NSUCO - The Visionary Fall 2010

the VISIONARY • Summer/Fall 2010 25 Naomi Aguilera (class of 2011) and Sharon Park (class of 2013) have been selected by Vistakon for free student membership in the American Public Health Association Vision Care Section (APHA). The APHA, which is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world, works to protect all Amer- icans, their families, and their communities from preventable se- rious health threats and strives to assure that community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States. The association represents a broad array of health professionals, in- cluding optometrists, who care about their own health and the health of their communities. The APHA also builds a collective voice for public health, works to ensure access to health care, protects funding for core public health services, and eliminates health disparities, among a myriad of other issues. The APHA Vision Care Section has actively advo- cated for visual health and eye care for 20 years. Optometrists are encouraged to join and become actively involved by visiting www.apha.org . Pravina Patel, O.D. (‘10), Naomi Aguilera (class of 2011), and Leslie Rosenthal (class of 2011) were named 2010 Transitions Students of Vision Scholarship winners. Thirteen entries that demonstrated this year’s Focus on Children’s Vision were selected as the scholarship winners. Supported by the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund, the scholarship program awarded 14 students from the United States and Canada. Projects were judged by a group of Transitions Optical representatives, eye care profession- als, and marketing specialists. To encourage creativity and a wide range of interpretations, projects were accepted in three cate- gories: Activity/Event, Multimedia, and Other. The Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund awarded six $1,000 scholarships and seven $500 scholarships. “Switching the focus this year to children’s vision enabled the students to take a creative look at how they would interact with young patients,” said Carole Bratteig, professional development and education manager for Transitions. “We could not be more pleased with the entries received this year. I have faith that the next generation of patients will be in good hands with these stu- dents of vision.” Students were encouraged to be creative as they explored their roles in care for patients 18 years of age and younger. Projects in- cluded research papers, presentations, videos, posters, and com- munity outreach. Winning students will also have their entries fea- tured on the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund Web site located at www.HealthySightforLife.org . Site Student News B Y N. S COTT G ORMAN , O.D., M.S., E D .D., FAAO, D IRECTOR OF D EVELOPMENT AND A LUMNI R ELATIONS , E DITOR - IN -C HIEF , T HE V ISIONARY eye