PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—Transitions Optical has named the finalists for its new Transitions Innovation Awards program, which recognizes both individuals and companies from the U.S. and Canada for their innovative efforts to support the Transitions brand over the past year. The finalists will be honored during Transitions Academy 2016, where the winners will be announced.

“Innovation exists within all business functions and teams; sometimes it’s the company culture that supports and sustains this creativity and at times it’s an individual that inspires a change or idea,” said Jose Alves, general manager, Americas, Transitions Optical. “All of our finalists have applied smart, innovative thinking to achieve their professional and personal goals. We are grateful to these individuals and businesses for their partnership and for all they do to promote the Transitions brand.”

Here is a list of the Transitions Innovation Awards program finalists.

2015 Transitions Brand Ambassador
The Transitions Brand Ambassador award celebrates an individual who best showcases their dedication to being an influential advocate of the Transitions brand. The 2015 finalists include:
• Eric White, OD and owner: Complete Family Vision Care (San Diego, Calif.)
• George Thomas, territory director: Visionworks (Chicago, Ill. region)
• Rachel Hill, optician and owner: Personal Optical (St. Catherines, Ontario)

Best in Growth Achievement
The Best in Growth Achievement title is awarded to an individual or company that has demonstrated a strong commitment to Transitions Optical and photochromic growth. The 2015 finalists include:
• Henry Ford OptimEyes:19-office regional retail chain in the metro Detroit area
• Insightful Visions: Independent practice located in Sechelt, B.C.
•Vision Arts Eyecare Center: Independent practice located in Fulton, Mo.

Best in Training
The Best in Training award celebrates an individual, company or educator that has shown creativity in developing or offering training and education opportunities that include dispensing photochromic lenses, the Transitions brand or Transitions family of products. The 2015 finalists include:
• Lunetterie New Look Eyewear: Canadian retailer with 75 locations in Québec and Ontario
• U.S. Optical: Independent laboratory, headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y.
• Visionworks: Third largest optical retailer in the U.S., with over 670 locations

Best in Marketing
Best in Marketing honors an individual or company for their creative and strategic marketing tactics to effectively promote the Transitions brand or Transitions family of products among customers or within their communities. The 2015 finalists include:
• Lunetterie New Look Eyewear: Canadian retailer with 75 locations in Québec and Ontario
• Opto-Reseau: Canadian retailer with more than 65 clinics in Québec
• Visionworks: Third largest optical retailer in the U.S., with over 670 locations (Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas)

Best in Patient Experience
The Best in Patient Experience award is presented to an individual or company for developing a forward-thinking approach to consistently dispense Transitions lens products to meet individual patient needs. The 2015 finalists include:
• Advanced Vision & Achievement Center: Independent practice located in Phoenix, Ariz.
• Vision Arts Eyecare Center: Independent practice located in Fulton, Mo.
• Vision Source – Olmos Park: Independent practice located in San Antonio, Texas