(Clockwise from top left) Kenneth Lawson, OD, Roya Attar, OD, Caroline Beesley Pate, OD,  Roger Jordan, OD, and Janet Mills.

ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association (AOA) has announced the five association members who have won its prestigious annual professional awards, which are sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision. The award winners and categories are:
• Optometrist of the Year Award—Kenneth Lawson, OD, of Florida, for his outstanding service on behalf of the profession and the visual welfare of the public. A graduate of the College of Optometry-University of Houston, Lawson has been a tireless advocate for the field of optometry and the public. His passion for his profession extends beyond his optometry office, and his drive to fight for others has earned him the respect and admiration of his patients, colleagues and public officials. With the completion of his residency at Braverman Eye Center in Miami, Dr. Lawson runs a successful multi-doctor practice, Bayshore Eye Care, with his wife Jamie Lawson, OD, in his hometown of Bradenton, Fla., specializing in ocular disease management and treatment.
• Young Optometrist of the Year Award—Roya Attar, OD, MBA, of Mississippi, who has been in practice less than 10 years and demonstrates remarkable leadership when serving the profession, patients and her community. Before obtaining her Doctorate of Optometry degree at UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry in San Antonio, Texas, in 2013, she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Memphis in 2003 and 2004. In 2017, she earned a Master's in business administration with an emphasis in health care from the University of Pikeville College of Business in Pikeville, Ky. Attar served the Kentucky College of Optometry in various roles, including as assistant professor from 2015 to 2018.
• Optometric Educator Award—Caroline Beesley Pate, OD, of Alabama, for outstanding service on behalf of the profession, optometric education and the visual welfare of the public. Pate received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Gettysburg College in 2000, and then went on to attend the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where she received a second Bachelor of Science degree in vision science in 2001, and her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2004 with high honors. After graduation, she completed a residency in family practice optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry (UABSO). She began her tenure with the UAB School of Optometry in 2005 as a clinical assistant professor. Since 2013, she has been an associate professor. Dr. Pate served as the supervisor for the Family Practice Optometry Residency Program from 2008-2014. In 2014, she was named the Director of Residency Programs for UABSO.
• Paraoptometric of the Year Award—Janet Millis, CPOT, of Illinois, for her significant contributions to the profession of paraoptometry. Millis has worked full-time for Fairbury Vision Center in Fairbury, Ill., since 2011 as a technician, optician and in the business department. Originally a CNA, she sought out knowledge and skills above and beyond what was asked of her. In early 2018, as a result of her leadership and ability to perform well in every area of the office, she was promoted to patient care manager/staff manager, in which she has thrived. Millis received her CPO in February 2013 and shortly after set her sights on the CPOT. Of her own volition, she attended Madison Area Technical College's online CPOT course from 2013 to 2015 and completed her technical diploma in May 2015
• Distinguished Service Award—Roger Jordan, OD, of Wyoming, for his unusually significant contributions to the profession of optometry. Born in Livingston, Mont., Jordan graduated from Montana State University with Bachelor of Science, with honors. Attending the Southern California College of Optometry, he received his Doctor of Optometry, graduating Magna Cum Laude. While being partner/owner of Gillette Optometric Clinic since 1985 in Gillette, Wyo., Dr. Jordan has been involved and volunteered at the local, state and national level of the profession's optometric associations from early in his career. A Diplomat, American Board of Optometry since 2014, Dr. Jordan has committed himself to the advancement of the profession of optometry.

The Optometrist of the Year and Young Optometrist of the Year were selected from a robust field of nominees from 30 state associations and the Armed Forces Optometric Society. Each of these AOA-member doctors of optometry have distinguished themselves, and the profession, and are deserving of recognition and appreciation.