ORLANDO, Fla.—The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) has announced its 2024 award recipients. Each year, the Academy recognizes distinguished individuals who have made important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry. Melissa D. Bailey, OD, PhD, FAAO, awards committee chair, said, “Inspiring Excellence in Eye Care: The Academy’s awardees are nominated by Fellows who were inspired by the amazing achievements each awardee attained in research, education, leadership, and/or service to our profession. Come join us in Indianapolis to celebrate and inspire the next generation of optometrists and vision scientists.”

The 2024 award recipients are:

Nathan Efron, PhD, DSc, FAAO
Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award
 
Geunyoung Yoon, PhD
Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Safal Khanal, OD, PhD, FAAO
Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award

Godwin Overseri-Ogbomo, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO, FNCO, FHEA
American Academy of Optometry - Essilor Award for Outstanding
International Contributions to Optometry
 
Lotfi Merabet, PhD, OD, MPH
William Feinbloom Award
 
Barbara Cohn, OD, FAAO
Brien Holden Humanitarian Award
 
Lyndon W. Jones, DSc, PhD, FAAO
Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal Award
 
Andrew Rixon, OD, FAAO
Vincent Ellerbrock Clinician Educator Award
 
Sidney Parks
Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)
 
Vinita Henry, OD, FAAO
Danica J. Marrelli, OD, FAAO
Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)
 
Ruth Y. Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO
AAOF Excellence in Diversity Awareness and Education Award
 
Stuti Misra, PhD, BOptom, FAAO
AAOF Outstanding Emerging Leader Award
 
Barbara Caffery, OD, PhD, FAAO
Tony Adams Eminent Service Award
 
Lan G, Aglyamov SR, Larin KV, Twa MD. In vivo human corneal shear-wave optical coherence elastography. OVS2021;98:58-63.
Garland Clay Award
 
Awards of the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies
James Wolffsohn, BSc, MBA, PhD, FAAO
Founders’ Award
 
Barbara Caffery, OD, PhD, FAAO
Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award
  
Award of the Public Health and Environmental Vision Section
Timothy A. Wingert, OD, FAAO
Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)
 
The Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 8, at 8:00 a.m. during Academy 2024 Indianapolis in Sagamore Ballroom 1&2 of the Indiana Convention Center. One hour of CE credit can be accrued during this two-hour event. The Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies Awards will be presented during the Section Awards Ceremony and Max Schapero Lecture on Wednesday, November 6, at 5:00 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center. Half an hour of CE credit can be achieved during this one-hour session. Finally, The Public Health and Environmental Vision Section will hold their Section Awards Ceremony and Henry B. Peters Lecture on Thursday, November 7, at 5:00 p.m. at Indianapolis Marriott. Receive an hour of CE credit by attending this event.