American Academy of Optometry 2025 award recipients in the books

From international to academic recognitions, AAOpt is spotlighting a diverse selection of optometrists specializing in a wide range of modalities. Image credit: AdobeStock/ATKWORK888

The American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) has announced its award recipients for 2025. From international to academic recognitions, AAOpt is spotlighting a diverse selection of optometrists specializing in a wide range of modalities. The organization stated that award winners will be recognized during the Academy 2025 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, running from October 8-11.

“The Academy’s prestigious awardees are nominated by Fellows who have been inspired by the exceptional strides these individuals have made in the fields of research, education, leadership, and service to our profession. Join us in Boston as we honor their outstanding achievements and cultivate a vision of excellence that will inspire the next generation of optometrists and vision scientists to lead with innovation, integrity, and dedication,” said Charlotte Joslin, OD, PhD, FAAO, Awards Committee Chair, in the release.

The 2025 award recipients are as follows:

• Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award: Donald O. Mutti, OD, PhD, FAAO
• Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award: Phillip Yuhas, OD, PhD, FAAO
• American Academy of Optometry – Essilor Award for Outstanding International Contributions to Optometry: Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, OD, MSc, PhD, FAAO
• William Feinbloom Award: Alex Bowers, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO
• Brien Holden Humanitarian Award: Jorge Cuadros, OD, PhD
• Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal Award: Jon Hayashida, OD, FAAO
• Garland Clay Award: Chamberlain P, Bradley A, Arumugam B, Hammond D, McNally J, Logan N, Jones D, Ngo C, Peixoto-de-Matos S, Hunt C, Young G. Long-term effect of dual-focus contact lenses on myopia progression in children: a 6-year multicenter clinical trial. OVS 2022;99:204-12.

AAOpt’s Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, October 10 at 8:00 am during Academy 2025 Boston in Room 253 ABC of the Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. One hour of CE credit can be accrued during the 2-hour event.

American Academy of Optometry Foundation Awards

Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture: Gang Luo, PhD

Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics: Derik Holmberg

Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education: Isabelle Jalbert, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO

AAOF Outstanding Emerging Leader: Award Debarun Dutta, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO

Tony Adams Eminent Service Award: David Kirschen, OD, FAAO

Award of the Public Health and Environmental Vision Section

Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision: Stephen J. Dain, PhD, FAAO

The Public Health and Environmental Vision Section will hold their Section Awards Ceremony and Henry B. Peters Lecture on Thursday, October 9, at 4:00 pm in the Carlton Room of the Westin Boston Seaport hotel. Attendees receive an hour of CE credit for attending this event.

Awards of the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Founders’ Award: Christine Sindt, OD, FAAO

Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award: Loretta Szczotka-Flynn, OD, PhD, FAAO

Exemplary Service: Joan Exford, OD, FAAO

These awards will be presented during the Section Awards Ceremony and Max Schapero Lecture on Wednesday, October 8, at 4:00 pm at the Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. Attendees are eligible for a half hour of CE credit for the 1-hour session.¹

Reference:

1. American Academy of Optometry announces 2025 award recipients. News release. American Academy of Optometry. September 2, 2025. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://aaopt.org/about-us/news/#toggle-id-1