Two Grants Awarded by Optometry Cares

This year, Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation honored Cara Frasco, O.D., from Ohio with the Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr. InfantSEE Award. The award recognizes an individual doctor of optometry who has made significant contributions to optometry or his/her community for outstanding public service involving the program. Read more.

It also selected Matthew Bovenzi from the State University of New York State College of Optometry as the recipient of the $2,500 Dr. Seymour Galina Grant. The grant, one of the earliest endowed gifts to Optometry Cares, was established through a bequest from the late Seymour Galina, O.D. Read more.

HEHP Grants Awarded to ODs

The AOA Foundation Optometry Cares has named the 2012 recipients of the Luxottica-funded Healthy Eyes Healthy People (HEHP) state grant program: Patricia Westfall-Elsberry, O.D., AR.; Miki Carpenter, Ph.D., CA; Linda Rouse, O.D., FL; Jill Gonder, IA; L’Erin Garner, O.D., MPH, IN; Todd Fleischer, KS; Doug Wilkinson, LA; Michael Ackermann, MN; Linda Ross Aldy and Katie Nelson, MS; Alissa Johnson, NB; Lawrence Ragone, O.D., NJ; Joan Portello, O.D., MPH, NY; Terri Gossard, O.D.,OH; Ruthie Ruan, O.D., OK; Len V Hua, OR; Zakiya Nicks, O.D., TN; and Michael Judkins, O.D.,UT.

Healthy Eyes Healthy People program looks to improve the eye and visual health, and its grants are based on the Healthy People 2020 initiative, developed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The grants will stimulate community initiatives in eye care. This year, applicants proposed a project that focuses on one of the two vision objectives to improve children’s vision.