AOA president, Steven A. Loomis, OD, and former NASA astronaut Buzz
Aldrin, Ph.D.
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BOSTON—As the meeting’s organizers noted, the 2016 Optometry’s Meeting “lifted off” here on June 29, with an awards ceremony and a keynote address by astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Aldrin, one of the first human beings to set foot on the lunar surface on July 21, 1969, shared his story with attendees and inspired them to "dream higher." He said, "I consider myself a global statesman for space and have been doing my best to move things forward. People ask me all the time: Why do we need to go to Mars? Or, why do we even need a space program? Because by venturing into space, we improve life for everyone here on Earth. The scientific advancements and innovations that come from space-based research create products and technology that we use in our daily lives."

The opening session of 119th Annual AOA Congress & 46th Annual American Optometric Student Association Conference, was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc.

"Optometry's Meeting is truly unique in its role as the place where the leadership of the profession comes together to chart our course for the future," said Steven A. Loomis, OD, 2015-2016 AOA president.

The recipients of AOA's annual awards included Optometrist of the Year Award to Fred Farias III, OD, of Texas, for his outstanding service on behalf of the profession and the visual welfare of the public. Certified as a therapeutic optometrist and an optometric glaucoma specialist, Dr. Farias is CEO of 20/20 Vision Care in McAllen, Texas.


Buzz Aldrin urged attendees to "dream higher."

The Young Optometrist of the Year Award recognized Christopher Wolfe, OD, of Nebraska, who has been in practice less than 10 years and demonstrates remarkable leadership when serving the profession, patients and his community.

The Optometric Educator Award honored Jacqueline Davis, OD, MPH, of Ohio, for outstanding service on behalf of the profession, optometric education and the visual welfare of the public.

The Paraoptometric of the Year Award recognized Evelyn Denise Lott, CPOT, of Mississippi, for her significant contributions to the profession of paraoptometry.

The Distinguished Service Award recognized Roger Seelye, OD, of Michigan, 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 robust field of nominees from 28 state associations and the Armed Forces Optometric Society.