The American Optometric Association (AOA), the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and The AOA Foundation have announced the recipients of the organizations’ 2025 annual awards, recognizing optometrists, educators, students and paraoptometric professionals for their contributions to advancing eye care and the optometric profession.

The honorees will be celebrated during Optometry’s Meeting World Congress of Optometry, scheduled for June 25-28 in Minneapolis. The awards span multiple categories, including the AOA Excellence Awards, National Optometry Hall of Fame, Student of the Year honors and paraoptometric recognition programs.

Among the top honors, James Hardie, OD, of Michigan was named "Optometrist of the Year" for his leadership within organized optometry and advocacy work at the state and national levels. Annabelle Storch, OD, MA, of California received "Young Optometrist of the Year" recognition for her work in pediatric optometry, leadership in professional organizations and research contributions.

Aaron Zimmerman, OD, MS, FAAO, of Ohio was selected as "Optometric Educator of the Year," reflecting his extensive contributions to clinical education, ocular disease research and professional training at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Richard Soden, OD, FAAO, CPC, of New York earned the "Distinguished Service Award" for decades of leadership in optometric education, practice management and organized optometry.

The AOA also recognized Napua Rich of Oregon with the "Apollo Award" for her efforts to improve access and quality within Oregon’s Medicaid Vision Services program. According to the organization, she has played a key role in modernizing policies, reducing provider barriers and expanding access to care for Medicaid patients.

The "AOSA Student of the Year Award" was presented to Cori Dorrell, a fourth-year student at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. Ms. Dorrell was recognized for leadership roles within student optometric organizations and her commitment to community service and ocular disease care.

This year’s National Optometry Hall of Fame inductees are Christopher Quinn, OD, and Timothy Wingert, OD, both honored for long-standing contributions to clinical care, education and advocacy within the profession. Dr. Quinn, a former AOA president, has been widely recognized for his work in optometric education and telehealth policy, while Dr. Wingert has been acknowledged for leadership in academia and international optometric collaboration.

Additional honors included the "Dr. W. David Sullins Jr. InfantSEE Award," presented to John Tassinari, OD, for contributions to infant vision care, and the "Dr. Jerry P. Davidoff Vision Care Award," awarded to Tracy Matchinski, OD.

The AOA and AOA Foundation also recognized outstanding paraoptometric professionals. Jennifer Stroupe, CPO, received the "Paraoptometric of the Year Award," while Tamara “Tami” Franklin, CPOT, earned the "Paraoptometric Lifetime Achievement Award." Kimberly Pickle, CPOA, was recognized with the "Paraoptometric Community Service Award."