyecare publications. She is also a member of the Intrepid Eye Society.
She says mentoring is important “because none of us get where we are by going alone. I’m grateful for the people who invested in me throughout my career, and I believe our profession is strongest when we lift each other up and pay that investment forward.”
LEADERSHIP WINNER: Riya Paranthan, OD
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Riya Paranthan has held leadership roles at the state and national levels, dedicating herself to advancing the profession while mentoring others, promoting collaboration and paving pathways for future leaders in optometry. She is on the Washington State Board of Optometry. She is also Chair of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Review Committee and President of the Salus University Alumni Association.
She says leadership is “the opportunity to make someone else’s path a little easier than my own. It means choosing encouragement over competition, listening before leading and creating opportunities for those who come after you.”
“I have been incredibly fortunate to learn from mentors who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself; their kindness continues to shape the leader I strive to be. Whether caring for patients, mentoring colleagues or serving our profession, I hope to lead with humility, compassion and purpose. If my work helps someone discover their confidence, opens a door to a new opportunity or simply helps them feel seen and supported, I consider that the greatest measure of success.”
EDUCATION WINNER: Bina Patel, OD, FAAO
Dr. Bina Patel is a professor at New England College of Optometry. She is also the director of international programs at the school.
She says being an optometric educator brings her “immense satisfaction and the drive to do more. As an educator, imparting my knowledge and sharing my experiences globally has offered me a wonderful opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life and to gain a deeper understanding of diverse educational systems. It allows me to upskill both students and practicing optometrists, and it raises the benchmark of their clinical capabilities so they can confidently practice and impart the highest standard of care to patients and develop expertise in sub-specialty areas within the procession.
“Witnessing students reach this level and seeing many choose fulfilling career paths — including innovation, research and higher education — is incredibly encouraging and ensures the profession continues to evolve and advance. Ultimately, education — both directly and indirectly — is vital in contributing to prevent visual impairment worldwide.”
YOUNG OD WINNER: Emilie K. Seitz, OD, FAAO
Dr. Emilie K. Seitz graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2020. She works at Midwest Eye Center in Cincinnati and is a member of the American Academy of Optometry’s Anterior Segment Section Committee. She has delivered more than 20 lectures and interviews and authored more than 25 publications.”
She says that “being a young OD means recognizing that experience isn’t measured only by the number of years you’ve practiced but by your willingness to keep learning, adapting and leading. Our profession is rapidly evolving. I’ve learned to wear my perseverance as a badge of honor, understanding that the path doesn’t have to be straight nor stable to keep moving forward. Every obstacle I’ve faced — whether personal or professional — has reinforced why I chose optometry in the first place: to care for my community, to keep learning and to be an advocate for our profession. Being a young OD means believing that our greatest contributions are still ahead of us. This award is a reminder that resilience isn’t just what gets you through difficult seasons — it’s what prepares you to lead in the ones that follow.”
