ST. LOUIS—Doctors of optometry may now be nominated for the 2020 National Optometry Hall of Fame, a tremendous honor for doctors who have made a major and enduring impact on the profession, according to an announcement by the American Optometric Association (AOA). Inductees will be honored at AOA’s Optometry’s Meeting in June 2020 in National Harbor, Md. The National Optometry Hall of Fame is administered by the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) charitable foundation, Optometry Cares, which works year-round to expand eye health and vision care access to all American citizens and communities, the announcement noted.

There are two categories for the award—one for optometrists who work in the academic field of the profession, and the other for optometrists who work in private practice or federal service. There will be a minimum of one person inducted from each category.

Each nomination is valid for National Optometry Hall of Fame consideration for four consecutive years.

To be eligible for the National Optometry Hall of Fame, an optometrist must have records of dedicated service, lifetime achievements and enduring lifetime contributions, as well as involvement in the profession of optometry for more than 30 years. Specific criteria for nominations can be viewed here.

In addition to the information required on the nomination forms, the following materials must be provided: nominee’s curriculum vitae, letters of support (minimum of two) and a photo of the nominee (current head and shoulder shot preferred), if available.

The deadline for online submissions is Jan. 31, 2020. To access the nomination forms and criteria, visit the website. http://www.aoafoundation.org/halloffame/nomination-form/