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ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) announce that its public awareness campaign, Optometry Gives Me Life, is named a 2020 Power of A Gold Award Winner by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). The Power of A Awards recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions associations make to society by enriching lives, creating a competitive workforce, preparing society for the future, driving innovation, and making a better world, including educating outside audiences about the true value of associations and the resources they bring to bear on our nation’s most pressing problems.

“Congratulations to this year’s Summit Award winners, whose range of activities speak to the incredible influence associations have on society,” said Barry Pilson, CAE, vice president, membership and marketing, National Business Officers Association and this year's chair of the Power of A Awards judging committee. “We look forward to celebrating exceptional work in the association community every year, but with the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially gratifying in ASAE’s Centennial year to recognize and salute association excellence. Associations make a notable difference in the world and that’s one thing this current crisis has only magnified.”

ASCO president, Dr. John Flanagan remarked, “ASCO’s Optometry Gives Me Life was born from a troubling decline in applicants to our 23 optometry schools and colleges. Through this campaign, launched in March 2019, we are already seeing an increase in the number of qualified applicants, including underrepresented groups, and have dramatically increased the exposure of the profession of optometry to college students nationwide.”

Dr. Lewis Reich, chair of ASCO’s Applicant Pool Development Task Force, said, “We thank ASAE for this honor and appreciate this recognition,” says. “This campaign is in its infancy and we hope to continue it for at least three more years. The support of all our institutions, ASCO staff, members of the task force, and especially the campaign sponsors, have allowed us to fund this campaign and reach the best and the brightest college students entering a health profession. Your support has been invaluable, and we couldn’t have done this without you.”

ASCO thanks the Optometry Gives Me Life sponsors: All 23 schools and colleges of optometry; VSP Global, Alcon, Essilor, Luxottica; Hoya; National Vision, Allergan, CooperVision, and the California Optometric Association.