RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.— VSP Global has partnered with the American Optometric Foundation (AOF), an affiliate of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), to provide scholarships to optometry students at every school of optometry in the U.S.
 
Over the last 10 years, VSP has provided more than $1 million in scholarship to hundreds of optometry students. After joining with the AOF, scholarships will continue to be awarded to 40 students for a total of $160,000 annually and will now include a travel grant to attend the annual AAO meeting. The travel grant will enable these students to attend a reception co-hosted by VSP Global and AOF at the Academy meeting.
 
“VSP is proud of the impact our scholarship program has had over the last decade for optometry students focused on a career in private practice. The evolution of the program, in partnership with AOF, enables VSP to continue to reward aspiring optometry students for their academic achievements while also helping them network with their peers,” said Cheryl Johnson, senior vice president of eyecare delivery solutions at VSP Vision Care. “We look forward to seeing these students achieve success and care for a new generation of VSP members.”
 
The scholarships will be administered by the AOF and funded through the VSP Global companies Eyes of Hope Global Charitable Fund, which launched earlier this year, as reported by VMail, April 10, 2013. Each school of optometry will select two fourth-year students who are in the top half of their class academically, perform at or near the top of their class in clinical skills, and are preparing for a career in private-practice optometry.
 
“As an organization dedicated to the advancement of optometric education, we are excited to partner with the VSP Global companies’ investment in the future of the profession,” said Kathy Dumbleton, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO, president of the AOF. “Our goal is to empower students to provide the most advanced level of patient care possible throughout their careers, and this is a strong resource for both financial support and peer collaboration that will help them do so.”