Awards

Dr. Uduak Udom Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is given to an optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s Vision and Mission.  In 2019, it was decided to change the title to honour the legacy of the late Dr. Uduak Udom, Past President of WCO.

In order to achieve the WCO vision of a world where optometry makes high quality eye health and vision care accessible to all people, the mission is to facilitate the development of optometry around the world and support optometrists in promoting eye health and vision care as a human right through advocacy, education, policy development and humanitarian outreach.

Since the Award is only to be made from nominations of truly extraordinary contributions to optometry or eye care, it will not necessarily be awarded every year.

If this award is presented in 2019, it will be presented at the joint World Council of Optometry and American Academy of Optometry Gala and Awards Program in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, October 26.

Nomination criteria:

1. There should be clear evidence that the nominee is making an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s Vision and Mission.
2. Nominees must be a member of a WCO member organisation which is in good standing.
3. WCO Board of Directors are not eligible for this award until off the board for a minimum of 2 years.

Nominations are invited from a Region or Country, Affiliate or Individual members of the WCO, and should include the following:

• Completed nomination form
• Letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is particularly deserving of this award and outlining the specific contributions of the nominee
• Letter seconding the nomination
• Copy of the nominee’s CV

Nomination Deadline:

Application deadline is August 23, 2019.

Please click here to submit a nomination.

The International Optometrist Award

The International Optometrist Award recognizes an optometrist who has shown outstanding and extraordinary contributions and commitment to the development of the profession of optometry and vision care globally.

As this award is presented to individuals whose influence and involvement have made a significant impact to optometry and vision care on an international basis, it may not be awarded every year.

In 2019, this WCO award will be presented at the joint World Council of Optometry and American Academy of Optometry Gala and Awards Program in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, October 26.

Nomination criteria:

1. There should be clear evidence that the nominee is making an outstanding contribution to the development of the profession of optometry and vision care globally.
2. Nominees must be a member of a WCO member organisation which is in good standing.
3. WCO Board of Directors are not eligible for this award until off the board for a minimum of 2 years.

Nominations are invited from a Region or Country, Affiliate or Individual members of the WCO, and should include the following:

• Completed nomination form
• Letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is particularly deserving of this award and outlining the specific contributions of the nominee
• Letter seconding the nomination
• Copy of the nominee’s CV

Nomination Deadline:

Application deadline is August 23, 2019.

Please click here to submit a nomination.

The Paul Berman Young Leader Award

The World Council of Optometry, in collaboration with the Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Special Olympics,  Essilor International and the Brien Holden Vision Institute,  presents the Paul Berman Young Leader Award.

The Award, presented in honour of the late Dr. Paul Berman, is given to a young optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of the WCO’s vision and mission and shows promising future leadership in world optometry.

In 2019, this WCO award will be presented at the joint World Council of Optometry and American Academy of Optometry Gala and Awards Program in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, October 26.

Nomination criteria

1. There should be clear evidence of a real and important contribution to the achievement of WCO’s vision and mission despite the young age of the candidate.
2. The individual in the opinion of the panel must have the potential to play a future leadership role in world optometry.
3. The individual should be no more than 35 years of age.
4. Nominees must be a member of a WCO member organisation which is in good standing.
5. WCO Board of Directors are not eligible for this award until they have been off the Board for at least two years.

Nominations are invited from a Region or Country, Affiliate or Individual members of the WCO and should include the following:

• Completed nomination form
• Letter of nomination explaining why the nominee is particularly deserving of this award and outlining the specific contributions of the nominee
• Letter seconding the nomination
• Copy of the nominee’s CV

Nomination Deadline:

Application deadline is August 23, 2019.

Please click here to submit a nomination.

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Past winners

Below is a list of the winners of the following awards:

• The Dr. Uduak Udom Distinguished Service Award (formerly the Distinguished Service Award)
• The International Optometrist Award
• The Paul Berman Young Leader Award
• The Tribute Award to outgoing Presidents

The Dr. Uduak Udom Distinguished Service Award

The International Optometrist Award

The Paul Berman Young Leader Award

The Tribute Award to Outgoing Presidents