NOA Awards Criteria
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an optometrist who has served and distinguished themself within the profession for unusually significant contributions and outstanding achievements contributing to the advancement of the optometry profession. This award recognizes long-term dedication rather than any single contribution.Criteria to consider:
SERVICE TO OPTOMETRY
Contributions of personal effort and time on behalf of the profession's advancement in such areas as:- Leadership roles within the profession
- Organized optometry at national, state, and local levels
- Continuing education as a writer and/or lecturer
- Education as a teacher or administrator
- Legislation furthering the advancement of optometry
- Research
SPECIAL SERVICE
Involvement on behalf of the profession of optometry in such areas as:- Interprofessional healthcare organizations, committees, boards, or groups
- Interprofessional organizations, committees, boards, or groups outside of the healthcare area
- International health care or other organizations, committees, boards, or groups.
- Standards, i.e., as a representative of optometry with standards organizations and committees
- Public health, in a leadership role
- The military, in a healthcare leadership role
SERVICE TO NOA OR AOA
- 20 plus years as an AOA/NOA member and in good standing
- Nearing the end of one's career or retired
- Success in practice, mentoring, total years of practice
- Volunteering for NOA – holding office, leadership, attendance at GWCO, etc.
- Congress, Legislative, etc.
- Volunteering for AOA
- Community Service – community, state, national, international
- Work to improve the visual welfare of the public
- Regular attendance at NOA CE events
OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR
The Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes the deserving individual doctor of optometry for the performance of outstanding services on behalf of the profession and to the visual welfare of the public. The Optometrist must practice for 11 years or more and be a good NOA member. Please consider the individual's contribution based on all previous history, not just activities accomplished in the last year.Criteria to consider:
PUBLIC SERVICE
- Country, state, or other political subdivision in any capacity
- Education
- Community
- Religious or service institutions
- Charitable causes
SERVICE TO THE VISUAL WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC
- With sight-saving groups
- Legislative activities beneficial to the visual welfare of the public
- Participation in governmental healthcare programs
- Participation in public service programs such as visual screening projects, etc.
SERVICE TO OPTOMETRY
- Contributions of personal effort and time on behalf of the profession's advancement
SERVICE TO NOA OR AOA
- Service as an officer, committee chair, member, etc., on the NOA Board
- Promotion of the NOA's goals and programs
- Activity in support of the NOA's projects
- Regular attendance at NOA CE events
- Attendance at GWCO Congress
- Volunteering at AOA, Committees, Task Forces, etc.
- Involvement in public information activities
- Going above and beyond
YOUNG OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR
The Young Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes an OD in their first decade of practice who show leadership skills when serving their profession, patients, and community. The nominee must be a NOA member in good standing and be in active optometric practice for ten years or less (including residency or fellowship). Age is not a criterion for this award.Criteria to consider:
SERVICE TO OPTOMETRY
- Leadership roles
- Major accomplishments
- Initiating and/or implementing a unique plan, program, or action on behalf of optometry
- Published professional articles or research findings
- Outreach to potential students or assistance to optometry students and/or recent graduates
SERVICE TO THE VISUAL WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC
- Sight-saving groups or charities
- Service efforts in the community
- Participation in government healthcare programs
SERVICE TO NOA OR AOA
- Service as an officer, committee chair member, etc., on the NOA Board
- Promotion of the NOA's goals and programs
- Activity in support of the NOA's projects
- Regular attendance at NOA CE events
- Community service
- Attendance at GWCO Congress
- Volunteering at AOA
- Involvement in public information activities
- Going above and beyond
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
The President's Award recognizes an Optometrist who has served or currently serves on the NOA Board and goes above and beyond to further the profession.Criteria to consider:
SERVICE TO NOA OR AOA
- AOA/NOA member in good standing
- Outstanding Leadership of the NOA Board or Committee
- Serving multiple times on the NOA Board
- Regular attendance at NOA CE events
- Community Service - community, state, national, or global
- Attendance at GWCO Congress, AOA House of Delegates, Legislature, AOA on the Capitol, etc.
- Volunteering at AOA, Committees, Task Forces, etc.
- Going above and beyond in the area of focus
- Work to improve the visual welfare of the public
OPTOMETRIC EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Optometric Educator of the Year recognizes an NOA Optometrist who has presented a lecture/continuing education to NOA members in person or online in the past year.Criteria to consider:
SERVICE TO NOA OR AOA
- An AOA/NOA member is in good standing.
- Going above and beyond in the area of focus
- Work to improve the visual welfare of the public
NOA VISION AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
The NOA Vision Award of Community Service recognizes an organization or individual who continues to do work in the community (locally, statewide, nationally, and/or internationally) to promote eye health and eye care.NOA VISIONARY AWARD
The NOA Visionary Award is the highest award presented to the general public by the NOA. It honors persons or organizations for distinguished service to the visual welfare of the public. Eligible recipients include educators and spokespersons, organizations such as service clubs and philanthropic groups, publications made available to those with visual handicaps, and public officials.*Criteria to consider:
- Significant public service for the visual welfare of others
- Advancements in access to eye care
- Recipients can be for-profit or non-profit organizations; institutions; educational institutions and organizations; research programs; civic and community groups; or public, appointed, or elected officials