06/03/2025

Call for Award Nominations to Celebrate at OOA Honors  

The Ohio Optometric Association is accepting nominations for various awards to be presented at OOA Honors on Thursday, November 6, 2025 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 22, 2025.  

(OOA Honors 2024 Recipients)

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 include: Dr. Tom Nye (2024), Dr. Tracey Needham (2023), Dr. Michael Earley (2022), Dr. Elizabeth Muckley (2021), Dr. Brenda Montecalvo (2020), Dr. Jacqueline Davis (2019), Dr. Jeff Walline (2018), Dr. Teresa Gossard (2017), Dr. Tom Quinn (2016), Dr. Heath Gilbert (2015), Dr. Cheryl Archer (2014).  

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 include: Dr. Hannah Davidson (2024), Dr. Tiffany Young (2023), Dr. Elizabeth Bower (2022), Dr. Katherine Fisher (2021), Dr. Jennifer Vincent (2020), Dr. Marcella Pipitone (2019), Dr. Taylor Babcock (2018), Dr. Elizabeth Cockerill (2017), Dr. Bradley Johnson (2016), Dr. Gregory Hopkins (2015), Dr. Katie Greiner (2014).  

OOA Key OD of the Year  

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

• Recent recipients include: Dr. David Bejot and Dr. Greg Hicks (2024), Dr. Teresa Gossard (2021), Dr. David Anderson (2019), Dr. Heath Gilbert (2018), Dr. Robert Dittoe (2017), Dr. John Kruszewski (2016), Dr. Diana Gilbert (2015), Dr. Brenda Montecalvo (2014).  

OOA Student of the Year  

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

• Recent recipients include: Mr. James Chung (2024), Ms. Juliana Mazzotta (2023), Ms. Emily Benson (2022), Ms. Allison Neuhaus (2021), Dr. Veronica Schuver (2020), Dr. Theresa Watt (2019), Dr. Elizabeth Galko (2018), Dr. Taylor Whitley (2017), Dr. Nicholas Green (2016), Dr. Johanna Cammenga (2015), Dr. Harmin Chima (2014).  

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 include: Dr. Jeffrey Myers (posthumously 2024), Dr. Erica Shelton (2023), Dr. Brian Mathie (2022), Dr. Tracey Needham (2021), Dr. Christina Fox (2020), Dr. Joan Nerderman (2019), Dr. Doug McCloy (2018), Dr. David Bejot (2017), Dr. Cheryl Archer (2016), Dr. Brady Kail (2015), Dr. Paul Gamertsfelder (2014), and Dr. Larry Hookway (2013).  

Friend of Optometry Award  

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

• Recent recipients include: Ms. Mandy Miller and Dr. Ronald Brown, MD (2024), Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague (2023), The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (2021), Mr. Dan Leite (2019), Dr. Marilyn Crumpton (2018), Ms. Julie Racine PhD (2017), Mr. Tom Sarson (2014), Mrs. Nancy Ott (2013), Mr. Richard Cornett (2012).  

The OOA Honors will also celebrate the 2024-2025 Outstanding Realeyes Involvement award winner(s) and the presidency of Dr. Tim Fries. All OOA members are encouraged to attend the event on Thursday, November 6th from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Columbus Convention Center.