The American Academy of Optometry and its Foundation announce the recipients of the 2023 Student and Resident Travel Fellowship awards. These $750 travel fellowships supported attendance among student and resident members of the Academy at Academy 2023 New Orleans, October 11-14, 2023.  

The 2023 Resident Travel Fellowship recipients are:  

Allergan Resident Travel Fellowship 

• Jenny Lee, OD, BSc, University of Waterloo 
• Jordan Carrington, OD, University of Alabama at Birmingham 
• Samantha Chan, OD, University of California Berkeley 
• Tiffany Chen, OD, State University of New York 
• Yung Fen Chen, OD, University of California Berkeley 
• Graham Chung, OD, University of California Berkeley 
• Caroline Donato, OD, State University of New York 
• Victoria Duque-Ferreira, OD, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University 
• Angelica Echiverri, OD, University of Houston College of Optometry 
• Meredith Fry, OD, Southern College of Optometry 
• Diana Geraghty, OD, State University of New York 
• Chad Herschberger, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry 
• Elaine Ho, OD, University of California Berkeley 
• Ryan Junidi, OD, Illinois College of Optometry 
• Kevin La, OD, University of California Berkeley  
• Ashley Olson, OD, Midwestern University 
• Riddhi Patel, OD, Illinois College of Optometry 
• Helene Pippin, OD, Ferris State University 
• Bradley Salus, OD, Southern California College of Optometry 
• Samuel Soda, OD, Indiana University School of Optometry 
• Emmy Tian, OD, University of California Berkeley 
• Lindsey Tillery, OD, Southern College of Optometry 
• McKenna Turrill, OD, University of California Berkeley 
• Taylor Vincent, OD, Northeastern State University 
• Alexander Wong, OD, Illinois College of Optometry 
  
• Florida Chapter Resident Travel Fellowship 
• Hsuan Ariel Chao, OD, Nova Southeastern University  
• Alberta Pengo, OD, New England College of Optometry 

Ocutech Resident Travel Fellowship 

• Cade Oost, OD, Southern California College of Optometry 
• Ellen Ren, OD, State University of New York 
• Darian Travis, OD, University of Alabama at Birmingham 

Optometric Residency Matching Service Resident Travel Fellowship 

• Katie Kyles, OD, University of Missouri at St. Louis 
• Jourdan Valkner Krause, OD, Midwestern University 

The 2023 Student Travel Fellowship recipients are: 

 American Academy of Optometry Student Travel Fellowship 

• Cassandra Huynh, University of Waterloo 
• Adam Bayer, The Ohio State University 
• Kelly Bisignano, University of Houston College of Optometry 
• Maddison Fortman, The Ohio State University  
• Jon Kuznia, State University of New York 
• Venessa Machac Sailors, Rosenberg School of Optometry 
• Allison Noe, The Ohio State University 
• Suharsha Paidaimarri, University of Houston College of Optometry 
• Vamsi Parimi, MSc, Indiana University School of Optometry 
• Adam Ross, University of Houston College of Optometry 
• Emilio Saenz, Rosenberg School of Optometry 
• Erica Shelton, OD, MSc, FAAO, The Ohio State University 
• Lien Vu, University of Houston College of Optometry 
• Jesse Wang, State University of New York 
• Jessica Zhang, University of California Berkeley 

Arizona Chapter Student Travel Fellowship 

• Joshua Reese, Midwestern University 

Bence Clinical Student Travel Fellowship 

• Matthew Pham, University of Houston College of Optometry 

Bence Family Leadership Student Travel Fellowship 

• Tyson Montgomery, The Ohio State University 

Beta Sigma Kappa Student Travel Fellowship 

• Brianna Aheimer, Southern College of Optometry 

Brazelton Low Vision Student Travel Fellowship 

• Phillippa Dorling, New England College of Optometry 

David Lewerenz Low Vision Student Travel Fellowship 

• Rebecca Deffler, OD, MS, FAAO, Ohio State University 

Edward I. Goodlaw Student Travel Fellowship 

• Abigail Kuborn, Indiana University School of Optometry 

Elmer H. Eger Student Travel Fellowship 

• Kaylin Maxwell, The Ohio State University 
• Jin Yang, Nova Southeastern University 

Frank W. Weymouth Student Travel Fellowship 

• Chieh-Lin Wu, University of New South Wales 
• Ashwin Irungovel, State University of New York 

Irvin M. Borish Student Travel Fellowship 

• Kristine Ly, Pacific University School of Optometry 
• Jennyffer Smith, OD, FAAO, University of Houston College of Optometry 

Kirschen Family Student Travel Fellowship 

• Brazil Andrews, Rosenberg School of Optometry 

Lois Schoenbrun Student Travel Fellowship 

• Nia Ebrahim, State University of New York 

Luxottica Student Travel Fellowship 

• Ian Binns, The Ohio State University  

Michael G. Harris Student Travel Fellowship 

• Emily Benson, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University 

N. Rex Ghormley Student Travel Fellowship 

• Sampson Abu, OD, FAAO, The Ohio State University 

Click HERE for the full press release.

For more related content on Optik NOW, click HERE.

The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recently hosted Academy 2023 New Orleans from October 11-14, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the organization’s annual meeting, the Academy welcomed 257 new Fellows to its ranks. Along with this strong showing of new Fellows, 12 current Fellows earned the distinction of Diplomate.

Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written works for peer review that demonstrate their skills as an optometrist or vision scientist. They must also sit for an oral exam at the annual meeting. It is estimated that approximately 10% of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows. Among those eligible for Fellowship are: optometrists, scientists, educators, librarians, administrators, and editors. Those who pass the rigorous criteria and application process earn the distinction and right to use “FAAO” in their credentials.

Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their extensive skill in a specific area. Currently, nine Sections offer Diplomate programs. These include: Anterior Segment; Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry; Comprehensive Eye Care; Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies; Glaucoma; Low Vision; Optometric Education; Public Health & Environmental Vision; and Vision Science.

Below is a complete list of new Fellows and Diplomates.

2023 Diplomates

Heather A. Anderson, OD, PhD, FAAO

Research Diplomate, Binocular Vision, Perception & Pediatric Optometry

Hashim Ali Khan, OD, FAAO Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

Caryn La Buda, OD, FAAO Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

Leslie Wilderson, OD, FAAO Diplomate, Comprehensive Eye Care

Roxanne Achong-Coan, OD, FAAO

Clinical Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Jennifer Swingle Fogt, OD, MS, FAAO

Clinical Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Jennifer S. Harthan, OD, FSLS, FAAO

Clinical Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Pablo De Gracia, OD, PhD, FAAO

Research Diplomate, Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies

Erin M. Kenny, OD, FAAO Diplomate, Low Vision

Marc B. Taub, OD, MS, EdD, FAAO

Diplomate, Optometric Education

Dr. N. Anuradha

Diplomate, Public Health & Environmental Vision

Dr. Prema K. Chande

Diplomate, Public Health & Environmental Vision

To see the list of 2023 New Fellows, click HERE.

Source: American Academy of Optometry