Student Awards Committee announces VSP and AOF Practice Excellence Scholarship winners, Essilor Private Practice Student Travel Fellowship recipients

Cari Gallagher (’15) and Andrew Steele (’15) have been awarded the 2014 VSP and AOF Practice Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship was created to recognize two fourth-year optometry students at each institution who are committed to enter the independent practice of optometry and have demonstrated excellence in the classroom and clinic. Eligible fourth-year candidates were nominated by faculty and competed in an essay contest stressing the importance of independent practice to the profession of optometry and detailing goals for their own individual future practice. These recipients were chosen based on the strength of their essay, academic portfolio, and exemplary clinical performance in delivering primary eye care services.

As the Ohio State winners of this year’s competition, Cari and Andrew will each receive a scholarship and a travel grant to attend Academy 2014 Denver. During the academy meeting, they will receive a plaque at an awards ceremony in their honor.

Tayla Meade (’15) and Ryan Millyard (’16) have been awarded the 2014 Essilor Private Practice Student Travel Fellowship. This award was created to encourage optometry students to attend key national meetings and contribute to the body of knowledge within the field. This award supports recognition of two optometry students at each institution who are in good academic standing, pursuing a career in private practice, and are third- or fourth-year student members of the American Academy of Optometry. These recipients were chosen based on the strength of their essays stressing the value of attending the academy meeting for a private practitioner.

As the Ohio State winners of this year’s competition, Tayla and Ryan will each receive a travel grant to attend Academy 2014 Denver. During the academy meeting, they will receive special recognition at an awards ceremony in their honor.