From honorary lectures to annual awards, the following organizations and individuals received special recognition at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 130th annual meeting:

HONORED ON THURSDAY, OCT 8

During the Fall Council Meeting, Mary Louise Z. Collins, MD, was presented with the Hall of Fame Award for her career-long commitment to state advocacy. The Hall of Fame award is selected by the Academy Secretariat for State Affairs. 

HONORED ON FRIDAY, OCT 9

Academy President Christopher J. Rapuano, MD, named Richard L. Abbott, MD, Dale E. Fajardo, EdD, MBA, Peter R. Laibson, MD, and Gregory L. Skuta, MD, as his AAO 2026 Guests of Honor.

Robert W. Enzenauer, MD, MPH, delivered the Leonard Apt Lecture (Kids Caught in the Combat Zone) during Pediatric Ophthalmology Subspecialty Day (Ped03; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The Leonard Apt Lecture was established by the AAP Section on Ophthalmology to honor Dr. Apt, the first physician to achieve board certification in both pediatrics and ophthalmology.

Jacob A. Kanter, MD, delivered the Troutman Prize Lecture (Early Postoperative Conjunctival Complications Leading to Exposure of Surgically Implanted CorNeat EverPatch Devices) and was presented with the Troutman Prize during Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day (Ref06; viewable on demand). The Troutman Prize recognizes the scientific merit of a young author published in the Ophthalmology family of journals.  

Carla J. Siegfried, MD, delivered the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Subspecialty Day Lecture (Understanding Post-Vitrectomy Glaucoma: A Scientific Journey Led by Curiosity, Sparked by Serendipity) and was presented with the AGS Subspecialty Day Lectureship Award during Glaucoma Subspecialty Day (Gla05; viewable on demand).    

Richard F. Spaide, MD, delivered the Charles L. Schepens, MD, Lecture (The Joy of Seeing) during Retina Subspecialty Day (Ret05; viewable on demand).

HONORED ON SATURDAY, OCT 10

The Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) was presented with the Distinguished Service Award during the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). The Academy recognizes APAO not only for its decades of accomplishment, but for its enduring dedication to collaboration, education, and the global mission to eliminate preventable blindness. The Academy President nominates the recipients of this award. 

George B. Bartley, MD, delivered the Dr. Allan Jensen and Claire Jensen Lecture in Professionalism and Ethics (The Many Faces of Professionalism; Sym15; viewable on demand).

Renee Bovelle, MD, was recognized as this year’s Outstanding Advocate Award recipient during the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). Bovelle was nominated by the National Medical Association, Ophthalmology Section for her sustained, high-impact advocacy at the state, regional, and national levels for more than a decade. (The Academy will start accepting nominations for the 2027 award on Dec. 1.)

Arthur Brant, MD, was recognized as this year’s Artemis Award recipient during the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). He will be presented with the award on Sunday, during the session titled YO Program Part 1—If the Shoe Fits: Choosing the Best Practice Setting for You (Sym36; 9:45-11:00 am), where he will present the Artemis Award Talk (10:25-10:35 am).

Janet Louise Davis, MD, MA, delivered the Jackson Memorial Lecture (Predicting the Future of Uveitis) and was presented with the Jackson Memorial Lecture Award during the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand).

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF) was recognized by the Visionary Society as a Platinum Level member at the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). The Visionary Society recognizes distinguished donors who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to ophthalmology by contributing $1 million or more to the Academy Foundation this year. The Academy and its Foundation appreciate and acknowledge Knights Templar leaders for their tremendous support, commitment, and partnership in providing the single largest gift in Foundation history to support a new virtual reality simulation fund for pediatric ophthalmology on the ONE Network. (In 2025, KTEF was recognized as an Academy Foundation Honoree for its decades-long campaign to protect sight.) 

Matthew S. Oliva, MD, was recognized as an Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award recipient at the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). He was nominated for the award by the Cure Blindness Project for his dedication to fighting needless blindness and cultivating the next generation of eye care leaders. (The Academy will start accepting nominations for the 2027 award on Dec. 1.) 

Dmytro Pavlenko, MD, was recognized as an Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award recipient at the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). He was nominated by Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 18 for his extraordinary commitment to patients during dangerous and deeply challenging circumstances. (The Academy will start accepting nominations for the 2027 award on Dec. 1.) 

Saraswathy Ramanathan, MD, is the recipient of the Straatsma Award for Excellence in Resident Education and was recognized during the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) will present Ramanathan with the award at its AUPO 2027 annual meeting in January.  

George L. Spaeth, MD, was presented with the Laureate Recognition Award, the Academy’s highest honor, during the Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand). The Laureate Recognition Award recipient is chosen by the Academy Laureate Selection Committee. 

Nasreen A. Syed, MD, delivered the Zimmerman Lecture (Where Have All the Globes Gone?) and was presented with the Zimmerman Award during the session titled Spooky Tales From the Lab (Sym03; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the American Association of Ophthalmic Oncologists and Pathologists.

George A. Williams, MD, is being honored as an Academy Foundation Honoree at Saturday evening’s Illuminate. The Foundation is recognizing Williams for his extraordinary commitment to ophthalmology, philanthropy, and advocacy.   

HONORED ON SUNDAY, OCT 11

Arthur Brant, MD, was presented with the Artemis Award and presented the Artemis Award Talk during the session titled YO Program Part 1—If the Shoe Fits: Choosing the Best Practice Setting for You (Sym36; 9:45-11:00 am; viewable on demand). He also was recognized as this year’s Artemis Award recipient during Saturday’s Opening Session (Sym07; viewable on demand).

Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians (CSEP) was presented with a State Affairs Star Award during the Society Presidents’ Breakfast and Recognition Awards event. The State Affairs Star Award recipients are selected by the Academy Secretariat for State Affairs, and CSEP was honored for its innovative “What Makes a Great Physician” video, which brought together physicians and patients to raise awareness of the growing pressures physicians face and foster greater understanding of the physician experience. 

Jill Annette Foster, MD, FACS, delivered the Wendell L. Hughes Lecture (A Career in Oculoplastic Surgery—Investigation Driven by Surgical Challenges) during the session titled Cutting-Edge Oculoplastic Surgery: Innovations and Practical Integration (Sym28; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

José Gomes, MD, delivered the Whitney G. Sampson Lecture (Global Consensus on Keratoconus—Bridging Evidence, Technology, and Clinical Practice) during the session titled Controversies in Corneal Ectasia: A Global Perspective (Sym39; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the Eye and Contact Lens Association.

Cig Harvey delivered the Michael F. Marmor Lecture in Ophthalmology and the Arts (Light, Sight, and Color: A Creative Exploration on Sensory Experience; Sym38; viewable on demand). Harvey, an internationally acclaimed artist, discussed photography as a method of storytelling and how her work explores light, color, and vision.

Jonathan C. Horton, MD, PhD, delivered the William F. Hoyt Lecture (The Optic Discs of Infants and Toddlers Are Nearly Impervious to the Development of Papilledema) and was presented with the Hoyt Award during the session titled From MS to MOGAD: Evolving Concepts in Demyelinating Optic Neuropathies (Sym29; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.

Mark S. Humayun, MD, PhD, delivered the Arnall Patz Lecture (Retinal Implants to Restore Sight) during the session titled Dry AMD: From Observation to Intervention—What’s Real, What’s Next, and What Matters (Sym35; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the Macula Society.

Lauren C. Kiryakoza, MD, shared third place in the Young Ophthalmologist (YO) 1-Minute Video Contest for Open-Sky Secondary Lens Insertion and Penetrating Keratoplasty, which she coproduced with Despoina Theotoka, MD. She was recognized during the session titled YO Program Part 3—The Art of the Difficult Case: Surgeons Present Their Toughest Moments (Sym50; viewable on demand). 

Mahsaw Mansoor, MD, took first place in the Young Ophthalmologist (YO) 1-Minute Video Contest for Intracapsular Cataract Extraction With Cryo and Staged Iris Repair in a Silicone Oil–Filled Eye. She was recognized during the session titled YO Program Part 3—The Art of the Difficult Case: Surgeons Present Their Toughest Moments (Sym50; viewable on demand). 

Seyhan Bahar Özkan, MD, delivered the Marshall M. Parks Lecture (Adventures With Anatomical Variations of Extraocular Muscles—Pearls of Recognition and Management) and was presented with the Parks Lecture Award during the session titled Let’s Be Clear: Pediatric Anterior Segment Made Practical (Sym47; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

Louis R. Pasquale, MD, delivered the Robert N. Shaffer Lecture (Exfoliation Glaucoma Reframed) during the session titled Glaucoma Management Beyond Lowering Intraocular Pressure: What Do We Know Now? (Sym34; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by Prevent Blindness.

Mario Alberto Sánchez Vela, MD, took second place in the Young Ophthalmologist (YO) 1-Minute Video Contest for Cogan Lid Twitch. He was recognized during the session titled YO Program Part 3—The Art of the Difficult Case: Surgeons Present Their Toughest Moments (Sym50; viewable on demand). 

Vincenzo Sarnicola, MD, delivered the Castroviejo Lecture (Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: Not Just for Keratoconus Anymore) during the session titled Advancements in Lamellar Keratoplasty (Sym48; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the Cornea Society.

Lucia Sobrin, MD, delivered the C. Stephen and Frances Foster Lecture on Uveitis and Immunology (Unmasking Autoimmune Retinopathy: Pearls for Diagnosis and Treatment; Sym45; viewable on demand).

Despoina Theotoka, MD, shared third place in the Young Ophthalmologist (YO) 1-Minute Video Contest for Open-Sky Secondary Lens Insertion and Penetrating Keratoplasty, which she coproduced with Lauren C. Kiryakoza, MD. She was recognized during the session titled YO Program Part 3—The Art of the Difficult Case: Surgeons Present Their Toughest Moments (Sym50; viewable on demand). 

Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (WAEPS) was presented with a State Affairs Star Award during the Society Presidents’ Breakfast and Recognition Awards event. The State Affairs Star Award recipients are selected by the Academy Secretariat for State Affairs, and WAEPS was honored for its work on WAEPS Connect, an innovative year-round program designed to cultivate the next generation of society leaders.

John J. Whyte, MD, MPH, delivered the Parker Heath Lecture (Defining the Role of the Physician in Medicine’s Future) during the session titled Artificial Intelligence, Data, and Health Policy: Driving Equity and Advocacy in Ophthalmology (Sym49; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the American Medical Association Ophthalmology Section Council. Whyte is the CEO of the American Medical Association.

HONORED ON MONDAY, OCT 12

Nicole R. Fram, MD, delivered the Charles D. Kelman Lecture (Courage Before Confidence: How Surgeons Are Made) during Spotlight on Cataract: Phaco/IOL Challenges—My Top 5 Pearls (Sym64; viewable on demand).

Michael E. Zegans, MD, delivered the Jones/Smolin Lecture (An Unmet Need: Challenges and Opportunities in the Development of Fungal Keratitis Treatment) during the session titled Combatting and Preparing for Antimicrobial Resistance in Ophthalmology (Sym62; viewable on demand), which is cosponsored by the Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group. 

The Academy also honors the following award recipients: