VSP Vision™ recognized six female optometry students during the annual National Optometric Student Association Scholarship Ceremony. Part of the four-day National Optometric Association (NOA) Convention, the celebration honored each students’ exemplary leadership and service to the optometric profession.
Five students were awarded the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award, provided in partnership with the NOA in honor of Dr. Poston, the first Black optometrist on the West Coast and co-founder of VSP Vision. Each student was awarded a $4,000 scholarship based on their video submission outlining their leadership, community service, drive towards private practice and future plans and career path after graduation.
The 2024 recipients are:
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Abarnaa Arithas, class of 2025 at University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science |
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Olivia Wynn, class of 2026 at New England College of Optometry |
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Emely Minino Soto, class of 2025 at New England College of Optometry |
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Melisa Philogene, class of 2024 at Illinois College of Optometry |
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Dominica Dzakah, class of 2025 at Salus at Drexel, Pennsylvania College of Optometry |
“We are honored to partner with VSP Vision to award scholarships to the 2024 student recipients,” said NOA President Frank Barnes Jr., OD. “They all show a true dedication to their future career in optometry, and it is inspiring to see their drive and commitment to private practice.”
Avia Dolberry, a New England College of Optometry student set to graduate in 2025, was awarded the Empowering Equity Scholarship, created in collaboration with Black EyeCare Perspective, and received $15,000 toward her education.
The Empowering Equity Scholarship is just one of the many efforts that support the 13% Promise, the mission to improve and increase representation of Blacks and African Americans in the optometric industry.
“We are thrilled to recognize Avia Dolberry as the recipient of the 2024 Empowering Equity Scholarship,” said Black EyeCare Perspective Executive Director Essence Johnson, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO. “Our collaboration with VSP® is just one way we are creating more opportunities for Black students to enter the field of optometry and increase representation in the industry.”
VSP Vision helped kick off the NOA Conference, in coordination with the Black Doctors Consortium, by providing free eye exams and prescription eyewear to Philadelphia residents through the VSP Vision™ Eyes of Hope® mobile clinic.
“Every year, each cohort of scholarship applicants demonstrates a commitment to the optometric profession, as well as exceptional leadership skills, and this year is no exception,” said VSP Vision Chief Diversity Officer Marvin Davenport. “It’s through these strategic partnerships, that VSP can provide valuable resources to the next generation of optometrists who are invested in pursuing a career in optometry and understands the importance of providing equitable access to vision care.”
The Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award and the Empowering Equity Scholarship are two of the many scholarships designed to support the future of optometry. Within the last 10 years, VSP Vision has provided more than $3.5 million in scholarship support to optometry students. To learn more, visit vspproviderhub.com/scholarships.
