Among those honored by the NOA were, (l-r): Laura Medina, winner of the Walmart Leadership Scholarship; Gulnoza Azieva, winner of the NOA Future Contact Lens Leader Scholarship; Sophia Johnson, winner of the NOSA Executive Board Award.

GARDEN GROVE, Calif.—The National Optometric Association held its 51st annual NOA Convention here last month, the first in-person convention the organization has held since 2020. Over 130 doctors, students, exhibitors, and community leaders met from July 8-10 to share industry advice and resources along with 16 hours of COPE-accredited courses. The convention provided an opportunity for corporate sponsors to offer product information and engage the NOSA (National Optometric Student Association) students with speakers, networking, career opportunities and more. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) leaders provided insights on how the field of optometry is changing. This year’s theme “Renewing the Promise” coincided with the NOA’s mission of “Advancing the Visual Health of Minority Populations.”
 
The NOA community outreach campaign “Serve Where You Go” administered 80 exams to people in Garden Grove, Calif. This event is held each year in underserved communities in the city of NOA’s annual convention. Supported by Vision Service Plan (VSP), the NOA doctors and volunteers dedicated their time and talent with The Boys and Girls Club to help make it a successful outreach event.
 
The Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) was the local college of optometry for this year’s NOA convention. Students from SCCO were in attendance, highlighting the excellent relationship of service between SCCO and NOSA investing in the success of compassionate students who are eager to serve and advance the visual health of minority and underserved communities.
 
 
 NOA/NOSA student director Dr. Keshia Elder was honored for being selected as dean of UMSL College of Optometry, making her the first Black dean of optometry in the U.S. Dean Elder received the Dr. Millicent Knight Leadership Award. She is pictured here (l) with Dr. Knight.
Scholarships awarded during the convention included the "Putting Passion into Practice" National Vision Grants, the NOA Future Contact Lens Scholarship (sponsored by Cooper Vision), Los Angeles County Optometric Society Scholarship, the Dr. David W. White Memorial Scholarship (sponsored by NOA Mississippi Chapter), Walmart Academic Scholarship, Walmart Leadership Scholarship, the Dr. Henry Moore Memorial Scholarship (sponsored by the National Optometric Foundation), the Dr. Will Kelley Memorial Scholarship (sponsored by the National Optometric Association), and the Dr. Ollie Powe Scholarship (sponsored by Modern Optical).
 
A number of awards presented during the conference, including the Dr. Marvin R. Poston Leadership Award, the Dr. Robert Johnson Pediatric & Vision Therapy Award, the John L. Howlette & C. Clayton Powell Student Founders Award, the "Visioning the Future" Award, the NOA Student of the Year award, the Founders award, the NOA Living Legend award, the NOA School of the Year award, the NOA Community Service award, the Dr. Melvin Shipp Young Optometrist of the Year award, the Dr. Betty Harville Educator of the Year award, the Dr. Edwin C. Marshall Emerging Leader Award, and the Dr. Charles Comer Community Service Award (sponsored by Hoya Vision).
 
The NOA congratulated NOA/NOSA student director Dr. Keshia Elder on being selected as the dean of UMSL College of Optometry, the first Black dean of optometry in the U.S. Dean Elder received the Dr. Millicent Knight Leadership Award.
 
NOA’s 2023 annual convention will take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., July 6-9.