Scholarship Winners 2022-2021

2022 Scholarship Winners

Melisa Kalac

Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship Winner ($10,000)

Melissa Kalac
Southern College of Optometry
Scholarship is generously funded by EssilorLuxottica

Charles Dale

Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Scholarship ($5,000)

Charles Dale
University of Houston College of Optometry
Scholarship generously supported by numerous
individuals and Johnson & Johnson Vision

Shail Gajjar

Dr. Larry J. Alexander Scholarship for Education ($2,500)

Shail Gajjar
University of Houston College of Optometry
Scholarship is generously funded in part by Optovue

Aaron Meyer

Dr. Seymour Galina Scholarship ($2,500)

Aaron Meyer
Northeastern State University College of Optometry
Scholarship generously supported by a bequest
from Dr. Seymour Galina.

2021 Scholarship Winners

Ellilta Mezgebu

Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship Winner ($10,000)

Ellilta Mezgebu
Southern College of Optometry
Scholarship is generously funded by EssilorLuxottica

Emma Flor

Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Scholarship ($5,000)

Emma Flor
NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry
Scholarship is funded by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care

Aaliyah Cole

Dr. Larry J. Alexander Scholarship for Education ($2,500)

Aaliyah Cole
Southern College of Optometry
Scholarship is generously funded Optovue

Dylan Cowan

Dr. Seymour Galina Scholarship ($2,500)

Dylan Cowan
UAB School of Optometry
Scholarship generously supported by a bequest from Dr. Seymour Galina


2025 Golden Opportunity Award Applications Open

Dream of owning your own independent practice? Doctors of Optometry can apply through January 15, 2025.

Field Notes: Florida doctor recounts hurricanes Helene, Milton

Media reports describe “devastating” winds, rain and flooding as Hurricane Milton makes landfall—how a Tampa Bay area doctor comes to terms with not one but two hurricanes in as many weeks.

AOA Foundation emergency appeal for Helene-ravaged states

In the devastating path forged by Hurricane Helene, shell-shocked residents & AOA members are putting their lives back together.