AOA presents awards at Optometry's Meeting

Issue: August 2014

PHILADELPHIA – At the opening general session of Optometry’s Meeting, American Optometric Association President Mitchell T. Munson, OD, recognized various award winners on behalf of the organization.

Paul C. Ajamian, OD, was named 2014 distinguished service award recipient. Ajamian is credited with developing the first optometry clinic with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and founding the first optometric comanagement and referral center, known as the Omni Eye Services at Atlanta.

“This award is a story about the inspiration, selfless service and bold ideas of others. It’s much more a story of optometry’s achievements than my own,” Ajamian said as he received his award. “I am sharing this award with my fellow Omni center directors and all those who have supported true comanagement practices.”

Paul C. Ajamian

The AOA presented its Apollo Award, the highest honor awarded to the general public by the organization, to Bernard Maitenaz, who invented the Varilux lens. He worked at Essilor for 43 years, serving as chief operating officer, chief executive officer and chairman of the company. Due to his contributions to vision science, Maitenaz has received numerous awards as well as several honorary doctorates.

“I would like to express my gratitude and my pride,” Maitenaz said in a pre-recorded video. “Receiving this award in the native town of Benjamin Franklin, the inventor of bifocals, makes it even more meaningful.”

Bernard Maitenaz

The 2014 Optometrist of the Year award was given to Peter M. Agnone Jr., OD. He is currently on the AOA Executive Third Party Committee and has served the Michigan Optometric Association in the past. Agnone was lauded as a serious advocate of the profession; he aided in expanding optometry’s scope of practice in Michigan to provide more complete care for patients.

“Let me challenge everyone in this room to be an advocate for their profession,” Agnone said after recalling his work in Michigan. “I encourage you to get involved with your state association. Don’t isolate yourself from your colleagues – get to know them, interact with them, learn from them. You will grow and be a better doctor because of it.”

M. Rob Pate, OD, was honored as the 2014 young optometrist of the year. Pate, a 2007 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, currently volunteers for several organizations and organizes eye screenings for athletes. Before he became an optometrist, Pate earned a degree and played football for Auburn University.

“I’m truly humbled by this recognition,” he said to the audience. “The real thanks goes to you all – the movers and shakers of optometry, the voice and leadership you collectively provide, the battles you fought and endured to make certain someone like myself entered into and benefited from the desire to see this profession flourish by the generations that preceded me.”

The 2014 Optometric Educator Award went to Gilbert E. Pierce, OD, PhD, a professor of clinical optometry at the Ohio State University College of Optometry. Pierce become a teacher after following the steps of many family members. Throughout his career he has received various awards and has served as president of the Ohio Optometric Association.

“Of course, this award would be meaningless without the many former, current and future students it has been my pleasure to help educate,” Pierce said after thanking those who had influenced his life. “I would like to dedicate this award to the memory of my parents. My parents were both teachers and they were both consummate educators.”

Roberta Beers, CPOT, was named 2014 paraoptometric of the year. Beers has been employed as a paraoptometric for 22 years in Erie, Pa. She has served various positions for the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Association since 1988 and has also served in leadership roles with the AOA. Additionally, Beers has volunteered with other organizations and co-authored the third edition of the Pennsylvania Paraoptometric Manual.

“To my fellow paraoptometrics: I would encourage you to avail yourselves the educational opportunities that are available to you through online courses and formal in-class programs,” Beers said as she accepted her award. “Embrace your opportunity to become certified optometric assistants or technicians. Continuing education is the only way to expand our professional expertise and to keep us current in our rapidly changing field.” – by Chelsea Frajerman

Disclosure: Maitenaz invented the Varilux lens. Agnone, Ajamian, Beers, Pate and Pierce have no relevant financial disclosures.