Women In Optometry regularly recognizes the accomplishments of women ODs in the profession and in their communities. Have you stepped into a new leadership role or recently won an award? Send us a note: MBijlefeld@jobson.com.
| Dr. Keshia Elder OD, MS, FAAO, was named the first Black female dean of College of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
She previously held the role of diversity, equity and inclusion director and director of externships at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. |
 |
| Amber Dunn, OD, received the AOA Media Advocacy Award. |  |
| Jacqueline Theis, OD, FAAO, of Richmond, Virginia, became chief medical officer at C Light Technologies. |  |
Optometry Divas
At its 2022 Educational Retreat in Orlando, Florida, in June, Optometry Divas presented these annual awards.
| Lisa Hornick, OD, of Sacramento, California was named Thought Leader of the Year. |  |
| Ambassador of the Year was awarded to Kristie Nguyen, OD, and Samantha Love, OD, both of Orlando, Florida. |
|
| Elite Diva of the Year was awarded to Farhana Yunnus, OD, of Orlando, Florida |  |
| The CEO Of You Scholarship was awarded to Alexis Meyer, Berkley School of Optometry. |  |
American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association presented its annual awards at the Optometry’s Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
| Capt. Dawn Clary, OD, of the Public Health Service/Indian Health Service was honored with the Distinguished Service Award. |  |
Jeffrey Michaels, OD, of Richmond, Virginia was recognized as Optometrist of the Year. |
|
| Saysha Blazier, OD, of Staten Island, New York was honored as Young Optometrist of the Year. |
|
| Andrew Kemp, OD, of Fort Worth, Texas was awarded the Optometric Educator Award. |  |
| Araba Otoo, MPH, of Columbus, Ohio won the Student of the Year Award. |  |
| Loretta Eriks, CPOT, of Griffith, Indiana was named Paraoptometric of the Year Award. |  |
| Shantia Hinderlider, CPO, of Bend, Oregon won the Paraoptometric Community Service Award. |  |
