(L to R) Jonathan Chen of the University of Houston, Fatimah Hassan of Salus University and Terynn Chan of Pacific University accepting their 2017 NOSA grants at the NOA Convention & CE Program.
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PORTLAND, Ore.—National Vision Inc. (NVI), one of the nation’s largest optical retailers, has awarded $7,000 in grants to three members of the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), the company announced earlier this week. The student grants come under NVI’s partnership with the National Optometric Association (NOA).

This year’s grant essay topic covered the impact of technology in the optometric industry. National Vision asked students to share their perspectives on how technology has changed the field, how they think innovations will impact it in the future and how they envision utilizing technology as a practicing optometrist.

The grant winners were announced July 14 at the NOSA Scholarship Awards presentation during the 49th Annual NOA Convention & CE Program held here, according to the announcement.

The 2017 NOSA grant winners included:

• First Place ($4,000) - Fatimah Hassan, SALUS/Pennsylvania College of Optometry (2018)
• Second Place ($2,000) - Terynn Chan, Pacific University College of Optometry (2019)
• Third Place ($1,000) - Jonathan Chen, University of Houston College of Optometry (2018)

The mission of the NOA, “advancing the visual health of minority populations,” runs parallel with National Vision’s mission of making quality eyecare and eyewear more affordable and accessible to all, according to the NVI announcement.

“As a proud partner, National Vision is honored to support the NOSA and to help make it possible for the NOA to continue advancing the visual health of minority populations,” NVI vice president of professional services Mauricio Wissinger said in the announcement. “The entire team at National Vision congratulates all winners.”

NVI is one of the largest optical retail companies in the U.S., and it operates five retail divisions: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Vision Centers inside select Walmart stores and Vista Optical inside Fred Meyer and on select military bases.