Dr. Emily Magas Named Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship Recipient

In the nationwide Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship competition, Emily Magas (OD’24) has been awarded top honors. This scholarship recognizes contributions to the field of low vision and is administered by the Paso del Norte Community Foundation.

According to Dr. Roanne Flom, chief of The Ohio State University College of Optometry’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Service, Dr. Magas first demonstrated a deep interest in understanding how best to serve low vision patients during her time as an optometry student.

“From her time as a student to her current work in our Residency/MS program, Dr. Magas has made a meaningful impact,” stated Dr. Flom. “Her compassionate approach and creative problem-solving skills shine through in every patient interaction.”

About the Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship

For almost 40 years, Bill Mattingly was involved in the field of low vision in various capacities – as a practitioner, teacher, author, and business owner. His passion for low vision was ignited when, as a young teacher, he identified a student struggling with math. He determined it was due to the child’s vision, but was frustrated that the school district elected to place the student in remedial classes rather than provide the vision accommodations or adaptive aids truly required. This pivotal event changed Bill’s professional trajectory and started his search to provide quality vision products for people with low vision.

To honor Bill Mattingly's memory, Mattingly Low Vision has partnered with the Paso del Norte Community Foundation to provide a $2,500 and $1,000 to an optometry or ophthalmology resident and student interested in contributing to the field of Low Vision.