Optometry Cares—The American Optometric Association (AOA) Foundation and Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Operative (PERC) Alliance announced the recipients of the inaugural Golden Opportunity Award ahead of Optometry’s Meeting.
Let’s start with a rundown on these players.
First up: Created in 2006, the Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides support for eye health and vision care-related charitable acts.
Through ties with the AOA, volunteers, and donors, the organization manages various programs, provides scholarship grants, and maintains the optometric industry’s archives and museum.
Its programs include:
- Golden Opportunity Award (our topic of conversation)
- InfantSEE
- Opportunities in Optometry
- Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief
- The Optometric Historical Society
- Student scholarships
And the PERC Alliance?
Founded in 2008, the PERC Alliance is the nation’s largest optometric group purchasing organization, with over 10,000 optometrists and ophthalmologists practicing in +5,800 locations across the United States.
Its purpose: Partners with top industry vendors to provide eyecare members with premier cost savings, efficiency, and education
- Also: Among its offerings are virtual webinars and study groups as well as an optometrist-focused Eyecare Practice Accelerator System program and the Golden Opportunity Award.
Now to this award … what’s the story behind it?
Introduced earlier this year, the Golden Opportunity Award was launched to honor the legacy of David Golden, OD, noted as a co-founder of PERC and supporter of advancing independent optometry, who passed away in September 2021.
Note: Prior to his death, Dr. Golden practiced at the Golden Optometric Group, a group practice based in West Covina, California.
And the award’s purpose?
The award recognizes and supports three optometrist recipients who have demonstrated “dedication to their profession and commitment to serving underrepresented and underserved communities.”
The monetary value: $50,000 granted to each recipient for them to open their own clinical practice.
That’s amazing! Tell me about these winners.
Recipient #1: Rebecca Chown, OD (Hood River, Oregon)
- Her background: 2003 graduate of the Pacific University College of Optometry
- Her focus: Founder/CEO of Envision Eye Care for All, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit mobile vision clinic servicing communities in rural Oregon
- Her story: Dr. Chown founded the clinic to address inequities in access to primary eye health services
- The mission: To provide “exceptional eye care in an inclusive environment” with sensitivity to marginalized communities’ diverse needs
- Future plans: Currently pursuing a Master’s in public health, she hopes to earn recognition of eye health and vision services in section 330 of the Public Health Service Act
And the second recipient?
Recipient #2: Melissa Macco, OD (Reno, Nevada)
- Her background: 2017 graduate of Western University College of Optometry
- First-generation Peruvian American
- Her focus: Dr. Macco and her husband are currently building their own clinical practice in Reno.
- Her intent: To strengthen relationships with the Community Health Alliance and Nevada Hopes Clinic
- The mission: To serve the Latino community and break down language, culture, and economic barriers to primary eye care access
- Long-term goals: To achieve financial freedom and promote the importance of independent private practice in optometry
- In the near future: She plans to open her clinical practice this summer
And lastly, the final recipient.
Recipient #3: Alyssa Putman, OD (Elmira, New York)
- Her background: 2012 graduate of Salus University
- The mission: To provide “exceptional patient care” and create a supportive, educational work environment
- Her focus: Purchasing new technology for diagnosing/treating patients as well as funding biannual free clinics for referred patients in need of care
- Future plans: Acquiring a clinical practice located in Elmira
So how will these winners be honored?
If you’re attending the 2024 Optometry’s Meeting (June 19-22) this week, you're in luck! The recipients will be recognized on Thursday, June, 20, during the 33rd American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Optometry Student Bowl (sponsored by EssilorLuxottica) in Nashville, Tennessee.
- When: 8-10 pm CT
- Where: TBD (off-site location to be announced)
And what if I’m interested in applying for next year’s awards?
Stay tuned for announcements on when applications are being accepted—likely later this year or early 2025!