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July 18, 2024 — As part of the four-day National Optometric Association (NOA) Convention, VSP Vision honored six optometry students at the National Optometric Student Association Scholarship Ceremony for their leadership and service to the optometric profession. The NOA Convention took place from July 11-14 in Columbus, OH.
Five students received the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award, which includes a $4,000 scholarship. Named after the first Black optometrist on the West Coast and VSP Vision co-founder, the award was given based on video submissions outlining the students' leadership, community service, and career goals.
Meet the 2024 recipients:
- Abarnaa Arithas, University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, Class of 2025
- Olivia Wynn, New England College of Optometry, Class of 2026
- Emely Minino Soto, New England College of Optometry, Class of 2025
- Melisa Philogene, Illinois College of Optometry, Class of 2024
- Dominica Dzakah, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, Class of 2025
“We are honored to partner with VSP Vision to award scholarships to the 2024 student recipients,” says NOA president Frank Barnes Jr., O.D. “They all show a true dedication to their future career in optometry, and it is inspiring to see their drive and commitment to private practice.”
Avia Dolberry, a student at New England College of Optometry set to graduate in 2025, received the Empowering Equity Scholarship, a $15,000 award created in collaboration with Black EyeCare Perspective. This scholarship supports the 13% Promise, an initiative to increase the representation of Black and African American people in optometry.
“We are thrilled to recognize Avia Dolberry as the recipient of the 2024 Empowering Equity Scholarship,” says Black EyeCare Perspective executive director Essence Johnson, O.D., FAAO. “Our collaboration with VSP is just one way we are creating more opportunities for Black students to enter the field of optometry and increase representation in the industry.”
In coordination with the Black Doctors Consortium, VSP Vision also provided free eye exams and prescription eyewear to Philadelphia residents through the VSP Vision Eyes of Hope mobile clinic to kick off the conference.
“Every year, each cohort of scholarship applicants demonstrates a commitment to the optometric profession, as well as exceptional leadership skills, and this year is no exception,” says VSP Vision chief diversity officer Marvin Davenport.
VSP Vision shares it has provided more than $3.5 million in scholarship support to optometry students in the past decade.