AOA honors profession’s luminaries

Linda D. Johnson, O.D.

AOA President Kevin L. Alexander, O.D., Ph. D., presents Elizabeth Draper Muckley, O.D., with her award.

Arol R. Augsburger, O.D.

James Kesteloot

As part of his first duty as president of the Optometric Physicians of Washington, Michael Noble, O.D., welcomed attendees of the 2008 Optometry’s Meeting^® to the Pacific Northwest and the city of Seattle.

The Opening General Session, sponsored by Essilor, kicked off the meeting Thursday morning with the recognition of the AOA annual award recipients.

AOA President Kevin Alexander, O.D., Ph.D., presented the Distinguished Service Award to his mentor, Arol R. Augsburger, O.D., president of the Illinois College of Optometry.

After more than 40 years in the profession, Dr. Augsburger said he still loves getting up every day and doing what he’s doing.

“This is the highest compliment a doctor of optometry can receive from his profession,” Dr. Augsburger said of his honor. “I’m proud to have all of you in partnership for these important accomplishments.”

Next, Dr. Alexander presented Linda D. Johnson, O.D., with the Optometrist of the Year Award.

Dr. Johnson was the first black female optometrist in Mississippi and started the first optometric health clinic in the state.

“I’m very humbled and honored,” Dr. Johnson said while receiving her award. “I stand in the presence of the many giants who were honored before me.”

The Young Optometrist of the Year Award went to Elizabeth Draper Muckley, O.D.

Dr. Muckley was instrumental in getting scope of practice legislation passed in Ohio and was the third female member of the National Optometric Glaucoma Society.

“Early in my career, I realized the importance of advancing optometry for the benefit of patient care,” Dr. Muckley said.

The Apollo Award was presented to James Kesteloot, president and executive director of the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Legally blind himself, Kesteloot transformed the Lighthouse from a local service agency to a nationally respected, multifaceted organization with a global reach.

While receiving the award, Kesteloot noted the most important event in his life was when Alfred Rosenbloom, O.D., D.O.S., used a low vision device to help him read print for the first time as a freshman in high school.

“I’ve always had a warm place in my heart for optometry,” said Kesteloot.

Dr. Alexander presented the Paraoptometric of the Year Award to Beverly Roberts, CPOA, president of the Mississippi Paraoptometric Association.

Among her many accomplishments, Roberts worked tirelessly to revitalize the state paraoptometric chapter and is a region leader on the AOA State Government Relations Committee.

“To say it’s an honor to be named the Paraoptometric of the Year is the understatement of the year,” said Roberts upon receiving the award.