AAO Announces 2025 Award Recipients

Thursday, September 4 2025 | 15 h 40 min | News

Each year the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recognizes distinguished individuals who have made countless important contributions to advancing the profession of optometry.

“The Academy’s prestigious awardees are nominated by Fellows who have been inspired by the exceptional strides these individuals have made in the fields of research, education, leadership, and service to our profession. Join us in Boston as we honor their outstanding achievements and cultivate a vision of excellence that will inspire the next generation of optometrists and vision scientists to lead with innovation, integrity, and dedication,” said Charlotte Joslin, OD, PhD, FAAO, Awards Committee Chair.

The Academy is pleased to announce the 2025 award recipients:

Donald O. Mutti, OD, PhD, FAAO
Charles F. Prentice Medal and Lecture Award

Gang Luo, PhD
Glenn A. Fry Award and Lecture (American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Phillip Yuhas, OD, PhD, FAAO
Irvin M. and Beatrice Borish Award

Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu, OD, MSc, PhD, FAAO
American Academy of Optometry – Essilor Award for Outstanding International Contributions to Optometry

Alex Bowers, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO
William Feinbloom Award

Jorge Cuadros, OD, PhD
Brien Holden Humanitarian Award

Jon Hayashida, OD, FAAO
Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal Award

Derik Holmberg
Julius F. Neumueller Award in Optics (American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Isabelle Jalbert, OD, PhD, MPH, FAAO
Michael G. Harris Family Award for Excellence in Optometric Education (American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

Debarun Dutta, PhD, MCOptom, FAAO
AAOF Outstanding Emerging Leader Award

David Kirschen, OD, FAAO
Tony Adams Eminent Service Award

Chamberlain P, Bradley A, Arumugam B, Hammond D, McNally J, Logan N, Jones D, Ngo C, Peixoto-de-Matos S, Hunt C, Young G. Long-term effect of dual-focus contact lenses on myopia progression in children: a 6-year multicenter clinical trial. OVS 2022;99:204-12.
Garland Clay Award

Join us for the Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 10, at 8:00 am during Academy 2025 Boston in Room 253 ABC of the Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. One hour of CE credit can be accrued during this two-hour event.

Awards of the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Christine Sindt, OD, FAAO
Founders’ Award

Loretta Szczotka-Flynn, OD, PhD, FAAO
Max Schapero Memorial Lecture Award

Joan Exford, OD, FAAO
Exemplary Service

The Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies Awards will be presented during the Section Awards Ceremony and Max Schapero Lecture on Wednesday, October 8, at 4:00 pm at the Menino Convention & Exhibition Center. Half an hour of CE credit can be achieved during this one-hour session.

Award of the Public Health and Environmental Vision Section Stephen J. Dain, PhD, FAAO

Henry B. Peters Award for Public Health and Environmental Vision
(American Academy of Optometry Foundation Award)

The Public Health and Environmental Vision Section will hold their Section Awards Ceremony and Henry B. Peters Lecture on Thursday, October 9, at 4:00 pm in the Carlton Room of the Westin Boston Seaport hotel. Attendees receive an hour of CE credit for attending this event.

Click HERE for the press release.

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