Rancho Cordova, Calif. — VSP Global® and the American Academy Optometry Foundation (AAOF), an affiliate of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), has announced the 2017 Practice Excellence Scholarship recipients. Nearly $200,000 will be distributed amongst 44 top-performing fourth-year optometry students in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.
“We congratulate these students on their studies and commitment to an important profession we all cherish,” said Dan Mannen, O.D., F.A.A.O., VSP Global Board Chairman. “We remain committed to continue our efforts of investing in the next generation of optometry.”
Two students from each college of optometry were selected as scholarship recipients from nominations submitted by their individual institutions. Since 2000, VSP has provided nearly $2 million in scholarship support to hundreds of optometry students.
The scholarships are funded through VSP Global’s Eyes of Hope® Global Charitable Fund in collaboration with FYi Doctors in Canada (for Canadian recipients) and is administered through the AAOF. Key criteria for selecting the scholarship recipients include the student’s commitment to enter the independent practice of optometry, clinical performance, and academic performance.
“We are excited to collaborate with VSP Global and the schools and colleges of optometry for another year to provide this important award to these deserving students,” said David Kirschen, OD, PhD, FAAO, President of the American Academy of Optometry Foundation.
The scholarship includes a travel grant to participate in the American Academy of Optometry's 96th annual meeting at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, IL. Recipients were recognized at a special reception on October 12th.
The 2017 Practice Excellence Scholarship recipients are:
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Illinois College of Optometry - ICO |
Taylor Harris |
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Jessica Chan |
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Indiana University School of Optometry - IUSO |
Rachel Rexing |
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Christopher Reed |
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Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry – IAUPRSO |
Bianca Augustino |
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Christopher McCollum |
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Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences- MCPHS |
Jillian Boyd |
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Alison Zhou |
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Michigan College of Optometry - MCO at Ferris State University |
Allison Webster |
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Kristen Johnson |
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Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry - MUACO |
Brett Christensen |
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Derek Blankenship |
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New England College of Optometry - NECO |
Chantelle Davis |
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Karlee Muller |
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Northeastern State University Oklahoma, College of Optometry - NSUOCO |
Randy Cox |
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Melanie Newcomer |
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NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry - NSUCO |
Meredith Kristin Barnes |
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Samuel Petro |
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Ohio State University College of Optometry - OSUCO |
Cory J. Lappin |
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H. Tanner Wentzien |
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Pacific University College of Optometry - PUCO |
Abby Taffe |
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Aaron Salzano |
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Pennsylvania College of Optometry - PCO at Salus University |
Jordan Heidelbaugh |
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Joshua Heersink |
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Rosenberg School of Optometry - RSO University of the Incarnate Word |
Katlyn Martin |
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Lindsey Primeaux |
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Southern California College of Optometry - SCCO at Marshall B. Ketchum University |
Katherine Zhang |
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Mark Yeghiazarian |
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Southern College of Optometry - SCO |
Chelci Reynolds |
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Allan McCleary |
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State University of New York College of Optometry - SUNY |
Elaina M. Nellis |
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Tristan Barrueco |
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University of Alabama at Birmingham - UAB |
Jonathan Davis |
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Haley Hixon |
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University of California-Berkeley, School of Optometry - UCB |
Steven Perry |
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Ece Turhal |
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University of Houston, College of Optometry - UHCO |
Brian Hart |
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Melanie Deitch |
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University of Missouri -St. Louis, College of Optometry – UMSL |
Michelle Zakem |
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Lorie Saint-Amour |
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University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science - UWSOVS |
Sana Owais |
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Courtney Fan |
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Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry - WUHSCO |
Kevin Drew |
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Katalina Yandell |
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About VSP Global
As a doctor-governed company, VSP Global® exists to create value for members and opportunities for VSP network doctors. VSP Global’s complementary businesses include VSP® Vision Care, the only national not-for-profit vision benefits company, which provides access to eye care for its 85 million members through a network of 38,000 member eye doctors; Marchon® Eyewear, Inc., one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of high quality eyewear and sunwear; VSP Optics Group, industry leaders in ophthalmic technology and lab services, providing custom lens solutions for the vision and lifestyle needs of patients; Eyefinity®, the eye care industry’s largest electronic health records and practice management software company, and VSP Omni-Channel Solutions, which creates connected consumer experiences designed to strengthen the relationship between VSP members and their eye doctors. To date, VSP network doctors have provided eye exams and eyewear at no-cost to over a million people in need through a partnership with VSP Global’s Eyes of Hope®.
