ST. LOUIS—The winners of the American Optometric Association’s annual awards will be recognized at the 2018 Optometry's Meeting Opening General Session on June 20 in Denver, Colo. Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision, the session will also feature keynote speaker Aron Ralston, who captured international headlines in 2003 after a canyoneering accident left him trapped between two boulders in a remote location for more than five days. Attendees will take away a true appreciation for the power of the human spirit and the value of relationships to overcome life's challenges, no matter how large or daunting one's "boulder" may be.

Here are the award winners:

• The Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes David Redman, OD, of California, for his outstanding service on behalf of the profession and the visual welfare of the public.

• The Young Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes Matthew Jones, OD, of Arkansas, who has been in practice less than 10 years and demonstrates remarkable leadership when serving the profession, patients and her community.

• The Paraoptometric of the Year Award recognizes Carol Lovell, CPOT, CPOC, of Wyoming, for her significant contributions to the profession of paraoptometry.

• The Optometric Educator Award recognizes Mark Swanson, OD, of Alabama, for outstanding service on behalf of the profession, optometric education and the visual welfare of the public.

• The Distinguished Service Award recognizes Joseph Mallinger, OD, of California, for his unusually significant contributions to the profession of optometry.

The Optometrist of the Year and Young Optometrist of the Year were selected from a field of nominees from 27 state associations and the Armed Forces Optometric Society. Click here to learn more about the award winners.