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. This is the highest award that WCO can bestow on an individual.
Nominations for the 2017 Distinguished Service Award have been reviewed and Dr. Bob Chappell was selected for this prestigious award.
This award was presented during the WCO’s Board of Directors Awards Dinner on September 10, 2017 in Hyderabad, India.
Find out more
To nominate someone for the 2019 Distinguished Service Award to be presented at the 2019 WCO Board of Directors Awards Dinner, please check back here for details.
International Optometrist Award
The International Optometrist Award (previously International Optometrist of the Year award) is given to an optometrist who has shown outstanding commitment to the profession and the community.
There were no nominations for 2017, however, nominations for the 2015 International Optometrist Award were reviewed and the award was given to three individuals as the standard of nominations was so high:
Dr Allan Jones OD, Dr Shehzad A Naroo PhD, FIACLE, FAAO, FBCLA and Dr Bina Patel OD FAAO.
These awards were presented during the WCO’s General Delegates’ Meeting in August 2015, in Medellin, Colombia.
Find out more
To nominate someone for the 2019 International Optometrist Award to be presented at the 2019 Board of Directors Dinner, please check back here for details.
The Paul Berman Young Leader Award
The Paul Berman Young Leader Award is given to an optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s Vision and Mission and shows promising future leadership in world optometry.
Nominations for the 2017 Paul Berman Young Leader Award have been reviewed and Ms. Priya Morjaria was selected for this prestigious award.
This award was presented during the WCO Board of Directors Awards Dinner on September 10, 2017 in Hyderabad, India.
Find out more
To nominate someone for the 2019 Paul Berman Young Leader Award to be presented at the 2019 Governing Board & VIP Dinner, please check back here for details.
Past winners
Below is a list of the winners of the following awards:
- International Optometrist Award
- Distinguished Service Award
- Tribute Award to outgoing Presidents
- Certificate of Appreciation
International Optometrist Award
(Previously called the International Optometrist of the Year Award)
| Winner | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Allan Jones | Canada | 2015 |
| Prof Shehzad Naroo | UK | 2015 |
| Dr Bina Patel | USA | 2015 |
| Dr Jillia Bird | Antigua | 2013 |
| Hans Bjoern Bakketeig | Norway | 2012 |
| Dr Tom Little | USA | 2010 |
| Ron Fyfe | New Zealand | 2008 |
| Prof Kovin Naidoo | South Africa | 2007 |
| Dr Jerry Vincent | USA | 2006 |
| Dr Paul Berman | USA | 2005 |
| Dr Scott Brisbin | Canada | 2004 |
| Dr Roland Eyime | Nigeria | 2003 |
| Prof Willard Bleything | 2002 | |
| Dr Tony Cullen | Canada | 2001 |
| Prof Dan Sheni | South Africa / Nigeria | 2000 |
| Jose Collado | Spain | 1999 |
| Dr Irvin M Borish | USA | 1996 |
| Damian Smith | Australia | 1995 |
| G Burtt Holmes | USA | 1993 |
| Mr Brian Layland OAM | Australia | 1992 |
| Mr Bert Koopman | Netherlands | 1991 |
| Prof Henry Hofsletter | USA | 1990 |
| Mr Svein Hommenstad | Norway | 1989 |
| Dr Claro Cinco | Philippines | 1988 |
Distinguished Service Award
| Winner | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Prof George Woo | Hong Kong | 2015 |
| Prof Brien Holden | South Africa | 2013 |
| Dr Antonio Joson, Jr | Philippines | 2007 |
| Anthony Di Stefano | USA | 2006 |
| Francis Kojovi Monrny | 2005 | |
| William Baldwin | 2001 | |
| Henry W Hofstetter | 1999 |
Tribute Award to outgoing Presidents
| Winner | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Prof George Woo | Hong Kong | 2011 |
| Dr Robert Chappell | UK | 2009 |
| Dr Victor Connors | USA | 2007 |
| Prof D D Sheni | South Africa | 2006 |
| Damien Smith | Australia | 2004 |
| Scott Brisbin | Canada | 2002 |
| Mangred Müller | Germany | 2000 |
| Rolland Des Grosseiller | Canada | 1998 |
Certificate of Appreciation
| Winner | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Yigal Gutman | Israel | 2006 |
| Ricado Bretas | Brazil | 2006 |
| Ron Fyfe | New Zealand | 2006 |
| Sam Galloway | USA | 2002 |
| Peter Gunkel | 2001 | |
| Ben Lewis | 2001 | |
| Jack Von Bokern | 1999 |