Nominations for the 2019 World Council of Optometry Awards are now open. Nominations are invited from a region or country and affiliate or individual members of the WCO. Awards will be presented during the joint World Council of Optometry and American Academy of Optometry Gala and Awards Program in Orlando, Florida, on October 26, 2019.
To learn more about the awards or to submit a nomination, please click here.
The Dr. Uduak Udom Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is given to an optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s Vision and Mission. In 2019, it was decided to change the title to honor the legacy of the late Dr. Uduak Udom, past president of WCO.
In order to achieve the WCO vision of a world where optometry makes high-quality eye health and vision care accessible to all people, the mission is to facilitate the development of optometry around the world and support optometrists in promoting eye health and vision care as a human right through advocacy, education, policy development and humanitarian outreach.
Since the award is only to be made from nominations of truly extraordinary contributions to optometry or eye care, it will not necessarily be awarded every year.
Click here to review nomination criteria or submit a nomination.
The International Optometrist Award
The International Optometrist Award recognizes an optometrist who has shown outstanding and extraordinary contributions and commitment to the development of the profession of optometry and vision care globally.
As this award is presented to individuals whose influence and involvement have made a significant impact to optometry and vision care on an international basis, it may not be awarded every year.
Click here to review nomination criteria or submit a nomination.
The Paul Berman Young Leader Award
The World Council of Optometry, in collaboration with the Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Special Olympics, Essilor International and the Brien Holden Vision Institute, presents the Paul Berman Young Leader Award.
The award, presented in honor of the late Dr. Paul Berman, is given to a young optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of the WCO’s vision and mission and shows promising future leadership in world optometry.
Click here to review nomination criteria or submit a nomination.