(L to R) Jerbrea Powell, Victoria Laws and Baldemar Torres. Image courtesy of Business Wire

DULUTH, Ga.—National Vision, Inc., one of the nation’s largest optical retailers, has announced the winners of its 2024 National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) scholarships. Scholarships totaling $7,000 were awarded to three optometry students, who were selected based on their assessments of optometrists' role in ensuring affordable access to eyecare amid economic challenges, the announcement stated. Jerbrea Powell from Southern College of Optometry, Class of 2026, received $4,000; Victoria Laws of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Class of 2026, received $2000; and Baldemar Torres of UC Berkeley School of Optometry, Class of 2025, received $1,000.

National Vision noted that it established the NOSA scholarship program in 2015 to encourage students to continue their work in primary care, particularly in often-underserved communities. Every year, winners are selected based on the quality of their essay or video submissions and an assessment of their involvement in community service and optometric organizations. 

"We continue to be inspired by the visionary thinking our NOSA applicants exemplify year after year, and this year’s class is no exception,” said Priti Patel, chief medical officer at National Vision. “Ensuring access to quality care is at the heart of our mission, and our three winners have shown remarkable understanding and insight into the challenges we face in our field. More importantly, they demonstrate a passionate commitment to overcoming those challenges as they enter the profession." 

The 2024 National Vision NOSA scholarship winners received their awards at this year’s National Optometric Association (NOA) Convention, held in this month, the announcement stated. 

“Selecting our winners is always a challenge, but these three students distinguished themselves through their well-thought responses,” said Patel. “We look forward to their future contributions to our profession and their communities as they progress in their careers.”