Jacqueline “Jacquie” M. Bowen, OD, was officially recognized as the president of the American Optometric Association (AOA) on June 28 at Optometry’s Meeting, the profession’s premier annual event, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
During the annual AOA House of Delegates (HOD) meeting, representing doctors from all 53 affiliates, the full 2025-2026 Board of Trustees was also inducted.
Dr. Bowen was initially elected to the AOA Board of Trustees at the 119th Annual AOA Congress & 46th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry's Meeting in July 2016 and elected to the office of president-elect during the 127th Annual AOA Congress & 54th Annual AOSA Conference: Optometry’s Meeting in June 2024.
During the event, Dr. Bowen was recognized as the 105th AOA president and in her inaugural address she highlighted the advancements and priorities she aims to accomplish during her term, including:
- Pushing back against vision plan abuses
- Continued support of independent practice owners, through programs such as the AOA Center for Independent Practice
- Fostering referral relationships with fellow optometrists
“Our always-on volunteer leadership, full-time staff, and industry advocates will continue to have your back, even when you don’t realize it, for decades to come,” Dr. Bowen said.
More about Dr. Bowen
Dr. Bowen is a past president of the Colorado Optometric Association (COA) and served on the COA Board from 1998-2005.
She was awarded the Colorado Young Optometrist of the Year in 2000, Colorado Optometrist of the Year in 2012, Colorado Distinguished Service Award in 2023, and one of Vision Monday's "Most Influential Women in Optical" in 2024.
She is a graduate of Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University and completed a residency in ocular disease at Omni Eye Specialists in Denver. She has provided eye care to the community for more than 30 years and is a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.
Board of Trustees
During the final House of Delegates session, the AOA officers, trustees and volunteers were recognized for their commitment to the profession and their dedication to the AOA’s mission.
All members are invited to attend each House of Delegates session, including the election and installation of the AOA Board of Trustees. Delegates from across the country inducted a new board, including:
- Teri K. Geist, OD, (Nebraska) as president-elect;
- Terri A. Gossard, OD, MS, (Ohio) as vice president;
- Curtis A. Ono, OD, (Washington) as secretary-treasurer;
- Steven T. Reed, OD, (Mississippi) as immediate past president;
- Marrie S. Read, OD, MBA, (AFOS) reelected trustee;
- Jon F. Pederson, OD (Colorado) and
- Amy A. Puerto, OD (Louisiana), newly elected trustees.
Not up for election this year but continuing to serve as AOA Trustees are Paul M. Barney, OD, (Alaska), Tad R. Kosanovich, OD, (Florida), and Karoline L. Munson, OD, (Kentucky).
For more information on the event’s news and updates, visit the Optometry’s Meeting news page. For images from the event, follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
Optometry’s Meeting 2026
Optometry’s Meeting 2026 will take place in Phoenix, Arizona at the Phoenix Convention Center on June 17-20, 2026.
Sign up for registration alerts: Early Registration Alerts | Optometry's Meeting
Optometrists, paraoptometrics/optometric staff and students choose to attend Optometry's Meeting each year because of the event’s variety of host locations. Learn more about future meetings: Future Optometry's Meetings | Optometry's Meeting
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About Optometry’s Meeting
Optometry’s Meeting, the annual meeting of both the AOA and AOSA, aligns optometric and industry professionals for a four-day experience to advance optometry and engage the association’s official business.
Optometry’s Meeting renowned educational program supports every member of the care team with progressive continuing education and professional development opportunities.
Simultaneously delivering an impactful conference experience, Optometry’s Meeting promotes networking and connection through the expansive exhibit hall, as well as a dynamic program of special events.
About the American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, representing more than 50,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals.
As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient's first entry point into the health care system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the eye and visual system.
Through a nationwide public health initiative, AOA's Eye Deserve More campaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eye health and vision care and the overall health benefits of in-person, comprehensive eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans.