Josephine Owoeye, OD, accepting the award on behalf of Marquavia Stinson; Rosalyn Comer, Krista Davis, Hoya; Rachel Adlish-Martin, Hoya.
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LEWISVILLE, TEXAS—Hoya Vision Care and the National Optometric Association have selected Marquavia Stinson of the Kentucky College of Optometry as the winner of the 5th Annual Dr. Charles Comer Community Service Award.

“We are committed to supporting diversity in the field of optometry,” said Barney Dougher, president of Hoya Vision Care, North America. “We have worked with some amazing people over the years to establish sustainable programs that will help under-represented minorities through scholarships.”

Charles Comer, OD, was raised in East Chicago, Ind. In 1960, he and his classmate, Clarence Curry, OD became the first African American graduates of the Indiana University School of Optometry.

After graduation, Dr. Comer pursued a career in the U.S. Air Force and later became the first African American optometrist in East Chicago, where he practiced for over 44 years. He dedicated much of his time to the advancement of African Americans. He was a member of the NAACP, Indiana Black Expo State Board, State Board of Health Black and Minority Health Advisory Committee, Lake County Minority Health Coalition. For his dedication to NOA, he was awarded the NOA Optometrist of the Year Award in 1996.

Hoya is a platinum sponsor of the NOA. The Dr. Charles Comer Community Service Award, The Hoya Vision Care Wilma Mankiller scholarship created at Northeastern State University School of Optometry for Native American students, and The Hoya Vision Care Opportunity Fund established at Western University of Health Sciences for Hispanic Americans are a few of the scholarships available from Hoya.