Students from all North American schools attend Optometry's Meeting

The American Optometric Student Association announced in a press release that 1,000 students representing the 23 optometry schools and colleges in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada attended Optometry’s Meeting.

The organization also noted that the students were able to participate in more than 200 OD continuing education hours for the first time.

Additionally, AOSA distributed several awards. The Founders Award was presented to the 2012-2013 AOSA executive council, comprising Jennifer Sidun, Kelly Keane, Marc Kallal and Amber Gatti Dunn. Chris Cordero, OD, received the Merit Award; Morgan Strub, OD, and Tom Hubbard, OD, received a Thank You Award as the 2013-2014 Student Program Committee; Ashley Kamann, OD, received the Outstanding Service Award; and Jessica Haynes received the Norman E. Wallis Award.

AOSA President Devin Sasser also addressed the AOA House of Delegates during the meeting, promoting the goals of "support and promotion of organized optometry."

"I truly believe that the AOSA has done a fantastic job in creating a positive experience for optometry students," he said, "so much so that we now boast over a 95% membership rate among optometry students. Our focus now should be not only on maintaining our current members, but also working alongside all of you to ensure that these members are just as excited to become active members of the AOA and the state associations from the very moment that they walk across the stage and receive their degree."

In addition to the 95% membership rate among U.S. optometry students, AOSA announced that membership has reached more than 6,500 students and 90% of all optometry students.

Finally, AOSA reported in the release that the American Optometric Association's Political Action Committee recognized AOSA for contributing the fourth largest amount among AOA affiliates.