Women in the News — June 2024

Women In Optometry regularly recognizes the awards and accomplishments of women ODs in the profession and in their communities in the “Women in the News” series. Have you received an award or acknowledgement for your contributions to optometry or your community? Send us a note: MBijlefeld@jobson.com.

Congratulations to all honorees.

Optometry Association of Louisiana – 2024 OAL Annual Convention Awards
	Jarrett Johnson, OD, was named OD of the Year.
	Breanne McGhee, OD, won the President’s Award.

Susy Yu, OD, MBA, FAAO, Dipl AOO, was appointed as the new Vision Services Administrator for Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

Sandra Juarez Fortenberry, OD, FAAO, was appointed to the Latinos En Optometry Board of Directors. Read the full story here.

Angel Novel-Simmons, OD, was named associate dean of student services and alumni relations for the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) College of Optometry.

Melissa Zarn Urankar, OD, FAAO, of Southern College of Optometry, was named the new Chief of the Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation Service, effective July 1.

Maureen Oyaide-Ofenor, OD, MSc, PVT, of Ontario, Canada, received the 2024 Women of Distinction award at a local International Women’s Day event.

AOA Award Winners Award recipients will be honored throughout Optometry’s Meeting® in Nashville, Tennessee on June 19-22, 2024. Read the full story here.
	Andrew Cook, OD, of North Carolina won the Distinguished Service Award.
	Matthew Jones, OD, of Arkansas was named Optometrist of the Year.
	Kelly Deering, OD, FAAO, of Missouri was named Young Optometrist of the Year. Read her story here.
	Jeffrey J. Walline, OD, PhD, of Ohio was named Optometric Educator of the Year.
	Maggie Dunn of the Ohio State University College of Optometry was named the AOSA Student Award winner.
Awards administered through Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation National Optometry Hall of Fame
	Joe Ellis, OD
	Siret Jaanus, MS, PhD
	Deborah Bernay, OD, won the Dr. W. David Sullins Jr., InfantSEE Award.
	Joan Stelmack, OD, MPH, won the Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award.
Paraoptometric Professional Awards
	Savanna Johnson, CPOA, was named Paraoptometric of the Year.
	Shelby Miller, CPO, was honored with the Paraoptometric Community Service award.
	Sally Greeley, CPOT, won the Paraoptometric Lifetime Achievement Award.

VSP® Ventures, in collaboration with Brookside Optometry, announced Alin Torosian of the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry as the recipient of the $2,500 Dr. Craig Hisaka Memorial scholarship.

See previous Women in the News from April, March and February 2024.

To view more newsmaker stories from WO, click here.