July 11, 2024 — VSP Vision has named Malia McDowell and Nastasya Liem the 2024 VSP Premier Edge Student Business Challenge winners. McDowell is a member of the class of 2026 at the University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Optometry, and Liem is a member of the class of 2026 at UC Berkeley, Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science.

In collaboration with the Association of Practice Management Educators and Student Optometric Leadership Network (SOLN), the Premier Edge Student Business Challenge is designed for optometry students interested in private practice ownership as part of the Premier Edge Career Support program, which aims to help doctors at every stage of their careers. McDowell and Liem were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship and a travel grant to the annual SOLN conference.

“We congratulate both Nastasya and Malia on their dedication to private practice ownership and well-earned wins,” says VSP vision chief provider and industry solutions officer Michelle Skinner. “The Premier Edge Student Business Challenge is one of many ways we strive to ensure success for the next generation of optometrists. Nastasya and Malia both exemplify the bright young talent shaping the future of this profession.”

“The importance of providing excellent optometric care in rural communities is needed throughout our nation,” says McDowell. “Being able to share my business plan with the leading and most successful private practice owners in optometry establishes I can be like them one day.”

“Not only has [the scholarship] allowed me to further my optometric education financially, but it has been a source of hope and motivation towards the future,” says Liem. “This business challenge has opened my eyes and has given me a little sneak peek to the future that I hope to achieve one day.”