VSP Global News

VSP Global News

VSP Global and Heart of America Eye Care Congress Announce Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship Recipient

VSP Global®, in collaboration with the Heart of America Eye Care Congress, is proud to announce the recipient of the third annual Dr. Frank D. Fontana Memorial Scholarship: Brendan Mulqueeny, a fourth-year student at the University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry. Brendan received a $4,250 scholarship, plus a $750 travel grant to the Heart of America Eye Care Congress in February 2022.

About the Recipient

From a young age, Brendan began working as a technician in his father’s optometric practice where he was able to witness the impact an optometrist can have on a patient’s life. Empathetic patient care is one of the main reasons he decided to become an optometrist, and patient relationships are one of the aspects he looks forward to most about his career in optometry.

During optometry school, Brendan obtained roles as Teaching Assistant in various classes where he discovered his love of teaching. During his third year of optometry school, Brendan served as president of the UMSL chapter of the AOSA. This May, he will join a practice that serves as a clinical rotation site for students from the University of Missouri.

About the Scholarship

This scholarship honors the legacy of optometrist Dr. Frank D. Fontana. Affectionately known as “Uncle Frank,” Dr. Fontana practiced for nearly 70 years, leaving an unmatched legacy behind as a colleague, mentor, and friend to so many. This annual scholarship was created in 2019 to honor him.

The scholarship is open to students attending any school or college of optometry. They must have residency from any of the five Heart of America Eye Care Congress member states (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Nebraska) OR provide proof of enrollment at either the University of Missouri College of Optometry or Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. Open to third- and fourth-year optometry students in good standing, applicants must submit a 1,500-word written essay on how they demonstrate the four professional characteristics at which Dr. Fontana excelled:

1. Clinical performance
2. Empathetic patient care
3. Ability and interest to adopt modern technologies
4. A strong interest in developing and participating in the optometry community

This scholarship is one of many that VSP Global offers to support the future of optometry. To learn more about our scholarship program, visit the VSP® Scholarship Program page.