06/16/2026

Now Accepting Nominations for OOA Awards 

The Ohio Optometric Association is accepting nominations for various awards to be presented at OOA Honors on Thursday, October 15, 2026 held in conjunction with the EastWest Eye Conference in Columbus, OH. Nominee names and a brief nomination statement should be emailed to Cori McCabe (cmccabe@ooa.org), Associate Executive Director, no later than Tuesday, July 21, 2026.  

Nominations will be accepted for the following awards:  

OOA Optometrist of the Year  

• To a member OD who has participated in remarkable optometric and community service activities at the national, state, and/or local level.  

• Recent recipients: Dr. Shane Foster (2025), Dr. Tom Nye (2024), Dr. Tracey Needham (2023), Dr. Michael Earley (2022), Dr. Elizabeth Muckley (2021)  

OOA Young Optometrist of the Year  

• To a member OD who has received their doctorate of optometry within the previous ten years and has participated in remarkable optometric and community service activities at the national, state, and/or local level.  

• Recent recipients: Dr. Taylor Wrubel (2025), Dr. Hannah Davidson (2024), Dr. Tiffany Young (2023), Dr. Elizabeth Bower (2022), Dr. Katherine Fisher (2021)

OOA Key OD of the Year  

• To a member OD who has shown outstanding dedication and advocacy to Ohio optometry.  

• Recent recipients: Dr. Rachel Bostelman and Dr. Erich Hinel (2025), Dr. David Bejot and Dr. Greg Hicks (2024), Dr. Teresa Gossard (2021), Dr. David Anderson (2019), Dr. Heath Gilbert (2018)

OOA Student of the Year  

• To a current student who has shown outstanding professional interest and involvement in Ohio optometry.  

• Recent recipients: Ms. Amy Ngo** (2025), Mr. James Chung (2024), Ms. Juliana Mazzotta (2023), Ms. Emily Benson (2022), Ms. Allison Neuhaus (2021)
  **awarded 2026 AOSA Student of the Year  

The Archer Award for Humanitarian Service  

• In appreciation of exceptional benevolent contributions to humanity through the unselfish dedication of their time, professional skills and charitable donations.  

• Recent recipients: Dr. Bill Lay (2025), Dr. Jeffrey Myers (posthumously 2024), Dr. Erica Shelton (2023), Dr. Brian Mathie (2022), Dr. Tracey Needham (2021)

Friend of Optometry Award  

• To an individual or group, not an optometrist, who has exemplified dedication to the goals of the OOA.  

• Recent recipients: Ms. Courtney Saunders and Dr. Neal Tolchin, MD (2025), Ms. Mandy Miller and Dr. Ronald Brown, MD (2024), Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague (2023), The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (2021), Mr. Dan Leite (2019)

The OOA Honors will also celebrate the 2025-2026 Outstanding Realeyes Involvement award winner(s) and the presidency of Dr. San-San Cooley. All OOA members are encouraged to attend the event on Thursday, October 15th from 7:00-8:00 PM at the Columbus Hilton Downtown.