The American Optometric Association (AOA) has announced its 2025 award winners. The winners will be honored at a ceremony during Optometry’s Meeting 2025.

Optometrist of the YearAward – James Hardie, OD

Young Optometrist of the Year Award – Annabelle Storch, OD

Distinguished Service Award – Richard Soden, OD

Optometric Educator of the Year Award – Aaron Zimmerman, OD, MS

Student of the Year Award – Cori Dorrell

Apollo Award – Napua Rich

Paraoptometric of the Year Award– Jennifer Stroupe, CPO

Paraoptometric Lifetime Achievement Award – Tamara (Tami) Franklin, CPOT

Paraoptometric Community Service Award – Kimberly Pickle, CPOA

National Optometry Hall of Fame – Christopher Quinn, OD, and Timothy Wingert, OD

Dr. W. David Sullins, Jr., InfantSEE Award – John Tassinari, OD 

Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award – Tracy Matchinski, OD

In other news, the AOA Foundation announced its 2025 scholarships recipients. This year’s recipients include:

Dr. Larry J. Alexander Scholarship for Education – Malia McDowell

Dr. Seymour Galina Scholarship – Joel Cardenas

Dr. Stanley Pearle Scholarship – Elizabeth Pham

Dr. Stanley Pearle Scholarship – Faye Nie

Additional information about the award winners can be found here. Additional information about the scholarship recipients can be found here.