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07/17/2025

Student Loan Repayment Award Winners Announced 

 

The Ohio Vision Project (OVP) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 OVP Student Load Repayment SLR logoStudent Loan Repayment program. This year, 22 doctors of optometry submitted competitive applications showcasing a wide range of pro bono care and volunteerism in their communities. OVP utilizes a blind-scoring methodology to determine the winners. This year, ten applicants elevated their score by going above and beyond in several categories.    

Combined, the recipients selected this year donated hundreds of hours of their time in 2024 supporting local non-profits and community organizations. In addition to supporting their local communities, the award recipients provided care to Medicaid patients, provided InfantSEE exams, volunteered as a Realeyes presenter and, or provided exams during an iSee Clinic.  Their combined awards totaled $25,000! 

The Ohio Vision Project thanks all of those who applied for their commitment to the profession and for their service to their communities. Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners (in alphabetical order). 

Dr. Bethany Army 
Dr. Amber Dawson 
Dr. Amanda Eilerman 
Dr. Andrea Fisher 
Dr. Eriq Hall 
Dr. Zachary Leach 
Dr. Natalie Nguyen 
Dr. Molly Papio 
Dr. Jacquelyn Short 
Dr. Kylee Swingle 

Changes to 2026 Student Loan Repayment Applications Will Expand Eligibility 

To expand and refine the evaluation criteria for the Ohio Vision Project Student Loan Repayment Program, the 2026 application will include several new components. Additional questions will be introduced to recognize providers who serve geriatric populations and those who deliver in-home care to shut-ins or patients residing in nursing homes. Applicants will also have the opportunity to earn points for participation in OOA Zone meetings and EastWest educational programs, including the EastWest Eye Conference (November 5-8, 2025), EastWest Destinations, and EastWest Online University (www.eastwesteye.org). 

Additionally, the current requirement that applicants must accept Medicaid and/or Medicare will be revised. Rather than a mandatory criterion, acceptance of these plans will become a scored criterion, thereby broadening eligibility to include optometrists who may not currently participate in these programs. 

2026 Ohio Vision Project Student Loan Repayment Application Criteria: 

Mandatory Criteria: 

  • Licensed Ohio OD 
  • Practicing in Ohio 
  • Member of the Ohio Optometric Association 
  • Has qualifying unpaid student loans 
  • Completion of W-9 form 

Examples of Scored Criteria: 

  • Serve MUA/P 
  • Practice located in HPSA 
  • Accept Medicaid/Medicaid Managed Care 
  • Pediatric Care 
  • Geriatric Care 
  • Provision of InfantSEE Exams 
  • Provision of Pro Bono Care 
  • Delivery of In-Home/Nursing Facility Care 
  • Participation in Realeyes Program 
  • Participation at iSee Clinic 
  • Attendance at Zone Meetings 
  • Attendance at EastWest Educational Opportunities 
  • Community Involvement 
  • Past OVP SLR Awards 

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