LEXINGTON, Ky.—Richard E. Weisbarth, OD, has been presented with the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Optometry’s James A. Boucher Award of Excellence. NAP president Satya Verma, OD, FAAO, FNAP, Diplomate, presented Dr. Weisbarth with this award following a forum on “Interprofessional Practice and Education: Embracing Transformational Change” that was held April 8 to 9 in Baltimore.

Weisbarth was awarded this honor for his "exemplary contributions to the profession of optometry and health care field" and for upholding the NAP's mission to advance science and the concept of interdisciplinary health care.

He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1980 and is currently the vice president, professional affairs for Alcon Laboratories. Post grad, he served in the Contact Lens Practice Residency Program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Optometry. He has conducted a private optometric practice and held several different positions in Clinical Research and Professional Affairs for CIBA Vision Corporation in the U.S. and Switzerland.

His professional affiliations include being a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a Diplomate in its Section on Cornea & Contact Lenses, a Fellow of the British Contact Lens Association, a Fellow of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators, as well as a Distinguished Practitioner in Optometry in the National Academies of Practice and a member of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society.

Additionally, Weisbarth served on the American Academy of Optometry’s Executive Council and Board of Directors and was president of the organization from 2007 to 2008. He is also the current chairperson of the Contact Lens Institute and the National Academies of Practice in Optometry.